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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01845 7249
GC 974.202 C74SC, 1878
ANNUAL REPORTS.
OF THE
chools in the City of oncord,
TOGETHER WITH THE
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
For the year 1878.
PENACOOK, 1725.
WAS G
AD
THEM
11853.
EDUCATION RELLO
CONCORD
CITY_CHARTER
ADOPTED
CONCORD : PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1878.
Allen County Public Library
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOLS IN THE CITY OF CONCORD,
TOGETHER WITH THE
MAYOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
For the year 1878.
PENACO OK,
,1725
S
1353.
RFL
10
CONCORD
ADOPTED CITY- CHARTER
CONCORD :
PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1878.
178.144
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
There has been no marked change in our schools during the past year, for the better or for the worse. The usual work has been performed in about the usual manner, as will be shown by the following report from the districts :
DISTRICT No. 1.
This school has been instructed during the past year by two very successful teachers. It is quite large, and con- tains some very fine. scholars. The summer term was taught by Miss M. A. Abbott. She is well adapted to her calling, has had much experience in teaching, and possesses a capacity to govern as well as to instruct. The winter term was under the instruction of Mr. Charles M. Sargent. It was found early in the term that he also had a capacity to govern, and it is understood that an appreciation of his labors has been manifested by an invitation to continue his services. The school appeared well when visited, and the examinations were all satisfactory. R.
DISTRICT No. 2.
The summer term was taught by Miss Clara B. Ford. This was her second engagement with this district, and her services again gave good satisfaction. She was succeeded
4
in a fall term, after a very short vacation, by Miss Ida A. Morrison. The short vacation, and the past experience of the teacher, soon put the school into good working order, and during the term the parents seemed well pleased with her manner of teaching. At the closing of both terms the scholars stood the test of a rigid examination in a manner that gave themselves much credit. R.
DISTRICT No. 4.
Both terms were taught by Miss Maria Carter. In this " school many of the pupils are quite small, yet they made good improvement. The employment of Miss Carter for the second term was much to her credit, and she may well be called a successful teacher. The examinations were witnessed by a good number of parents and friends. R.
DISTRICT No. 5.
The summer term was taught by Miss Ella M. Kilburn, a young teacher, without any previous experience. At the beginning of the term, circumstances beyond her control placed her in a very trying position. However, a few of the larger scholars left the school, and those that remained, being quite small, did themselves much credit on examina- tion day.
The winter term was again under the charge of Miss M. A. Abbott. The school contained a number of large and advanced scholars, several coming in from the adjoining districts. On examination the committee found good or- der, good recitations, and a good number of parents and friends. R.
DISTRICT No. 6.
This school has sustained its former good reputation during the year. The summer term was taught by Miss Fannie M, Nutter, a graduate of the Concord high school.
5
This was her first attempt at teaching. The fall term was taught by Miss Clara A. Smith. The schools appeared well when visited, and the closing exercises were very satisfac- tory. R.
DISTRICT No. 7.
The first term in this district was taught by Miss Clara L. Wyman, who, in this her first school, used her best en- deavors to merit the support of the district. Her methods of discipline and instruction were good, and the term's work, so far as it could be judged by an examination of the school, was fairly entitled to be considered successful.
The next term was taught by Miss Carrie E. Cummings, whose attention was largely occupied in efforts to secure obedience and order ; but of the general progress of the children it is difficult to speak, as the committee was pre- vented from attending the examination by a misunderstand- ing as to the time it was to be held.
The school was closed by a short term of six weeks under the charge of Mr. Orren E. Kingsbury, who discharged his duty faithfully and well.
The results in this district, owing to an unfortunate divi- sion of opinions, have not been so satisfactory as heretofore, each teacher in turn having lacked to some degree the cor- dial support of all the parents of the children, and having felt also that this support was in many cases granted or withheld from other considerations than a view to the best interests of the scholars and the prosperity of the school. F.
DISTRICT No. 8.
The teachers in this district, Miss Catlena Gilliland and Miss Abbie A. Flint, had each taught the same school be- fore. The usual round of patient instruction has been ac- complished here without interruption. The register of the district shows more than the usual number of visits by the prudential committee and others. Nothing can have a more
6
quickening effect on the minds of children than these visits during the progress of the term, and it is earnestly to be wished that the practice of making them were general. It not unfrequently happens that a term of ten weeks in a dis- trict school is unbroken by a single visit on the part of any resident of the district. F.
DISTRICT No. 12.
Grammar School. Miss Locke has been employed as the teacher of this school during the past three years. She has proved herself to be an able teacher, and worthy of the confidence of her pupils and the district. The condition of the school has been very satisfactory.
Primary School. When Miss Hodge began her work at the commencement of the year, she had earned a good repu- tation in a smaller school of larger pupils. She has now earned an equally good reputation in a larger school of smaller pupils. She has done well in the important but sometimes discouraging work of teaching small children.
B.
DISTRICT No. 13.
This district has been unfortunate in not being able to secure one good teacher for several successive terms. It has had many good teachers, six different persons having been employed in the past two years. But six teachers, or twice six, could not do so good service as one good teacher employed permanently.
Miss Coombs has had much experience in teaching, and is worthy to be employed in a school of higher order.
Miss Pickard manifested a good degree of resolution in teaching and governing.
Miss Morse appeared to be well qualified to instruct. There was need of a more hearty and general cooperation on the part of the pupils. B.
7
DISTRICT No. 14.
In the summer, Miss Kendall did her first work in the school-room. It was done well enough to be the beginning of much pleasant and successful labor. She seemed to un- derstand from the first how to govern and how to teach, and performed her work in the most satisfactory manner during the year. The pupils were very ready to cooperate with the teacher, and deserve credit for their good conduct. B.
DISTRICT No. 15.
Miss Bachelder was a beginner, and very recently a pupil in this school; yet under these circumstances, which are sometimes unfavorable, she succeeded well in her undertak- ing. The school was always in good order when visited, and the pupils appeared to be engaged industriously in their proper work. B.
DISTRICT No. 16.
This district is still without a school-house. The school consists of three small scholars, who have been taught in an upper room of a private house, as the previous year. Their teacher was Mrs. Abbie Maxam. These children, though without school conveniences, have been industrious, and are steadily gaining ground. F.
DISTRICT No. 18.
This district has again been fortunate in its selection of a teacher, and in retaining her in service during the entire year. There have been three terms under the charge of Miss Flora E. Campbell. The children made good and intelligent progress. It was especially noticed that those who recited in the flowing periods of the books were ques- tioned as to the meaning of their words, and that in all the exercises the pupils were taught to consider principles and ideas, and not mere words, as essential. F.
8
DISTRICT No. 22.
Miss Buxton began the work of teaching with a small school in a large school-room, yet she appeared to make her school very pleasant, and did as good a work as could be expected of almost any teacher in the very short term of six weeks.
Mr. Brown has taught this school two winters in succes- sion. He is a laborious teacher, and is worthy of continued confidence. B.
DISTRICT No. 23.
This is a school without a school-house or maps. Four small scholars have been taught, in a private house, by Miss Ada M. Parkinson, and a short term of seven weeks has been well employed by a patient drill in the rudiments of knowledge. F.
DISTRICT No. 24.
The summer and winter terms of this school were taught respectively by Miss Effie A. Blake and Harvey L. Boutwell. The pupils here have been, in the main, orderly and indus- trious, and presented an excellent appearance at the close of the year. The registers disclose, however, an unusual amount of tardiness and absence, the remedy for which lies rather in the power of the parents of the children than in that of their teacher. F.
We append in a tabular form the statistics required by law, concerning the schools under our charge.
.
9
STATISTICAL TABLE.
Number of District.
TEACHERS.
Number of Weeks.
Number of Scholars.
Number in Arithmetic.
Number in Reading.
Number in Spelling.
Number in Penmanship.
Number in Geography.
Number in Grammar.
Number in Composition.
Number in History.
Number in Physiology.
Number in Algebra.
Number between 5 and 15 not attending any school.
1
1 M. A. Abbott
10
18
11 14
18
18 23
10 15
5
3
2
1
Clara B. Ford ..
8
19
11
17
17
9
2
Ida A. Morrison
10
17
13
17
17
9
5
2
1
2
3
5 1
Ella M. Kilburn
5
2
5
5
12
9
5
4
Fannie M. Nutter
10
7
5
5
7
4
3
2
2
Clara A. Smith
12
8
6
8
8
5
2
3
.
.
7
Clara L. Wyman ..
10
15
12
15
15
15
12
.
2
.
. .
3
Orren E. Kingsbury.
6
15
15
14
14
13
8
4 3 8
2 8
.
. .
2
Abby A. Flint. .
16
13
13
13
13
13
7 9 34
8 3 2
3
2
. .
Ada F. Locke.
Ada F. Locke.
9
PRIMARY SCHOOL.
9
48 49
27 30
48
48
16
11 16
. .
..
2
3
Annie E. Hodge
9
41
41
19
16
19
9
9
6
. .
. .
1
..
3
Lucy F. Morse ...
9
21
15
13
16
16
13
6
6
3
. .
8
12
11
12
12
11
10
1
1
.
2 1
Abbie Maxam.
14
3
2
3
16
16
16
16
3
.
10
19
14
17
17
13
13
6
.
.
1
22
1
William H. Brown.
11
27
25
27
27
10
6
4
1
23 1
Ada M. Parkinson.
7
4
2
4
4
3
2
·
. .
.
24
1
Effie A. Blake ..
00
9
12
11
8
7
2
. .
. .
.
2
Harvey L. Boutwell.
19
14
17
16
10
9
6
3
. .
. .
..
..
1
Ada F. Locke.
9 8
35 32 40
30 36
40
40
35
16
·
.
. .
1
1
2
Louise M. Pickard.
10
20
13
15
18
18
12
11
10
2
.
. .
.
.
..
.
2
2 3
Flora E. Campbell.
3
19
17
16
16
16
16 3
3
3
.
6
13
12
13
13
13
6
. .
.
. .
2
14 15
1
Sarah H. Kendall.
8
2
Sarah H. Kendall.
12
18
1
Mary R. Bachelder
Mary R. Bachelder.
17
12
11
12
3
1
16 18 1
Flora E. Campbell.
10
18
17
35
35
30
28
17 18
17 15 19
1
3 3
. .
13 1
Mary L. Coombs ..
9
19
12
19
20 21
20 21
10
8
6 9
1
.
.
1
..
4 4
1 2
Carrie E. Cummings.
10
17
13
17
17
13
13
8
1
Catlena Gilliland.
10
12
9
12
12
12
5 6
2
N: : :
H: : : : :
1
1
4 1
Maria Carter.
8
11
7
12
9
12
12
6
2
M. A. Abbott.
10
12
10
12
.
..
6
1
Charles M. Sargent ..
12
23
23
11
11
2 Maria Carter.
11
. .
.
.
. .
. .
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
.. 12 1
Annie E. Hodge
2
Annie E. Hodge.
8
49
49
10
6 1
4
5
.
1
Flora E. Campbell.
Carrie E. Buxton
4 6
3
12 17
A. BURNHAM, ABIAL ROLFE, WM. W. FLINT,
Superintending School Committee.
Terms.
2
2
2
.
.
34
32
32
15
3 4
.
. .
7
2
5
16
2
REPORT OF DISTRICT NO. 3,
MARCH 23, 1878.
During the past year the schools in this district have been in session thirty weeks. There has been but little change in the usual order of things, with the exception that the school year has been lengthened three weeks, and that during the fall term the Primary and Intermediate depart- ments were combined, and placed under the charge of one teacher.
Miss Bertha P. Humphrey taught the Primary school two terms, spring and winter. The attendance in this depart- ment was full and very regular, the deportment excellent, and the progress in studies commendable. Miss Humphrey, though a beginner, has succeeded well in her efforts.
The Intermediate department, under the charge of Miss Lizzie M. Chase, presents a good record. The crowding of two schools into one during the fall term necessarily had its drawbacks. Faithful labor, however, accomplished gratify- ing results. The attendance for the spring term was full, and the irregularities few. The attendance during the fall and winter terms was not so regular. The scholars gener-, ally in this department showed that they had an intelligent comprehension of the studies in which they were engaged.
Mr. Thomas B. Richardson, the teacher of the Grammar school, has been obliged to contend with the very serious
11
difficulty of irregularity of attendance on the part of his pu- pils. This irregularity was caused in some instances by sick- ness, in others by the necessity laid upon the scholars to en- gage in manual labor. As to the rest, no good reasons can be assigned. Mr. Richardson, however, pushed forward his work with his customary equanimity and interest. The examination of his classes showed thorough acquirements. The recitations in reading, grammar, arithmetic, and geog- raphy were listened to with satisfaction. Mr. Richardson spares no pains to make his pupils thoroughly understand the lessons which engage their attention.
Several matters of an encouraging nature should here be mentioned : the generally good deportment, especially in the Primary and Intermediate departments, the interest manifested by the scholars in their studies, the marked im- provement in reading, the absence of mere parade on exam- ination day, and, last but not least, the increased number of visitations to the schools made by those interested in their welfare.
While convinced that the schools in this district have not attained to that perfection which they can and ought to reach, we are nevertheless sure that with the hearty cooper- ation of citizens, parents, teachers, and scholars, they will soon meet all that can reasonably be expected of them.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. COLWELL, HARRISON PARTRIDGE, ABIJAH HOLLIS, BENJA. T. PUTNEY, PAUL R. HOLDEN,
Superintending Committee.
REPORT OF DISTRICT NO. 20.
-
In again presenting the report of the schools in our dis- trict, we feel called upon to notice some important changes adopted by your committee, occasioned by the loss of our school building about one year ago, and the erection of a new and excellent edifice.
Your committee felt it their duty at the commencement of the schools to adopt strong regulations in regard to the care of our house. It was also thought best to place the various departments under the general supervision of a principal, who should be the teacher of the Grammar school; and we are pleased to say that these rules have succeeded admirably.
We have seen no case of injury to the school building. We are also much pleased with the plan of placing all of the departments under the supervision of a principal who exercises a general oversight of all the grades.
Our schools were in session fourteen weeks, being the entire period between the completion of the building and the present day.
At the commencement, the pupils were somewhat unac- customed to school duties, occasioned by the long interval between our last session and the present ; but the teachers soon overcame this tendency to uneasiness, and have moved in good order since.
We are pleased to say that no cases of dispute or insubor- dination have been brought before the committee.
13
Your committee can truly say, that they are perfectly satisfied with the condition of our schools after so short a session during the school year. Another matter of congrat- ulation is the increased number of visits made during the term, and at the closing exercises, by parents and citizens ; and we hope this interest in our public schools will increase in future years.
Mr. Warren Abbott has occupied the position of princi- pal, and has had charge of the Grammar school. Mr. Ab- bott has had much experience in teaching, and has had charge of this school in former years ; and we will only say that he has more than sustained his former reputation as a teacher.
The Intermediate school was under the charge of Miss Ellen K. Abbott. Her long service as a teacher was a guar- anty of success. She has labored with her usual good results, and we would especially commend her method of imparting practical knowledge to her pupils.
The First Primary school was under the charge of Miss Carrie E. Pearson, this being her first connection with the schools of this district. She has labored earnestly, and with excellent results.
The Second Primary school was under the charge of Miss Lizzie E. Rolfe, who has long been identified with this department, and her long term of service will speak better than we of the worth of her services.
TABLE OF ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOL.
TEACHER.
Number of
weeks of school.
Whole
number of
scholars.
Average
attendance.
Second Primary
Lizzie E. Rolfe
14
59
52
First Primary
Carrie E. Pearson.
14
45
40
Intermediate
Ellen K. Abbott
14
39
33
Grammar
Warren Abbott.
14
45
40
Total,
188
165
JOHN B. DODGE, ABIAL ROLFE, FRANK A. ABBOTT,
Superintending Committee Dist. No. 20.
/
٠
NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF
UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The Board of Education respectfully presents its nine- teenth annual report.
Since education is superior to all other mere earthly good, is not affected by the rise and fall of stocks, or by any of the thousand and one changes incident to all other earthly possessions, is a vast yet compact estate beyond the reach of thieves or the power of decay, increasing by use, and may be eternal, we cannot expect justly to compass it by any ordinary standard of measurement. Since our common schools are the chief instrumentalities for educat- ing the masses, and are the foundation of our republican institutions, furnishing to nine tenths of the population all their preparation for the faithful performance of their du- ties as citizens, they cannot be fostered with too jealous care. . Every citizen has a special interest in their estab- lishment and adequate support. All readily acknowledge
16
the value of education to themselves, and believe their own to be amply worth all the money, time, and toil it cost them ; but they may not as readily acknowledge the respon- sibility resting upon them to aid in promoting knowledge and morality in the interest of those yet to come upon the stage of action.
Education is, as has been beautifully expressed, " a debt due from present to future generations," and it is a ques- tion of the first moment to what extent and in what way this obligation shall be met.
It is not surprising that a matter of such special interest to every member of a community, left to the control and guidance of a committee of its own choice, should be dis- cussed and criticised as to its management and expenditures. This discussion in this community develops, we trust, no disposition to repudiate the obligation to give vigor and efficiency to our schools. It calls for the practice of judi- cious economy in their management, without any design of insisting upon curtailments which would diminish their force. If the expense per scholar in our schools be com- pared with that in other places, it will be found considera- bly less than in other cities similarly situated and of similar size in New England.
In Chelsea, Mass., the expense per capita is $18.78 ; Fitchburg, $16.40 ; Newton, $29.14; Burlington, Vt., $19 ; Nashua, $17.11 ; Manchester, $18.79; while in Concord it is but $15.32. It costs in our schools only about eight cents per day to furnish each pupil with instruction. It would be extremely difficult to suggest any other plan by which they could receive instruction in as good schools as ours are at less cost.
We are all too conscious of the long depression in busi- ness, and the call for retrenchment in all reasonable ways ; yet the question suggests itself, whether or not the disposi- tion to curtail expenses is not more marked in our schools
17
than in other directions. Is there the same desire to cur- tail personal conveniences and luxuries ? Is there not more affected poverty in meeting the claims of children for the best facilities for storing the mind with useful and perma- nent learning, than for adorning them with fine raiment, or for furnishing them with temporary amusements ? However this may be, it is worthy of a passing thought, that during this dark time in financial matters, when many seem in- clined to stand and wait, our children are growing apace, and will very soon get beyond the schools. The boys and girls of to-day are to be the men and women of the near future. Their success then will depend upon our liberality now in affording them the opportunity for development, which is their birthright.
ATTENDANCE.
The total number of pupils enrolled, the average monthly enrolment, the average attendance, and the number of cases of tardiness in each school, are presented in the following table and accompanying comparative statistics :
0
XXX
XXXXXX
xxxxXXXXXXX @XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
18
TABLE OF ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOLS.
Whole number attending during the year.
Number attend- ing, less promo- tions and trans- fers.
Average monthly enroll-
Average attendance for
Per cent. of attendance
based on the monthly
Cases of tardiness.
High School.
83
98
181
72
82
154
124
120
97
80
GRAMMAR.
Walker.
16
19
35
14
10
24
21
18
90
3
Merrimack, 1st.
33
36
69
27
30
57
44
42
93
13
Merrimack, 2d
40
33
73
26
22
48
44
40
88
34
Centre, 1st.
34
35
69
27
27
54
43
39
90
67
Centre, 2d.
31
49
80
22
38
60
50
48
96
42
Rumford, 1st
31
24
55
27
18
45
33
32
97
28
Rumford, 2d
45
34
79
35
27
62
48
45
94
42
Penacook, Ist.
32
24
56
17
17
34
26
24
92
13
Penacook, 2d.
46
39
85
25
22
47
37
35
95
11
308
293
601
220
211
431
346
323
93
253
INTERMEDIATE.
Walker
42
26
68
31
22
53
42
38
90
40
Merrimack.
41
39
80
32
28
60
47
42
89
43
Centre.
36
49
85
26
29
55
49
44
90
48
Spring Street.
42
30
72
29
23
52
45
42
93
15
Rumford ..
42
46
88
27
25
52
46
41
90
$2
Penacook.
55
50
105
29
28
57
47
42
89
35
258
240
498
174
155
329
276
249
90
213
PRIMARY.
Walker, 1st.
39
28
67
36
17
47
36
31
86
63
Walker, 2d ..
49
36
85
34
28
62
48
37
53
Franklin Street.
52
40
92
43
33
76
58
51
88
13
Merrimack.
30
40
70
27
34
61
43
41
95
37
Union Street, 1st.
31
28
59
20
21
41
34
31
90
91
Union Street, 2d.
38
25
63
29
10
39
34
30
90
63
Centre ..
40
40
80
27
32
59
50
45
90
46
Spring Street. .
47
30
77
34
21
55
46
42
91
46
Myrtle Street, 1st.
37
44
£1
26
32
58
51
45
90
152
Myrtle Street, 2d.
41
35
76
30
22
52
46
40
81
71
Rumford
46
58
104
35
41
76
63
59
93
71
Penacook.
46
51
97
26
33
59
62
56
90
23
Fair Ground ..
47
35
82
31
25
56
52
43
82
41
543
490
1033
392
349
741
623
551
88
770
MIXED.
Plains ...
12
16
28
9
10
19
18
16
90
10
Bow Brook.
32
33
65
23
26
49
45
40
90
148
44
49
93
32
36
68
63
57
90
158
1236
1170
2406
890
833
1723
1432
|1300
91
1474
Boys. Girls.
Total.
Boys.
Girls.
Total.
ment.
the year.
enrollment.
.
19
PUPILS.
Whole number attending, less promotions and transfers :
1876-7 Boys.
1877-8
BOYS. GIRLS.
High school.
67
93
72
82
Grammar schools.
220
209
220
211
Intermediate schools.
175
157
174
155
Primary schools.
376
347
392
349
Mixed schools
40
42
32
36
878
848
890
833
Total
1726
1723
AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE.
1876-7
1877-8
High school
132
120
Grammar schools
326
323
Intermediate schools
246
249
Primary schools.
.577
551
Mixed schools.
59
57
1340
1300
Per cent. of punctual attendance
.90.7
91
Number of tardinesses.
1577
1474
Average for each pupil in attendance for the year, .91
.86
AVERAGE NUMBER OF PUPILS TO A TEACHER.
1876-7
1877-8
High school.
40
39
Grammar schools
48
48
Intermediate schools
54
55
Primary schools
56
57
GIRLS.
20
LIST OF TEACHERS.
Schools. First Term.
Second Term. Third Term.
) John L. Stanley.
John L. Stanley.
Laura Carlton.
Robert A. Ray.
Robert A. Ray.
Anna L. Savil.
GRAMMAR.
Walker ... Mary S. Stubbs.
Merrimack, 1st .. Abbie C. Cochran.
Merrimack, 2d. . Ellen A. Folger.
Centre, Ist ...... M. W. Haley.
Centre, 2d .. . Kate P. Blodgett.
Kate P. Blodgett.
Kate P. Blodgett.
Rumford, 1st ... Josephine E. Hodgdon. Josephine E. Hodgdon. Josephine E. Hodgdon.
Rumford, 2d .... Ida B. Clark.
Penacook, Ist .. . Pauline L. Bowen.
Pauline L. Bowen. Pauline L. Bowen.
Penacook, 2d ... M. J. Young.
M. J. Young.
M. J. Young.
INTERMEDIATE.
Walker. Adelaide S. Hill.
Merrimack.
Alice M. Hill.
Centre
Isabelle F. Nutter.
Isabelle F. Nutter.
§ Celia L. Garland. Mrs. W.K.McFarland.
Spring street.
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