Full text of "Annual report of the School Committee of the City of Charlestown"

See other formats

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 9999 06298 253 1

rB"

cY°

•o * 6345. 55

"3i

V.2

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2011 with funding from

Boston Public Library

http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportofsc1865char

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

SCHOOL COMMITTEE,

OF THE

®itg of WJxitUttiiwu.,

DECEMBER, 1865.

BOSTON :
PRESS OF ARTHUR W. LOCKE, 143 MILK STREET.

1866. '

CITY OF CHARLESTOWN.

In School Committee, December 27, 1865.
Rev. Mr. Miles presented the Annual Report of the Board,
which was accepted ; and it was voted that the usual number of
copies be printed for distribution.

Attest: F. A. DOWNING,

Secretary.

SCHOOL REPORT.

The School Committee of Charlestown respectfully
submit the following as their Annual Report.

It is very gratifying to the Committee to be able
to represent to their fellow citizens, that, our Free
Schools, by the blessing of God, have enjoyed a large
measure of prosperity during the past year, and, that
they are, at the present time, all things considered,
without doubt in a more promising condition than
they have presented at the close of any year since
they were established. Our teachers are not all
possessed of the same gifts and qualifications. But
with scarcely an exception they deserve to be. and
they are, commended by us for their fidelity, enter-
prise and efficiency. We are justified in saying of
them as a body, both of the male and the female
teachers, that they entertain enlarged conceptions of
their profession and that they are striving conscien-
tiously with patience and enthusiasm to fulfill its great

demands. We trust all the patrons of our schools
are properly mindful of the fact that the teacher's
calling is an arduous one, and a calling attended with
trials, and that while we ought to require them to
come up to a high standard, we ought, also, to ap-
preciate their labors and difficulties, and give to them
our sympathy and co-operation. An "eye servant" is
not worthy of the name teacher. We, the guardians
of the schools, have been remiss in the discharge of
our duties, if there are any persons of that descrip-
tion in our schools. We do not believe there are,
and yet, we are sure, more frequent visits to the
schools by parents and friends, would contribute much
to the encouragement and success of the teachers,
and to the general welfare of the schools.

The Committee record the expression of their
profound gratitude to the All- Wise Disposer of events
for the fulfillment of the hope expressed in their last
Annual Report, that before the close of another year
the effusion of blood might cease, and peace, estab-
lished in righteousness and freedom, might bless the
land. Of the heroic young men who, at their country's
call, promptly sprung to the scenes of conflict and
peril, and nobly performed their part in crushing
rebellion, a large number were those who had recently
been pupils in our public schools. Many of them
were graduates of our High School. At least one-
third of the members of one company had been
connected with the High School. Hence, as seemed

proper, when the survivors of these companies returned
with victory emblazoned upon their banners, the
schools participated in the ceremonies of welcome,
and the children, by their floral contributions and
merry songs, added not a little to the pleasure of the
occasions. The Committee congratulate all the friends
of our public schools upon the triumphant overthrow
of a rebellion, which, if it had been successful, would
have numbered among its evil consequences the
destruction of these institutions. We can but notice
with high satisfaction the fact, that one effect of the
terrible conflict through which we have passed has
been to display in the clearest light the excellence of
our common school system. Had the general intelli-
gence, the freedom of thought, the independence of
judgment and action which are the legitimate fruits
of these institutions, existed at the South, the masses
of the people of that section of our country could
not have been made the dupes of a few unscrupulous,
ambitious men, and by them been driven into a course
of conduct most disastrous to their own interests.
Our recent experience as a nation has given new
significance and force to that injunction of the " Father
of our Country " : " Promote, then, as an object of
primary importance, institutions for the general diffu-
sion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of
government gives force to public opinion, it is essen-
tial that public opinion should be enlightened."

TRUST FUND, APPROPRIATIONS, &c.

The balance of the income of the Trust Fund
in the hands of the Treasurer at the be-
ginning of the municipal year, was . $767 82

Income received during the present year, 441 00

Total, . . . . . $1208 82
Expended for Cyclopaedias, Maps, Charts,

Chemicals, Apparatus, and repairs of same, 244 74

Balance on hand at close of the year, $964 08

This fund was given many years ago, by certain
benevolent citizens, " to be expended by the School
Committee at their discretion, in the purchase of
books for libraries, maps, apparatus, &c, or for some
convenience or ornament to make the school-room
more attractive or useful to the children." It amounts
to $5600, and is invested in two city notes at 6 per
cent, interest. It was intended that all the income
should be expended as it became due, and not that
it should be allowed to increase, and be invested, as a
considerable portion of it has been for several years past.

We trust that our succeessors in office will not
pursue the course thus adopted, but will spend the
whole of the income from year to year for the pur-
poses above specified according to the wishes of the
benevolent donors.

The appropriations for the " Support of schools " for
the fiscal year ending Feb. 28, 1866, are as follows, viz :

To be expended by the School Committee —

For salaries of Secretary, Messen-
ger, and Teachers, . $47,475 00

Also the City's share of the State

School Fund for the year 1865, 1,426 36

$48,901 36

For incidental expenses, . . . 5,950 00
Total, $54,851 36

To be expended by City Council —
For alteration and repairs of School

Houses, .... $5,000
For Fuel and Labor on same, . 5,000
For introducing Mystic Water into

the Schools (special), . . 2,300
Alteration of Building on Common

St., and fitting up for six Primary

Schools (special), . . . 3,200

15,500 00

Total, $70,351 36

The School Committee have thus far expended of
the amount appropriated for salaries and incidental
expenses, $41,168 99 ; leaving a balance unexpended
of $13,682 37, which it is thought will be sufficient
to pay the salaries of the teachers for the next quar-

ter, amounting to about $12,000, and leave enough
to meet the probable incidental expenses for the
remainder of the financial year.

The salaries of Teachers for the year are as fol-
lows, viz. :

Principal of High School,

. $2,000 00

Sub-Master "

. 1,400 00

1st Assistant "

700 00

2d "

525 00

3d " "

450 00

4th " "

400 00

Principals of Grammar School, ea

3h, . 1,400 00

Sub-Master '

1,200 00

Sub-Mistress '

600 00

Head Assistants " '

500 00

Assistants " '

400 00

a a i

375 00

a a. i

350 00

Teachers of Intermediate Schools, '

450 00

" Primary Schools, '

400 00

a a i

375 00

u a i

350 00

" Music, .

. 1,000 00

The salary of the Teacher of Music includes the
rent of nine pianos, which are furnished and kept in
order by him, for the use of the High and Grammar
Schools.

At the last regular meeting of the present Board
of School Committee, petitions signed by nearly all
the Teachers were received, asking that their salaries
might be increased somewhat in proportion to the
increased cost of living at the present time.

It being too late in the year for this Board to act
upon the subject with deliberation, the several petitions
were referred to the next Board of School Committee.
In view of the valuable services rendered to the city
by the teachers, and of the greatly increased cost of all
the necessaries, not to say luxuries, of life, we earnestly
hope that our successors in office will give the subject
their earliest and most careful attention, and that they
will, consistently with their best judgment, make such
liberal additions to the salaries as shall be both a
credit to the city, and an encouragement to the teachers
to renewed energy and perseverance in the noble
work assigned them.

SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.

The number of children seeking admission to our
schools, particularly the Primary and the Grammar
Schools, increases from year to year, and there is a
necessity almost yearly for enlarging school accom-
modations and organizing new schools. During the
summer vacation, the building on Winthrop square,
which had been occupied both as a school and an
engine house, having been vacated by the engine
company, was entirely remodeled and so arranged as
to accommodate six instead of four primary schools.
The city owes a debt of gratitude to its Committee,
under whose direction the work was done, as, also,
to the various mechanics who performed the work.
The building now may be fitly* termed a model school
house, being furnished with appliances for ventilation
and warming of the most approved kind, and no pains
having been spared to make it complete in all its
appointments. The building was finished early in
September, and two new primary schools, formed from
the four schools previously in the building, and the
Bow street schools, were then organized and located
there. The demand for enlarged grammar school
accommodations in the Bunker Hill district is urgent
and ought to, and doubtless will, receive the immediate
attention of the City Council. The grammar school
house in that district is poorly adapted to its purposes,

and in the judgment of the present Board of School
Committee, it will be wise to convert it into a primary
school building and to erect a new grammar school
house.

VOCAL MUSIC.

Vocal Music has now taken its place as an indis-
pensable and highly important, at the same time that
it is one of the most pleasing and ornamental branches
of education taught in our schools. We are happy
to say, this department of instruction is still in the
charge of the accomplished teacher, Mr. William H.
Goodwin, and is conducted by him with great efficiency
and success. The proficiency of the pupils in learning
the rudiments of the science of music, and in gaining
the ability to sing with correctness and expression,
has been very gratifying. By permission of the Com-
mittee, Mr. Goodwin has been assisted the past year
by Mr. Charles E. Whiting.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

These now number thirty-three, and constitute a
very interesting and important part of our educational
system. Many of the teachers in charge of these
schools have long been in the service, and the ability,
tact, fidelity and acceptableness with which they dis-
charge their duties are so well known as to obviate
the necessity for any commendation from us at this

time. It gives us pleasure to say, that the semi-
annual reports of the sub-committees of the schools
of this grade with great uniformity represent the
teachers as worthy of praise, and the schools to be
in a satisfactory condition.

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.

The condition of these schools is indicated by the
following extracts from the semi-annual reports of
their sub-committees.

Of No. 1, Mr. Adams, in his first report, says:
" This school maintains the high position awarded it
in previous reports." His July report, also, bears
testimony to the excellent condition of the school.

Of No. 2, Mr. Smith, in his February report, speaks
as follows: "This school passed a very fair exami-
nation. The pupils are under good discipline, and
the only obstacle to the progress of the school is
truancy." In his July report, he says : " The affairs
of this school have been conducted in a very able
manner during the past term and the teacher richly
merits the confidence and encouragement of the Board.
The room in which this school is held is again reported
as unfit for the purpose. It would seem that a school
which performs so important a part in our system as
this one, is worthy of better accommodations."

HARVARD SCHOOL.

Teachers.

JOSEPH B. MORSE, Principal.

HEAD ASSISTANTS.

MAETHA BLOOD, ABBY B. EISKE.

ASSISTANTS.

ANN E. WESTON, MARY A. SPINNEY,

PANNIE B. HALL, LOIS A. RANKIN.

SUSAN H. WILLIAMS, Vacancy.

Siib-Oommittee .

ABRAM E. CUTTER, JAMES ADAMS,

WILLIAM PEIRCE.

The first Report of the Sub-Committee speaks of
this school as follows :

" There has been a marked improvement in Read-
ing. The lectures of Prof. Bailey, and the introduction
of a new series of readers, seems to have secured more
attention to this important branch of education. More
life and spirit were evinced, and more expression given.
The Spelling, also, was most excellent. The result
of the examination in written Arithmetic was creditable
throughout. The lowest average of correct answers
in any class was 70 per cent., and the highest 93 per
cent. The average of all the classes taken together
was 84 per cent. These figures do not vary materially
from the account kept by the Principal. The exami-
nation in Grammar showed much proficiency on the

part of the scholars, and the effects of good teaching
and drill on the part of the teachers. The order of
the school is good, and the discipline rigorous and
salutary.

" On the day preceding Washington's Birth-day,
public exercises were held in the school building.
The readings, recitations, singing and calisthenic exer-
cises were continued through the afternoon. There
was a good attendance of the parents and friends of
the scholars.

" The subject of ventilation forces itself upon the
attention of your Committee on every visit to the
school rooms in our city, and it is, without doubt,
that, to the neglect of this important matter the ill
health and weary appearance of our teachers are in
a great degree to be attributed."

In their last Report, the Committee say :

" Such proficiency was evinced by the scholars, and
application by the teachers, that your Committee report
the school to be in a good thriving condition. Since
the promotion of pupils from the primary schools, the
lower divisions have been much crowded."

BUNKER HILL SCHOOL.

Teachers .

ALFRED P. GAGE, Principal.
MARY A. DAVIS, Head Assistant.

ASSISTANTS.

PHEBE A. KNIGHT, MARTHA B. STEVENS,

MARY S. THOMAS, C. E. C. GOODSPEED,

JUDITH C. WALKER, LYDIA S. JONES.

ABBY F.. CROCKER, 3 vacancies.

Suto-Ooimmitrtee.

CHARLES F. SMITH, EDWIN B. HASKELL,

JEROME B. MORSE, JOHN A. DAY.

From the Committee's first Report, we take the
following :

" Each division of ' this school was thoroughly
examined by bringing together, wherever possible,
the corresponding classes of parallel divisions, and
we feel justified in reporting that the scholars of this
school are receiving as thorough and faithful instruc-
tion as those of any other in the city."

The Principal, in his semi-annual Report, says:

" We have followed the Duntonian system of Pen-
manship, as introduced by Prof. Harrison, and through
his suggestions and our own efforts we feel that our
writing has reached a higher standard than ever
before attained."

The Committee report truancy as more prevalent
in this school than elsewhere, thirty- two cases from a
single room having been entered upon the " Truant
List" and reported to the police.

In their September Report, the Committee speak
as follows :

" This school is in a prosperous condition. The
teachers are all faithful and efficient, and the utmost
harmony and good feeling prevail. The school is,
at the present time, filled to its utmost capacity. One
hundred and thirty pupils from the Primary Schools
applied for admission, and many well qualified for
promotion were sent back, it being impossible to
accommodate them. Mr. Sanders having been granted
leave of absence, the school is now in charge of Mr.
A. P. Gage, and we have confidence in his ability to
administer its affairs in a satisfactory manner."

PRESCOTT SCHOOL.

Teachers.

WILLIAM BAXTER, Principal.
MARY G. PRICHARD, Head Assistant.

ASSISTANTS.

SARAH M. CHANDLER, MARIA T. SAVAGE,

HARRIET A. T. DADLEY, ANNIE M. SWAN,

HANNAH M. SAWYER, MARTHA M. KENRICK,

ABBY L. SWAN, MARIETTA BAILEY,

ELLEN C. DICKINSON, LYDIA A. SEARS,

ANNA P. CRANE.

SSiifo-Oowiniiiytee.

GEORGE H. MARDEN, GEORGE W. GARDNER,

GEORGE H. YEATON, EDMUND BRADFORD.

The result of their February examination the Com-
mittee give in the following language :

" In many of the divisions the recitations were
excellent — the spelling in some cases amounting to
100 per cent, correct answers. The general deport-
ment of the school was good. This is worthy of
notice and praise, especially since, from the long
absence of the Principal on account of sickness, it
might be supposed the attention to discipline and
study would be relaxed. All the teachers are devoted
to their work, and alive to the importance of the
trust confided to them. The evidence of this was
manifested by the proficiency of the scholars in their

studies, and the high state of discipline maintained.
One hundred and eight scholars were admitted from
the Primary schools. The school now consists of one
first division, three second divisions, three third divis-
ions, and five fourth divisions. One of the divisions
occupies a basement room that is damp and unfit for
a school room at certain seasons of the year. Another
division is obliged to occupy the hall, and to use
settees for seats. Something should be done to remedy
this state of things."

In July, the Committee report that they made a
thorough examination, and found the teachers faithful
and earnest in their work, aud the scholars attentive
to their studies. " There has been a marked improve-
ment in the Reading and Spelling. There are sixty
scholars in the hall, who are not provided with desks,
and consequently do not enjoy the same advantages
for writing as those in the other rooms. We recom-
mend that the hall be fitted up for two school rooms,
and the attic finished for a hall. Mr. Baxter, the
Principal, having recovered from his late illness, enters
upon his duties with renewed vigor, and we have
reason to believe this school will continue to main-
tain a high rank."

WINTHROP SCHOOL.

Teachers.

B. F. S. GRIFFIN, Principal.
CALEB MURDOCH, Sub-Master.

ASSISTANTS.

SOPHIA W. PAGE, EMILY B. BROWN,

ABBY M. CLARKE, ELLEN M. RUGG,

ARABELLA P. MOULTON, SARAH J. W. McKAY,

MARY F. GOLDTHWAITE, HARRIET E. FRYE,

AUGUSTA A. BROWN.

Snlb-Commlttee.

BENJAMIN F. BROWN, JAMES F. HUNNEWELL,

SAMUEL H. HURD.

In the first Report, the Committee say :
" Every department of this school was thoroughly
examined both by written and oral questions. The
school has suffered much the past term from
the frequent change of teachers, and an amount
of absence on the part of. the pupils caused by the
prevalence in the district of several epidemics, reducing
the per centage of attendance in some of the divisions
from ten to twenty per cent, per week. Good order
is maintained, and the teachers are earnestly endea-
voring to accomplish all that can be reasonably expected
of them." They report the examination in Reading
as good, in Spelling good, save in a few classes ; in

History " unsatisfactory, in consequence of the scholars
having committed to memory the contents of the book,
rather than the leading ideas." " The examinations in
Geography and Grammar were, on the whole, credit-
able. In Arithmetic, both written and mental, they
were in the main satisfactory. In Colburn's Arith-
metic, Mr. Griffin's, Mr. Murdock's and Miss Moul-
ton's classes are deserving of high praise. The
scholars are not confined to the text books. Thorough-
ness in teaching Arithmetic is one of the leading
characteristics of this school. The improvement in
Writing in some of the divisions has been remarkable,
while in all the divisions the progress has been much
greater than before the present system was introduced.
Music still receives its accustomed share of attention,
the teacher being both thorough and systematic."

From the second Report of the Committee we
extract the following:

" The school is in an excellent condition. It is
presided over by an able and experienced master. In
most of the divisions, the Committee notice with
satisfaction the admirable order, the thoroughness of
instruction, the quiet deportment of the scholars, and
the pleasant relations existing between them and their
teachers. The teachers are, for the most part, well
qualified and faithful, and have met with gratifying
success."

WAEREN SCHOOL.

Teacliars.

GEOEGE SWAN, Principal.
LETITIA H. MUSSEY, Sub-Mistress.
ANNIE M. TURNER, Head Assistant.

ASSISTANTS.

MARY A. OSGOOD, JULIA WORCESTER,

MARIA BROWN, V. A. M. L. DADLEY,

MARGARET VEAZIE, HENRIETTA J. MERRILL.

Sub-Committee.

GEORGE B. NEAL, WILLIAM B. LONG,

W. R. BRADFORD.

In their first Report, the Committee say:
" During the past term there have been no changes
in our corps of teachers, and we are glad to report
there have been but few absences on the part of the
teachers, so that the general progress of the school
has been steady and without interruption. The former
good character of the school has been well sustained ;
the Assistant Teachers all strive to co-operate with the
Principal in all his endeavors to promote the welfare
of the pupils, and to elevate the standard of scholar-
ship among them, although with different degrees of
success. The Principal is himself hard working,
efficient, and entirely devoted to his work. We cheer-

fully recommend all the teachers as entitled to continued
confidence. The examination was a thorough and
careful one. The result, on the whole, was very
satisfactory, although there was still room for improve-
ment. The average number of correct answers was
very good, so far as the answers were given to ques-
tions contained in the text-books. But when questions
taken from some other sources were put, many of the
scholars who had given a large per centage of correct
answers in the former case, failed most signally in the
latter. It is evident the scholars learn their lessons
too much by rote, or artificially, and relying too
confidently on their memory, do not exercise suffi-
ciently their reasoning and thinking faculties."

In their last Report, the Committee say, that owing
to the resignation of one efficient member of the
Committee, and the pressing duties of another, the
labor of examination devolved upon a single member,
and hence the examination was not as systematic and
complete as they could have wished it to be. They
report the school to be in a very satisfactory condition.

HIGH SCHOOL.

Teachers .

CALEB EMEEY, Principal.
JOHN G. ADAMS, Sub-Master.

ASSISTANTS.

CATHARINE WHITNEY, FRANCES S. LOTHROP,
FRANCES M. READ, JOSEPHINE M. FLINT.

SuT>-Ooim.m.lfrtee.

JAMES B. MILES, JAMES ADAMS,

GEORGE W. GARDNER, SAMUEL H. HURD

EDWIN B. HASKELL.

A thorough, examination of all the classes in the
High School was made by the Sub-Committee during
the time prescribed by the rules of the Board. In
the same manner as at previous examinations, the
work was shared by the different members of the
Sub-Committee. The classes in Mathematics were
examined by Mr. Haskell, who reports that " nearly
all the classes have but just commenced with their
respective studies. Two classes continued the study
of Arithmetic from their admission to the school at
the beginning of the term until December, when they
took up Algebra. They did nothing in Arithmetic,
except to review that in which they were supposed
to be thorough when they were promoted from the
Grammar Schools, and at the time of the examination

they had not, of course, made much progress in
Algebra. I think it would have been more profitable
for these classes if they had been put into Algebra
at the beginnning of the term. I found four classes
in Algebra, of just about the same grade, all having
begun that study at the same time ; but this includes
two classes which are exceptional. One class only
was examined in Geometry, and that in only twenty
propositions. To that extent it was in a satisfactory
state. I would suggest that scholars should finish the
study of Arithmetic in the Grammar Schools."

Dr. Hurd examined all the classes in French, the
classes in Chemistry and Physiology, and Miss Read's
Latin, and makes the following statements :

" In French, the higher classes did well. The
advantages fos learning French are certainly excellent,
as regards pronunciation, text-books, and ' manner of
instruction. The second classes were in two instances
so poorly prepared that reviews will be necessary.
The exercise books of all were wonderfully neat and
correct. In Physiology, the classes appeared well.
They manifested a readiness of understanding and
answering questions which would seem to warrant
the use of a more advanced text-book, if such could
be procured. The one now employed is exceedingly
elementary. The answers in Chemistry indicated an
interest in the study and diligence on the part of the
teacher. The class in Caesar appeared to advantage.
They were well drilled in Latin Grammar."

Mr. Adams states the results of that part of the
examination conducted by him, as follows :

" Miss Whitney's class in English Literature made
a fine recitation, reading the several passages with
good taste, and indicating an intimate acquaintance
with the several authors. The Reading of the 1st
Junior Class in the 6th Reader was very good, and
the Spelling correct. Miss Flint's class in the Con-
stitution of the United States have thoroughly mastered
it in all its details. I think too much time is spent
on this book, and the memory of the pupils too
strongly taxed. Ought not this subject to receive its
proper attention iji the Grammar Schools, in connec-
tion with the History of .the United States % "

Rev. Mr. Gardner reports as follows, of the classes
examined by him:

" The senior class in Homer did very finely ■ — gave
evidence of thorough teaching and good application
to study. The first middle class in Caesar did very
well generally ; one or two failures. Translation good
— showed a commendable interest in the study of
•Latin. Second middle class in Latin : first division of
the class did well ; second division, in part well."

All the remaining classes were examined by the
Chairman. These classes were as follows :

The second College class in Xenophon's Anabasis.
This class consists of five members, the most of whom
acquitted themselves very creditably, translating with
facility and correctness any passage assigned to them

from the portion of the book they had read, and
showing a good degree of familiarity with Greek
roots and forms, and the principles of the Grammar
generally. It was evident the instruction they are
receiving is careful and thorough.

The senior class in Virgil. This is a large and
interesting and, taken as a whole, a very good class.
The examination was well sustained by a large ma-
jority of the members. Some of them, however, by
reason of diffidence or want of perfect self-possession,
did not do themselves full justice at the examination.
I am satisfied, from opportunities I have had of hear-
ing the recitations of this class at other times, that
the members of it, with hardly an exception, are
faithful and studious, and are making excellent progress
in the knowledge of Latin. Their translations show
a cultivated taste and a good degree of knowledge of
J;he idioms of the language. Not the least commenda-
tion deserved by this class is their manifest appreciation
of the privileges they enjoy, and their evident desire
for improvement.

The junior class in Hanson's Latin Narratives,
taught by Miss Curtis. The upper divisions of this
class appeared very well, several of the scholars
making correct recitations, a large number good, a
few moderate, and fewer still poor. In the third
division the average was not high.

The senior class in Natural Philosophy, taught by
Miss Whitney. This class passed a very satisfactory

examination, showing that they had not confined
themselves merely to what is taught in their text-
hook, but through the guidance of their accomplished
and successful teacher, had learned to think and
investigate for themselves.

A class beginning Greek, under the instruction of
Mr. Adams. There are four lads in this class, all of
whom did excellently. I was much pleased with the
mode in which they are being started in the study
of Greek.

Two classes in Rhetoric and English Literature.
These examinations were fair ; but a more earnest appli-
cation to these important branches would be gratifying.

A class in Physical Geography, taught by Miss
Flint. The recitations of the members of this class
were all good.

In addition to the examinations made by the Sub-
Committee, the Principal, as required by the rule of;
the Board, has made such examinations of the whole
school as he has been able to make in connection
with his own recitations.

Exercises in honor of the memory of " the Father
of our Country " were held in the hall of the High
School building on February 21st. These exercises
consisted of Declamation, Reading and Singing by the
pupils, and appropriate addresses by' several gentlemen
and members of the Committee. The extracts de-
claimed and read were judiciously selected from the

various tributes that have heen paid to the character
and virtues of Washington, and the pupils acquitted
themselves with great credit. It was especially observ-
able that great improvement had been made in reading.
A large number of the parents of the scholars and
friends of the school were present, and the occasion
was not only one of entertainment, but, also, of great
profit to the scholars. It can hardly be that the
impressions made upon their minds by such exercises
will not be lasting, and that from them they will fail
to learn that education comprises something more than
mere intellectual culture.

The annual public examination of the High School
was held at the hall of the High School building, on
Friday, July 21st, and was conducted much after the
same manner as in previous years. The programme
•of exercises was happily arranged, presenting a pleasing
variety of recitations, declamations, compositions, sing-
ing and reading. The recitations were conducted
mainly by the teachers, each teacher hearing one or
more than one recitation during the day. The por-
tions of the studies upon which the pupils were
examined, however, were in most cases indicated by
the Committee, and questions were freely propounded
by them. Thus an opportunity was afforded to the
teachers of showing their methods in the class-room,
and of giving to the Committee and the visitors
present the means of judging, to a greater or less

extent, of their qualifications to instruct, and of the
facility with which they communicate instruction. It
gives the Committee great pleasure to report, that the
examination, as a whole, was of a high order, fully
sustaining the reputation which the High School has
enjoyed. Although all the pupils were not equally
prompt and explicit and full in their answers, yet
each exercise could, without exaggeration, be pro-
nounced a success, and, while we marked many
performances as being peculiarly excellent, there were
none which deserved to be characterized as failures.
In a word, gratifying evidence was afforded that the
teachers, without exception, have, during the past
year, discharged their duties with fidelity, and have
labored assiduously to meet the demands of their
vocation, not only as respects the intellectual culture
of the pupils, but also their conduct and morals.

We are very happy to say the pupils, with very
few exceptions, in their application to study, their
punctuality and constancy of attendance and their
general deportment, have met the high expectations
rightly entertained in regard to them. Especially
pleasing is the apparent cheerfulness with which they
fulfill the wishes of their teachers, and comply with
the regulations of the school ; so that the discipline and
order of the school, which are excellent, are not com-
pulsory so much as spontaneous. This characteristic of
the school is well expressed by a remark recently made
to me by the Principal : " The school governs itself."

And if it is true in political economy, that " that gov-
ernment is best which governs least," we may infer our
High School, ought to be classed among model gov-
ernments.

At the conclusion of the examination, diplomas were
awarded to the members of the graduating class —
twenty-one in number, seventeen misses and four lads.
Three of the boys have entered College, all of them
without conditions. As indicative of the interest of our
citizens in the cause of education and the welfare of the
High School, it gives us pleasure to say that an unusu-
ally large number of the parents and friends of the
scholars were present at the examination, and evidently
attended with much interest to and enjoyed the various
exercises. Remarks were made by his Honor Mayor
Robinson, several members of the School Committee,
and other gentlemen. The inequality in the number
of the girls and boys in the graduating class, was
remarked upon by the Mayor and other speakers, and
the opinion was expressed that this inequality indicated
something wrong somewhere. The fact that all the
boys from the school that had offered themselves for
admission to our first Colleges had been admitted to
those Colleges without conditions, taken in connection
with the impressions made by the examination, did not
allow the belief that the fault is in the school. It must
be that the advantages afforded by the school are not
sufficiently appreciated by the citizens. We trust this
wrong will soon cease to exist, and while we would wish

no diminution, but rather an increase of the number of
young ladies in the graduating class, we hope in the
future a much larger number of the lads of our city
will avail themselves of the rich advantages of our
High School.

The Sub-Committee take great pleasure in repre-
senting to the Board that the general condition of
the High School is excellent. The discipline is steady,
firm, and at the same time mild. The deportment of
the pupils is orderly and decorous, the moral atmos-
phere of the school healthful, and the teachers, without
exception, are worthy of the continued confidence of
the Board.

CONCLUSION.

In closing our Report, and passing over to our suc-
cessors in office the trust confided to us by our fellow-
citizens, we advert with peculiar pleasure to the fact that
Charlestown was the very first place in the country that
made an appropriation for public schools. Charles-
town is justly entitled to the honor of having originated
that system of popular education which has become the
pride and glory of so many States of the Union, and is
destined to become the pride and glory of the whole
land ; indeed, whose benign and ennobling influences
will, we believe, eventually bless all lands. The first
settlers of this peninsula were among the most intelli-
gent and the wisest men of their time. They consti-
tuted the Church and the School, the foundation stones
of all social, civil and political institutions. In their
estimation, intelligence, virtue and religion were abso-
lutely essential to the welfare of the people. In
organizing society here they gave to religious institu-
tions the place of prime importance. But they did, by
no means, hold to the doctrine that " Ignorance is the
mother of devotion " ; and hence they at once provided
liberally the facilities for education. They established
the school and the college, and affixed to them the seal,
Christo et ecclesice, regarding education as essential to
the prosperity of morality and religion. The progress

of civilization and enlightenment since their day has illus-
trated the wisdom of their course. Washington gives it
his weighty sanction when he calls religion and morality
"the great pillars of human happiness," the "firmest
props of the duties of men and citizens." The most en-
lightened patriots that our country has known in all its
history, those who at the present time are most effi-
ciently promoting its welfare, approve of the course of
our revered ancestors, and regard religion and intelli-
gence as the very life and soul of our civilization, the
security and glory of our Republic. It has been and
still is true, that, in the endeavor to plant educational
and Christian institutions of the New England type in
all sections of our great country, "religious zeal is
perpetually warmed by the fires of patriotism." Favored
with such an ancestry, it is not strange that the people
of Charlestown, in their successive generations, have
been distinguished for their interest in the cause of
popular education and for the generous provision they
have made for the support of Public Schools. Let the
present inhabitants of this place of historic and heroic
renown, be inspired with such an enthusiasm in the
same great cause as will honor the memory of those
into whose labors we have entered. It is a fine ex-
pression of Macaulay : " A people which takes no pride
in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never
achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride
by remote descendants." It becomes us to remember
that towns and cities, not only in New England but

scattered over a large extent of our country, are nobly
vying with each other in efforts to elevate their schools
to the highest degree of excellence. They are availing
'themselves of the results of the experience of the older
towns and cities in regard to the construction of school
buildings, the methods of conducting schools, and all
that pertains to education, and are making laudable
efforts to improve upon these results. Let us, in this
home of free schools, not forget, that, if we would main-
tain the honorable position which this place has enjoyed
in the past, we must put forth untiring and earnest
efforts for the improvement of our schools. The schools
of Charlestown must not, in any respect, be allowed to
take a place second to those of any city in the land.
The Committee enjoin upon the children and youth of
our city a thoughtful appreciation and diligent improve-
ment of the rich advantages afforded them by the
schools, and we urge them to consider that with them
rests, in an important degree, the responsibility of pre-
serving the good name of these institutions. Let them
cherish a jealous regard for the reputation of the schools,
as well as for their own reputation, and shun every
species of vice, and cheerfully contribute their part
towards raising the schools to which they belong up to
the highest standard of excellence. We are confident
that our teachers will feel that they are not to be
excelled by any members of their profession in enter-
prise and in devotion to their work ; and that the
intelligent, public spirited citizens of this place will

continue to foster, and in all possible ways promote the
prosperity and usefulness of our public schools.

May the blessing of God crown the united efforts of
school committee, parents, teachers and pupils with
success, and our free schools be perpetuated as the
fountains of intelligence, virtue, patriotism and religion.

By order of the Committee,

JAMES B. MILES,

President.

Charlestown, December, 1865.

SCHOOL RETURNS AT THE SEMI-ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS.

HIGH, GRAMMAR AND INTERMED IATE
SCHOOLS.

Term ending February, 1865.

S3 „

2 o

High School 16^ 52

Bunker Hill School 746 366

Warren School 437 209

Winthrop School 389 286

Harvard School , 491 254

Prescott School 712 358

Intermediate School, No. 1 | 90 4o

Intermediate School, No. 2 95 49

112
380
228,
303
237
354
45
46

152
588
377
511
418
634
69
72

49
291
182
234
214
311
37
35

■Jj cS

oj .a

0) B

Term ending August, 1865.

1^5

103 154 150 126 26

297, 508 530! 4 584

195; 345 357; 377

277: 438: 470 20 491

204 366 374 9 409

323J 568f 566 20 614

321 47 61 69

371 40 51 i 72

14
38
32
42
36
46
4
9

l> 3

150
707

394
551

484J

668

49
355
191
272
243
320
52
40

u fl

CU u

,q <u

2 <w
Go

2 =

Iffl

o>.S
to e
oj B I

Sh cS

io be

33241619 1705 282113531468 2466 2559 179 2642 221 3145 15221623 2399 11291270 2239 2102 1602239 169

101
352
203
279
241
348
42
57

126
483
327
414
354
565
54
76

*s a

31 95 134 123; 113] 13

239 244 447 404! 18 465

155 172, 322 298! 2 325

198 216: 390 389! 4 410

173! 181 320 285| 16 338

272| 293 535 506, 7 558

24-| 30 41 ! 44- 54

37! 39 50 53 76

26
15
47
28
39

§ Primary Schools.

TEACHERS NAMES.

Location of Pri-
mary School
Houses.

1 Ellen M. Crafts, Charles Street,

2 Eliz. W. Yeaton, Mead

3 M. Josephine Smith, Mead
4;MaIvina B. Skilton, Mead
5 Mary E. Hale, Elm
G Mary C. Sawyer, jMedford
7JMary A. Foster, ;Boylston Chapel
SJsabel Washburn, Cross Street,
9JEUen T. Knight, Cross "

lOLouisa A. Pratt, Common "

11 Joanna S. Putnam, Common "

12;Ellen M. Armstead, Bow "

13 C. W. Trowbridge, Bow "

14 Sarah E. Smith, Bow "

15 C. M. W. Tilden, Bow

1G|E. R. Brower, Common "

17 Susan E. Etheridge, Moulton "

18 Lydia M. Butts, Moulton "
19|LouisaW. Huntress, Moulton "

20 Matilda Gilman, Soley "

21 Lucy J. Simonds, Sullivan "

22 Frances M. Lane, Sullivan "
23jHelen G. Turner, Haverhill "
24: C. C. Brower, Common "

25 Martha Yeaton, ;B. Hill "

26 H. C. Easterbrook, B. Hill "

27 Susan V. Moore, B. Hill "

28 Anna R. Stearns, 'Moulton "
29Pamelia E. Delano, Mead "

30 Harriet M. Fame, Main "

31 Carrie A. Ilea. 'Austin "

rp erm ending February. 1865.

- H

48
33

38 !
31
40,
38

28!
4.-.
42
28
47
34
40

4!)

109

103

51;

130

104

2G23

49
1351

27 38

33 23

28,
31
26
24:

55 57
52 40

o S

37
37
35;
30 36
23 34
40 32
30, 37
35 34
38 36

42
46
49,

48
47
45
57

48
54
52
56
51
61!
50 56
44 48'

24| 21
28 20

25,
31,
30

4/
33

40
36

1100

1009

48'
44
55|
51
57

52
63

64
71
62

20 31
31! 30

28 28
19 29
24 28
35 28
33 31
39 32
32 30
14
28
27
L4
26

■>9

Primary Schools.

TEACHERS NAMES.

1 896

776

2109

6
3
5:

10|

10
2
4
8

10
7
9
2
6
8
6
4
6
8
4
2
7
6
2
6
3
2

14
170

Ellen M. Crafts,
Eliz. W. Yeaton,
M. Josephine Smith,
Malvina B. Skilton,
Mary E. Hale,
Mary C. Sawyer,
Mary A. Foster,
Isabel Washburn,
Ellen T. Knight,
Louisa A. Pratt,
Joanna S. Putnam,
Ellen M. Armstead,
C. W. Trowbridge,
Sarah E. Smith,
C. M. W. Tilden,
E- R- Brower,
Susan E. Etheridge,
Lydia M. Butts,
Louisa W. Huntress,
Matilda Gilman,
(Lucy J. Simonds,
Frances M. Lane,
[Helen G. Turner,
C. C. Brower,
Martha Yeaton,
|H. C. Easterbrook,
Susan V. Moore,
Anna R. Stearns,
Pamelia E. Delano,
Harriet M. Farrie,
Carrie A. Rea,

Term ending August, 1865.

S g

0,0 1

115

102

152

45
45
35
45
35
45
40
39
-17
37
34
59
40
47
58
79
97| 43
96 52
86 39
65| 38

96j 50

981 55

82| 38

85 43

63 J 35

66 36

9lj 48

106 59

110, 53

90 36

95! 45

n E i
O o

■«ss

2* *

0 a

*j «j

J22

.M -~

<h <*

> s

S °

0 5

S -

■a
a

SUB-COMMITTEE OF
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

30 35

25 34

23 20

33, 34

23 49

33 31

34 28

4:;

49
27
35

77
64
75
72
82
78
65
48
7;;
87
90
78
71
83
95
86
85
80
5:1
92
94
72
1\)
69
89

83;

90
81j
80'

Win. B. Long,
John A. Day,
J. B. Morse,
J. B. Morse,
Chas. F. Smith,
E. B. Haskell,

A. E. Cutter,
Win. Pierce,
Wm. Pierce,
;Edmund Bradford,
[Jas. B. Miles,
Jas. F. Hunnewell,
Jas. F. Hunnewell,
[A. E. Cutter,
jjames Adams,

JGeo. H. Yeaton,
,Geo. H. Yeaton,
Wm. R. Bradford,
Samuel H. Hurd,
Geo. H. Marden,
Geo. H. Marden,
Geo. B. Neal,

B. F. Brown,
,Geo. B. Neal,
;Geo. W. Gardner,
John A. Day,
[Win. R. Bradford,
Jerome B. Morse,
Edmund Bradford,
Wm. B. Long.

2789 1400 1389 2443 1209 1234 1881 1573 793 7802441 2 148

. . ■

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Annual report of the School Committee of the City of Charlestown"

See other formats