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GENEALOGY 974.202 M312SC 1878
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01820 6943
THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF MANCHESTER,
TOGETHER WITH THE
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THIE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1878.
C
MANCHESTER, N. H .: PRINTED BY JOHN B. CLARKE. 1879.
THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF MANCHESTER,
TOGETHER WITH THE
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1878.
BA
AT
MANCHESTER, N. H .: PRINTED BY JOHN B. CLARKE. 1879.
CITY OF MANCHESTER.
IN BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL. Accepted and ordered to be printed.
JANUARY 7, 1879.
SYLVANUS B. PUTNAM, Clerk.
JANUARY 7, 1879.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN. Accepted and ordered to be printed.
-
NATHAN P. KIDDER, City Clerk.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
ORGANIZATION FOR 1878.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOHN L. KELLY, Mayor, Ex-officio Chairman. TIMOTHY W. CHALLIS,
President of the Common Council, ex officio. Ward 1. - George W. Stevens, 1 year. Henry C. Sanderson, 2 years. Ward 2. - James E. Dodge, 1 year. Gerherdus L. Demarest, 2 years.
Ward 3. - Nathan P. Hunt, 1 year. Charles A. Smith, 2 years. Ward 4. - George W. Weeks, 1 year. Walter M. Parker, 2 years. Ward 5. - Samuel P. Jackson, 1 year. Charles A. O'Connor, 2 years. Ward 6. - Loring P. Moore, 1 year. Henry A. Gage, 2 years. Ward 7. - Marshall P. Hall, 1 year. Ezra Huntington, 2 years. Ward 8, - Eugene W. Brigham, 1 year. Louis E. Phelps, 2 years.
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CLERK OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. JAMES E. DODGE.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
WILLIAM E. BUCK.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Finance, Accounts, and Claims. - The Mayor, Messrs. Hall, Huntington, Challis, Weeks, and Dodge.
Salaries. - Messrs. Stevens, Demarest, Sanderson, Hall, and Weeks.
Repairs, Furniture, and Supplies. - Messrs. Jackson, Hunt, Stevens, Smith, and Challis.
Text-Books and Apparatus. - Messrs. Hunt, Weeks, Moore, and O'Connor.
Fuel and Heating. - Mr. Huntington, the Mayor, Messrs. Brigham, Challis, and Smith.
Examination of Teachers. - Messrs. Demarest, Jackson, Hunt, and Parker.
Truancy. - Messrs. Sanderson, O'Connor, Dodge, and Moore.
Employment of Children, etc. - Messrs. Gage, Parker, Brigham, and Phelps.
Music. - Messrs. Weeks, Sanderson, Moore, and Smith.
Drawing. -- Messrs. Hall, Stevens, Phelps, and Dodge.
Non-Resident Pupils. - Messrs. Jackson, Gage, Phelps, and Moore.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
High School. - Messrs. Hall, Hunt, Jackson, Demarest, and Parker.
Ash and Bridge Streets. - Messrs. Hunt, Smith, Weeks, and Demarest.
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Lincoln Street and Wilson Hill. - Messrs. Jackson, Weeks, Parker, and Gage.
Spring Street. - Messrs. Stevens, Sanderson, Hall, and Huntington.
Franklin Street .- Messrs. Hall, Huntington, Sanderson, and Stevens.
Intermediate Building. - Messrs. Sanderson, Dodge, O'Connor, and Smith.
Piscataquog. - Messrs. Brigham, Phelps, Huntington, and Gage.
Manchester Street. - Messrs. O'Connor, Dodge, Stevens, and Phelps.
Training School. - Messrs. Weeks, Hall, Jackson, and Hunt.
.Amoskeag, Blodget Street, and Stark District. - Messrs. Demarest, Stevens, Dodge, and Brigham.
Bakersville, Harvey's, Goffe's Falls. - Messrs. Moore, Demarest, O'Connor, and Phelps.
Hallsville, Youngsville, Webster's Mills, and Mosquito Pond. - Messrs. Gage, Jackson, Parker, and Dodge.
Evening Schools. - Messrs. Huntington, Sanderson, Brigham, and Moore.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
MANCHESTER, N. H., January 3, 1879.
To the City Councils : -
We present our annual report for 1878.
The appropriations to the use of the school department, including balances and transfers, and deducting overdrafts, of last year, and the expenditures for the year have been as follows : -
Appropriations.
Expended.
Teaching .
$35,888 44 $35,335 16
Fuel
3,427 55
3,357 85
Care of rooms .
2,200 00
2,377 06
Furniture and supplies
703 04
504 68
Books and stationery
600 00
598 88
Printing and advertising
375 00
417 44
Incidental repairs
823 73.
222 92
Contingent expenses
752 70
833 09
Evening schools ·
1,311 55
1,098 02
Balance unexpended
1,336 91
$46,082 01 $46,082 01
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The cost, exclusive of teaching, in 1877 was In 1878
$10,176 91 9,409 94
A reduction of
$766 97
The cost of teaching in 1877 was
$38,118 56
In 1878
35,335 16
A reduction of
$2,783 40
A total reduction of
$3,550 37
STATISTICS.
1878.
1877.
Whole amount expended by School Com- mittee
$44,745 10 $48,448 47
Amount expended by City Councils for repairs and improvements of school- houses and lots, and salaries of School Committee and Superintendent .
$4,015 72
$3,706 25
Whole amount expended by the city for school purposes .
$48,760 82
$52,154 72
Whole number of pupils enrolled in day schools, as reported*
3,515
3,607
Average number belonging to schools, as reported .
2,571
2,571
Average daily attendance .
2,348
2,413
Average per cent of attendance, as calcu- lated
91.3
93.8
Cost of tuition in day schools per scholar, based upon average number belonging,
$13 74
$14 87
Cost of incidentals, per scholar .
$3 66
$3 96
Number pupils admitted to High School from grammar schools
82
57
Whole number admitted to High School .
88
60
Number graduated from High School
47
38
Average attendance in Evening School
106
96
* See table at the end of the Superintendent's report, and also his comments under the head of Attendance.
9
Number of teachers regularly employed in day schools .
71
71
Number of scholars per teacher in High School .
37
30
66
66
66 middle schools .
37 38
66
66
primary schools . 42
41
66
66
66
suburban schools 29
29
SUPERINTENDENT.
In June last, according to law, we proceeded to the choice of a Superintendent of Public Instruction, for the term of two years from July 1. Mr. William E. Buck was unanimously re-elected to the position. He has indus- triously, energetically, and efficiently performed the duties of his office, and the schools are far the better for his su- pervision. We commend the suggestions of his report, hereto appended, to our successors in office, and the new city government. We may call special attention to his references to the practicability of introducing plain sewing into some of our schools of lower grade ; and also to his suggestion as to future repairs of school-houses.
TRUANCY.
The city ordinances provide for the detail of one or more special police officers, at the discretion of the city marshal, to serve as truant officers, their duty being to report names of absentees and truants to the Superintendent, and at his request to make complaint, to the police court. In the ex- ercise of his lawful discretion, the city marshal has for the past year omitted the detail he was authorized to make in the premises ; believing that the end of the law would be best subserved by requiring the whole police force to look af- ter truants. It is but just to say that in cases reported to the force the members have acted with great promptness and efficiency.
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66 66 grammar schools
36 37
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The purpose of the law, however, has not been fulfilled, and cannot be, without the whole time during the school year of at least one policeman, devoted to the one object. The law contemplates, not merely the punishment of truants, but the destruction of truancy. There are truants, in the eye of the law, who are so by the connivance of parents. There is a law for compulsory attendance at school a cer- tain portion of the school year ; a law wisely intended for the reduction of the mass of shiftlessness and pauperism with which society is, or is liable to become, afflicted. The " absentees and truants " specified in the city ordinance are of two classes: a. Of registered pupils. b. Of non-reg- istered youth. Those of the former class are easily discovera- ble by the teachers ; those of the latter require the atten- tion of an officer whose " beat " is the whole city. In the latter class are those who shun the school-house as if it were their worst enemy, who love idleness, and subject themselves to all the influences which lead to vice ; and those others whose parents would mortgage their whole lives for the small pittance derived from mill-labor. The truant officer, duly authorized and exclusively employed in the work, is needful to look thoroughly after those found idling in the street during school hours, inves- tigating their excuses, and after youth unlawfully engaged in factories.
We are constrained to believe, that, notwithstanding the service performed by the police force during the year now closing, the special detail is indispensable ; and as we think such an officer ought to be under the control of the School Board, though not appointed by them, we urge the modifi- cation of the ordinance suggested by us in June last.
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CHANGES.
For several years the attendance upon the Intermediate School has steadily declined. That in the course of its history it has proved a useful adjunct of our educational system, is undeniable. It has provided for a class, formerly more numerous than now, who, by reason of former irregu- lar scholastic training, or of infirm health, were unable to take the regular courses of study at our graded schools. Its necessity has been greatly obviated by the closer and easier grading of studies, and by the opportunity given at our evening schools. From these or other causes, the de- mand became so very limited that early in the year we found it needful to dispense with the assistant, and at the beginning of the fall term to close the school. No theory of past usefulness can justify the continuance of such a school, in default of a reasonable number needing its service. Should such a number for any term seek its ad- vantages, it can be re-opened to meet the demand.
We have found it practicable to reduce the force of teachers at the High School during the year, without im- pairing efficiency. The number of assistants is now four.
As reported by the Superintendent, a considerable in- crease in the number of children of the primary grade in the Training School sub-district has necessitated the open- ing of another school of the lowest grade, in the school- house at the corner of Beech and Spruce streets. A like overflow in the Manchester-street sub-district has caused the establishment of another school of the primary grade, which has been held for the last term in an attic room of the building on the corner of Manchester and Chestnut streets. That room, however, is wholly inadequate, and it is proposed, if the need shall be found still to press, to utilize for the purpose, one of the disused rooms in the Lowell-street building (old High School). Having reduced
12
the number of schools to the lowest point consistent with efficiency, it is to be expected that that number shall be gradually increased with the growth of the population.
Early in the year we sought once more to consolidate sub-districts Nos. 6 and 9, in each of which the attendance for the last year has been small, both together in fact as- sembling a number of pupils much less than the average usually committed to the care of our teachers. Aside from questions of economy, a union of the schools would greatly add to the efficiency of instruction. It is difficult, in classes of two or three, and sometimes of but a single pupil, if that may be called, for the time, a " class," to maintain a show of interest on the part of pupil or teacher. The best results of teaching are obtained, under a judicious and competent instructor, by the friction of mind upon mind, and the vivacity and interest which numbers in a measure excite, just as an orator is stirred and fired by many, as he cannot be by few, auditors. The interest of pupils is greater in a class of twenty than it can be in one of five, and for the best work small schools should be consolidated where practicable. But in the case of the two districts named, the inhabitants of both so vigorously pro- tested against the reform that the city councils failed to co- operate, and the school committee were constrained to recede from their position. We felt obliged, however, to provide, in cases where the average whole number of pupils attending school was less than 25, that the maximum sal- ary of the teachers should be $300. We still believe that the consolidation of the two districts is advisable, regard- ing their own interests alone. And it may be that under a statute enacted by the legislature at its last session, our successors may be able to reach that desirable end, by pro- viding for the daily transportation of the youth from the Webster's Mills neighborhood to the school-house near Mos-
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quito Pond. We commend the suggestion to the consider- ation of our successors, and of the new city government.
In connection with this subject we suggest, also, that the like transportation be provided for children of the Stark district to the Amoskeag school, where there will be found ample accommodation.
The city government having fitted up a room in the attic of the High school-house for a chemical and philosophical laboratory, we have made a small appropriation for neces- sary appurtenances and apparatus. We recommend to our successors continued care of this important interest. The development of the natural sciences is so marked, and some knowledge of them so important, that they are becoming indispensable factors of a practical education. The sphere of polite learning thus accompanying that of scientific training, may illuminate the path of new generations, and promote public peace and happiness.
.SALARIES.
In our earnest desire to meet the laudable demand of a reasonable economy in the expenditures of this department of public service, we have reviewed, during the year, the list of salaries, and carefully considered them in connection with the rates paid in other cities, of the same grade as ours, for the like service. In one sense the customs of other cities are indifferent to us. We are to manage our own affairs without reference to the management of other municipalities. But we cannot wholly divide ourselves from surrounding communities. The rates of compensa- tion in the department of public instruction paid in other cities, must affect the rates allowed in ours. It is greatly important that, for satisfactory service in our schools, such compensation shall be allowed as will hold our corps as near as may be unchanged. While we need not, therefore,
14
pay as generous salaries as the richer cities, our scale must not fall too far below the rates of cities similarly situated with ours. During the year at least one of our teachers doing efficient work has left us, tempted by a higher salary than we can afford. Were we still further to reduce our scale of payment, the drafts upon our list would be fre- quent, and always the more experienced and useful of our teachers would be taken from us, to be substituted by inex- perience. Besides, there is justice in a reasonably liberal remuneration for the service we require of our teachers. The business is exhausting, and requires good health and steady nerve. Old or infirm men and women are not in demand for the position. Those we employ can not engage in other avocations. . If at one time they seem to be paid beyond the average of skilled employment, at another they are below it. And the time comes when they ought to retire, with some reliance for the days to come reserved from the fruits of their active labors. It is true that nearly all of our teachers are women, who are supposed to have marriage in view as the end of their lives. But we observe that not all of them enter upon that state of life, and some of them have to bear responsibilities as heavy as most of those who are actually heads of families. We require of them all a large contribution of their life-force, and draw deeply upon their nervous energy. The time has long past when the teacher simply sat in his chair, monarch of all he surveyed, and listened to recitations, noting down and punishing failures of memory or of attention. We require now that he shall be a teacher in fact as well as in name, illustrating, instructing, educating. And he ought to be fairly rewarded for his service.
It is, however, to be especially remembered that the state of the market has something to do with the regulation of prices. We find, by comparison, that our list of salaries is
15
lower than in other New-England cities of the same class. For particulars see the Superintendent's report. We sub- mit that a further reduction would be inequitable and un- wise.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
In connection with the appointment of teachers for the new year, the subject of the continued employment of a special music-teacher was necessarily considered. Music has not been taught in our schools as an accomplishment. We have not sought to train musicians, as the school sys- tem does not contemplate special training in any direction. But musical publications are now so numerous that it seems as needful to know how to read them as it is to read, let us say, novels. Music, besides, has an immediate value in the school-room. It has proved a civilizer. Every one who remembers the school of the period before the introduction of music, and will take the trouble to compare it with that of the present time, recognizes the difference.
"Music has power to soothe the savage breast ; "
and it serves to quiet the nervous excitability and restrain the restlessness of youth. It has been an aid in promot- ing the great change of the school atmosphere from that which prevailed when was seen -
" The whining school-boy, with his satchel, And shining morning face, creeping like snail . Unwillingly to school."
There may be cases of whining and of unwilling creep- ing among school-boys of the present time; but they are not characteristic, and are exceedingly rare.
Music has not been a study in our schools, but an exer- cise, accompanied by instruction. It is not allowed to in- terfere with what are supposed to be more practical branches. But a small share of the time has been allotted
16
to it. We have had, for several years, a superintendent of music, who has employed the whole school-time in visit- ing the schools, calling upon each once in two weeks, lead- ing it for the allotted time, observing the progress made ad interim under the care of the teachers, marking out the course for the next fortnight, and advising the teachers ac- cording to circumstances. His duty has been that of organization, inspiration, and direction ; regulating, stimu- lating, guiding, and toning up the efforts of regular teach- ers.
Mr. Kimball, who has had charge of this department for several years, has, we are bound to say, done efficient ser- vice. His success is evident in the proficiency of pupils in music-reading, and the general excellence of the singing. We have doubted the wisdom or' real economy of vacating the position and trusting entirely to the regular teachers to carry on unaided the work he has so well superintended. But we equally have been impressed with the need of a special instructor in drawing. The same work is neces- sary in that branch of school instruction that has been so well done in the department of music. The study needs organization and proper development, and the regular teachers require special superintendence and guidance. To provide for such a supervisor of drawing, without large in- crease of expenditure, Mr. Kimball has been re-appointed teacher of music, to be employed but three days in each week, at a reduction of $400 per annum upon his salary. Under the direction of the sub-committee on music, he may, in the time allotted, maintain the present efficiency of instruction in that science.
We recommend to our successors the employment of a competent instructor in drawing. The practical utility of that art, properly developed, is now generally recognized. A writer on the general subject, enumerating a few trades,
·
17
with the particular kinds of instruction proper to each, finds drawing needful in all but one, namely, dyeing. He pronounces it necessary to the following occupations : fres- co-painters, silver and gold smiths, engravers and litho- graphers, photographers, farmers, boot and shoe makers, tailors, button-makers, manufacturers of silk, cotton, linen, and woolen cloths, machinists, printers, molders, mechanical engineers, masons and carpenters, weavers, cabinet-makers and turners, potters, comb-makers, millers, basket-makers, glaziers, stucco-plasterers, house-painters, gardeners, cotton-printers, tinmen, tile-layers, wagon-build- ers, coppersmiths, iron and brass founders.
While the school cannot specially fit any pupil for a par- ticular occupation, or enable him to make direct applica- tion of his skill in drawing to special trades, it is true that nearly or quite every one may be trained in the elementary principles of the art, and become accustomed to the free exercise of the hand in geometrical and inventive drawing, and even in mechanical or architectural drafts. It would be to the great advantage of the community if the new generations should become skilled in the use of the crayon and the pencil. It would largely promote its material in- terests, while it would be another element of progress in taste and refinement.
" THE THREE R'S."
It was said of old that the proper scope of the public school is limited to "the three R's :" Readin', 'Ritin' and 'Rithmetic; and undoubtedly it was supposed that thus superior education was excluded. But as intelligence makes progress, the view widens. As the purpose of reading becomes better defined, the mode and spirit of the accomplishment are modified. To read, was a very differ- ent attainment a hundred years ago, from what it is now!
2
18
And what mattered it, if the mass could not read ? Books were scarce. It was deemed desirable to read the Bible ; but while the words were followed by those who were able, the sense was given by a distinct order specially set apart for the purpose. Science had no form, and the best liter- ary culture was attained but by few. The colleges of the day were hardly above the high school or academy of the present. Newspapers were not numerous, and were but of small circulation. To-day, the land is flooded with litera- ture, good, bad, and indifferent ; daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and casual ; scientific, theological, literary ; for children, youth, and adults. The newspaper seeks to meet all demands. It too often caters for low appetites, but finds it necessary to keep somewhat abreast of the public intelligence. A good reader now implies something more than a correct pronouncer of words, or sentences. But little of our reading is now done orally : we read with our minds more than with our tongues. Sense, rather than sound, our pupils are to search out. That public reading shall be well done, it should be " with due emphasis and discretion," although to be pleasing it must be done with suitable inflection and agreeable voice : suggesting one use of the music-teacher. But to read, nowadays, to the best purpose, requires advanced intelligence. It does not suf- fice to pronounce in a company, in a pleasing manner, some well-considered piece of greater or less literary excel- lence. We are not readers, in the modern meaning, if we are able only to get the sense of a bloody, hair-raising story, or of the common news of the day. We must be skilled to understand the various revealments of science ; the record of its triumphs and of its applications to the arts of life ; whatever is published in the English lan- guage ; the record of melodious and harmonious sound. And so, the first " R " includes, as necessarily preparatory
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to its complete acquirement, Music, Geography, and His- tory, with something of Physiology, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Civil Government, and Political Economy. These last are in a measure indis- pensable to the reader of current politics, that he may judge for himself of theories from time to time advanced by political leaders. And though ability to read within a narrow limit, say for amusement or for information con- cerning the more commonplace events of the time, is acquired in the grammar school, a high-school course is needful to an intelligent knowledge of the more important matters recorded in magazines, or deposited in more per- manent publications.
Writing covers more than the mechanical art of copying with neatness and grace the words which some one else has first noted down. It is more than an ability to make a fair bill. It goes beyond framing a letter of business, compli- ment or affection. It should include the facility of record- ing one's own thoughts, as well as the thoughts of others, - English composition : indeed, the improvement of the faculty of thought, as well as the culture of the power of expression. And here come in the languages, especially those which have had to do with the structure of our own tongue, Latin and French, if not Anglo-Saxon. Here, too, are found desirable a knowledge of the history of English, and an acquaintance with the best literature in that lan- guage. Here, again, are found the uses of Grammar and Rhetoric, - a knowledge of the best forms of expression.
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