‘ [79] the winter Phila Russell had charge. Whole number, thirty-seven; average, thirty. His efforts and skill are worthy of the highest commendation. He insisted upon the thoroughness of all his pupils. His uniform practice is, if a pupil makes a blunder in recitation, he is compelled afterwards to repeat that part of his answer correctly,—as a word going around the class must be spelled correctly by each one who has failed, no matter how much time it takes. The schoolhouse here has been much improved by alterations made in pursuance of the recommendation in the last report. These two schools cost the town more than any others in town, in proportion to the number of scholars; in consequence of the change in teachers, probably they receive the least benefit of any.’ The wish is expressed that the Gardner district might unite with Woburn, and the Russell with West Cambridge. ‘The Milk Row school is adjacent to the town of Cambridge. Last summer it was under Miss Burnham, with seventy scholars enrolled, and an average attendance of fifty. This shows a culpable degree of absences. The committee spoke in high terms of the school while under this lady. During the winter the school was under Joel Pierce, with an average of sixty out of eighty scholars. He is an experienced, thorough teacher, very precise in his regulations and mode of teaching.’
‘The Prospect Hill school was erected three years ago to accommodate the inhabitants of that part, formerly a part of Milk Row district. Miss E. P. Whittredge was teacher last summer, and had an average of fifty out of sixty-one pupils. This lady received the decided approbation of the board. She was efficient and faithful. She divided the school into six classes, thus the youngest had more attention than usually falls to their lot. Amos S. Allen was the winter teacher, and had an average of forty-five out of a total of sixty enrolled,—a degree of irregularity wholly inconsistent with the interests of the district. A great improvement in penmanship was noticed. The teacher, though somewhat inexperienced, appeared competent to perform his duties and desirous of doing so.’
‘The next district is the Winter Hill, though the schoolhouse is situated at some distance from the eminence of that ’
