USA > Rhode Island > Annual report of the Board of Education : together with the Annual report of the Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island, 1875 > Part 7
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 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
11
TEACHERS.
Wm. E. Tolman, Prin- Fannie R. Pierce, cipal of High School. Emma F. Martin,
Geo. W. Cole, Lottie C. Wiley,
Arthur W. Brown,
Clara Bullock,
Hattie M. Willis,
Lizzie E. Robinson,
Amelia Durfee,
Mary E. Kent.
PORTSMOUTH.
COMMITTEE.
George Manchester, Superintendent. and Chairman.
Joseph Coggeshall, Clerk. James Sweet, Robert D. Hall,
Stephen S. Sherman, Rev. Benj. M. Chase,
Eugene Chase, A. L. Ackley.
TEACHERS.
Peleg T. Coggeshall, Robert S. Foster, Wm. Henry Gifford, T. Ryan, Charles Steere,
Peleg Almy, Herbert J. Barton,
Emma W. Peckham,
S. Lizzie Dickerman,
Sarah E. Roberts,
Nannie H. Chase, Malvina Cargill, Anna C. Boyd, Mary A. Boyd.
PROVIDENCE. COMMITTEE.
Daniel Leach, Edward A. Greene, William Binney, James E. Cranston, James Shaw, Jr. J. F. Tobey, John B. Anthony, Freeborn Coggeshall, Arnold Greene, Superintendent. Thomas A. Doyle, Mayor, President, ex-officio. Amos M. Bowen, Secretary, pro tem. Nicholas Van Slyek, President of the Com- Stephen S. Cooke, Jr. mon Council, ex-officio. Charles A. Nichols, Alfred Metcalf, George L. Clarke,
Elisha C. Mowry, Rev. Edwin M. Stone,
Smith S. Sweet, Rev. Carleton A. Sta- ples, Henry W. Gardner, James Y. Smith, Rev. J. Lewis Diman,
Rev. David if. Greer, Rev. Daniel Henshaw, Elisha S. Aldrich, Abner J. Barnaby, Charles F. Phillips, John W. Angell, Benj. F. Clarke, Jolın C. Thompson, Charles Anthony, Henry A. Howland, Sidney S. Rider, Ossian Sumner, Rev. S. S. Parker,
Sallie S. Carpenter,
Emma Magee,
Lizzie A. Pearce,
Anna I. Baxter,
Lydia A. Paine,
Angie W. Bishop,
Clara E. Carpenter,
Louise H. French,
Clifton A. Hall, Charles A. Pabodie, Rev. Lemuel Osler, Rev. Henry W. Rugg, Royal P. Gladding, William S. Johnson, Joseph C. Jobnson, Stephen Essex, George B. Calder, Augustus H. Field, Edwin A. Smith, Dexter N. Knight, Frederick Burgess, Alfred A. Harrington, Henry V. A. Joslin, William Y. Potter, Rev. Samuel II. Webb, George P. Tew, Robert R. Knowles, William A. Mowry, Lewis T. Downes.
12
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
High School. Daniel Leach, Principal.
TEACHERS.
Lonise F. Parsons,
Helen L. Snell,
Imogene Titus, Charlotte E. Leavitt,
Ellen M. Haskell,
Sarah Dean.
Sarah E Doyle,
Rebecca E. Chase,
Grammar Schools.
Elizabeth B, Carpenter, Jane D. Mumford,
Celia J. Lewis,
Sarah Austin,
Helen A. Carrique,
Harriet A. Swan,
Adelaide D. Padelford,
Mary E. Scarborough,
Cornelia B. Pratt,
Sarah C. Alden,
Sarah C. Padelford,
Margaret L. Phillips,
Martha F. Thurber, Ellen R. Leland,
Alma Rhodes,
Juliana T. Armington, M. Isabel Dagget.
Lemira S. Tingley, Eleanor S. Calder,
Charlotte Blundell,
Mary Salmon,
Martha W. Hall,
Elizabeth Helme,
Anna E. Searle,
Fannie E. Wood,
Susan R. Joslin,
Ella F. Peek.
Ilattie C. Wightman.
Harriet J. Helme,
Juliet A. Allen,
Mary R. Wiekes, Annie A. Gladding,
Maria L. Taft, Hattie A. Rea,
Adda A. Bartlett,
Frances A. Remington, Harriet R. Greene,
Fannie Stebbins,
Lucy Tingley, Lucretia L. Tappan,
Julia A. Waterman, Abbie L. Bowker, Anna F. Dean.
Charlotte M. Hodges,
Angeline Haskell,
Eliza P. Cunliffe.
Elizabeth J. Chace, Abby F. Hendrick, Helen M. Cook,
Elizabeth W. Miles,
Abby B. Metcalf,
Emeline A. Sayles,
Lucy C. Stanley.
Intermediate and Primary Schools.
Adeline Y. Armington, Gertrude A. Budlong, Charlotte S. Dodge, Georgiana Guild, Rebecca B. Armington, Dora W. George, Ida Dunster, Anna Allen,
Anna B. Clapp,
Mary J. Nichols,
Abby A. Evans,
Ella A. Greene,
Mary G. Tasker.
Esther A. Allen,
M. Emily Cushing, Sarah A. Allen,
Azubah P. Mowry,
Mary F. Peck, Charlotte C. Ingraham, Elizabeth HI. Smith,
Annie E. Avery,
Elizabeth Passmore,
Mary Potter, Emily Hill, Harriette C. Randall,
Alison M. Potter, Joanna S. Sweet, Mary E. Anthony, Ella D. Mowry,
Lydia M. Carpenter, Mary Cobb, Emma F. Claflin, Mary W. Armington, Ellen M. Hopkins,
Kate L. Murphy, Sarah E. Tanner, Anna M. Burrington, Ella L. Phillips, Adela N. Padelford,
Emma F. Armington, Lney A. Frost,
Lucy A. Palmer, Abby F. Lee,
Lois A, Felton, Mary E. Like,
John Milton Hall, Albert J. Manchester, Orville B. Grant,
James M. Sawin, Levi W. Russell, Benjamin V. Gallup, George E. Church,
Julia A. Osgood,
Fanny A. Tetlow,
Rosamond R. Leavins, Sarah A. Purkis,
Cornelia W. Latham, Mary A. Lee,
Ellen A. Salisbury,
Sarah M. Ray, Mattie W. Hunt, Fannie A. Greene,
Edward H. Cutler, David W. Hoyt, Thomas B. Stockwell,
13
SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND TEACHERS.
Hattie E. Townsend,
Louisa J. Lewis,
Georgiana D. Read, Phebe S. Gladding, Addie Burrows,
Martha J. Penno,
Emily E. Waite,
Nellie Branch.
Clara E. Henshaw,
Sarah F. Cutler,
Phebe A. Andrews,
Sarah E. Porter,
Lizzie M. Emerson,
Anna E. Cobb,
Caroline F. Andrews,
Maria H. Wilbor,
Maria J. Mitchell,
Hattie J. Dean,
Sarah M. Wickes,
sarah J. Tourtelot,
Annie E. Murdock,
Anna E. Whipple,
Martha Winchester,
Adelaide M. Waterman, Laura E. Almy,
Abbie F. Butler,
Isabelle F. Martin,
Annie E. McCloy,
Ella C. Bradley, Addie F. Waite, Abby C. Aldrich, Abbie M. Tanner,
Mary E. Wood,
Annie F. Cranston,
Rebecca L. Ring,
Janette R. Tingley,
Sarah A. Simmons,
Mary E. Arnold, Ellen P. McCloy, Annie F. Brown,
Emma L. Dunham,
Emma R. Osler,
Lizzie H. Armstrong,
Helen G. Farmer,
Phebe A. Cutting,
Mary F. Waterman, Annie M. Haskins,
Mary H. Cargill,
Amelia P. Kimball,
Flora Angell,
Emma Shaw,
Anna F. Westcott, Ella F. Gale, Eliza A. Inman,
Fannie Arnold,
Lillian R. Willoughby, Sarah M. Farmer,
Mary N. Falconer, Assistant Teachers
Mary J. Muir,
of Music.
RICHMOND. COMMITTEE.
*Rev. G. Tillinghast, Superintendent.
Andrew B. Moore, Chairman.
William C. Gardner, Clerk. Caleb T. Cottrell,
TEACHERS.
Abel Tanner, Wm. C. Gardiner, Clarke A. Browning, John H. Lillibridge, L. A. Barber, D. D. James, Charles J. Greene, E. W. Phillips,
Ida S. Clarke,
Lucy S. Taylor, Lizzie P. Browning, Mary E. Kellogg, Maggie A. Johnson, Mary H. Chappell, Mattie H. Ailman, Dorcas A. Clarke,
Priscilla S. Corey, Charles H. Gates, Teacher of French.
Georgiana M. Hall, Jennie F. Bucklin, Elentra Read, Carrie E. Work,
Anna E. Edmonds,
Florence E. Bowen,
Elizabeth J. Cory, Julia D. Greene, Delia E. Harvey,
Phebe E. Wilbur,
Jennie F. Work, Emma F. Greene,
Marietta P. Pearce,
Harriet N. Lovett,
Susan C. Tweed,
Elizabeth S. Potter,
Ellen McCrillis, Edith R. Allen,
Abbie M. Harvey,
Clara S. Scammell, Ellen L. Brown, · Celia 'A. King, Sarah F. Hartwell,
Sarah W. Browning, Clara E. Battey, Emily R. McCrillis, Eleanor Dunn,
Abby W. Harvey, Mary E. Carey, Teachers of sewing.
Benjamin W. Hood, Principal Teacher of Music. Mary E. Rawson, Charlotte O. Doyle,
M. E. Leantha A. Gar- diner, Joanna L. Dockery, Elizabeth Phillips, Libbie Babcock, Iva L. Tillinghast, Jane E. Hoxsie, A. Fannie Kenyon.
14
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
SCITUATE.
COMMITTEE.
Rev. J. M. Brewster, Superintendent.
Geo. Jenks, Geo. A. Harris,
Nehemiah A. Angell, Wm. T. Cook,
Charles A. Brayton, Elisha L. Baggs,
Geo. A. Bitgood,
Zebbie C. Manton,
Jennie O. Kennedy,
Rev. E. F. Watson, Superintendent. Edward Tucker, Chairman.
Francis W. Collins, Clovis HI. Bowen. Hannah C. Collins, James A. Rose, Mary E. Gardner, Mary A. Noyes, Robert B. Richmond, Mary J. Prosser. Imogene E. Sheldon, F. B. Kauffman,
Emma Champlin, Hattie K. Nichols,
Esther E. Champlin,
C. H. Page, Chairman,
TEACHERS.
Lizzie M. Manton,
Angie Rathbun,
Waity W. Titus,
Ellen F. Knight,
Martha E. Dean,
Rhoda A. Esten,
Louisa P. Remington,
M. Carrie Knight,
Josie E. Steere,
Abbie F. Allen,
Addie M. Bartlett,
Desire Aldrich,
Evelyn E. Smith.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN. COMMITTEE.
John G. Perry, Clerk. D. P. Spencer, H. T. Braman, Rev. W. H. Kling.
Azel Noyes.
TEACHERS.
Hannah E. Clarke, Hattie L. Champlin,
Irene F. Dixon,
Sarah A. Clarke, Amelia R. Amos, James E. R. Crandall, Eunice F. Browning, Wm. F. Crandall, May M. James, Abel Tanner, H. Maria Palmer, Sarah ». Browning, Frank. B. Marchant,
Edward W. Phillips, Abby Jane Cook, Sarah J. Chappell,
Georgianna Tucker, Fred. R. Hyde, Abbie A. Hull, Marcia L. Wood, Charles E. Faxon, Lizzie R. Rhodes, Warren B. Knowles, Emma A. Browning, Mary J". Rose.
SMITHFIELD. COMMITTEE.
Rev. M. W. Burlingame, Marshall I. Mowry, Superintendent. Chairman.
TEACIIERS.
Ida E. Gardner, H. N. D. Wilbur, Lilly B. Mowry, Louisa A. Latham, Candace M. Eddy, . Ida A. Winsor,
D. W. Latham, Clerk.
Ida L. Farnum, Alice M. Comforth, S. P. Patterson, Irene C. Barnes, Ilattie A. Winsor, Carrie E. Winsor.
Edgar A. Burdick, Rev. S. Phillips, Alonzo Mowry, M. L. Esten, Susie M. Steere, Julia E. Farnum,
Ella L. Potter,
Emma E. Wilbar,
Rev. J. Q. Adams, Clerk.
Alice J. Polsey, Zelotie A. Coman,
15
SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND TEACHERS.
TIVERTON. COMMITTEE.
John F. Chase, Superintendent.
John F. Cook, Abram Gifford, Wm. A. Weeden, L. Chasie Wordell, Rosa T. Wood, Alice H. Richards, Ann E. Brown,
Edward Gray, Jr., Chairman.
Rev. A. T. Clarke, Clerk.
TEACHERS.
Peace C. Gray,
Elizabeth Winslow,
Ella V. Hazard,
M. Olive Greene,
Belle Clarke,
Ella F. Doane,
Jennie F. Borden,
Susie E. Cory.
WARWICK.
COMMMITTEE.
Albert C. Dedrick,
Albert D. Greene,
William A. Corey, Herbert Collingwood,
Aram W. Colvin,
Oliver A. Wickes, Cyrus Harris,
TEACHERS.
Lucy A. Sisson,
Carrie M. Remington, Fannie M. Lyon, Lizzie Allen, Mary E. Stone, Susie P. Stone,
Frederick W. Bliss,
Eliza W. Shippie,
Henry L. Allen, Susie P. Stone, Anna Holden, John M. Nye,
Ella J. Hathaway, Kate E. Bode, Mrs. Wm. Adams, Clara A. Olney, Henry A. Wood, Ann E. Burlingame, Ida M. Congdon, Annie Bissell, Mary C. Capron, Emma E. Cook, M. Louise Bishop.
WARREN.
Rev. S. K. Dexter,. Superintendent. George L. Cooke, Chairman.
COMMITTEE. Rev. C. L. Manchester, Rev. C. J. Rogers, Clerk. George S. Brown, Benjamin M. Bosworth, Rev. Henry S. Thomp- Rodman Barton, son, James M. Peck.
Mary M. Ralph, M. L. Burlingame, H. B. M. Grinnell, Hattie A. Nicholas, Joseph H. Rockwell, Annie H. Brown, Mary E. Northup, Sophie P. Snow, John Q. Adams, Ella A. Hoyle, Theresa R. Westcott, Wm. C. Monroe,
Henry W. Greene,
Joseph W. Madison, J. B. Child,
John F. Brown,
*Wm. V. Slocum, Superintendent. Harvey S. Bartlett, Chairman. Caleb Westcott, Clerk. Edward A. Cole, John Holden, Samuel W. Clarke,
Caroline E. Cory,
Emma A. Parker,
Deborah A. Chase,
Lena F. Hurd,
16
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
TEACHERS.
Andrew J. Jennings, Patience L. Fish,
Prin. of High School. Abiah G. Turner,
Annie Driscol,
Elizabeth H. Smith,
Abby E. Peck,
Mary M. Bowen,
Isabella J. Essex.
Emilie M. Hoar,
Georgie E. Smith,
Helen L. Ross,
Prof. A. Jantz.
WESTERLY. COMMITTEE.
Rev. H. M. Eaton, Superintendent.
David Smith, Chairman.
Samuel H. Cross, Clerk.
TEACHERS.
N. W. Littlefield, Prin. M. Anna Shove,
of High School.
Abbie M. Maxson.
E. J. Vars,
W. C. Titsworth,
Mary J. Buell,
Alzina Saunders,
Lizzie A. Barber,
E. L. Clarke,
S. R. Greene,
Allen B. Palmer,
Mary L. Hall,
Wm. F. Collins,
Snsan P. Coy,
Chas. P. Wheeler,
S. L. Chester,
Annie M. Hitchcock,
F. V. Clarke,
Mary A. Foley,
Thankful P. Gavitt.
Sarah T. Lamphear.
WEST GREENWICH.
COMMITTEE.
Rev. J. H. Edwards, Clerk.
John A. Bates.
TEACHERS.
Warren F. Wilcox,
Nellie Bates,
Nellie P. Wood,
Isabel F. Newell,
HI. M. Tillinghast,
Fred. T. Andrews, Josephine Potter, Delia M. Browning, Clara J. Vanghn.
WOONSOCKET. COMMITTEE.
Rev. C. J. White, Superintendent. Thomas Steere, Chairman.
N. T. Verry, Clerk. A. A Smith,
Amos Sherman, Jr., S. N. Mason, Rev. S. L. Holman,
E. E. Kenyon,
T. Stanton Barber,
Tristam D. Babcock,
H. A. Burdick,
Mary E. Coy,
F. A. Allen, Susan Coy,
Elizabeth Holmes,
F. Addie Lyon,
Anna P. Chase,
Allen B. Palmer,
Mary A. Riley, Augusta Mann,
Charles F. Carpenter, Superintendent.
Charles II. Spencer, Sarah A. Newton, Herbert Barton, Otis J. Ballon, B. A. Wilcox,
Nellie C. Hoar,
Ellery W. Greene,
Charles A. Sheffield,
Henrietta Martin,
Addie C. Clark,
Patience Cole,
Annie E. Cole,
Marcia Babcock,
E. L. Clarke,
SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND TEACHERS.
17
TEACHERS.
Mr. Chas. H. Smart, Prin. Miss H. D. Mowry,
Miss H. A. Allen,
S. B. Hill,
of High School, Sum- mer Term.
L. P. Arnold,
G. E. Arnold,
L. B. Dodge,
Julia C. Verry,
M. H. Mowry,
Mr. H. A. Benson,
S. F. Snow,
E. M. Smith,
" H. M. Harrington,
" A. C. Robbins.
A. L. Thompson,
M. D. Philbrick.
" D. R. Adams,
L. N. Snow,
E. E. Rickard,
E. F. Bassett,
Mr. Chas. A. Chase, Prin. of High School, Fall, Winter and Spring.
N. E. Morse,
" E. M. Woodart,
N. M. Burlingame,
S. F. Bryant,
2
EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REPORTS.
APPARATUS.
CHARLESTOWN .- At the annual town meeting, when your Committee were elected, the town voted to pay the incidental expenses of the seve- ral districts, not exceeding the sum of ten dollars each, from the town treasury. All but three districts have availed themselves of this privi- lege, and presented bills of different amounts, for which orders have been granted. As a result of this experiment, the districts have made slight but much needed improvements in and around their school houses, and furnished them with the necessary appurtenances for the use of the schools, without resorting to a district tax. We therefore cordially rec- ommend that this policy be continued, in full confidence that the people of the several districts will realize more and more the importance of this measure .- School Committee.
CRANSTON .- Some of the schools are destitute of all suitable appli- ances for teaching. Others are better supplied. In two or three school rooms, really valuable globes are found. I would respectfully urge the town or district authorities to furnish the school rooms with maps of Rhode Island, that all of the children may become familiar with the out- lines of their State. In the larger schools particularly, charts illustrat- ing Anatomy, Physiology and Botany would be of almost incalculable value .- D. G, ANDERSON, Supt.
JOHNSTON .- There has been placed in each school room during the past year a globe, the size varying from six to twelve inches in diameter, and now every school enjoys not only globes, but maps in sufficient quantities, and slating blackboards .- W. A. PHILLIPS, Supt.
LINCOLN .- In some of the districts, we find the school houses unpro- vided with suitable black-boards, maps, charts, globes, etc. The black- board should be kept in constant repair ; for without this a most valua- ble auxiliary of instruction is entirely lost. Geographical maps and charts for object teaching, should be provided by every trustee. Your committee would also recommend the purchase of suitable pictures. This certainly would have an elevating tendency, and the money so ex-
1º
EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REPORTS.
pended could not be employed for a better or nobler purpose. For what is education worth if it does not raise the mind above the low and igno- ble, and foster an appreciation and love of the beautiful and the good .- School Committee.
SCITUATE .- There now needs to be a small outlay for furniture and apparatus. Several districts have already done nobly in securing re- volving black-boards, wall maps, globes and dictionaries, things which ought to be in every school room. There have been schools in the town in which a dictionary of any kind could not be found in the possession of either teachers or scholars .- J. M. BREWSTER, Supt.
SMITHFIELD .- We have Webster's large quarto dictionary in most of our schools ; an important appendage, which the teachers are expected to see is not unnecessarily injured .- M. W. BURLINGAME, Supt.
TIVERTON .- We invite attention to the fact that all of our school rooms are destitute of dictionaries, most of them are without outline maps, and but one has a globe. We trust that our fellow citizens will reflect upon the import of this fact, and make an appropriation to provide at least a part of this necessary outfit of our schools within the next school year .- School Committee.
WARREN .- The outlay for books, maps, and astronomical apparatus has been very considerable .- School Committee.
ATTENDANCE, ABSENTEEISM AND TRUANCY.
BARRINGTON .- In rural districts, like those of our town, a somewhat larger per cent. of tardiness and absence than would be necessary in a denser population, ought not perhaps to excite surprise or to call forth severe censure. In general, I think that a laudable effort has been made to keep the pupils punctually in school ; but, in view of the very serious losses arising from absence and irregularity, it is of great importance that these evils shall, as far as possible, be scrupulously prevented by the patrons of the schools.
It is difficult to resist the conviction that there exists, in many instan- ces, a culpable remissness in this regard. For instance, what can we infer from the fact that the returns for the winter term from District No. 2, indicate a total of only four hundred and one days' absence on the part of forty pupils, while the returns from District No. 3, for the same term, indicate a total of four hundred and forty-one days' absence, the whole number of pupils registered being only seventeen ?- I. F. CADY, Supt.
BRISTOL .- Never before have such facilities for acquiring an education been offered to the children of Bristol, and yet, the Committee find with disappointment and solicitude, that many of suitable age are seldom, if
.
20
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
ever, seen in our schools. It is surprising that so many parents are apparently indifferent about a subject of such vital importance to the welfare of their children, and, in fact, to the well being of society. The Committee cannot leave this subject without referring once more to a matter of the gravest importance,-the employment of children in our manufacturing establishments. It has been spoken of in previous re- ports, but the evil still exists, and there is reason to fear that it is in- creasing. A few weeks ago, a woman of respectable appearance came to the Superintendent for a permit for her little girl of eight years of age to go into school. Upon inquiry it was found that this little pale and sickly looking child had been at work in one of the factories, taking the place of a sister, who was only ten years old, who had been ill for several weeks, " because," as the mother said, " the work was too much for her, but she was better now and must take her position again." Again, undoubtedly to be broken down and perhaps injured for life ; then her little sister two years younger will probably be obliged to try the same life, and suffer the same experience. The father of these children was healthy and strong, but not at work.
The attention of the General Assembly has recently been called to this subject, and it is most earnestly to be hoped that such action will be taken as will speedily check, if not entirely suppress this serious evil. . We have long been convinced that more stringent laws than any that now exist were necessary to overcome an evil that so seriously threatens the future welfare of the State.
An industrial school, to which we referred in the report of last year, would, we think, prove a partial remedy, at least, for this evil ; at any rate, it might be made of great value to a large class of children, who are now growing up in ignorance, and who will soon become either crimi- nals or paupers, unless something is speedily done in their behalf.
In such a school as the one mentioned, which should not be considered a penal institution, it should not be thought a disgrace to have been a member of such a school, where the pupils should receive not only a good common school education, but also be taught a trade, by which, when they leave the school, they can earn an honest living and become respectable members of society.
The State has made most generous appropriations, during the last ten years, for educational purposes, but if the people will not avail them- selves of the opportunities so freely placed before them, for the benefit of their children, it is quite possible that the best interests of society may require that some compulsory measures upon this important subject be enacted. It is quite probable that the course pursued by Massachu- setts with relation to this matter might prove equally successful in Rhode Island .- R. S. ANDREWS, Supt.
CRANSTON .- Our schools are still somewhat troubled by truancy. How to remedy this evil and to properly punish truants under our present statutes and with the prevalent public sentiment, are problems not easily solved. So far as the evil can be lessened by rendering our school rooms cheerful and attractive, we should make the attempt, but in some districts, it will require new buildings and a considerable outlay of
21
EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REPORTS.
money, to make the school rooms agreeable or even moderately comfort- able places of assembly. In many cases, the difficulty of dealing with truants is increased by the conduct of the offender's parents.
They seem to consider school laws invasion of their personal liberty, and frequently act as though they had fully decided that school teachers and officers are the natural enemies to them and their children. Other parents who do not share this antagonism to the school requirements, by their display of no interest in the schools, contribute not a little to their general inefficiency. Children understand very readily that unspoken language. which conveys its meaning as well as articulate language con- veys its meaning.
Scholars are not slow nor far wrong in deciding that parents care but little for schools they never visit. They are not as particular to be reg- ular in attendance, correct in their deportment and faithful in their at- tention to duties as they would be if knew their parents occasion- ally looked in to see what their standing was. There are school dis- tricts in this town, in which, during the entire year, not more than two or three of the parents, have manifested sufficient interest in the edu- cation of their children to stop at the school house long enough to ask whether their children are present or absent.
Who can determine how much such parents are justly responsible for the truancy and insubordination of their neglected children. Before we can reasonably expect our schools to reach the highest point of excel- lence, we must witness a revolution in the conduct of parents. Our schools display, more frequently than they correct, the mistakes of our homes .- D. G. ANDERSON, Supt.
CUMBERLAND .- Considerable sickness has prevailed and the percent- age of attendance is not quite so good as last year, yet there is a large list of names of those who have not been absent one half day, ranging in time, from one term to five years.
The law which forbids the employment of children under the age of twelve in manufacturing establishments is sadly disregarded. The fault of its violation is pretty evenly distributed between the public, the parent and the manufacturer. The public is not much interested in its enforcement, the parents are sometimes needy and sometimes avaricious and urge their employment, and the manufacturers can profitably em- ploy the children and please the parents .- C. W. BURNHAM, Supt.
EAST GREENWICH .- In reviewing our schools for the past year, taking into account the facilities for education and the positive unwillingness that so many show to being benefited by their instruction, the inquiry naturally arises-What can be done to secure the benefits of this free gift to a greater number of children and render it a still more potent agent of improvement ?
It is a melancholy fact that there are children in every district of the town who attend no school whatever, and are growing np in ignor- ance, while many others attend school so irregularly that no interest is awakened in the exercises of the school-room.
As the State provides from its bounty for the free education of all the children within its limits, the towns should insist that none be de-
22
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.
prived of these privileges by their own negligence, or in other words. legislation should make attendance at some school compulsory, between the ages of five and fifteen years .- D. C. KENYON, Supt.
EAST PROVIDENCE .- Good teachers having been secured, the success of our schools, then depends upon the regular attendance, and punctu- ality of the pupils. The responsibility in regard to these matters rests largely with parents.
Those who allow their children to stay away from school for trivial reasons, should not wonder. as some parents do, why their children do not advance so rapidly, nor master their studies so thoroughly as others, who are at school every day. Often times a pupil by absence from one recitation fails to learn something which it is necessary for him to learn, in order to retain a good standing in his class.
We have had in our schools, during the past year, few cases of truancy, owing to the efforts made by teachers to prevent it, and owing also to the hearty co-operation of parents with teachers, in this respect.
To prevent tardiness, many of our teachers have required dilatory pupils to present written excuses from their parents, before taking their seats. The result is, the number of marks for tardiness has been very materially diminished.
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.