[76] this time the trustees voted to consider the advisability of discarding the New Testament as a reading book for the second class in the primary grades. Voted that teachers be allowed to sell books and stationery to their scholars. Messrs. Warren and Underwood were authorized to examine Miss E. H. Dodge, one of the primary teachers, to see how often she had dismissed without leave and how often she had left her school in charge of another person. A change at her school was found necessary.
The teachers of the winter schools in the outside districts were: Levi Russell at Prospect Hill; Wymond Bradley at Winter Hill; Oliver March at Milk Row; G. A. Parker at the Gardner; and George P. Worcester at the Russell. As Mr. Parker fell sick, his term was completed by Rachel T. Stevens. The schools were examined ‘and gave general satisfaction.’
From the annual report we learn that there are now fourteen primary schools on the peninsula, with 957 pupils, or an average of seventy each. In the three grammar schools there are 830 pupils, and in the five schools beyond the Neck, 276, making a total of 2,063. ‘The increase is due to the fact that the Irish have given up their own separate establishment and are now sending their children to the public school.’ Then, again, the schools of Charlestown are open to all between the ages of four and sixteen, for which there is no statute, the universal custom being to the age of fifteen.
‘The board has made a great effort this year to procure the abolishment of corporal punishment, and requested teachers to keep an account of such punishment, and to give detailed information in each instance to one of the trustees. In the female grammar school punishment has been wholly abandoned, and in all the resort to it has been far less frequent than formerly. The large boys have of their own accord formed themselves into societies for the prevention of profanity among themselves, and for mutual moral improvement. Many parents have aided them in collecting a library of well-selected books for their use. The exercise of singing has been pretty generally introduced into the schools, and to good advantage. The teachers willing to devote ’
