The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-05-16

The Board of Overseers of Schools in District
No. l, whose term of Office is to close this day,
beg leave to present the following extracts from
their Annual Report
The number of scholars attending the eight
Schools under their care, during the past year. will
average about three hundred and fifty; add to
these the usual number attending the Latin School
and Apprentices School, and the whole number of
children in course Of education in our district,
appears to be about four hundred and thirty.
The number in attendance at the examination
this week, including the Latin School. is three hun
dred and forty The average last year was
stated to be four hundred, which includes the APP
prentces School, and including that school it would
be about the same now. The attendance during
parts of the year, has been much more interrupted
than usual. There IRE always several in the
schools whose regular attendance has never yet
been enforced, either by the discipline Of the
schools, or Of their parents. They are perina-
cious truants and it is to be feared will be ready
victims of vicious habits, unless they can be
brought to more regular performance of tbeiJ
E'dutiss. Bat, besides these, who always ex-
crescences On good school, the attendance 0s
many others during the autumn and winter, was
less constant than heretofore This is accounted
for by the prevalence Of several diseases affecting
some, and keeping others away for fear of takin.!
them. 1t is very generally known, that this ap-
prehension Of disease operated to such an extent
that the Board, by the advice of DR.. Green strs-
scholars on their return to produce TO the teach
srs certificates that they had been vaccinated.-
This was, perhaps, assumption Of power by the
Board, but one which they believed the crcum-
stances demanded, and which they think pubic
opinion has justified When the most alarming
disease 10y what name it should be called, let the
Doctors dispute) became mere rife, the Board, by
the same advice as before, suspended the schools
for one month and then for another week making
FIVE weeks in succession. This too, the BsarG
trust, their fellow citizens have approved. But
these various interruptions have greatly interfered
with the progress of the schools, although it must
be manifest to those who have attended the exam
nations of the present week, that the year has
not passed idly or unpro6tably away. Those schol-
ars who have attended have labored and have
the teachers. And here the Board would say that
they have been satisfied with the able and diligent
discharge of their duties by most of the teachers
They occasionally feel obliged to do that, in the
removal Of teacher or by advice or censure
which is painful to themselves and offensive to
some, yet they have never hesitated to do these
things, however painful, when they thought them
called for by a regard to the best interests of the
schools; conscious that they have not been actual
ed by personal i'll wills and willing to bear the oblo
guy, if oboquy must attend the discharge Of duty
In consequence of the authority given the
Board at the last annual meeting, they proceeded
to establish a school for coored children, which
was opened circumstances would per.
NIT. So far respects the school from which
the colored children removed, the establish
ment of this school has been entirely satsfac CRY
the only objection to sending to that school being
thus removed. Asst regards the colored children
there can be no doubt that they are in better sit
uation to be thoroughly taught than before, and i
is not known to the Board that their parents have
made any complaint about the separation; sever
al of them were consulted before the school wa
opened and expressed their entire approval of tn,
! plan.
1t has been a subject considerably discussed b.
the Board, how far the studies should be carried il
| the Female High School some have maintaine,
( that II should be put upon equal standing will
! the Latin Grammar School, and facilities afordc
for instruction in French, and other studies con
sidered parts Of an accomplished education thong
not regarded as mere accomplishments Will
Others and, it is believed, majority, have though
that no more was expected. generally, by the sup
porters of the school than that means should b
there afforded for giving good English education
As there are now some pupils in that school, wit
may continue there, and who have already gon
through pretty thoroughly with the text book
commonly used there and n new Board ar
now to assume the care Of the schools, and vii
probably be asked to consider this subject, it
ed proper to present it to the District that the
may give any directions about it which they choose
The Infant School System, in use in the Dis
trict, is understood to be ridiculed and severed
CensuIeu ny some oil our cltlZenS. IL may nav
faults. II certainly has advantages and the pres
ont Board decidedly approve Of its continuance
Before the next annual meeting. 1t is probabl
that the new School Mouse TO be built by the town
oa Thomas street, will be ready to be occupied
Il is supposed that the Latin School and the Boys
English School will be transferred to it as soon
II is finished II will not be expedent to pay rem
for School Rooms, after the District have rooms i
their own house which may be occupied BY som
alterations being made in them. The Board there
fore recommend that the District now take meas
ures TO make such alterations in the Centre Schoc
House, ms will fit il for the use Of the Priinar
Schools, and the two Female Schools. BY doin
this the School House. on the Common, may b
appropriated for the South Infant School, and, as
house is to be built by the town, for the AFRICA
School, the rents for School Rooms may all b
stopped,
The District have always raised money to SUP
port Schools very cheeriully. although the tax ha
been heavy Our Schools are In a condition. q
Free Schools to challenge the admiration of a
who are acquainted with their character, and,