Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Emerson's. Reading-Pierpont's. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Olney's and Peter Parley's. Arithmetic-Smith's. All others-Goodrich's History of the U. S., Blake's and Comstock's Philosophy, Colburn's Algebra, New Testament.

NO REPORT from School Committee.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-JOHN HARPUR, PAUL WING, 2d.

TRURO,

[ocr errors]

(1) Population, 1,806. Valuation, $106,016 50. Number of Public Schools, 10.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 456-In Winter, 480. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 356-In Winter, 464.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 598.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, -No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 60. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 72 mths.-In Summer, 46 14-In Winter, 25 14. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 12.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 10-F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $28 55-To Females, $9. 20. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00-Of Females, $4 00.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $20 55-Of Females, $5 20 (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $625.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $732.

(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, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 12.-Average No. of Scholars, 35.—Aggregate paid for tuition, $420.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

.-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.- -Spelling-Alger's Perry's, Walker's and Webster's Dictionaries. Reading -Testament, Young Reader, Introduction to National Reader, National Reader, American First Class Book. Grammar-Smith's. Geography - Olney's, Peter Parley's. ArithmeticWalsh's, Smith's, Adams', Colburn's First Lessons, Emerson's. All others-Goodrich's History of the U. S., Colburn's Algebra.

* *

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * We are satisfied that the comparisons we drew last year had a favorable effect, inasmuch as there has evidently been a greater desire to obtain the best instructers this year. The scholars have been more punctual in their attendance than formerly, which is the best evidence we can indirectly have, of the feeling and interest on the part of the parents. We are sorry to state, that still, in some districts, the teachers deeply complain of the irregular attendance of their scholars.

* * *

It seems difficult to account for this neglect on the part of parents. * * The rich have other means for educating their children; but the poor, or those in moderate circumstances,-how can they neglect such invaluable privileges? *

* *

Our schoolhouses are in a good state of repair, and well provided with means for warming them; but we think that they require ventilation which would secure the scholars' health, add to their comfort, and increase their mental activity.

Your committee having thus briefly stated their views of the state and prospects of our Common Schools, would invite your increased attention to this great national subject. *

* *

Mr. l'age's lecture, which has been distributed to each district, we earnestly recommend to the careful perusal of every parent.

No time is lost that is spent in the cause of general education, where all parties are made partakers of durable riches; and if the wealth of the parent is spent upon the minds of his children, he has every reason to expect it will yield him a hundred fold.

*

* *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-N. J. KNIGHT, J, H. DAVIS, BARNABAS PAINE.

WELLFLEET,

{(1)

(1) Population, 2,308. Valuation, $124,374 62. Number of Public Schools, 10.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 650-In Winter, 704.

(3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 548-In Winter, 623.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 764.—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, 89 mths. 7 days.-In Summer, 60-In Winter, 29 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer--M. F. 11.-No. of Teachers in Winter M. 10—F. 2. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $32 20-To Females, $14 17. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 60-Of Females, $6 40.

(9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $24 60—Of Females, $7 79. (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, -Aggre

gate paid for tuition, $

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

.-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.- -Spelling-Webster's Elementary. Reading-Porter's Rhetorical Reader, Worcester's 1st, 2d and 3d Parts, Introduction to National Reader, Young Reader, Testament. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Olney's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Emerson's and Adams'. All others-Bailey's Algebra, Comstock's Philosophy, Good's History, Watts on the Mind, Blake's Astronomy.

REMARK.—The interest of the Surplus Revenue, $249 70, is applied to the support of schools.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. A few teachers presented themselves for examination, whom your committee could not, conscientiously, approbate. They were, no doubt, gentlemen of private worth and integrity of purpose; but, believing they were not qualified to instruct in those branches prescribed by law, we felt it our imperious duty to withhold from them certificates of approbation. Perhaps there is no duty more important and responsible, in relation to Common Schools, than that which belongs to inspectors. If schools are as their teachers, and most certainly they are, how strict should inspectors be in their examination of teachers! As to this duty, there is some difficulty. The prudential committees select and contract with teachers. If strangers, they are sent, without any notice, to the school committee for examination and approval. Hence, it often happens that the committee are from home when the teachers call, or so engaged as to give them but a partial examination. The practice of teachers withholding themselves from examination, till a day or two before the school commences, has a bad tendency; for should it happen that the committee are dissatisfied, the only alternative is presented of employing teachers they do not approve, or of deferring the opening of the schools for a week or two, when it is most desirable they should be in operation. * * * More attention has been paid to the study of English grammar than heretofore. This has been for a long time regarded as a hard, uncertain and disagreeable study,-disliked by the pupil, and avoided, as much as possible, by the teacher. The reluctance which was felt, seemed to arise from a belief that a knowledge of the grammatical construction of language would be of no use to them in after-life. This prejudice is fast giving way, and the utility of grammar is beginning to be felt by every individual, who may have a thought to communicate to others in writing. * * *

Your committee feel they cannot close this report, without strongly urging upon you the necessity of qualifying your sons and daughters for the station of teachers. It is truly deplorable that we have to send two or three hundred miles for teachers to supply our Common Schools. We believe there is intel

lect and talent among us, which, if cultivated, would do honor to our town and county. What can better employ the time, talents and attention of the true patriot, than in fitting his sons to be ornaments of society and a crown of glory to his hoary hairs.

There is, perhaps, no way in which a man can better serve his country than in presenting to it a family of sons and daughters, well trained and disciplined, and amply qualified to act a useful and honorable part in the various stations they may be called to fill. Let us come forward, friends, and show to the world, that, though the hills of Wellfleet are barren and her natural soil unproductive, yet her mental soil is fruitful in noble undertakings and virtuous actions. SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-Benjamin WithERELL, JESSE HOLBROOK, D. W. DAVIS.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 301-In Winter, 573. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 210-In Winter, 419.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 663.-No. of persons under 4

years of age who attend School, 60.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 151. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 55 mths. 17 days-In Summer, 30 21—In Winter, 24 24. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. —F. 7.—No. of Teachers in Winter—M. 12—F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $32 53-To Females, $12 93. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $10 00-Of Females, $5 00.

[ocr errors]

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $22 58-Of Females, $7 93. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,225.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $127. (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, 11.-Aggregate of months kept, 65.-Average No. of Scholars, 346.-Aggre

gate paid for tuition, $1,210.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Alger's Perry's, Walker's Dictionary. Reading-First Class Book, Introduction to National Reader, Young Reader. Grammar-Smith's. GeographyWoodbridge's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Smith's, Adams', Colburn's, Walsh's and Emerson's. All others-Goodrich's History of the U. S., Colburn's Algebra.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * Irregularity of attendance, is an evil which belongs to the parents to correct. In a pecuniary point of view, it is a subject not to be disregarded. Twelve hundred and twenty-five dollars were appropriated for the support of Public Schools the past year. Of this sum, three hundred and forty-three dollars have been paid for the instruction of those, who from some cause have been absent from the school-room. Entirely to correct this evil, is not to be expected; but the committee are fully persuaded, that the large number of absences indicated in the table, can and ought hereafter to be lessened. Parents too often keep their children at home without sufficient cause. The consequence is, the child's progress in learning is retarded. When he goes to school the next day, or the next week, he finds his classmates have advanced further than he, and that he must necessarily omit a number of lessons or recite with a class not so far advanced. Under such circumstances, a scholar will rarely obtain a thorough knowledge of any branch; he is always in the stern-chase, and not unfrequently becomes discouraged and gives up the pursuit.

*

* *

It is in our Public Schools that the men are to be trained and instructed, who will be the ornaments of society, and the men whom the rising gereration will hereafter feel an honest pride in claiming as their fellow townsmen.

Academies and high schools are useful; but Common Schools are far more useful. In them the great mass of the people receive the rudiments of an education in morals and literature, which in some measure will decide their future characters. It will thus be seen and understood, that in the care of the education of youth, the inhabitants of the town have a high responsibility resting on them, which they are bound to exercise in such a manner as will best promote the public good;—and the committee would respectfully submit to parents, whether in neglecting to allow their children to attend regularly and punctually at the Public Schools, they do not violate the duties which they, as citizens, owe to the community? If a good education be the best of patrimonies, why is it that the Public, are less esteemed by some than Private, Schools? ** The prudential committees are chosen by the inhabitants of the several districts, agreeably to the provisions of the 26th section of the 23d chapter of the Revised Statutes. These elections are held in some districts in the spring, and in others in the fall. It is desirable that there should be uniformity, and the committee would suggest to the town' the propriety of ordering that these elections be held annually in the month of March. When the choice of an agent is delayed till a short time previous to the commencement of the winter school, the best teachers are frequently engaged, and the district is under the necessity of taking any one that can be procured. Another advantage of making the election in March is, the prudential and general committees will hold their respective offices during the same period of time,—an arrangement which, in the exercise of their respective duties, will be more convenient to both.

The manner in which the prudential committees are selected in some of the districts, is not justifiable, and ought not to be approved by the town. In the eighth and ninth districts, the office was given to the lowest bidder. In the ninth, five dollars was paid to the agent, and in the eighth, ten dollars, and the money taken from the funds appropriated by the town for the support of schools.

In the examination of male teachers, the committee adopted it as a rule, not to approbate any one, unless the applicant exhibited evidence that he maintained a good moral character, and possessed all the literary attainments required by law. The result of the rigid enforcement of this rule has been, that in each of the twelve school districts, none but accomplished and competent instructers have found employment.

*

*

*

In concluding their report, the committee would remark, that the Public Schools in Yarmouth, during the past year, have been well taught, and that the improvement of the scholars in the elementary branches of education has been highly satisfactory. The deportment of the scholars, as exhibited at the examinations and occasional visitations of the committee, was pleasing, and manifested that they appreciated the superior advantages of orderly and well conducted schools. The general sentiment and wishes of the people are for the elevation of the character and the increase of the usefulness of Common Schools; and the committee are well assured, that the funds which the town has so liberally devoted to the purposes of public instruction, have been well bestowed, and will yield a rich reward, by diffusing general intelligence, and by causing our youth to see and know that their individual welfare and success in the business of life depends on right conduct.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-AMOS OTIS, JOSEPH WHITE, PRINCE HOWES.

DUKE'S COUNTY.

CHILMARK,

[ocr errors]

{(1)

(1) Population, 699. Valuation, $183,364 75.
Number of Public Schools, 4.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 77-In Winter, 128.
(3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 62-In Winter, 90.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 129.-No, of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 6.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 24. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 13 mths, 14 days. In Summer, 7—In Winter, 6 14, (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 3.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 3-F., (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $33 00-To Females, $17 33. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00.-Of Females, $4 66.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $25 00-Of Females, $12 67. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $400.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, & (12) No. of incorporated Academies,

Scholars,

[ocr errors]

Aggregate of months kept, Average number of Aggregate paid for tuition, $

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 4.-Aggregate of months kept, 9.-Average No. of Scholars, 80.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $252.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-National. Reading-Worcester's Primer, 2d, 3d and 4th Books. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Smith's and Adams'. Arithmetic-Smith's and Adams'. All others-Bible.

NO REPORT from School Committee.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE. NATHAN S. BASSETT, Benjamin Manter, Granville MANTER.

EDGARTOWN,

.

{ (1)

(1) Population, 1,625. Valuation, $178,305 00.
Number of Public Schools, 6.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 156-In Winter, 181. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 109-In Winter, 135.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 457.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 35.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 30. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 33 mths 21 days.—In Summer, 21 31—In Winter, 12. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer—M. 1—F. 3.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M 3-F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $26 25-To Females, $14 66. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $9 33-Of Females, $5 66.

(9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $16 92-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, $750.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $10.

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, Aggregate of months kept, -Average No. of Scholars, Aggregate paid for tuition, $

[ocr errors]

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 8.-Aggregate of months kept, 66.-Average No. of Scholars, 224.-Aggre gate paid for tuition, $1,718.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $

« ForrigeFortsett »