USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Chester > Annual report of the town of Chester, Vermont for the year ending 1883 > Part 2
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DISTRICT No. 4 .- Prudential Committee, De Witt Davis. Teachers, Lillian L. Kimball, Ist term; Helen M. Craigue, 2d and 3d terms. Public money, $76.11.
1st Term. 2d Term. 3d Term.
Length of school in weeks,
10
10
10
Number of pupils, .
21 26
22
Average attendance, . 18
21.7 20
Visits by Prudential Committee, 3 0 0
Teacher's wages and board, .
$40.00 $50.50 $52.50
Other expenses, including fuel, repairs, etc.,.
.$236.22
The schoolroom in this district has been thoroughly repaired, and is now one of the best in town. School appears well.
DISTRICT No. 5 .- Prudential Committee, N. J. Snell. Teachers, Julia Redfield, Ist term; Mellie Jenkins, 2d term. Public money, $50.39.
23
Ist Term. 2d Term-
Length of school in weeks, .
10 12
Number of pupils, . 4 10
Average attendance, . 3.9 8
Visits by Prudential Committee,
1 0
Teacher's wages and board, .. $31.50 $53.60
.. $13.75 Other expenses, -
This school has had four pupils from No. 12 the past winter. Taking out the older ones that will not attend school in the summer leaves but 2 or 3 for the next school. It is to be hoped that some suitable provision may be made for the few, if the district do not feel able to support a school.
DISTRICT No. 6 .- Prudential Committee, J. N. Moore. Teacher, E. E. B. Davis. Public money, $86.97.
Ist Term. 2d Term. 3d Term-
Length of school in weeks, 10 8 12
Number of pupils, 26 31
36
Average attendance, . 23.5 26.7 32
Visits by Prudential Committee, 3 2
Teacher's wages and board, $60.00 $56.00 . $28.96
2 $84.00
Other expenses, including fuel, incidentals, etc., .
This school is composed of pupils whose ages are from 6 to 21 years. There is, therefore, a great amount of work to be done by the teacher. The school is in excellent order, and good progress has been made.
DISTRICT No. 7 .- Prudential Committee, Wm. Pierce, Thom. Adams, Denman Hulett. Teachers, Abbie Rounds, Ist term; Gertrude Geary, 2d term. Public money, $49.95. Ist Term. 2d Term -.
Length of school in weeks, 12 12
Number of pupils, . 12 10
Average attendance, 7.8 7.8
Visits by Prudential Committee, 2 3
Teacher's wages and board,
$28.08 $47.60
. .. . $8.92 Other expenses, .
The schoolroom is made bright and cheerful by a few happy faces, and an abundance of pictures and evergreen upon the walls. One little boy of nine years ranks among the most advanced in town of his age.
DISTRICT No. 8 .- Prudential Committee, E. A. Marsh. Teachers, Clara E. Gowing, Ist term; Ella Feltt, 2d term. Public money, $60.50.
1st Term. 2d Term.
Length of school in weeks,
12
12
Number of pupils,
16
14
Average attendance, .
13.4 11.5
Visits by Prudential Committee, .
1
Teacher's wages and board,
1 $39.00 $60.00
Other expenses, .
. $21.68
24
A few dollars expended in paint, paper and whitewash would improve the schoolroom greatly, and would be a very light tax upon the district. Maps, globe, dictionary and clock are all wanting.
DISTRICT NO. 9 .- Prudential Committee, Ransom Sher- win. Teachers, Edna Davis, Ist term; Sylvia Sherwin, 2d term. Public money, $45.18.
Length of school in weeks,.
Ist Term. 10 7
12
Number of pupils, .
9
Average attendance, 5.3
7.4
Visits by Prudential Committee, 0
$30.00
0 $50.00.
Teacher's wages and board, .
Other expenses, including fuel, repairs, etc., ..
. $24.36
The clerk reports 18 children is this district between 5 and 20 years of age. Where are they ? At the most only one half is represented in the school, and one of those has credited to him only 23 days in the two terms. There are two little boys in this school, also, that may safely be counted in as ranking high with the pupils of their age.
DISTRICT No. 11 .- Prudential Committee, J. A. Chand- ler. Teachers, Mary E. Robbins, Ist term; Ella D. Rounds, 2d term. Public money $49.48.
Ist Term.
2d Term.
Length of school in weeks,.
10
10
Number of pupils,.
16
19
Average attendance,
13
18
Visits by Prudential Committee,
1
1
Teacher's wages and board,
$36.50 $57.00
Other' expenses, . $12.80
The teacher employed the first term was lacking in energy, consequently the school appeared dull and inactive. The second term was marked with so complete a change that it is due to all concerned that it be mentioned. The register, heretofore literally covered with absent marks, shows an excellent average this term. The pupils are awake, and we hope the parents have a just appreciation of the work accomplished. Quite a delegation attended this school from Baltimore, and they specially deserve credit for their prompt attendance, notwithstanding the distance, over bad roads, snow drifts, etc.
DISTRICT No. 15 .- Prudential Committee, Sardine Haggett. Teachers, Grace Smith, Ist term; Nellie Wil- liams, 2d term. Public money, $58.90.
2d Term.
25
Ist Term. 10
2d Term.
Length of school in weeks,.
12
Number of pupils, .
12
20
Average attendance,
9.7
17
Visits by Prudential Committee, .
0
0 $56.90
Other expenses, including fuel, repairs, etc., .
. $18.57
The schoolhouse has been greatly improved by the outlay of a few dollars in paper and whitewash, and we hope they will continue the good work. This school ,would bear a more rigid discipline.
DISTRICT No. 16 .- Prudential Committee, J. B. Dunbar. Teachers, Marcia Bailey, Ist and 2d terms; C. Ellen Dunbar, 3d term. Public money, $75.57.
10 1st Term. 2d Term. 8 10
Length of school in weeks,
Number of pupils, 33
33
26
Average attendance, . 29.6
30.6 24
Visits by Prudential Committee, 1 1 0 $70.00
Teacher's wages and board, ..
$55.00
$52.00
Other expenses, including fuel, furniture, etc.,
$97.00
A new set of Mitchell's Outline Maps, and a new black- board have been furnished for the school. The teacher for the third term wished to have Lizzie Church, Lucy Buswell, Bertha Whittaker, Mary Walsh and Jewett Boynton men- tioned as deserving special commendation for studiousness during the term.
DISTRICT No. 17 .- Prudential Committee, S. H. Piper. Teachers, Lucinda S. Lovell, Ist term; Grace E. Lee, 2d term. Public money, $40.61.
Ist Term. 2d Term.
Length of school in weeks,
12
12
Number of pupils,
14
12
Average attendance, .
12
10
Visits by Prudential Committee, ..
1 2
Teacher's wages, including board,.
$47.00
$63.60
Other expenses, including fuel, map, etc.,.
· $15.75
The Clerk reports 20 children of school age in this district. A new map has been purchased, and now more blackboard room, and a teacher who will have it used in every recitation, are among the immediate needs of this school.
DISTRICT No. 19 .- Prudential Committee, Wm. Farns- worth. Teachers, Izella Stoodley, Ist term; Carrie Dodge, 2d term. Public money, $44.40.
Teacher's wages and board, .
$39.20
3d Term.
26
Ist Term.
2d Term.
Length of school in weeks,.
10
10
Number of pupils, .
7
11
Average attendance,
5.6
7
Visits by Prudential Committee,
2
1
Teacher's wages and board,
$40.00
$40.00
Other expenses, .$4.92
This is one of the districts that need help from outside. The number of pupils the coming year will be from 2 to 4 unless others move into the district. They need good teaching and it is to be hoped that provision will be made for them.
DISTRICT NO.20 .- Prudential Committee, Hugh Henry, Mrs. P. A. Fullerton, C. O. Locke. Teachers, Helen M. Gray, (higher department,); Fannie A. Ward, (primary.) Public money, $156.01.
1st Term.
2d Term. 3d Term.
Length of school in weeks,.
10
10
12
Number of pupils, .
25
28
30
Average attendance, .
21.8
23
26.6
Visits by Prudential Committee,
6
6
2
Teacher's wages and board,
$85.00
$85.00 $111.00
Primary .-
1st Term.
2d Term.
3d Term.
Length of school in weeks,
10
10
12
Number of pupils, .
41
43
39
Average attendance, .
34.5
37.2
35
Visits by Prudential Committee,
7
4
3
Teacher's wages and board, .
$85.00
$85.00
$111.00
Other expenses, including fuel and incidentals,
.$87.90
The higher department has been conducted by a teacher of large experience. Those who have carefully watched the school through the year must have noted the increased interest manifested. Apparently, some classes have accom- plished more the last term than in the two preceding terms. In the primary department there is no lack of life and animation. There seems to be a pleasant relation existing between teacher and pupils, and an earnest desire to improve. To say that these little ones are doing as well as last year is all that need be said.
DISTRICT No. 22 .- Prudential Committee, J. F. Powers. Teacher, Agnes Thompson, Ist term; Juliette Dwinell, 2d and 3d term. Public money, $67.10.
1st Term. 2d Term. 3d Term.
Length of school in weeks,
10
10
10
Number of pupils, .
16
17
16
Average attendance, .
13
15.5 14
Visits by Prudential Committee, .
0
0
0
Teacher's wages and board,
$50.00
$70.00
$77.50
$17.50
Other expenses,
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There was a lack of discipline during the first term, but the second and third terms have been a success.
At the commencement of the second terms of school, I proposed that the teachers report to me the names of pupils entitled to be placed upon a " Roll of Honor " in this report. But so few have responded that it seems unfair to print those I have received, inasmuch as I am certain there are others, in the schools not reported that are equally deserving. I will make out a list by districts, of those I have received, and hand them to the local correspondent of the Vermont Tribune for publication.
Although our schools are far from being what they should be, still we trust they are not all retrograding. A majority of the teachers have been well qualified, and some of them veterans in the service. Many of them have seemed to feel the great responsibility resting upon them and have been anxious to improve each and every oppor- tunity for perfecting themselves in the work. It affords me great pleasure to say that nearly every teacher in town takes an educational paper. And who can say, that from these papers, containing as they do practical hints and sug- gestions from teachers of experience, our teachers may not gather new inspiration and wisdom which must ultimately benefit their pupils ? In some instances I find teachers so attached to the text-book, that it really seems alarming, and promises to prove fatal to the advancement of those in their care. They are always careful to ask the questions laid down in the book, and require the answers to be the exact words of the author, without any additional explanation or talk of any kind. Such teaching cannot arouse the mind of a child, but on the contrary must serve to create a dis- relish for study, and render the mind dormant and inactive.
Unfortunately there has been a change of teachers in a majority of our schools the past year. In some cases they would have been retained had not poor health or some other cause prevented their acceptance of the situation. Some of the teachers were inefficient, and the needs of the school demanded a change, and others were hired for the first term, knowing some one else was to follow them the next, how- ever well they might succeed. This should be avoided.
28
Secure good teachers-not cheap ones-and then retain them so long as they are faithful, if possible. There is, also, a tendency on the part of some to push the child along-meas- ure the amount of his attainments by the quantity of books he has devoured. The consequence is that children are reading in the Fifth Reader, groping along in darkness, struggling with words whose meaning they cannot compre- hend, who should be carefully learning not only to pronounce the words in the Third Reader, but also to be able to analyze and define those words. Let us bear in mind that simply pronouncing words is not reading properly. Another evil is the variety of text-books in some of the schools, which pre- vents the pupils being properly classed in many cases. Those who lived in another town when the present list was adopted, and have since removed here, find a different list in use, and often are unwilling to change. If the teacher insists that it is for the best interests of all concerned, that they have books enabling them to go on with a class instead of plodding along alone, she is pronounced unreasonable and exacting, and her influence begins to decline. What is the remedy ? Some towns in the State which still retain the district system own the books used in the schools. Will any one have the courage to propose that this town take this one step in advance?
On looking over the registers we find a goodly number of visitors' names recorded, but in most cases the number of parents' names forcibly remind us of angels' visits. In fact, we might almost imagine the FATHERS were not among the living, or were journeying in a foreign land; for with the exception of the committees, there have been but fourteen fathers that have visited the 43 terms of school, up to this date. Do they hire men to work on their farms, or in shops, and neglect to look after them ? Nay, the question of dollars and cents decides that matter. They cannot afford to neglect them thus, for they are aware that many of them would fail to earn half their wages; and the faithful ones need to be stimulated to continue in their faithfulness, by words of approbation and encouragement. Let me say to you, school teachers are human, and not very much unlike other hired help in these respects. How it aids and encourages the teachers, when the parents visit the schools, and assure them
29
they appreciate their efforts, and will co-operate with them in the faithful discharge of their duties. On the other hand nothing can be more detrimental to the school, than to watch for and magnify the defects of a teacher in the presence of the children. And in almost every instance where this is practiced, it is by those who absent themselves from the schoolroom and get their knowledge of the school second-hand.
Children should be required to attend school regularly and promptly, unless sickness or some other unavoidable circumstance prevent. Keeping children out of school a day or two, now and then, to work, play, or visit, should not be practiced.
In Districts No. 3 and 20 they have supported 32 weeks of school. In my opinion, three terms of ten weeks each would be full as beneficial. In most of the schools visited the eleventh and twelfth week of the term, both teacher and pupils seemed too tired to do good work, and in some cases there were more absences recorded than during the ten weeks previous.
Where districts support two long terms of 12 weeks each, it seems advisable to have three terms,-having the schools in May and June, September and October, December and January. The attendance would be better, and the pupils would receive more benefit from the school; as with the present arrangement the older boys are kept at home the latter part of the first term, to work in the hay-field, and most of the smaller children, living quite a distance from the school, are obliged to remain at home soon after the advent of the long hot days of July and August.
Of the workings of the town system I am not acquainted personally, and therefore cannot recommend or disapprove. One thing is certain, the schools in those States that have this system are second to none, and there is no disposition to return to the district system. We are glad to know that the committee, chosen last year to investigate the needs of the schools, are attending to this matter, and we trust the measures they may recommend will be duly considered by the Town.
30
Great reforms are said to move with snail-like rapiditý, therefore the " Town system," "Central School," etc., will probably appear in the far distant future, if ever.
Still, setting this great change aside, we feel that pro- gressive steps might be taken which would greatly benefit the schools, and not be of sufficient magnitude to frighten the timid or alarm the cautious. It is well to have the subject brought before us each year, that we may in time be enlight- ened in regard to it, and prepared to meet it.
In this matter, which so deeply concerns us as a com- munity, let us work together with a will for the common good of the whole; adopting measures to increase the effi- ciency of our schools, and we shall be blest in the present, and the future will fully repay our efforts.
Thanking the teachers and the citizens generally for the kindness and respect shown me, I respectfully submit this report.
MRS. H. H. GOWING, SUPERINTENDENT.
NOTICE-TOWN MEETING.
The inhabitants of the Town of Chester, Vt., who are legal voters in Town Meeting, are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Town Hall In the South Village in Chester, on Tuesday, the 6th day of March, A. D. 1883, at 10 o'clock A.M., to act on the following articles, viz. : -
Ist,-To choose a Moderator to preside in sald meeting ;
2d,-To hear and act upon the report of the Town Anditors and the state of the treasury ;
3d,-To see if the Town will adopt the method of collecting taxes the ensuing year as prescribed by the Legislature of 1880;
4th,-To see if the Town will fix the compensation to be paid for the collection of all State, State School, County and Town Taxes on the List of 1883, by receiving bids in writing previous to the election of Constable and Collector, and that all bids shall state in dollars and cents what they will collect all of said taxes for, and whoever shall be elected Collector shall collect the same for the sum which he bids;
5th,-To choose Town Officers for the year ensuing ;
6th,-To see if the Town will vote to raise money to pay the current expenses of the Town for the year next ensuing, and a part of its present indebtedness, and if so how much, and when to be collected and paid into the Town treasury;
7th,-To see what course the Town will take to keep the highways and bridges in repair for the year ensuing ;
8th,-For each voter to deposit his vote for some suitable person for County Commissioner in the County of Windsor to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors;
9th,-To see if the Town will elect one or more Trustees to receive from the Town Treasurer and disburse the income from the Campbell fund, who shall keep a detailed account of such disbursements and report annually to the Town Treas- urer, who shall submit said report to the Auditors for approval, the Selectmen still retaining the control of the investment of the original fund;
10th,-To see if the Town will vote to refund to Aaron L. Robbins the pay for the property that the Overseer of the Poor took from him for the Town a few years ago;
11th,-To see if the Town will vote to exempt from taxation the new gristmill now building by Q. D. Gowing, and all the machinery and other appliances neces- sary for the prosecution of the business, and all capital invested in and used for operating the same, together with all such machinery hereafter put into the build- ing already erected but not finished or now occupied, for a term not exceeding ten years, agreeably to Section 2 of Act No. 128 of the laws of Vermont passed in the year 1880;
12th,-To see if the Town will vote to purchase of Mrs. G. M. Lee the tomb in the North Village cemetery ;
13th,-To see if the Town will vote to fence the Common in the North Village; 14th,-To see if the Town will vote an appropriation to defray the expenses of a proper observance of Decoration Day, and if so what amount, and elect a committee of three to have charge of the same;
15th,-To see if the Town will adopt the Town system of schools;
16th,-To see if the Town will vote to establish one or more central schools and create one or more districts for such purpose ;
17th,-To see if the Town will vote to set from School District No. 12, Fisher district, to School District No. 3 in Chester the real estate of T. A. Edwards, M. H. Brewer, Washington Adams, Amelia Payne, J. L. Fisher, E. M. Carlisle, Oscar E. Heald, Mrs. Maria Sherwin, N. F. Hall, Mary A. Smith, and Ira H. Adams; also, to set to School District No. 2 in Chester the real estate of W. M. Howard and Stearns & Adams; also, to set to School District No. 5 in Chester the real estate of Frank Church, Daniel W. Dunn, and Henry C. Plympton; also, to set to School District No. 13 in Chester the real estate of Riley Phillips, Wm. D. Chand- ler, and Rodney G. Britton, -the above from School District No. 12;
18th,-To see if the Town will vote to set from School District No. 19, Wyman district, in Chester to School District No. 16 the real estate of Moses March, Guild & Hill, Frank O. Clark, George Morrison, Samuel Alford's estate, and W. H. John- son; also, to set to School District No. 4 in Chester the real estate of Leland & Davis, Walter M. Walker, Olney Bates'estate, Lydia Adams, Warren Heald, E. P. Kingsbury, John C. Balch, Almira F. Rugg, Jackson E. Green, Benj. B. Farns- worth's estate, George A. Brown, and J. R. Richardson,-all from District No. 19;
19th,-To see if the Town will vote to set from School District No. 20 to School District No. 3 in Chester the real estate of Mrs. Laura L. Blaisdell, Moses Dow, Zenas Marshall, Mrs. Oliver Ellis' estate, R. F. Fisher and Robbins & Marsh, carriage shop and lot, N. O. Jolinson's carriage shop and house and lot occupied by M. D. Batchelder, J. R. Richardson's house and lot, Harvey A. Gould's house and lot, Phebe Carpenter's house and lot, Coleman Sanders' store and lot, Chester Steam Power Co.'s real estate, Rutland Railroad and Alla N. Pierce;
20th,-To see if the Town will vote to set back the real estate of the Congrega- tional parsonage from District No. 20 to Distriet No. 6;
21st,-To see if the Town will vote to establish one High or Central School and fix the boundaries of the same; also, to elect District Officers as prescribed by the statutes for such Districts ;
22dl,-To see if the Town will vote to fix upon a location for a High or Central Schoolhouse, and purchase land for the same, and provide for the erection of school buildings thereon as the statute provides;
23d,-To see if the Town will vote to choose a committee of five to examine the School Districts in the Town and report at the next annual March meeting whether or not the Town should be redistricted or any other action taken towards a better system of schools;
24th,-To see if the Town will vote to exempt the polls of the members of Yosemite Engine Co. No. 1 from taxation the year ensuing; also the engineers of Fire District No. 2 in Chester. CALVIN L. HINDS,
IRA H. ADAMS, SELECTMEN.
NATHAN F. HALL, )
Dated at Chester, Vt., this 21st day of February, A.D. 1883.
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