building, being close upon a great road, is, as they think, too public and exposed; and the two apartments, in which the schools are kept, are very ill adapted to the comfort and accommodation both of the instructers and the pupils. The construction of schoolhouses is a subject which deserves more attention than it has received among us. The committee cannot but urge upon the inhabitants of the town, and especially upon parents, the duty of taking a more lively personal interest in the condition and character of the several schools. If they would occasionally visit the schools for themselves, and spend an hour or two in observing closely the state and management of them, the committee are persuaded the effect would be very salutary; for, the influence of such attention, on the part of the parents, must necessarily be to stimulate and encourage the children, and to facilitate to the instructer the performance of his or her duties. * * SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-CONVERS FRANCIS, NICHOLAS MEDBURY, CHARLES STONE, GEO. BIGELOW, TYLER BIGELOW. WAYLAND, . { (1) 5 (1) Population, 931. Valuation, $240,288 00. (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 222-In Winter, 277. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 262.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 27.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 28. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 36 mths. 7 days --In Summer, 18 14-In Winter, 17 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 6.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 5—F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $28 00-To Females, $15 57. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 60-Of Females, $6 57. (9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $19 40—Of Females, $9 00. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $800. (11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $ (12) No. of incorporated Academies, --Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of Scholars, -Aggregate paid for tuition, $ (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of Scholars, -Aggregate paid for tuition, $ (14) Amount of Local Funds, $200 00.-Income from same, $12 00. BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Parson's Analytical and Cummings' Spelling Books, Parson's Analytical Vocabulary and Walker's Dictionary. Reading-Murray's Introduction, Emerson's Third Part, National Reader by Pierpont and American First Class Book. Grammar-Frost's and Smith's. Geography--Malte-Brun's and Peter Parley's. Arithmetic-Adams', Emerson's First Part and Colburn's First Lessons. All others--Comstock's Chemistry, Conversations on Chemistry, Vose's Astronomy, Watts on the Mind, Abercrombie's Philosophy, Parker's Progressive Exercises, Comstock's Natural Philosophy, Whelpley's Compend, Goodrich's History of the U.S. SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * *There are, however, one or two schools in town, where a spirit of insubordination, in some measure, prevails, and the schools, in these districts, by necessary consequence, were characterized by a want of control, and of proper discipline. What remedy is there for this alarming evil? We know of none, that can be applied, except by the parents themselves, or by the members of the districts. Your committee think, that there is a false notion prevailing, in relation to discipline in schools, and this is, probably, the foundation of this difficulty. Your committee fully concur in the doctrine, that the rod should never be resorted to, except when all other remedies have failed. We always inculcate this precept upon teachers, previous to the commencement of their labors, that we desire, that good order and government should be maintained in their schools, if possible, without the application of the rod, or of any other means of corporal chastisement; but that order must, at all events, be preserved. This is the primary requisite to impart instruction successfully. In some instances, it is doubtless true, that parents entertain strong doubts of the rights of a teacher to resort to such measures to secure obedience to the proper orders of the school; but nothing can be clearer, either from the dictates of reason, or rules of law, than that a teacher has the same authority over the child, while in school, that the parent has in his own house; and that an instructer is no more amenable for administering moderate corporal chastisement, than a parent would be for the same correction; both are equally responsible for excessive punishment. Parents should be very careful how they speak of the authority of the master, in the presence of their children. The child, that has been accustomed to hear the authority of the master even questioned, is prepared to resist that authority, whenever reproof, however slight, is administered, and he will rarely escape corporal punishment in the end. Or, if he do escape corporal chastisement, he will feel, that reproof from one, whom he he has been taught to regard as without authority to correct, is an insult to his dignity, and he will not fail to show, by a course of morose and dogged conduct, a contempt for the authority of his instructer. Every teacher, endowed with the ordinary feelings of men, will be very reluctant to resort to physical measures to control his school, and will have recourse to these only, when all other means have failed to produce order. There is no need of corporal chastisement of children, who are under proper discipline at home, and to whom proper admonitions are given, by the parents, to obey the coinm ands of the teacher. Despotism will never be resorted to, by the master, to control, except through dread of anarchy. What, then, is to be done, when there are some scholars in a school, who are resolved not to submit to the directions of the instructer? There is only one remedy, and that is, to ascertain, that the master is substantially in the right, by proper inquiries at proper sources, and then to sustain, at all events, his authority. If the teacher is clearly in the wrong, dismiss him, and show your children, that they will, on all occasions be protected from injury and oppression; and this will insure respect to all the commands of the teacher. * * We gladly commend the strong interest in the Common Schools, in this town, as manifested by the parents of the children almost uniformly attending the closing examinations of their respective schools. And we rejoice, that it is not an unfrequent practice, for some of the parents to visit the school, during its progress, for the purpose of observing the discipline maintained there, the progress of the pupils, and of encouraging and cheering the instructer in his arduous duties. This last mode of visiting is not so frequent as it should be; and we exhort you, as you value your children's well being, to make frequent visits to your schools, during their progress. We know, that you feel a strong interest, in the proper management, and progressive improvement, of your schools. And this is shown, by the amount of your annual appropriations, by your zeal in the employment of good instructers, and by other manifestations, known to your committee. But, in one thing, we think you are bound to make au improvement, and that is, in the construction of your schoolhouses. The school-rooms are, in every respect, inconvenient and hard, both for the instructer and the scholar. If you would compare your schoolhouses with those of modern construction, you would, we think, immediately resort to some means to remedy their defects and inconveniencies. As a matter of economy merely, there should be a change in the construction, and we earnestly entreat the attention of parents, and of the friends of education, to this subject. *** SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-EDWARD MELLEN, EDMUND H. SEARS, LAVINS HYDe. WEST CAMBRIDGE, {(1) Population, 1,308. Valuation, $331,926 00. Number of Public Schools, 3. (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 296-In Winter, 367. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 231-In Winter, 283. (4) No, of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 357.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 10. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 34 mths.-In Summer, 20-In Winter, 14. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. 1-F. 5.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 3—F. 4. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $32 44-To Females, $15 00. (8) Average value of board per month—Of Males, $10 00—Of Females, $6 00. (9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $22 44—Of Females, $9 00. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $950 00. (11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $ (12) No. of incorporated Academies, .-Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of Scholars, Aggregate paid for tuition, $ (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of Scholars, gate paid for tuition, $ (14) Amount of Local Funds, $5,019 00.-Income from same, $301 14. -Aggre BOOKS USED-Spelling-Perry's, Alger's Perry's, Walker's Dictionary. Reading-Introduction to the National Reader, Pierpont's Young Reader, American First Class Book, National Reader. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Olney's, Parley's. Arithmetic-Colburn's, Emerson's. Colburn's Mental and Smith's Practical. All others-Goodrich's History with Emerson's Questions, Parley's Algebra, Hitchcock's Book-keeping, Comstock's Philosophy, Blair's Chemistry. SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * The solicitude, which has manifested itself among the inhabitants of the town, during the last few years, to elevate the standard of education, has effected a change, which must be apparent to all, who visit the schools. * * The new arrangement of separating the large scholars from the small, in different apartments, and under teachers with different literary acquirements, has, in the opinion of the committee, tended to elevate the standard of education. * * With the advantages at present enjoyed, by the youth of the town, much may reasonably be expected, and we have strong assurances, that these advantages have not, and will not, be lost thein. upon * * SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-JAMES RUSSELL, ABNER PIERCE, JOHN FOWLE, TIMOTHY C. TINGLEY. WESTFORD, . (1) Population, 1,451. Valuation, $346,144 CO. Number of Public Schools, 9. (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 370-In Winter, 441. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 233—In Winter, 318. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 442.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 43.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 73. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 48 mths.-In Summer, 26 21-In Winter, 21 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 9.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 8-F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $26 71-To Females, $10 10. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $7 96-Of Females, $4 80. (9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $18 75-Of Females, $5 30. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $800. (11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $ (12) No. of incorporated Academies, 1.—Aggregate of months kept, 11.-Average number of Scholars, 30.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $560. (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 6.-Aggregate of months kept, 17.-Average No. of Scholars, 33.-Aggre gate paid for tuition, $120 00. (14) Amount of Local Funds, $ -Income from same, $ BOOKS USED-Spelling-Perry's and Leonard's. Reading-Pierpont's First Class Book, National Reader, Introduction to do. and Young Reader, Porter's Rhetorical Reader. Grammar-Smith's and Ingersoll's. Geography-Hale's, Olney's, Parley's, Smith's, Adams'. Arithmetic-Emerson's, Colburn's, Smith's, Adams'. All others--Goodrich's History, Parley's History, Blake's Philosophy, Wilkins' Astronomy. SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * All the teachers, for the summer schools, received recommendations from the committee, except one, who commenced the duties of teacher, without applying to the committee for a recommendation, and refused repeated requests afterwards. * * * School No. 6, the teacher of which was not examined, was visited, at three different times, during the term; and the committee regret to say, that it almost wholly failed, for want of some necessary qualifications in the teacher. * * * SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-HENRY A. PRESCOTT, EPHRAIM ABBOTT, (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 222-In Winter, 325. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 169-In Winter, 262. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 287.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 29.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 29. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 48 mths. 14 days-In Summer, 26 7-In Winter, 22 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 6.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 6—F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $31 33-To Females, $11 00. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $9 83-Of Females, $5 42. (9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $21 50—Of Females, $5 58. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,000. (11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $ (12) No. of incorporated Academies, Aggregate of months kept, Scholars, Aggregate paid for tuition, $ -Average number of (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, Aggregate of months kept, gate paid for tuition, $ (14) Amount of Local Funds, $ -Average No. of Scholars, -Income from same, $ -Aggre BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Alger's Perry's. Reading-First Class Book, Murray's Introduction, Popular Lessons. Grammar-Murray's and Smith's. Geography-Olney's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Emerson's 1st, 2d and 3d Parts. All others-Walker's Dictionary, Blake's Natural Philosophy, Wilkins' Astronomy, Goodrich's History of the U. S., Comstock's Chemistry. SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * The general character of the schools, so far as they have been examined, is in advance of that of the last year. Still, however, much remains to be done, in order that the schools in this place, and, our Common Schools generally, shall become, what they are capable of becoming, and what they ought to become, in view of the demands of the present state of society, and of the progressive character and high capabilities, of the human mind. One of the most important, and, at the same time, most difficult duties of the school committee, is, that of selecting instructers. It is rare to find, in the same person, all those qualifications, which must combine to constitute a perfect teacher. We are sometimes compelled, by the necessity of the case, to approve candidates, whose qualifications come, indeed, within the letter, and, perhaps, the spirit of the law, but which do not reach the standard, we individually have formed. We need teachers, who are not only acquainted with the contents of the books, used in our Common Schools, but who are, also, thoroughly versed in the particular sciences, of which these books treat,-teachers, who can not only listen to verbal recitations, but who can simplify what is complicate, and explain what is difficult, and render studies, which, in their abstract principles, are dull and obscure, interesting and lucid, by new, and original, and familiar illustrations, and thus breathe into their scholars, a spirit of emulation that is the result, not of reward, but of the desire of knowledge and of the love of study. As our schools are now organized, however, it is impossible to excite an emulation of this character, and by these means, to any great extent. The studies, in our winter schools, are so numerous and varied, reaching from the alphabet to the highest branches of knowledge, and the children are, many of them, so young, that the best teachers can hardly do justice to themselves, or to the scholars. We would suggest the inquiry, whether this defect may not, in some degree, be remedied, and whether it would not be for the benefit of the younger, as well as the older scholars, if the former were kept more exclusively under the care of female teachers. Without dwelling on this point, however, we would urge, upon all, the importance of cherishing a deeper interest in our Common Schools. * * * * * * During the last season, the schoolhouse, in the south east district, has been thoroughly and judiciously repaired. We could wish, that the schoolhouse, in the west centre district, might undergo a similar repair. Some repairs, at all events, must soon be made. We are happy to state, that the course pursued by the town, in respect to injuries done to the school buildings, by the scholars, has proved eminently successful. The selectmen's report on this subject has been read to the scholars, and the result has been happy. The spirit of destructiveness, so long prevalent, arising, perhaps, in all cases, from thoughtlessness, rather than from a mischievous disposition, has been laid at rest, and no cause of complaint, at present, exists. * * * (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 270-In Winter, 270. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 168-In Winter, 195. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 270.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, No. over 16 years of age who attend School, (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 29 mths. 2 days.-In Summer, 16 15-In Winter, 12 15. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 6.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 4-F.. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $25 00-To Females, $8 33. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $10 00-Of Females, $400. (9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $15 00-Of Females, $4 33. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $400 00. (11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $ (12) No. of incorporated Academies, Aggregate of months kept, Scholars, Aggregate paid for tuition, $ -Average number of (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of Scholars, .-Aggregate paid for tuition, $ (14) Amount of Local Funds, $ BOOKS USED. -Income from same, $ -Spelling-New National and Introduction. Reading-American First Class Book, Young Reader, Murray's do. and Introduction. Grammar-Smith's. ArithmeticEmerson's. Geography-Hall's and Olney's. All others-Whelpley's Compend and other books in Geography, History, Astronomy and Natural Philosophy. SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * Your committee regard the provision of the law, requiring school committees to make an annual report to the towns of their doings, and of the state of the schools, as wise and salutary. The fact that an annual report is required of the school committees, is suited to quicken |