USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1873-1874 > Part 3
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It will be necessary for the Town, at the approaching Town meeting, to choose two Trustees, to fill vacancies caused by the expiration of the terms of Stephen Foster, and F. H. Knight.
Hoping for the continued interest and liberal patronage of all our citizens in the Reading Public Library, we are,
Respectfully,
EDWARD APPLETON, F. O. DEWEY, HIRAM BARRUS, WILLIAM PROCTOR, STEPHEN FOSTER, FRANCIS H. KNIGHT,
Trustees.
E. APPLETON, President.
F. H. KNIGHT, Secretary.
Dr
F. H. KNIGHT, Treasurer, in Account with READING PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Cr.
1873. Aug.
7
Received from Town Treasurer, on acc. Appropriation - " M. H. Appleton, Librarian, balance in hands - - . . . Feb. 22
$500.00
9 1873. March 15 July 18 Aug.
Balance due Treasurer (see last Report) Paid A. R. Gay, for stationery
9.00
" Cummings' Express -
1.90
for catalogues sold
1.25
9
M. D. Garfield, for sign
2.25
" chimnies, 20 cts., 1 doz. wicks, 10 cts. .
0.30
9
H. D. Babb, moving books, &c. -
6.00
" old books and paper
.
·
-
Oct'r
10
from Town Treasurer, bal. Appropriation -
250.00
9
D. Creesy, fitting up room -
133.32
80.59
9
M. H. Appleton, examination, arranging books, &c .- extra work
39.60
1874.
Miss Alice B. Temple, Librarian, for bal- anee paid her by Miss Appleton
$0.66
9
Express, $2.00, postage, 60 cts.
2.60
33-66
9
Subscription Literary World Extra copy
10 cts., Harper, 15 cts., 0.25
Two pine boxes
2.00
Balance due Treasurer -
10.44
9
Hammer, $1.25; pitcher, 83 cts .; duster, 12 cts., Amount to new Librarian -
0.66
$922.60
42.40
Oct.
11
-
Estes & Lauriette, books
241.37
11
52.29
29
A. R. Gay, record books, &c.
22.25
Nov. 18 1874.
H. G. Terry, binding - -
62.65
Jan. 22
Dr. Smith, Massachusetts Gazetteer -
.
22
Manufacturers' Insurance Company -
35.00
Feb.
24
W. Proctor, Gilded Age
3.50
March 7
Miss Alice B. Temple, Librarian, subscription Scientific American
$3.00
Express, 65 cts .; postagage, 30 cts.
0.95
Salary account
:
2.87
37.82
14
" C. W. Perkins, rent to March 1 .
100.00
$322.60
-
.
.
.
-
1.85
9
M. H. Appleton, salary
$33 25
¥
9
extra work
0.44
for fines to March 7, 1874
3.00
37.32
9
-
F. H. KNIGHT, Treasurer.
READING, March 16, 1874.
-
$5.97
6
.
-
-
.
9
James Reid & Co., curtains
42.40
9
M. Hanley, chairs
.
-
.
10
Dog Tax, 1872 -
Nov'r 18
Miss Clara Damon, for binding books
2.10
9
H. G. Terry. binding -
109.40
fines to August 6th -
37.78
.
.
.
.
-
3.00
.
.
777
30.50
Balance in hands Librarian
.
$0.97
6.38 9.00
March 7
" catalogues sold
9
1.00
2.20
9
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Amount due the Committee on last year's account $75 98
Paid for labor in Cemetery . .
471 87
66 for building wall on Main Street
· 787 00
$1334 85
Drawn from Town appropriations
1210 85
Received from sale of lots
116 00
66
wood
8 00
.
$1334 85
F. O. DEWEY,
F. H. KNIGHT, T. B. PRATT,
G. C. GLEASON, WM. PROCTOR, S. BANCROFT.
READING, March, 1874.
REPORT OF THE ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
Two years have elapsed since the Town placed the control of the roads in our hands. We found them in many places in bad condition. The places that in our judgment was most needed, have been repaired first, with few exceptions, where we have obtained gravel by gift or at a small expense. The Town appropriated last year the sum of $4000 for the repairs of High- ways, and there has been expended $3946.14, leaving a balance of $53.96. We would recommend that the Town raise the sum of $3,500, for that purpose, for the year ensuing. The pros- perity of the Town depends very much upon the condition of its roads.
There has been expended for extra highway work - $298 63
For rebuilding High Street - - - - - 425 94
Green -
286 70
grading Bancroft Avenue - - 330 00
$1341 27
We would recommend that the Town cause flag-stones to be laid across Main and Haven Streets at the junction of said streets, and at the junction of Haven and Gould Streets, and across High Street at the junction of Haven Street, and that the Town raise the sum of $500 for that purpose.
By a law of the Legislature of 1873-4, it becomes the duty of the Road Commissioners to make a report on guide-boards. The guide-boards are up in most places where they have been established, but some of them need repairing. The street signs that have been erected are nearly all gone. We would recom- mend that the Town raise $75 to repair guide-boards and erect street signs.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
CHARLES TWEED, Road JAMES A. BANCROFT,
Commissioners
CHARLES A. WESTON, of Reading.
READING, March 2, 1874.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING FOR 1873-74.
REPORT.
The adoption, during the past year, of a course of studies for all the schools, made it imperative that no promotions should be made at the commencement of the school year, last September ; but this involved but little, if any, disadvantage to the pupils, for the grade of the schools was advanced, and the time to be spent in the High School, before graduation, reduced to three years, for an English course-a classical one being optional.
It will require a year or two before the full benefit of a com- plete curriculum will be realized, the aim of the Committee, as expressed in the last Annual Report, still being " to prepare the youth of the community for the battles of life-not letters."
That the education of children, passing through the routine of our public schools, is sadly deficient, we think few will deny ; that they do not receive that amount of real practical learning which they should receive to properly compensate for the time and labor spent, none know better than the graduates them- selves.
Where is the fault? Certainly not in the teachers, as a rule ; for they carry out what is laid down for them. Perhaps it is in the Committee ; but the Committee have been accustomed to follow the lead of the State, and the State of Massachusetts thinks it educates its young people better than any State in the world, and even takes prizes for its system. We are inclined, from our humble position, to surmise that the trouble here, as well as throughout the State, lies in the ardor and almost
4
REPORT OF
pathetic fervor with which we have sought to give a full and broad education to every one - the grand idea of a democratic republican country !- taking it for granted, that all could and would begin with the primary school, and carefully take every step forward and upward, till the young lady selected her graduating dress, and the young man learned to give his cravat the most approved tie, for the exhibition ; - and so the Massa- chusetts system says, we must not drop any of the branches which attracted, and formed part of the education of, our ancestors, but must keep all the old paths open, and walk in all the new, besides. And here, perhaps, is the chief difficulty : either our pupils study too much, or not enough; for it is indisputably true that, as a rule, they do not know a great deal about the many things they do study. We undertake to cover so much ground, that the ambitious youth is very thin after being spread over it all. We do not insist upon thoroughness in any thing, but like a smattering of every thing.
Any system of public education must of necessity have a great deal of routine work; and while this is so, to whom shall the routine of our schools be adapted, -to the few who desire to study the classics, leading minds, to be found in every school, sharp, active brains, always at work, and fitted for it, or to the masses, the hundreds who must depend upon the learning acquired in the public schools, where most of them lay the foundation, not only for their life education, but for their life work? We unhesitatingly pronounce in favor of the latter course, and are doing all in our power to accomplish the desired result. The Town and the State, in our humble opinion, have reached that point in the history of its educational work, when a radical change must be made, or education itself will suffer, and the standard of generally diffused intelligence be lowered.
We have not one word to say against the value or the desir- ability of a classical education ; but if something must be left out, we believe the study of the dead languages should lose its place first, modern languages next, and ornamental English studies last. On no account have we a right to sacrifice the welfare of the many to the desire of the few. We wish the
5
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Town was rich enough to give all a broad, English, and classi- cal education - all who are capable of receiving it ; but as this cannot be, and as but a small number desire it, it seems to us there is but one course open : adopt less branches, and seek more thoroughness ; for the man who knows one thing well, is better educated than the graduate of a dozen colleges, who is thorough in nothing.
OUR SCHOOLS.
Under our system, the schools in Town are doing good work, and compare most favorably with those of other Towns. With, as a rule, a fine corps of teachers, the members of the various departments have progressed with commendable results.
Music has, during the past year, been introduced into all the schools, and the value of it, other than in an aesthetic sense, has been great; the teachers, without exception, testify to the generally improved condition of their schools, through the prac- tice in singing. We think the Town will not regret the expen- diture necessary to carry on this part of the system.
But few changes have taken place, as regards teachers ; but changes will be rapid unless we can render the teachers, who have given the Town valuable service, a more adequate compen- sation. Three hundred and fifty dollars is a meagre salary for one who must find her entire support in that sum, and it is time, in the lower schools especially, that salaries be increased. To this end we do not hesitate to ask of the Town an increased appropriation, believing that, on a clear understanding of the subject, the citizens of Reading will not withhold the requisite amount.
The daily sessions have been reduced from six hours to five, in all schools having two sessions. This is a positive improve- ment, and has met fully the expectations of the advocates of such a measure.
6
REPORT OF
SCHOOL HOUSES.
With few exceptions our rooms are pleasant and of sufficient capacity ; the exceptions are simply abominable. The Village Primary School rooms are crowded to their utmost capacity. Low studded and small, they are no longer fit for the uses to which they have been put, and the Committee are obliged to ask an appropriation sufficient either to erect a new school- house or to make such changes and additions to those we already have, as will, for four or five years at least, accommo- date the children who must be provided for. We shall soon need, at the present rate of growth, additional rooms, and the establishment of additional schools; in fact, we ought, this year, to create a lower Grammar School; Miss Knight's being already so large as to require for her an assistant, and with the large additions to be made the coming fall, her school will need to be divided. Our estimates cover this.
We think we may be able to raise and enlarge the Union Street Medium school-house, and remodel the Primary School- room in Union Hall building, and thus secure the required accommodation for a few years ; but at no very distant day - five years, at the furthest-the Town will be obliged to erect a commodious building for the lower village schools.
By authority of the Town, the Trustees of the Public Library removed that institution from the High School building, giving up the old room for a laboratory; by this arrangement, the High School secured a large recitation-room, so desirable in carrying on the proper work of the school.
We have ventilated all rooms requiring it, by Maine's patent system, with gratifying results. The Town authorized us to expend not exceeding $300 for this purpose. We were enabled to accomplish the object with half that sum.
7
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Attention is earnestly called to the fact, that the law of the State allows towns to authorize the employment of a Superin- tendent of Schools. We certainly think the measure would be a valuable one, and that a higher excellence in our schools would be reached, were they all under the manage- ment of one mind, than can be gained under a School-board.
SCHOOL - BOOKS.
We would recommend the Town to adopt the provisions of the law of 1873, by which the Town purchases and owns the books used in the schools. By this, when one class leave a book, the next would take it; the parents would thereby be relieved from the sometimes burdensome expense of buying the books absolutely needed.
APPROPRIATIONS.
There will be needed for changes in, and additions to, school- rooms, $5,000.
The Committee would recommend, for the support of the schools the ensuing year, an appropriation of $11,000.
We would also recommend that instead of the money needed for the incidental expenses, such as repairs, etc., being taken from the appropriation for Town expenses, a separate sum be appropriated, and that for this purpose we estimate that there will be required the sum of $500.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Three vacancies must be filled at the approaching annual meeting. Two elections for three years, and one for one, must be had to fill the Board.
We have followed the plan of two years of publishing what the teachers themselves have to say, making no comment on the various schools, unless changes have taken place during the year, or especial information is required.
8
REPORT OF
UNION STREET LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS RUTH L PRATT, TEACHER.
" No promotions were made at the beginning of the year; conse- quently the school is very large,-in the fall term numbering 84 pupils, while the room will seat but 58, and every other way ill adapted for use; no sunlight only for a few minutes in the afternoon; seats very much crowded. During the year three patent ventilators have been introduced, which have remedied, in a measure, the lack of ventilation in the building.
"Prof. Carey has given lessons in music once a week during the year. Committee and friends of the school express surprise at the facility with which these little ones read music."
UNION STREET UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS SARAH A. SWEETSER, TEACHER.
" I desire most earnestly to call the attention of the School Com- mittee and parents to the condition of the Union Street Upper Primary School room, as being quite unsuited to the purposes of a school. Seventy scholars are crowded together in this small room. Some are seated at desks, some upon the platform, while others are obliged to sit upon settees and benches unsuitable for little children. Those who are near the stove are made very uncomfortable by the heat; if the windows are opened, great risk of getting cold is in- curred by the scholars near them. The ventilators recently intro- duced help us some, and yet it is quite impossible to maintain an equable temperature. After the commencement of school, the air soon becomes vitiated, and is rendered poisonous and unfit to be breathed. In consequence of this condition of affairs, the children have suffered greatly, and many of them have been made sick. Some of the parents have very properly taken their children from the school, and others have signified their intention of doing so. In view of these circumstances, it can hardly be supposed that very much could be accomplished by way of profitable school work."
9
SCHOOL COMMITTE.
LOWER MEDIUM SCHOOL.
MISS E. S. FOSTER, TEACHER.
" My school numbers 57. The attendance is very good. There were twenty-two neither absent nor tardy last term, and nine who were absent only one or one half day.
" The children have enjoyed very much the studies introduced during the last year,-the music particularly. They count the time devoted to singing as the best part of the day.
" The 'Book of Nature' has given much pleasure as well as in- struction.
" The school has improved in spelling since the introduction of the ' Word Book.'
"I have found the 'Roll of Honor' quite an assistance. Any scholar perfect in recitation for a week, has his name upon the 'Roll of Honor ' with the number one against it; if he recites equally well for another week, the number is changed to two, and so on through the term. Twenty-four scholars in the first class had their names on the ' Roll of Honor ' the last day of the term; seventeen in the second class."
UPPER MEDIUM SCHOOL.
MISS FRANCES E. MIHAN, TEACHER.
" This school has been under my charge since February 16, 1874. The classes are well advanced in geography and arithmetic, but they are not correspondingly advanced in reading. They have writing every day, drawing once a week; fifteen minutes each day is devoted to singing, and five or ten minutes to calisthenics.
" The scholars I found greatly interested in the school work, and easily governed."
Miss Mary A. Willis, who had successfully taught this school since September, 1872, was, in the middle of the last term, called to a more lucrative position in Cambridge. We at once, on notice of her intention to leave, sought the services of an experienced teacher, such an one as this school requires ; but were disappointed the day Miss Willis closed her work. Two other teachers also disappointed us, and we were there- fore obliged to place a substitute over the school. Miss Emma
10
REPORT OF
F. Eames undertook the arduous duties of substitute teacher, and although fully qualified, so far as her education was con- cerned, she lacked age and experience, and, for a brief period, the school suffered exceedingly from the advantages a few unruly spirits seemed determined to take of the want of ex- perience in the new teacher. Prompt support on the part of the Committee enabled the school to resume its orderly ways in a great degree, and gave the young teacher an opportunity to prove herself, with experience, capable of success. As soon as possible, an experienced lady was employed, and under the rule of Miss Mihan, the pupils, well knowing from the sup- port the Committee gave Miss Eames, that good order was required, together with the fact that the new teacher evinced thorough knowledge of the wants of school children, the Upper Medium presents no traces of the temporary disorder which occurred in the middle of the term. The good condition of this school, so long as the present teacher can be induced to take charge of it, is assured .- COMMITTEE.
VILLAGE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISS A. M. KNIGIIT, TEACHER. (Miss ADDIE B. ILOWES, Assistant.)
" Some changes have been made in the school during the past year. The request for shortening the afternoon session from three to two hours, was kindly granted by the Committee ; this plan was adopted at the beginning of the year, by all the schools having two sessions. In this school, at least, all the good results that were expected, have been fully realized.
"At the beginning of the fall term, the number of pupils was con- siderably increased, owing to the advanced classes of the Walnut Street School being sent here. There being more work than could possibly be well done by one teacher, it was thought best, to place a part of the school in charge of an assistant ; this plan has been a success, though the accommodations are not what we could wish. The recitation-room is hardly suitable, being also used as ante-room by the pupils.
11
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
"Contrary to the usual custom, there were no promotions after the summer vacation, consequently the standard of the school is some- what higher than before. Of course, many were disappointed at the seeming stand-still, but there is no doubt the plan will work to the ultimate good of all.
" The attendance has been' very good. During the winter term, twenty-eight pupils were not absent. The following were not absent during the year : Misses Minnie Eaton, Carrie Parker, Hattie Hayes, Emma Holden, Lizzie Knight, Augusta Hayes; Masters Arthur Foster, Willie Carter, Harry Jones."
PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL.
MISS LENA T. WOOD, PRINCIPAL. (Miss JENNIE R. BARRUS, Assistant.)
"I think that the amount of work accomplished by my pupils dur- ing the past year has been greater than heretofore. This is due mainly to the sympathy existing between teachers and pupils, and the enthusiasm with which the latter have entered into all our plans, and devoted their energies to carrying them into effect.
" The second class has been almost entirely in charge of Miss Barrus, and the results attained indicate faithful and earnest labor on the part of teacher and taught.
"The work of the first class - which has now been with me nearly three years-has largely consisted of the study of language and its correct use.
"Swinton's Word Analysis has received its share of attention for two terms, and has proved to be a most profitable, as well as enjoy- able text-book ; a field for very interesting and instructive researches among the words of our language, and a guide to exact thought and expression. My aim has been, to familiarize the pupils with the origin and uses of our common words, and give them freedom in composition, both oral and written. They are trained to bear the closest criticism. This has been of great . benefit, not merely in securing the above object, but also in encouraging them to have con- fidence in themselves, and in throwing them on their own resources, to prove their position on disputed points. The gratifying results of effort in this direction are evident on comparing the first and last issues of "The Weekly Echoes," a paper started by the class in October, and supported entirely by their original contributions.
12
REPORT OF
" The study of Dickens' History of England has been a prominent feature of these terms, and I need not say that they have taken great interest in this attractive work, though, of course, other authorities have been freely consulted, and our new library is an important auxiliary in all our exercises.
" Perhaps the hardest work has been done on Guyot's Physical Geography, but the pupils are daily finding it less difficult, and are making satisfactory progress in it.
" Physiology and Botany each received attention during one term, and Algebra will be taken up after the spring vacation. Our music is a daily pleasure, and great improvement has been made, particu- larly by the masters who are no longer distanced by the misses."
MAIN STREET SCHOOL.
MISS FLORENCE PARKER, TEACHER.
" The Main Street School numbers sixteen scholars, between the ages of seven and sixteen. On account of this difference in their ages, it has been necessary to have a number of different classes, and but a few in each class. The older scholars have written compositions weekly, some of which have been very good. Some of the scholars have improved very much in writing. I have required them to write their spelling lessons, and so combined improvement in spelling and writing. They take great interest in singing, and look forward with great pleasure to the coming of Mr. Carey, once a fortnight."
Miss Julia McDuffie closed her labors in this school during the year. She was one of our ablest teachers, and her depart- ure from this school was regretted. Miss Parker is satisfac- torily carrying on the work of the school .- COMMITTEE.
LOWELL STREET SCHOOL.
MISS LIZZIE F. B. CLARK, TEACHER.
" The progress of the school during the past year has been, on the whole, satisfactory. It is, I think, more marked in reading and writ- ing than in any of the other studies. The scholars enjoy music very much, and sing quite well, considering the amount of time that has been devoted to this branch. The attendance has been fair, the number of small scholars reducing the average. I rely principally on moral suasion in governing; but a judicious use of other means in extreme cases has produced good results."
13
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
HAVERHILL STREET SCHOOL.
MISS ABBIE WAKEFIELD, TEACHER.
"Owing to diversity of age in my school, I have many classes, and few scholars in a class. The older scholars have made decided pro- gress in reading, arithmetic, geography, and grammar, throughout the year. The younger portion of the school have made as much progress in reading and spelling. The scholars write and draw well. Owing to frequent absences among the older scholars, during the latter part of this term, these older scholars seem to be wanting proper ambition. The deportment of school is good. The number of scholars is larger this year than last."
WALNUT STREET SCHOOL.
MISS SARAH L. STOODLY, TEACHER.
" The Grammar and Primary departments were united at the com- mencement of the school year. The general attendance has been good; more than a third of the pupils have not been absent or tardy during both terms. They manifest a good degree of interest in their studies, and the co-operation of the parents has been very gratifying to the teacher."
Miss E. M. Porter, of the Walnut Street Grammar School, and Miss Addie B. Howes, of the Primary department, closed their work with the spring term. At the commencement of the year, September, these schools were united, and have since been under the charge of Miss Stoodly. The union of the two departments has been attended with success, and, under the tuition of Miss Stoodly, with commendable results .- COM.
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