USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1880-1881 > Part 4
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* The average number of pupils enrolled in mixed schools is 47, comprising both grammar and primary classes.
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higher aim than this, if wanting anywhere, can least be spared in the- primaries. For it is here that the seed is sown for future growth. It is here the child acquires his first impressions of school life. Here he begins to form habits which will have a direct bearing upon all. his after work. And it is of transcendent importance that his first. steps be directed in the right path.
We are constantly called upon to perform work in the grammar schools which ought to have been finished once for all in the lower grade, and valuable time is irretrievably wasted. To remedy this, should be the aim of the immediate future, and no matter how excel- lent the results now accomplished may be, until the standard is car -- ried considerably higher, the primaries will not be worthy of the highest praise. Lest we be thought too sweeping in our criticism, we desire to commend the disposition to improve manifested by some of the teachers in these schools.
In one school the teacher has introduced the plan of having a pupil,. selected at random, come to the platform, and, facing the class, de- scribe some object known only to himself. The other pupils follow his description and endeavor to discover what the object is, the first one to do this taking his turn at describing, the others attending as before. It will be seen that this simple exercise stimu- lates mental activity. The pupils, knowing that it may be repeated, are on the alert to discover new objects to describe, this bringing into action their observing powers ; in the act of describing these objects the representative powers are called in play and language cultivated, while close attention and rapid mental action is required on the part of those who are trying to find out what is being described. Modi- fications of this exercise may be employed indefinitely. Its intro- duction shows that a spirit of improvement exists, which, if properly encouraged, would lead to valuable results.
ATTENDANCE.
The average attendance at all the schools has been lowered by the prevalence of diphtheria, measles and mumps.
There is a small percentage of avoidable absence which deserves attention. Slight as this evil is among us, it ought not to exist at all. Absenteeism and tardiness are not only injurious to the individual pupil, but they invariably lower the tone of the entire school, and when they may be avoided are, of course, inexcusable.
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MUSIC.
Mr. Henry G. Carey, favorably known here as a teacher, has had charge of instruction in this branch during the fall and win- ter terms. It is unnecessary to refer in detail to his work, which is always highly satisfactory to the Committee and all connected with the schools. The musical exercises at the High School Graduation were under the direction of Mr. F. J. Bancroft, who is entitled to our thanks for his gratuitous assistance.
LECTURES.
With a view to the improvement of methods of teaching and to in- spire renewed interest in the various branches pursued in the schools, a course of lectures upon educational topics was projected by the Committee and carried out during the winter.
The following lectures were given on the dates named :
October 22-Isaac J. Osbun, of Salem Normal School, subject :
"Methods of teaching the elements of Physics and Chemistry."
October 29-M. W. Hazen, of Boston, subject : "Methods of teach- ing Reading."
November 12-George A. Walton, Agent of State Board of Educa_ tion, subject : "Methods of teaching Arithmetic."
November 19-J. W. Dickinson, Secretary of State Board of Edu- cation, subject : "Methods of Teaching."
December 3-Henry G. Kittredge, Secretary of School Committee, subject : "The study of History."
December 10-Horace G. Wadlin, Chairman of School Committee, subject : "Some defects in the Schools, and how to remedy them."
January 7-E. A. Hubbard, Agent of State Board of Education, subject : "How is it that pupils learn so much and know so little ?"
January 28-Mrs. Emma F. Bowler, of Somerville, subject : "Meth- ods of teaching Industrial Drawing."
February 4-Rev. William Barrows, of Reading, subject : "Methods of teaching History, illustrated by American Colonies that failed."
February 18-Daniel B. Hagar, of Salem Normal School, subject : "Methods of teaching Book-keeping."
One other lecture was announced, that by Mrs. Annie D. C. Hardy, of Boston, subject : "Vocal Culture." This was postponed on account of the illness of the lecturer, and will probably be given hereafter.
The lecturers very generously rendered their services gratuitously,
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and the incidental expenses of the entire course, amounting to but $18.10, were paid from money received for tuition of non-residents.
The lectures were generally well attended by those for whose benefit they were chiefly given, and, it is hoped, will be productive of improvement in the schools.
REPAIRS.
The ordinary routine repairs have been attended to, as will appear from the financial report. The High School building has received an additional coat of paint upon the exterior, and the inte- rior has been renovated. One of the furnaces was found to be defective and was replaced by another of improved construction. Certain alterations in the hot air pipes were made, which rendered it possible to heat the entire house from one furnace during the fall, and ensured the proper heating of the recitation rooms, previously but partially accomplished. No other extraordinary expenses have been incurred. A complete statement of expenses for repairs, etc., appears in the Appendix.
CONCLUSION.
Admitting their defects, but strenuously asserting their merits also, we would, in conclusion, enter our plea for an intelligent public spirit in favor of the schools.
It is the fashion of this age to delegate important work to special- ists. However sound this practice may be, and we certainly do not question it, there are, nevertheless, individual responsibilities which none of us can avoid. It is an old maxim, and as true as it is old, that the teacher makes the school. But in our day, at least, it is sometimes a question whether she shall be allowed to make it; and the answer depends very much upon the attitude of the parents towards her. Differences of opinion in respect to discipline are con- stantly arising, and their reconciliation is often involved in difficulty. We read that in the old days, in an important juncture, when Moses needed their aid, Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands. In a differ- ent time and in another sense, it is necessary to stay up the hands of those to whom we have delegated the instruction of the young. And on their part let the teachers strive to so inform the mind and quick en its powers that the fruits of that instruction may be permanent. Lest otherwise their pupils become like those of whom old Roger Ascham.
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remarked, more than three hundred years ago, with homely phrase but sound sense, "their whole knowledge was tied only to their tong and lips, and never ascended up to the braine and head, and there- fore was soon spitte out of the mouth againe." And let them not forget, that however the intellect be cultivated, unless the moral faculties are developed, man is but a brute ; and in dealing with the child, who is soon to be a child no longer, let them not only seek to reach the " braine and head," but the heart also, that he may grow unto the measure of the stature of a perfect man.
APPROPRIATIONS.
We recommend that the sum of $8,000 be raised for the mainte- nance of schools during the coming year, with $700 additional for incidentals.
The terms of Messrs. Davis and Wightman expire, leaving two vacancies to be filled at the annual town meeting.
The usual statistics, financial reports, etc., are contained in the Appendix, to which attention is invited.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE G. WADLIN, Chairman, W. WALLACE DAVIS, HENRY G. KITTREDGE, STILLMAN E. PARKER, ARTHUR W. TEMPLE,
WILLIAM J. WIGHTMAN,
1 -
School Committee of Reading.
ADOPTED IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
March 10, 1881.
APPENDIX.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
Population of Reading 3,18 1
Number of children between 5 and 15 years of age, May, 1880 498
Number between 8 and 14 years of age, (compulsory school age) 298
Amount appropriated for instruction, fuel and care of rooms . $8,000 00
Amount appropriated for incidentals 700 00
Amount drawn from State School Fund. 35 87
Amount received from other sources. 22 92
Total receipts $8,758 79
Expended for instruction, fuel and care of rooms -
$7,982 41
Expended for incidentals. 722 28
Expended for apparatus, etc 35 87
. Total expenditure.
$8,740 56
Balance unexpended.
$18 23
PUPILS.
Whole number of different pupils enrolled during the year. . 594 Average whole number (from returns of each term). 522 Average daily attendance 460
Per cent of attendance (based upon average number enrolled). .88
13
Number enrolled during the year between 8 and 14 years of age (compulsory school age). 315
Number of pupils admitted to High School 35
Youngest pupil admitted, age
12 years 6 mos.
Oldest 66 I7 7
Average age of pupils admitted 14 9 66
TEACHERS.
Number of male teachers employed
I
Number of female teachers employed I6
Average wages per month of female teachers $37 75
Number of teachers who have attended normal schools 5 . Number of teachers who have graduated from normal schools 5
NAMES OF PUPILS GRADUATING FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL, JUNE, 1880.
Helen M. Barrows,
Mary C. Holden,
Nellie Brown,
Edith W. Judd,
Marcella L. Clark,
Josephine E. Melendy,
Marcella Coburn,
L. Fannie Mitchell,
Eveline Converse,
Annie P. Reid,
Alice O. Dow, Harriet N. Wilson,
Elnora A. Emerson,
Guy C. Channell,
Grace L. Fletcher,
Philip Emerson,
Hannah E. Hibbert,
George Hill,
Hattie M. Holden,
Edgar M. Knight,
Charles A. Loring.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Giving the names of those who have been neither absent nor tardy since March, 1880, and the schools to which they belong.
HIGH SCHOOL.
#Hattie E. Austin,
*Martha E. Babb, *Laurie E. Clark,
Grace H. Brown,
Hattie B. Lewis,
*Lizzie B. Parker, Emma M. Damon,
*Mabel F. Brown,
#Hattie F. Damon, +Mary A. Emerson,
Agnes H. Forbes, Annie C. Lawrence,
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* * Annie M. Moulton, Susan R. Nichols, Lillia A. Sweetser, *William A. Weston,
* * Sylvina F. Moulton, *Arthur T. McKay, * * Kate M. Trow, * * Walter M. Kingman.
FIRST GRAMMAR.
Annie P. Channell, fAnnie N. Kingman,
· · Annie G. Whelton, Edward D. Brown,
Alvin G. Somes.
SECOND GRAMMAR. ¡Annie J. Riordan. THIRD GRAMMAR.
fNellie Riordan,
*Ella Parker. Emma Berry (not absent-tardy once).
WOBURN STREET GRAMMAR.
Wallace Roby,
*Hattie Richardson.
UPPER MEDIUM.
Edward W. Perry,
Everett Skinner,
*Kirke P. Sanborn, Alice Peabody.
LOWER MEDIUM.
Charles F. Kealey, Henry W. Jones.
UNION STREET LOWER PRIMARY. Susette C. Berry. WOBURN STREET PRIMARY.
Lucy W. Roby.
LOWELL STREET MIXED. Nathaniel G. Hill.
Parker J. Gowing, of the Second Grammar School, has not been ab- sent in three years and has been tardy twice only.
* Neither absent nor tardy in two years.
t Neither absent nor tardy in three years.
# Neither absent nor tardy in four years.
** * Neither absent nor tardy in five years.
-
Table Showing Salaries, Attendance and Number of Visitors.
Names of Schools.
Teachers now employed.
Salary now paid.
Ist Term.
2d Term.
3d Term.
Ist Term.
2d Term.
3d Term.
Pupils during year
under 5 years.
Pupils during year
High School ..
123 ..
George L. Perry, Principal. Miss Mary L. Stinchfield, Ist Assistant
#1000 00 per year, 12 00 per week.
97
IOO IOI
94
97
97
77
....
126. . Miss Jennie R. Barrus.
13 00
do
32
48
46
3º
45
43
7
Second Grammar.
90. .
Harriet R. Morse .
12 00
do
31
25 -
26
30
22
23
Third Grammar
74 ..
Alice M. Barrows
12 00
do
24
27
29
23
25
25
26
I
Woburn Street Grammar
44. .
Sarah M. Pearson .
8 00
do
20
27
30
13
22
25
. .
.
Walnut Street Grammar .
79 ..
Evelyn S. Foster ..
10 00
do
27
32
32
26
29
28
....
.
.
. .
10 00
do
42
33
35
40
31
32
Lower Medium ..
IIO ..
235. . Mrs. Sarah A. Goodridge.
10 00
do
50
60
58
46
54
45
Union Street Upper Primary. .
208. . Miss Ruth L. Pratt.
10 00
clo
57
40
38
45
33
23
3
Union Street Lower Primary ..
52. .
Evelyn C. Bancroft .
7 50
do
30
33
29
28
28
23
Walnut Street Primary. . ...
3[ ..
Vestina P. Converse.
6 00
do
30
32
21
28
20
19
16
Lowell Street Mixed ..
31 . .
6 Cora M. Prescott ..
66
Ella F. Wakefield.
6 00
do
II
IO
8
IO
9
7
.
....
.
Haverhill Street Mixed. . . .
39. .
Z. A. Wakefield .. .
6 00
do
13
14
13
IO
I2
12
....
·
512: 536 518 467 471 442 59
5
Totals. .
I 382.
.
.
..
. . ..
12 00
do
26
30
29
24
Upper Medium. .
124 ..
Sadie R. Lindsay.
.
.
.
.
8 50
do
22
25
23
20
.
....
Main Street Mixed,
16 ..
.
Number of pupils.
Average Attendance.
Number of Visitors.
Emma S. Peirce, 2d Assistant .. .
9 00
do
.
First Grammar .
2
. .
26
Clara J. Coney. .
2
.
Woburn Street Primary. ... ..
2
over 15 years.
Expenses of Schools.
INSTRUCTION.
Paid for teaching High School. $1,797 57
First Grammar 482 00
Second Grammar 456 00
Third Grammar.
451 20
Woburn Street Grammar
436 80
Walnut Street Grammar
324 00
Upper Medium 380 00
Lower Medium 380 00
Union Street Upper Primary .. 380 00
Union Street Lower Primary. . 380 00
Woburn Street Primary.
277 50
Walnut Street Primary 228 00
Lowell Street Mixed 323 00
Main Street Mixed.
252 00
Haverhill Street Mixed. 228 00
instruction in Music.
260 00
-$7,036 07
JANITORS.
Paid for care of Centre School buildings. .. ... $318 00
Woburn Street School buildings. 54 50
Walnut Street School buildings. . 55 00
Lowell Street School buildings .. 32 00
Main Street School buildings ... 28 50
Haverhill Street School buildings, 28 50
$516 50
Amount carried forward,
$7,552 57
17
Amount brought forward, $7,552 57
FUEL.
Paid J. C. Gleason, for coal $293 75
George Beasley, for wood.
88 50
S. E. Parker, for wood. 16 50
labor on wood.
31 09
$429 84
Total amount expended $7,982 41
Total amount unexpended . 17 59
Appropriation. $8000 00
STATE SCHOOL FUND,
Received from Treasurer of Commonwealth $197 53
Expended for Apparatus and Books. $35 87
Amount remaining unexpended . 161 66
$197 53 4
TUITION OF NON- RESIDENTS.
Received for tuition of non-residents, 1879-80. . . $12 00
Received for tuition of non-residents, 1880-81 ... 30 00
$42 00
Expended for lectures at High School $18 10
Paid into Treasury (Incidental Fund) 16 00
Balance in hands of Committee. 7 90
$42 00
INCIDENTAL SCHOOL EXPENSES.
Paid Copeland & Bowser, curtains $1 58
Lang's Express, express fees. I 45
H. G. Wadlin, cash expended for sundries. . 3 10
F. E. Brooks, labor. 18 75
C. T. Tolman, printing 10 50
C. A. Loring, labor. 2 00
E. F. Taylor, crayons 4 50
Old South Parish, use of church 15 00
Amount carried forward, $56 88
18
Amount brought forward, $56 88
Paid Jeremiah C. Cook, contract for painting High School building 86 00
Wm. W. Blanchard, labor 6 00
G. W. Atkinson, sundry supplies 13 60
J. C. Cook, painting 34 85
S. M. Hall, stock and labor 72 14
N. W. Broad, stock and labor 87 96
J. Mandeville, printing . 5 25
A. G. Whitcomb, chairs and desk 12 20
Peters & Jones, brooms
3 50
D. P. Babb, labor 10 00
A. W. Danforth, books. 31 42
Tuttle & Bailey M'f'g. Co., ash cans
II OO
C. A. Loring, sundry supplies 60
D. Appleton & Co., books
2 64
James Reid, cambric
70
S. R. Roby, cleaning well
J. N. Nichols, glazing. 50
40
Melvin Batchelder, glazing
40
H. G. Kittredge, cash expended for sun- dries 3 09
Mrs. Jones, labor
60
Mrs. McKenney, labor 40
E. Ruggles, thermometers
75
D. Pratt's Sons, clock repairing I 50
Smith & Anthony Stove Co., furnace and labor 175 00
Smith & Anthony Stove Co., piping and labor 27 35
M. Hanley, chairs 7 40
W. H. Twombly, printing. 3 00
Wendell Bancroft, labor and stock.
15 05
Geo. W. Stevens, stove repairing.
5 00
Geo. O. Batchelder, rent of Main street school lot, 1880
5 00
F. J. Bancroft, labor
75
Amount carried forward, $680 93
19
Amount brought forward, $680 93
Paid F. J. Bancroft, tuning piano and sundries.
6 30
S. R. Roby, sundry supplies 3 75
S. Martin, sundry supplies
2 97
Citizens' Gaslight Co., gas.
14 00
T. Littlefield, sundry supplies and repairs
II 40
S. E. Parker, sundry supplies
I
75
M. E. Nichols, glazing I
18
Total amount expended . $722 28
Unexpended 64
$722 92
Receipts :
Appropriation
$700 00
From sale of old junk. 6 92
From tuition of non-residents
16 00
- $722 92
Town Warrant.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. MIDDLESEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Reading. GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabi- tants of the town of Reading, qualified to vote in elec- tions and town affairs, to meet in Lyceum Hall in said Reading, on Monday, the FOURTH day of APRIL, A. D. 1881, at eight o'clock in the forenoon to act on the fol- lowing articles, viz. :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To hear and act on the report of the Audi- tors, Treasurer, Collectors, Selectmen, Assessors, Over- seers of the Poor, School Committee, Road Commis- sioners, Engineers of the Fire Department, Trustees of the Public Library, and Trustees of the Cemetery.
ART. 3. To hear and act on the report of the Com- mittee chosen November 2, 1880, to aid the Selectmen in preventing the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in this town.
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ART. 4. To see if the town will revoke its accep- tance of the provisions of the 158th chapter of the laws of this State enacted in the year 1871, and abolish the board of Road Commissioners, chosen and constituted under said law, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 5. To choose a Town Clerk, Selectmen, As- sessors, Overseers of the Poor, Treasurer, Collector, two School Committee for three years, one Road Com- missioner for three years, and all other necessary town officers.
ART. 6. To see if the town will choose a Superin- tendent of Streets.
ART. 7. To see if the town will change. the grade of Main street, between land of R. B. Wright and the railroad, so as to give better drainage to said street, and how much money they will raise and appropriate for the same, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 8. 'To see if the town will instruct the Road or County Commissioners to widen Ash street at the junc- tion of Main and Ash streets, and south from said junction to about seventy feet, more or less, to an uni- form width of fifty feet, or to do anything in relation to the same.
ART. 9. To see if the town will accept the report of the Road Commissioners on laying out town ways from Locust street, past the residences of Henry A. Wright and R. B. Burgess to Bancroft avenue, and how much they will raise and appropriate therefor.
ART. 10. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate sufficient money to repair the sidewalks on Salem street.
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ART. 11. To see if the town will build a sidewalk on Mt. Vernon street, from Linden street to Bancroft avenue, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 12. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose of laying concrete sidewalks, provided also that the abuttors pay one-half the expense in laying the same.
ART. 13. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of one thousand dollars for the improve- ment of the Common, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 14. To take a voto, as provided in Chapter 54 of the Statutes of 1881, on the question of granting licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors,-in this vote the check list will be used, and the ballots will be "Yes" or "No," in answer to the question shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?
ART. 15. To see if the town will build a cistern on Mt. Vernon street, and also at or near the junction of Summer avenue and Walnut street, and how much money they will raise and appropriate for that purpose.
ART. 16. To see if the town will erect and main- tain street lights at the corner of Main and Locust, High and Green, Groen and Ash, Village and Green, Minot and Washington, Minot and Warren avenue, Minot and Centre avenue, Main and Avon, Mineral and Summer avenue, and also on Summer avenue at a point 250 feet south of Mineral street, and how much money they will raise and appropriate therefor.
ART. 17. To see if the town will build a new en- gine house for Eagle Engine, No. 4, and how much
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money they will raise and appropriate for the same, or what they will do in relation thereto.
ART. 18. To see if the town will purchase a new hearse and build a new hearse house, and how much money they will raise and appropriate therefor.
ART. 19. To raise money for schools.
ART. 20. To raise money for incidental school ex- penses.
ART. 21. To raise money for repair of highways and bridges.
ART. 22. To raise money for the fire department.
ART. 23. To raise money for the support of the poor.
ART. 24. To raise money for the lighting and care of street lights.
ART. 25. To raise money for the salaries of town officers, and fix the compensation of all officers and committees elected or appointed by the town.
ART. 26. To raise money for the improvement of the cemetery.
ART. 27. To raise and appropriate money for the public library.
ART. 28. To raise and appropriate money for mili- tary and state aid.
ART. 29. To raise and appropriate money for mis- cellaneous expenses.
ART. 30. To raise money for the repair and deco- ration of soldier's graves.
ART. 31. To raise money for the Old South clock.
ART. 32. To raise money to pay interest on the town debt.
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ART. 33. To raise money for the reduction of the town debt.
ART. 34. To see if the town will purchase a new flag, and see how much money they will raise and appro- priate for that purpose.
ART. 35. To see what action the town will take in regard to the payment of a note of ten thousand dollars due the Commonwealth of Massachusetts November 11th, 1881.
ART. 36. To see if the town will authorize their Treasurer to hire money, under the direction of the Selectmen, in anticipation of taxes.
ART. 37. To see what instruction the town will give the Selectmen in regard to printing the by-laws.
ART. 38. To see what action the town will take in regard to the preservation of the records and other property in the town office.
ART. 39. To see what instructions the town will give their Assessors and Collector.
ART. 40. To hear and act on a list of jurors pre- pared by the Selectmen.
ART. 41. To hear and act on the report of the Road Commissioners in relation to guide posts
ART 42. To see if the town will pay for the use of Lyceum Hall for a citizens' caucus to be held the last Saturday in March, 1882, or what they will do in regard to the same.
ART. 43. To see if the town will place flag-stones across Woburn street, from a point west of the railroad crossing to Lincoln street, and from A. W. Danforth's store, across High street, to the railroad, and how much
25
money they will raise and appropriate for that purpose.
ART. 44. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of two hundred dollars for the purpose of lowering the grade of the hill opposite the residence of J. Brooks Nichols, also the hill opposite the resi- dence of Henry S. LaClair, both on Main street.
ART. 45. To see what action the town will take concerning the laying out and building of a street across the railroad near the Reading Highland Station.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings therein, to the Town Clerk, at or be- fore the time appointed for said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-fourth day of March, A. D. 1881.
JOSEPH L. PRATT, Selectmen JAMES REID of WILLIAM J. HOLDEN, Reading.
A true copy .- Attest :
WM. L. CROWE, Constable.
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