So long as this local interest continues, will the cause of Common Schools rest on a sure foundation; it will have, to foster and strengthen it, the same healthy influences which gave it life. And, as all are alike vitally interested in its safe preservation and continued progress, so should all endeavor to keep it sacred from sectional division, or party vortex; for its demands despise the lines of sect and party, and call for aid, wherever it is to be had. Here, at least, let there be common ground, where all may strive for a common good,-where all may join for a noble end. And never may the time arrive, when parents and guardians shall cease to feel an interest in that which so intimately concerns their safety and happiness. Never may the time come, when the noble principle, that every child has as much natural right to an education, as he has to the air he breathies, or the proposition, that a republican government, unless resting on popular intelligence, is a baseless fabric, shall be virtually denied in this community, by frigid indifference, or niggard parsimony. When such becomes the general state of public opinion, clouds will darken the cause of edu cation; and, when this noble pillar, that supports the goodly frame-work of our country's institutions, is overthrown, our nation will be but a name, and our liberties as a shadow. * * * SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-ALFRED ALLEN, GEORGE W. WARREN, JOHN SANBORN, CHARLES FOSTER, THOMAS BROWN, JR. CHELMSFORD,. S (1) Population, 1,613. Valuation, $355,751 00. (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 363-In Winter, 487. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 378.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 56.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 38. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 56 mths. 24 days.-In Summer, 27 9-In Winter, 29 15. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 9.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 6—F. 6. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $26 58-To Females, $12 98. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 58-Of Females, $5 65. (9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $18 00-Of Females, $7 33. (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, $28. (12) No. of incorporated Academies, -Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 8.-Aggregate of months kept, 18.-Average No. of Scholars, 38.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $288 00. BOOKS USED.-Spelling-National, Walker's Dictionary. Reading-Testament, American First Class Book, National Reader, Rhetorical do., Improved do., Young do., Sequel to Easy Lessons. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Olney's, Malte-Brun's, Parley's. ArithmeticColburn's Intellectual, Adams' and Smith's. All others--Blake's and Comstock's Philosophy, Wilkins' Astronomy, Comstock's Chemistry, History U. S., Parley's do., Watts on the Mind. SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * 'The committee are happy, in having an opportunity to say, that, in no year, during the five last past, have the schools, collectively considered, exhibited so great a degree of improvement, as in the one now just closed. * * * Since making our last annual report, there have been made, and are now making, essential repairs and alterations, in several of the schoolhouses. Much praise is certainly due to the inhabitants of all those districts, for their spirited exertions and commendable liberality. The committee cannot refrain, however, from giving an opinion, that the desks, in many of the houses, are still objectionable, even in some recently built or repaired; and they would respectfully, yet earnestly, request, that whenever any district may, for the future, come to the conclusion to build or repair its schoolhouse, they will not fail to take into especial consideration, the convenience and advantages derived from so constructing the scholars' desks, as that they may all front in one direction. This single consideration, it is confidently believed, will be found to be of vastly more importance, than studying to devise plans, how they may crowd the greatest number of scholars into the smallest possible space. It is with no ordinary pleasure, that the committee feel at liberty to announce, that an increased estimate of the worth and importance of our Common Schools, and a growing interest in their prosperity, have very perceptibly developed themselves the past year, in more ways than one. Besides, the improvements made and making, in schoolhouses, the public examinations have been much more fully attended, in nearly all the schools, than formerly. A more general sense of the importance of children's commencing their education at the foot of the ladder, and gradually progressing upward, instead of beginning at the top, and struggling, with fruitless endeavors, to climb over, and descend the other side. And "lastly, though not the least," the efficient and increased sum voted, at the last town meeting, for the support of schools, and the just and liberal policy adopted, relative to its distribution, are so many striking evidences of the just views and proper feelings of the inhabitants, generally, on these all-important objects, that, to pass them over in silence, or without commendation, would be committing a manifest act of injustice. The committee have, likewise, been gratified, in witnessing increased manifestations of the evidences of the beneficial results attending their own exertions, generally, during the year just expired. They have seen some of the more prominent errors, (or what they believed to be such,) which had crept into our schools, gradually passing away, till they have become nearly extinct. They have seen that species of upstart vanity, that itching desire, and propensity, so universally prevalent in all our schools, to grasp, at once, at the lighter and ornamental branches of science, give place to a more just estimate of the solid and useful branches, and to a recurrence to first principles. They have seen, that repugnance to searching into the meaning of words, and the nature and reasons on which the principles of science are founded, gradually overcome; and that unnieaning, and parrot-like chattering, so universally prevalent, has, in a great measure, given place to more rational and comprehensive views and exercises. * * SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-OTIS ADAMS, E. F. WEBSTER, JOSEPH Warren, Jr. (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 499-In Winter, 551. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 344-In Winter, 397. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 532.-No. of persons under years of age who attend School, 53.—No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 60. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 90 mths. 14 days.—In Summer, 57 14-In Winter, 33. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. 1—F. 9.—No. of Teachers in Winter—M. 7—F. 3. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $32 14-To Females, $10 88. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $9 71-Of Females, $5 44. (9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $22 43-Of Females, $5 44. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $2,000 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 No. of (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 5.-Aggregate of months kept, 14.-Average No. of Scholars, 45.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $590 00. (14) Amount of Local Funds, $833 33.-Income from same, $50 00. BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Walker's Dictionary, National Spelling Book. Reading-Bible, Worcester's Primer, Introduction to National Spelling Book, Young Reader, Emerson's Second Class Reader, Introduction to National du., National do., American First Class Book. Grammar-Kirkman's and Smith's, Latin and Greek. Geography-Malte-Brun's, Smith's, and Worcester's small. Arithmetic-Emerson's 1st, 2d and 3d Parts, and Colburn's. Aú others-Comstock's Chemistry, Blake's Philosophy, Goodrich's History, and Wilkins' Astron omy. SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * It has been the aim of your committee to comply with the law in all things pertaining to the duties of their office; and, in doing this, they are happy to add, that they have had the approval and cooperation of the several prudential committees, with whom they have been associated. * * * The comparative cheapness of the labor of females, and their superior qualifications for instructing the younger portions of our children, induce the belief, that female teachers might be advantageously employed, in some of the districts, a still greater proportion of the time. The success which has attended the efforts of the several teachers, the year past, has been various. Some of the schools have succeeded to the entire satisfaction of the committee, while others have furnished evidence of a less favorable result, * * Among the prominent causes of a want of more complete success, is the youth and inexperience of teachers. In the summer schools, five out of six were inexperienced. In the male schools, five out of seven were without much practical knowledge of school-keeping. We think, however, that, on an average, they have done as well as young persons, without experience and without any particular preparation for teaching, could be expected to do. The want of success in government, in so many instances, we think has been owing to the youth and inexperience of the teachers, and the prevalent idea, that no coercion is necessary in the government of schools. But why, it may be asked, do not prudential committees get the best teachers, and why do town committees sanction any but the best? We answer, that they must get such as are to be had. The truth is, the teachers, through the Commonwealth, are mostly young and inexperienced. Rarely does a young man or woman keep school more than two or three seasons, and, of course, one half or one third must be new beginners. With imperfect education often, and without any preparation for teaching, and entering upon it as a temporary expedient, it is not reasonable to suppose that they can, at once, organize, discipline, and instruct a school successfully. If almost any one of the teachers would spend six months, under the instruction of an accomplished teacher, to learn the art of teaching and disciplining a school, they might begin with better hope of We hope that more, who propose to teach, will go to the Normal School and make the experiment. The committee would suggest, that, if the prudential committees would have their choice of teachers, they must be early in their applications and untiring in their efforts. After all, if any person thinks it an easy task always to obtain first-rate teachers, we should advise that they be put on the committee. success. In regard to the state and condition of the schoolhouses, your committee would observe, that those in Districts No. in particular, are in need of being rebuilt, or thoroughly repaired, and that nearly all the others, in the outer districts, need more or less repairs and alterations, to make them what they should be, convenient, comfortable and pleasant to the scholars. Your committee recommend, that a special committee be appointed to consider what ought to be done in the case. One of the prominent defects, more or less common to all the schools, is bad reading. To become a good reader, is not only an important but difficult acquisition, and requires the aid of a thorough knowledge of the fundamental rules, and, what is of still greater importance, and not always to be obtained, a teacher who is, himself, able to give first-rate specimens of good reading. With these aids, faithfully applied, this branch of education might be much improved. In the numerous studies allowed in school, there is danger that the pupil will not become thoroughly acquainted with what he professes to learn. To obviate this, your committee have required, that no scholar be allowed to leave a study, till it was well understood. * * * (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 505—In Winter, 547. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 371-In Winter, 430. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 572.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 48.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 59. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 61 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 33 25-In Winter, 27 17. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 13.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 13.—F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $21 77-To Females, $11 41. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00-Of Females, $5 51. (9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $13 70-Of Females, $5 90. (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, $75 50. (12) No. of incorporated Academies, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 11.-Average number of Scholars, 35.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $516. (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 8.-Aggregate of months kept, 18.-Average No. of Scholars, 28.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $218 51. (14) Amount of Local Funds, $ -Income from same, $ BOOKS USED.-Spelling-National, Dictionary. Reading-National Reader, Introduction to do, New Testament, Young Reader. Grammar-Smith's, and some smaller works. Geography-Malte-Brun's, Olney's, Hall's, Parley's. Arithmetic-Adams', Smith's, Colburn's First Lessons, Colburn's Sequel. All others-Colburn's Algebra, Grund's Philosophy, Grund's Chemistry, Geography of the Heavens, Watts on the Mind, and United States History. * SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * * That there has been a progressive improvement, in the condition of our schools, considered collectively, during the past year, and for several years previous, your committee are fully assured. This fact, no one, it is believed, who has had an opportunity of being conversant with their situation, will be disposed to controvert. Should any man, who has seen nothing of our schools, for the last dozen years, attend our examinations now, he would doubtless be somewhat surprised at the advancement they have made, in all their branches of study. * These advantages have mostly arisen, it is supposed, from legislative enactments, the better qualifications of teachers, improvement in school books and the mode of instruction, more liberal appropriations for the support of our schools, public lectures, and the greater interest taken, by the public generally, in the cause of education. Great defects, however, are still observable in our schools, some of which, your committee feel themselves bound to notice. Want of proper order, or government, is one of the leading defects, which they think demands a moment's attention. This fault, in a part of our schools at least, has obtained to a considerable extent, and has greatly retarded their advancement. Your commitee, believing good discipline to be the foundation of improvement, have labored unweariedly to establish it in all our schools, but have found it a task exceedingly difficult to accomplish. Without order, our schools are of little value, and can never realize the hopes of those, who have their welfare at heart. Order is said to be "heaven's first law," and should it not be earth's first law? Every one knows the omnipotence of it, in all the affairs of life, but in no place whatever, is it more absolutely indispensable, than in our schools, where every scholar should have an opportunity to pursue his studies, without being interrupted by whispering, or noise of any description. But whence does this difficulty originate? It would be unfair to attribute it to a constitutional obstinacy, or perverseness of the scholars; for human nature is supposed to be about the same every where; and, on this ground, we might expect to see the same fault equally prevalent in all the schools. It may, and in many instances, doubtless, does arise from the incapacity of teachers, as it often happens that, though they are well versed in all the requisite branches of learning, yet they possess no talent for governing and managing a school. But, in the opinion of your committee, the evil may, for the nost part, be traced to the opposition, or negligence of parents. It is believed, that they often entertain erroneous notions of school discipline. They of course allow their children to play, and be more or less noisy at home, and are apt to think they should have something of the same indulgence at school. Their children are sweet-tempered, and well disposed, and cannot need any correction; or, if any, the measure of punishment which they would allow, is entirely ineffectual. But suppose every scholar in a school of 30, 40, 50, or 60, is permitted to whisper a little, talk a little, cough a little, play a little, make some noise with his feet, and some noise in a thousand other ways, is not all successful study necessarily precluded? would not the school present a scene of confusion, not less annoying, than that which occurred at the building of Babel? Yet if the teacher, after trying all other means, undertakes to suppress these evils, and restore order, by resorting to corporal punishment, though advised and directed so to do by the school committee, he soon learns, perhaps, that the parents are dissatisfied; that they have taken a stand against him; that they accuse him of partiality, severity, and even cruelty, and that they consider him unfit for his employment. The scholars readily adopt the opinion of their parents, echo their expressions, and become more and more disorderly. The opposition is too strong. The teacher is discouraged. His authority is trampled under foot, his usefulness ended, and all further improvement of the school out of the question. Or, if the parents do not actually oppose the teacher, unless he is quite efficient and skilful in his mode of government, the school may become almost useless, through their negligence. Mere neutrality, on their part, will not answer. They should reflect carefully, on the importance and necessity of school discipline, and endeavor to arrive at correct conclusions on the subject; attend to any disturbances that may arise in school, and exert their influence to suppress them; cultivate an acquaintance with the teacher; advise with him, when it is needful, and cooperate with him and the committee, in their efforts to establish and maintain good order. * * * SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-ISRAEL HILDRETH, COLBURN BLOOD, JR. DUNSTABLE, {(1) S (1) Population, 570. Valuation, $167,401 00. (2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 129-In Winter, 182. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 99-In Winter, 139. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 139.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 13.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 41. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 27 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 14 21-In Winter, 12 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 4.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 1—F. 4. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $2300-To Females, $12 94. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00-Of Females, $4 87. (9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $15 00-Of Females, $8 06. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $350 00. (11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $26 00. |