USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1830-1859 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Your Committee in closing their Report would make a single suggestion in relation to remarks frequently introduc-
10
ed in the reports of school committees upon the importance of securing experienced teachers, and discountenancing the employment of "new beginners." We are sensible that it is a matter of much importance that the services of experi- enced teachers should be secured as far as practicable. But as such teachers are annually falling off, either by death or resignation, the ranks must be kept full that every school may have a supply. Under such circumstances, persons who have not taught, must of necessity be employed. Such dis- couraging reports by superintending committees, must have a bad rather than a favorable influence upon those who wish to qualify themselves for teaching. These reports, we believe, prove an obstacle to many sensitive minds, which in- duces them to choose a different calling. Inexperienced, especially young teachers whose age cannot command the respect of a school, had better commence teaching in small districts or private schools until they are possessed of the firmness and dignity necessary in a teacher to sustain good order in a large and more difficult school. Beginners must and ought to be encouraged. They frequently succeed in the first attempt, and keep better schools than old teachers with waning ambition and a gradually increasing indiffer- ence, which sometimes springs from a long continued course of school-keeping.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL H. TOLMAN, - SILAS BROWN, LEMUEL C. EAMES, 1
School Committee.
WILMINGTON, March, 1859.
NOTE .- Dr. Brown objects to a single point in the Report, viz :- In regard to supporting the High School by taxation.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WILMINGTON,
FOR THE YEAR 1859-60.
BOSTON: S. CHISM,-FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, HAWLEY STREET, CORNER OF FRANKLIN. 1860.
REPORT.
THE following is a statement of the condition of the Public Schools in Wilmington, submitted March 5th, 1860 :
The amount of money appropriated by the Town for the District Schools the past year was seven hun- dred and fifty dollars, ($750.00), giving to each dis- trict one hundred and fifty dollars, ($150.00). The amount received from the State Fund was thirty- three dollars and sixty cents, ($33.60); making the whole amount of school money seven hundred and eighty-three dollars and sixty cents, ($783.60) ; and the whole amount due each district, one hundred and fifty-six dollars and seventy-two cents, ($156.72).
The teachers have received in each case, for both Summer and Winter Terms, $5.00 per week, or $20.00 per month.
Number of months' teaching in the North District, 62 ; in the East, 74 ; in the Centre, 73 ; in the West, 771% ; in the South, 52%. Total number of months, 343.
4
Whole number of scholars, both terms, North District, 41
Average «
66
31
Whole
66
East
18
Average 66
66
15
Whole
66
Centre
66
33
Average
66
66
66
23
Whole
66
West
66
23
Average 66
66
66
16
Whole
66
66
South
35
Average "
66
27
Whole number of scholars in all the schools,
150
Average attendance,
112
The Committee offer the following comments upon the state of each school :
NORTH DISTRICT.
Miss Elizabeth Damon was the teacher of the school in this district both terms. Considerable interrup- tion was caused in the summer by the whooping cough. The Committee found it necessary to sus- pend the school for a few weeks on that account. The effects of this breaking up of the school were manifest through the entire year. Miss Damon did all in her power to advance the best interests of the school, and was in a good degree successful, not- withstanding the unfavorable circumstances of the summer. Few teachers are so familiar with the studies to be taught, or are gifted with so clear and easy a manner in explaining difficulties to a pupil, and following him up till he understands them. Miss D. devoted herself, with unwearied pains, to the school, and very happily illustrated, in her own ways, the kindness and love which should always exist in the
5
hearts of both teacher and scholars, and govern them in all their intercourse.
But this desire to see all around her satisfied and happy did not seem to be sufficiently accompanied by that other essential quality in the teacher, - commanding authority. Teachers must remember this, above everything else, that a strict and vigilant government is not a whit less important in the school than in the State. Kind suggestions and sympathiz- ing advice, together with a faultless example, are of great value, but are not of themselves sufficient in the teacher of a school, any more than in the execu- tive of the Commonwealth. A mild, but earnest and uncompromising authority, an authority which insists upon little things in their place, must be maintained. Let this be the first thing, and the great thing aimed at. Then, no matter how much love there is, or scholarship, or any other excellence; the more, the better.
All the money due this district, including six dol- lars, which remained over from last year, was ex- pended in the district this year, except about two dollars.
The parents in the North District have always manifested their interest in the school, by visiting it from time to time. It is to be hoped that they will continue to labor in this way for the good of their own children and the school. A teacher needs the aid and encouragement of parents in this respect, as well as the scholars.
1*
6
EAST DISTRICT.
The school in the East District was under the charge of Miss Caroline L. Brigham through the year. Miss Brigham's qualifications for teaching, and her success heretofore, led all who knew her to expect that the school which she undertook this year would be well governed and well instructed, and consequently be a good school. These expectations were fully realized. Miss B. is one of our best teach- ers, and the rank she holds is the fitting reward of a patient and faithful devotedness to the duties of her calling.
Though the number of scholars in the East School was small, there was a good degree of enthusiasm manifested, and very decided progress made. The compositions presented at the examinations were excellent, and the declamations appropriately selected.
Many teachers are in the habit of allowing their pupils to take poetical extracts for declamations. This is a bad practice. Poetry is much more difficult to declaim or read than prose. It is easy enough to sing poetry, when attempting to read it, but not so easy to read it as it should be read. Teachers should be very careful on this point ; and when the reading exercise is poetry, let the utmost pains be taken, and the scholars be patiently and thoroughly drilled. Very young readers had better not attempt to read poetry much.
The matter of definitions was attended to quite carefully in this school, as well as in some of the others. We are glad to notice the increasing inter- est which is now much more generally taken in this
7
great branch of school training than formerly. It is impossible to over-estimate the importance of making scholars understand the meaning of words. Parents should see to it, that each scholar is supplied with a dictionary of his own, and teachers should see that they are put into use as much as any other book.
CENTRE DISTRICT.
The Centre District enjoyed the benefit of Miss Emma M. Buck's labors, as teacher, both terms. We regard the district as particularly fortunate in the school privileges of this year. Nothing on the part of the teacher, that could be done for the improve- ment of the pupils, was left undone. Never have the Committee witnessed better order. Consequently, there was a very remarkable interest among the scholars, in their several studies, and the result of all was rapid and thorough progress. The Committee were surprised to notice the improvement made by some scholars heretofore thought to be "hard to learn." They came out, at the close, with something of their own, and something which they will not be likely to forget.
Every visitor of the school must have been im- pressed with the idea that each scholar felt, that he had something to do, and was determined to do it. Every thing, too, was attended to in its season and in its place.
Greater regularity and punctuality on the part of the scholars were secured this year than previously. Parents in this district have been too much in the habit of permitting their children to go and come, at
8
their pleasure, and in the case of a little unfavorable weather, have been too ready to humor the child's desire to stay at home. Parents must see to this matter themselves. They must co-operate with the teacher, and put themselves to some inconvenience, sometimes, to see that their children are at school, except in unavoidable instances, every day, and in sea- son. Nor should they be too easily persuaded to give a child leave to be excused from school before school hours are ended. It is a damage, usually, to the par- ticular scholar excused (we refer to all except the very youngest), and it is a damage and a drawback to the school as a whole.
We add the single remark, that those who will look forward a few years, and see the result of strict and even rigid discipline upon scholars in after life, will seldom complain that the government of a school is not lenient enough. Laxity and carelessness on the part of a teacher have ruined ten, where a faithful and scrupulous authority has harmed one.
WEST DISTRICT.
The school in the West District was taught this year by the same teacher, Miss Eliza A. Bridges, who had presided over it so successfully the two preced- ing years. Nothing but peace and prosperity reigned in the school, the entire year. Indeed, the scholars, as might have been remarked of other districts, ap- peared more like a band of brothers and sisters than anything else. A kind, but firm, and efficient gov- ernment, which every scholar understood to be a thing of life and reality, was maintained, thereby
9
keeping everything in its proper place. Miss Bridges, it may not be amiss to remark, has improved in her department during the three years of her teaching, as much as any of her scholars in theirs.
The reading, particularly of the younger scholars, so far as the Committee could judge at the closing examinations, was excellent. All the exercises al- most without exception, were good.
Perhaps, in regard to some of the studies, there might have been, with profit, a less number of classes in the same branch. Scholars and parents should bear in mind, how much more a teacher can do for them by reducing the number of classes, in school, even if by so doing some scholars are obliged to spend a portion of the term in reviewing what has already been gone over. Ordinarily, neither scholars nor parents are so good judges, as the teacher, in re- gard to the particular class or book best adapted for
this or that pupil. Sometimes, too, a teacher is obliged to choose between the interests of the school, as a whole, and the interests of a particular scholar. A parent can generally meet the special wants of each child, but it is not always so with the teacher, who has to manage, not a single family only, but from ten to twenty families, parents and all.
SOUTH DISTRICT.
Miss Lydia Nichols taught the school in this dis- trict fifteen weeks in the summer, and about two- thirds of the winter term. No difficulty was met by the teacher in the course of the first term. There was an improvement in the order of the school after
10
the first visit of the Committee, and the closing ex- amination was quite hopeful. But the winter term had hardly commenced, when complaints began to be made against the teacher and the school. The Committee visited the school repeatedly, and visited disaffected parents, with the hope that, by right feel- ings, - mutual forbearance, and an earnest endeavor on the part of all concerned, teacher, scholars, and parents, to do, each his own duty,-the term might go on pleasantly and successfully. But after sufficient trial, and matters growing no better, the Committee advised the teacher to close the school at the end of a little more than eight weeks.
The Committee are of the opinion that these unfa- vorable results were due, partly, to want of experi- ence and judicious management in the teacher, but also to a failure, on the part of the older scholars, to take such a stand as they might and ought to have taken, and a too great readiness among parents to hear the complaints of their children, and talk with them and before them, against the teacher.
Nothing is so sure to make trouble in school, and keep it alive, as for parents to take the part of their children when punished at school. It requires, no doubt, great control by parents over their own feel- ings, to be silent, but it is unquestionably far better for the children themselves and for the school, that parents should refrain from expressing all they feel, even when a child has been, to some extent, unrea- sonably treated at school. Better, a great deal, the old rule, to correct a child at home, and have him understand that he is to expect it, if he gets correct- ed at school.
11
Much of the success of a teacher depends upon the conduct of the older boys in a school. The Com- mittee regret to say that, in this instance, there was little exhibition of that manly and noble feeling, which ought to lead such scholars to rally around, and heartily support a teacher, especially when that teacher is a female teacher.
The teacher also has her duties and responsibilities. It is a trying position, and calls for the exercise of a high idea of order, a wise laying down of rules, and a firm but prudent and consistent execution of them. The Committee would by no means have it under- stood that the teacher in the South District did all, in their opinion, that should have been done in these most essential points. With more experience, it is to be hoped that she will meet with better success.
There is but little remaining to add to this Report.
Owing to a slight misunderstanding in regard to the amount of money appropriated for the schools, two of the teachers a little exceeded the time for which the appropriation would pay them. It is re- commended, that in those districts the balance due be drawn from their respective shares of the school money to be voted for the coming year.
During the past year, the town has enjoyed the benefit of two public lectures upon Education ; - one by the Secretary of the Board of Education, Ex-Gov- ernor Boutwell, - the other by Rev. B. G. Northrop, an agent of the same Board. Both lectures gave entire satisfaction ; and, it is believed, were well adapted to interest and profit the community. Val- uable suggestions were made to teachers, which none
12
but teachers, especially those who have had some ex- perience, know fully how to appreciate.
The Massachusetts Board of Education, we believe, are doing a necessary and a very profitable work by these popular lectures, delivered in all parts of the State. Especially are they needed in such commu- nities as this.
With the best wishes for the prosperity of the schools in Wilmington, and with the hope that they may ever be the means of promoting a sound educa- tion, and advancing, in no unimportant degree, the interests of morality and piety, the Chairman of your Committee herewith resigns his present position, and takes his leave of the superintendence of the schools.
S. H. TOLMAN, School SILAS BROWN, Committee.
LEMUEL C. EAMES,
Wilmington, March 5, 1860.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.