USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Salem > Annual reports of the receipts and expenditures of the town of Salem, N.H. : for the year ending 1854-1870 > Part 27
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It is really too bad that the children of some of our districts, es- pecially this one, cannot have the advantage of more schooling. See here poverty from " withholding more than is meet,"-the kind of economy that "Poor Richard " would call " cutting off the tap and knocking out the bung."
DISTRICT No. 8.
Summer and Winter terms. Miss Mary K. Hall, teacher. This is a school of young scholars, very few being over thirteen years of age. Miss Hall appears to have labored faithfully and success- fully with them. Three scholars were not absent or tardy the whole term. If this could be said of the scholars generally who attend this school, its progress would be more marked. The par- ents in this district should be more careful, not only to hav either children go to school, but they should have them go at a proper time,- nine o'clock, A. M. A scholar who is habitually late at school will grow up in the bad habit of being late at church, and late everywhere else. It is a bad omen, much too common, and should be rebuked sharply by every teacher. We noted considera- ble progress in most of the studies, and the children, under Miss Hall's persevering efforts, have been made to understand, more than ever before, that profitable study is hard work.
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DISTRICT No. 9.
Summer term. Miss Mary T. Currier, of Manchester, teacher. She taught the winter term of last year, and having left the school in a fine condition, she began her work without delay, and with an enthusiasm that betokened certain success. Her whole heart is in thre work of teaching, and she seems to infuse her own zealous spirit into the hearts of her pupils. The school advanced rapidly in nearly all the studies, particularly in Grammar, Algebra, and the new Geography. Miss C- had become acquainted with this new work; her scholars soon learned its value, and in Map Drawing far excelled all others. We never saw scholars more interested in any study.
Here, and only in this one of our schools, we saw the pupils drilled in the art of gymnastics. The exercise was very pleasing and well performed. We would recommend this art in other schools where the children need more " bodily exercise " than they get in the natural ways, or where they are much inclined to be dull and drowsy. Nothing could more effectually arouse and wake up the dormant energies of body and mind. We think, however, that there is ordinarily in communities like ours a larger demand for such exercises in the more " solemn assemblies " where congregate the " children of an older growth." We have seen cases where we think it would have worked admirably.
The school closed with an exhibition. There were forty visitors present. This interest on the part of parents, an excellent school- house, a good number, and- some fine scholars, are among the good things to encourage the teachers in this district.
Winter term. Miss Ellen I. Gage, of Pelham, teacher. She bore a good examination, and was fully competent to teach the school, but failed in ability to govern it.
It is said of some itinerant preachers, " they are hard men to fol- low," and sometimes as good men who do follow them, fail, be- cause they are cast in a different mould, and do their work in a different way. The same is trne of school teachers. There are many who would not succeed so well where Miss Currier had taught two terms as they would elsewhere.
We have endeavored to get at the truth in this case, and conclude that if all the parents and larger scholars had been as anxious as the teacher herself, to have a prosperous term, there would have been no trouble. One fact should be stated : Miss Currier visited ' the people there after Miss Gage had been hired to keep the school,
27
and as the former was not engaged, many were ready to ask, Why can we not have her again ? Some said, we will. Here is the sig- nificant fact in the case. The Prudential Committee was not aware, when he engaged a new teacher, that the services of the former one could be obtained. On the contrary, he was informed that they could not be secured.
After a session of six weeks, the teacher closed the school, which, considering all things, made a better record than some may have supposed. The balance of the appropriation to the district was enlarged by private subscription, and Miss Currier was en- gaged to keep the school for a term of eight weeks.
After completing the statistical part of our report, we visited this school, which is still in session, and found it in as good order, and running as smoothly as a Weed Sewing Machine. So far as we could judge, the scholars have advanced rapidly in their studies during this term. We hope the district will, if possible, secure Miss Currier for another year.
DISTRICT No. 10.
Summer and Winter terms. Miss S. Lizzie Gordon, teacher. To excite and maintain an interest in so small a school as this, taxes in no small degree all the ingenuityla teacher can command. We are glad to report that Miss Gordon succeeded in this respect beyond our expectations. With more experience added to her commenda- ble zeal she will excel in a much larger school. The progress made in the various branches studied was very satisfactory.
In concluding our report, it will not be expected after what has been said, that we should indulge in many " general remarks."
A word may be in place in regard to our
TEACHERS.
While some have not measured fully up to the required standard, yet take them all in all, we are confident that the town has been remarkably favored in this respect. Our teachers have been highly esteemed for their moral, as well as mental worth. And we believe a majority of them have constantly sought Divine wisdom and strength in the performance of their responsible duties. This is as it should be always. School teachers can wield a mighty power, and it should all be on the side of right, virtue and truth. They should not only be fully qualified to teach the books, but be ready always, in the school room and out of it, to commend by precept
28
and example, " whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report among men."
Some important branches have been sadly neglected,-Writing, and Mental Arithmetic, in particular. If we except two or three schools, pupils have not been properly taught to analyze the prob- lems, which is the chief value of this branch of study.
PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEES.
Last year our ten schools were favored with four visits from these committees. This year we are able to report nine visits from this source. But here, as in other places, more care and common sense should be exercised in filling this important office. A proper re- gard for the educational interests of our youth, and a decent " re- spect for the opinions of mankind," demand that this office be re- stored to its proper dignity, and no longer be permitted to be shouldered by turns, without any regard to the " fitness of things." Rising above party spirit and party intrigue, parents should select men of sound judgment, men who know human nature, and who are interested in the cause of education.
TEXT BOOKS.
A multiplicity of text books on the same subject, increasing, the number of classes, is a great evil in our schools. We have gone to the extent of our authority in trying to remedy this evil by comply- ing with the recommendation in the last year's Report of the Com- mittee for District No. 1, and have succeeded in introducing into all our schools except this one, Guyot's Geography, which now takes the place of the various other kinds that were used in our schools. We hope this exeeptional school in District No. 1 is nearly ready to join the progressive ranks. We hear only one objection to the book, it requires all to think who study it, hard work for some.
Other changes are needed, and will be made, we hope, by your next Committee.
Respectfully submitted, NELSON M. BAILEY,
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
REPORT.
The School Committee of District No. 1, in the Town of Salem, respectfully present their Annual Report :-
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
The first term in this department was under the tuition of Miss Miss Belle Moulton, of Hampstead, a teacher of considerable ex- perience, this being her second term in the district. The school made a good degree of progress under her instruction, and the order and general discipline were well maintained. The teacher sustained the favorable reputation she had gained in her previous connection with the school.
The second term was under the care of Miss E. A. Minard, of Nova Scotia, a teacher of large experience, who brought to her work all the freshness and vigor that come from an exalted idea of the great work of teaching. Her methods of instruction were full of thought, and rich in illustration. She did not confine her teach- ing to the letter of text books, but by oral instruction she awakened . thoughts in the minds of her pupils, and impressed the various topics of study by the activity of her own intellect. The commit- tee would have gladly retained her services for a longer term, but she was induced to leave to enter a larger field of labor.
ADVANCED DEPARTMENT.
This school during the first term was taught by Miss Moulton, who labored under some embarrassment on account of irregular attendance, and a lack of interest on the part of some of the pupils. This was doubtless owing, in a large degree, to the unfavorable season of the year, July and August, when the weather is warm, and the outside attractions numerous and alluring. The pupils who were regular in attendance made good progress, and the school ap- peared well at the closing examination.
The school during the winter term was taught by Mr. Robert M. Carleton, of Haverhill, Mass., a student in Dartmouth College. This was Mr. C's first experience, but he brought to his work an honest desire to discharge his whole duty. He endeavored to govern by mild measures, and the discipline of the school was at first a little lax, but this defect was in some degree corrected by the adoption
30
of more vigorous methods. The school appeared well at the sev- eral visits of the committee, and at the closing examination evident marks of improvement were apparent. Several of the larger scholars were induced to leave the school to enter the manufactur- ing establishments of the place. This course is to be regretted, as the school thereby suffers, and the pupils who leave lose the ad- vantages of good instruction.
SUGGESTIONS.
The school, during the past three years, has been in operation under the provisions of the " Somersworth Act." There are many advantages arising from this method, as the district thereby has the whole control of the affairs of the school, independent of the town committee. Your committee would recommend, however, that the system of keeping the different grades alternately, be not contin- ued. It is more satisfactory to have the two grades in session at the same time, as thereby a more perfect gradation can be main- tained. To do this, a suitable room must be obtained for the Pri- mary Department; until some provision is made to meet this de- mand, we cannot expect the highest results from the system which we have adopted. The primary school should be kept primary ; the tendency has been to introduce too many studies, to the confu- sion of the system and the defeat of the ends aimed at. The books should be very simple, and all attempts on the part of the teacher to introduce higher studies should be discountenanced.
By this change the higher department would be benefitted, and all primary scholars would be excluded, and the studies could be adapted to the wants of the older scholars.
The committee would enjoin upon parents the importance of co- operation in all that pertains to the highest interest of these schools. They should show their interest by making frequent visits to the school, and informing themselves of the advancement of their chil- dren. The teacher's work should be lightened by the sympathy of the parents, and the largest charity should be exhibited in all criti- cisms of the schools. If we mean to have our schools accomplish their full measure of work, we must be unanimous in their sup- port, and see that no reasonable thing is wanting to elevate them, both intellectually and morally, so that they shall prove a lasting blessing to all who come under their influence.
WM. G. CROWELL, GEO. C. GORDON, Superintending School Committee CHARLES M. VITTUM, [ School District No. 1. S. BATCHELDER,
No. of District.
Summer and Winter.
Names of Teachers.
No. of Weeks.
Whole No. of Scholars
Attending School in
Average Attendance.
Wages of the Teachers
per Month.
Town Appropriation.
Railroad Tax.
Literary Fund.
No. of Visits of Super-
intending Committee.
No. of Visits of the Pru-
No. of Visits by Citizens
of the town.
Prudential Committee.
Summer,
Miss B. Moulton, Miss E. A. Minard,
16
62
48
$28 00
$332 11
$53 09
$25 55
18
William G. Crowell.
Winter,
Mr. R. M. Carleton,
18
52
38
41 00
Summer,
Alice J. Whittemore,
10
14
122
20 00
44 14
53 09
6 34
2
0
4
Daniel Merrill.
Winter,
Lillie A. Gardner,
10
20
16
24 00
56 60
53 09
8 24
1
0
9
3
Winter,
Lillie A. Gardner,
14
24
17
24 00
130 86
53 09
18 80
3
1
15
4
Summer, Winter,
Hattie A. Tilton,
20
43
34
29 00
87 12
53 09
12 51
3
1
18
Willard G. Smith.
5
Summer,
Julia M. Wright,
11
35
30
19 00
Winter,
Julia M. Wright,
9
51
41
28 00
204 69
53 09
29 60
3
0
24
Prescott Kelley.
·
6
Winter, Summer, Winter,
Lyman B. Gage, Susie C. Smith, Laura A. H. Knight,
7
24
21
25 00
88 13
53 09
12 66
2
0
14 Hiram Woodbury.
9
25
20
39 00
81 91
53 09
11 76
2
1
.
40
36
32 00
10
30
28
32 00
80 71
53 09
11 59
2
1
51
9
6
33
28
32 00
12
21
18
18 00
53 09
2
0
10
Winter, -
S. Lizzie Gordon.
16
20
15
24 00
72 72
10 44
1
10
Total,
653
$521 00
$1,179 99
$530 90 |$147 53
41
9
56
.
Miss E. A. Woodbury,
12
19
14
22 00
Summer,
Hattie A. Tilton,
10
43
35
28 00
29 00
3
Summer,
Fannie J. Holmes,
12
62
16
52 00
3
0
8
A
2
1
12
8
35
30}
28 00
Josiah Cluff.
8
Winter,
Mary. K. Hall,
·
3
1
45
Summer,
Mary T. Currier,
3
2
12
Winter,
Ellen I. Gage,
Obadiah Duston.
Summer,
S. Lizzie Gordon,
Gideon Conley. Otis Butrick.
2
0
13
2
1
31
17
Summer,
Mary K. Hall,
10
George Page.
1
21
0
10
dential Committee.
the Year.
12/15/2008 153182 1 31 00
HF GROUP-IN
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