USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1899 > Part 7
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MANUAL TRAINING.
I noticed in the last annual report of your superintendent a plea for the establishment of a course in Manual Training. I wish to emphasize all he expressed there regarding the educational value of this subject. For the higher grades a special plant is necessary to carry out the work designed to be finished at a carpenter's bench. With a splendid room available in the basement of the Highland School it seems to me that the wisest course for the committee to pursue is to make an appeal to the voters and endeavor to secure the needed funds to add this department to our school system. This work, however, does not concern simply those grades that would make use of the carpenter's bench. From the lowest primary grade through the High School there is a legitimate place for a great variety of exercises that are designed to train the hand, such as card sewing, mat weaving, paper cutting and pasting, card board cutting, whittling, bench work with wood and iron, sewing, cook- ing, and pattern cutting. The chief reason for introducing this work does not lie in the utilitarian view of specially fitting for some trade requiring this preliminary training, but in the nature of the child's mental development. By means of this work the senses are trained, thus developing the cells throughout all those portions of the brain that are exercised, specially the motor regions. This
157
means for the individual greater ease in adapting himself to different kinds of work at any time of life, and this at the same time gives a sense of independence, a confidence in one's ability to succeed in different callings if circumstances require. Again, by the develop- ment of these cells in various portions of the brain, a reserve of mental power is acquired, for by fine interlacings of nerves these cells are able to contribute their energy to other cells that are over- taxed at any time. Thus a preparation for the difficult problems of life is laid in the variety of mental activities secured by a variety of muscular activities as well as by exercises distinctly mental.
Education in general seeks two ends, viz .: knowledge and power in the individual. In the education derived mainly from books, in the past, the knowledge side was emphasized, while in those studies that require the handling of tools and the manipulation of appara- tus special effort is made to develop power.
I recommend the introduction of such work in Manual Training as shall be found consistent with substantial work in the three R's and possible with the funds available for the purpose.
MORAL TRAINING.
Thus far we have dwelt upon the physical and the intellectual phases of our school work. Our work, however, does not end with these. Our pupils are daily growing in age and in experience, and a responsibility is laid upon all who have charge of their education to provide for a right development of the higher nature, the moral and spiritual. I would not be understood as considering that this should receive attention at special times and by special means only. I believe that from all the exercises of the school an unconscious influence comes into the lives of the pupils to make or mar their future happiness according to the impression made at the time. Because of this the teacher should keep in mind constantly the moral effect of the methods followed in connection with all school work. - Does this plan lead the pupils to accurate thinking? Is
158
truthfulness inculcated by this exercise? Are the pupils led to thoughtfulness for others by this habit of moving about the room ?- These and similar questions will frequently arise in the mind of the teacher who seeks the highest good for the pupils. The work in arithmetic and language should tend to make pupils careful to tell the truth both with figures and with words. The reading lesson will often afford opportunities to bring home other qualities of heart that will ap- peal strongly to the child of tender conscience and of sympathetic nature. These things should not be neglected nor suffered to be exercised by chance, but should be eagerly taken advantage of by the teacher to develop the best qualities of heart. One helpful means to this end is the organization of a Band of Mercy in connection with the regular work of each school. Its objects are of the highest order-purity, truthfulness, politeness, reverence for old age, and kindness to the lower animals being among those which the American Humane Education Society seeks to promote through this organization, the Band of Mercy.
It was gratifying to find that the agent of the society, Mr. Adoniram Judson Leach, had organized these bands in the schools of Reading, last spring, and thus the teachers had been instructed in the use of a very effective means for guiding our youth into these higher planes of thought and action.
In the higher grades particularly the organization affords an excellent opportunity for making the pupils familiar with the duties of the various officers of the local band. By arranging a literary program from the regular work of the school, the meetings held every four or six weeks, for election of officers, may be made very interesting, and contribute much toward a training in public speak- ing and a knowledge of parliamentary practice.
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES.
It may not be known generally that the law relating to age and schooling certificates, or to the employment of children between
159
fourteen and sixteen years of age, fairly bristles with fines to secure its rigid enforcement.
The following are the fines imposed for violation of the law : $50.00 fine for the employer who employs a child under 16 years of age without the certificate, also for the person who has under his control a person of this age who shall permit such a child to enter the employment of any; from $5.00 to $20.00 a day for the em- ployer who continues the service of any child contrary to law, after being notified by a truant officer or factory inspector; $10.00 for the employer who shall withhold from the child the certificate after the child has left his service, or in case the certificate is not claimed, shall fail to return the same to the superintendent of schools ; a fine not to exceed $50.00 for the person authorized to sign the certifi- cate, who shall certify to any materially false statement.
The employment ticket stating that the signer intends to employ must be presented before the certificate is signed by the superin- tendent.
The child and one parent or guardian must both appear in order to secure the certificate.
The employment ticket may be obtained at the office from the principal or from the janitor any school day.
The Superintendent will be at the office from 5 to 5.30 p. m., and later if notified, on Tuesday and Friday of each school week. For vacation weeks a special appointment may be made without dif- ficulty by addressing a postal card to the Superintendent of Schools.
REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
From the experience of the past we learn how important it is to heed the regulations relating to the observance of quarantine in case of contagious diseases.
Pupils who have been kept from school because of contagious disease will not be allowed to return to school or to ride in the barge until they show the permit of the Board of Health or of the attending physician.
160
SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOLS.
Statistics show that the tax rate for school purposes in Reading is the average rate throughout the county, while the efficiency of your schools is above the average, a fact that speaks well for the administration of school affairs in the past. If the efficiency of the schools shall be increased, if the commercial course in the High School and Manual Training in the grades are to become realized, a larger appropriation will be necessary. Our schools must move forward and take on those characteristics which mark the most progressive schools in the State, and when this is possible with so slight an increase of the tax for school purposes, I feel sure this people will gladly vote to sustain their committee in everything that shall increase the efficiency of the schools.
I wish to call the attention of the committee to one item of the statistics submitted :
A comparison of the number under " average membership " in this report with that of '98, shows a gain of 71 pupils, 26 of whom are found in the enrollment of the High School, leaving 45 for the new room, which was opened in October.
The reports of the special teachers and of the principal of the High School contain recommendations which, if followed, will greatly improve the work.
I think you will all concur with me in the opinion that the efficiency of these teachers in their respective lines of work entitles their suggestions to a careful consideration.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the support given me by the committee, and of the whole-hearted manner shown by the teachers in taking up the work of the year under new conditions.
Respectfully submitted,
MELVILLE A. STONE.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
To the Superintendent:
The report of the High School for the year ending December 22, 1899, is respectfully presented.
The number of pupils not enrolled in any other school during- the year has been 143; the per cent. of attendance, 96; the num- ber of pupils admitted from the grammar grade, 52; from other- schools, 3. These and other items of interest are given in the list; of high school statistics, to which your attention is directed.
Last June a class of twenty-four was graduated; seven of this number have entered higher institutions of learning.
The pupils have manifested a commendable degree of interest in their studies and have co-operated with the teachers to make- school work pleasant and profitable.
The subjects to be taught have been assigned largely in ac -. cordance with the departmental plan. The specialization of our. work is essential in order to secure the best results."
The different departments of instruction and their aims have. been outlined in previous reports. It has been my constant effort as well as that of my associate teachers to maintain in the school a high standard of excellence both in scholarship and in conduct. The special reports of the supervisors of Drawing and of Music make it necessary for me only to make mention of the excellent re- sults attained in these branches of study.
I wish in this report to refer more especially to the relation of the high school to the lower grades, to the desirability of the intro- duction into our school of a full commercial course, and of the fur-
162
ther modification of our course of study so as to meet more fully the individual needs of our pupils.
The difficulties which all our pupils have felt in the period of transition from the grammar grade to the high, have been lessened by the introduction into the grammar grades of studies formerly begun only in the high school. Logically continuous and progres- sive courses of study in English, Mathematics, and Science, in the grammar grades, will enable, as Secretary Hill has suggested, the high school to fit "with increasing closeness into the general system."
In my last report I recommended the establishment in our school of a commercial course. I am pleased to note that action fa- vorable to such a proposition has been taken by the committee. A commercial course will, I believe, increase the usefulness of the school to the community. A good education in English with a knowledge of one or more of the commercial branches will very greatly assist any young man or young woman in the "struggle for bread and butter." In addition to the pupils of the entering class who are studying book-keeping, twenty in the upper classes have expressed a desire to pursue one or more of the commercial studies.
In my judgment, our school should offer a course of two years' work in Book-keeping, one year's in Business Arithmetic and Cor- respondence, two years' in Stenography, one year's in Typewriting and one in Commercial Law and Commercial Geography.
I desire also, at this time, to ask your consideration of the ad- visability of further modifying our course of study so as to offer a wider range of choice to differ tastes and capacities. At present we have four parallel courses of study, any one of which the pupils may elect. I would recommend a course of study which should offer a carefully determined minimum of required studies for all pupils, with electives from a supplementary list. Such a plan would not ignore the worth and the necessity of both knowledge and disci- pline, but would duly subordinate these essentials to the pupil's ca-
163
pacity to receive them. Accordingly, in pursuance of this object, I will submit, in the near future, a course of study similar to those recently adopted in several of the high schools of this State.
In concluding .this report, I desire to express my appreciation of the cordial support which the school has received from those offiially interested in its welfare; also, from the parents of the pu- pils, and our citizens, through whose liberality the school is main- tained.
F. E. WHITTEMORE,
Principal.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
To the Superintendent:
Great progress has been made by the youngest pupils this year, through the use of colored crayons. These have proved to be a simple, practical medium and have produced satisfactory re- sults. Color has been such a pleasure and inspiration to the chil- dren, that the effort to represent an object has become easy and unconscious. Some very interesting drawings of flowers, berries, pottery and even pose drawings from life have been made with de- lightful freedom. Increased facility with the brush has been devel- oped in the grammar grades, and a sustained interest and earnest effort has been manifested in the High School throughout the year.
I gladly acknowledge the hearty co-operation of all the teach- ers. Their conscientious effort to carry out suggestions, and to supplement them by correlating drawing with other studies is much appreciated, as is also their faithful attendance at teachers' meet- ings.
Our exhibition of school work which has been held bi-annually for eight years, occurred this year, and was attended as usual, by a large numbergof interested and appreciative friends.
From this exhibit a small number of mounts, illustrating the course pursued in the different grades, was prepared for the State Exhibition of Drawing. These were all accepted and several re- tained to form a part of the Massachusetts exhibit at Paris, in 1900.
The study of pictures has been conducted in a more systematic way this year. Two artists have been assigned to each of the up-
165
per grades, that there may be no repetition in the study, and that the choice of subjects may be suited to the age of the pupils. Some artists whose works have been considered are Landseer, Le Rolle, Bonheur, Reynolds, Millet, Boughton, Rubens, Hofmann, Raphael and Tadema.
Respectfully submitted, ANNIE B. PARKER, Supervisor of Drawing.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. M. A. Stone, Supt. of Schools, Reading, Mass .:
During the year past, I have followed much the same line of teaching music as reported in previous years. There is a steady growth in the power to read music intelligently. Quality of tone, rhythm, and intervals, are constantly taught and reviewed, keeping in mind the mental activity of the children.
Besides this we seek to develop the true musical taste and feeling. The children are also being trained to follow the director, and this power they will find of value to them later in life.
The most important musical event of the year was the enter- tainment given by the pupils of the Highland School in the Old South Church, in celebration of Dewey Day. The special object being to raise funds for a piano for the new building. About three hundred and fifty children took part in singing the patriotic songs of the different nations, including England, France, Russia, Ger- many, Scotland, Ireland, and America. With the gay costumes and many colored flags it was a picture worthy of note, and the singing was justly commendable.
It has never been my pleasure to conduct such a responsive and willing chorus, and the large audience present showed their appreciation in such a way that several encores were necessary. The chorus was assisted by Miss Ruby Cutter, soprano; Miss Mary Pratt, pianist; Mr. Edward Bancroft, baritone; Mr. Arthur Austin, tenor; Mr. Harry Wells, violinist; Miss Charlotte Parker and Mrs. W. H. Kingman, accompanists.
The sum realized by sale of tickets for this concert was over
167
three hundred dollars, and this amount with the assistance from the school committee, and a few friends, has enabled the school to possess a new Miller Ideal Grand piano, which is enjoyed by the whole school.
In order that the pupils in the upper grades may become better acquainted with the life and works of the Great Masters of music, I have suggested that Mr. Louis G. Elson's book on modern com- posers be read to the children.
The High School singing at graduation was worthy of mention, it being the best since my being in Reading. This was in a great measure due to the genuine interest and work during the year.
A selected chorus of children from the Highland School sang for the Grand Army Post on Memorial day, in an acceptable way.
Without the hearty support of the committee, and the earnest work of the teachers, the good work in music could not be done, and I wish to thank all for their help.
F. W. ARCHIBALD,
Supervisor of Music.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICERS.
To the School Committee of the Town of Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen:
Your truant officers respectfully submit their annual report.
Whole number of absentees reported 13
Those reported more than once 5
Found to be cases of truancy . 7
Detained at home by parents . 5
Not found
1
Found to be insufficiently clothed
3
Respectfully submitted, FREDERIC D. MERRILL, ARTHUR E. DAVIS,
Truant Officers.
JANITORS.
NAME.
SCHOOLS. SALARY.
D. C. Sanborn,
High, Union St., John St. $440
Clement Gleason,
Highland
700
Timothy Cummings,
Prospect St.
120
Charles F. Bessom,
Lowell St.
50
O. H. Brown,
Chestnut Hill 80
Samuel E. Killam,
Main St. 40
GRADUATING EXERCISES,
CLASS OF 1899,
READING HIGH SCHOOL,
Old South M. E. Church,
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 21.
170
PROGRAMME. IL VAINC QUI SE VAINC.
PRAYER, .
.
.
REV. JOSEPH CANDLIN.
SINGING, The Voyagers
SALUTATORY AND ESSAY, The Last Gladiatorial Combat
MARY HATTIE BARR.
THEORIES OF OUR GOVERNMENT,
CARL MASON SPENCER.
SINGING, The Madrigal
THOREAU'S EXPERIMENT AT WALDEN,
BERTILA FAY DRAKE.
THE UNIVERSAL PEACE IMPULSE,
ROBERT ARTHUR JEWETT.
SINGING, CLASS PROPHECY,
The Pilgrim Fathers
MUSIC,
EDNA MARION BANCROFT. . Selected AMORITA CLUB.
TERRITORIAL GROWTH OF THE UNITED STATES,
FRED MILTON COOK.
CHARACTER REVEALED,
FANNIE AMANDA TAYLOR.
SINGING, VALEDICTORY ESSAY, Rappacini's Daughter
The Rhine-Raft Song
LENA BANCROFT NICHOLS.
171
VALEDICTORY,
GRACE BANCROFT NICHOLS.
SINGING,
The Gallant Troubadour
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS,
MR. WALTER S. PARKER.
NAMES OF GRADUATES.
ENGLISH COURSE.
Charles Burroughs Bowman,
John Edward Connelly,
Fred Milton Cook,
Robert Albion Carter,
Annie Lowry Phillips. Margaret Flint, Ethel Damon Gleason, Winthrop Ernest Pratt,
LATIN-SCIENTIFIC COURSE.
Edna Marion Bancroft,
Blanche Lillian Kingman,
Mabel Elizabeth Bancroft,
Louise Kittredge,
Mary Hattie Barr,
Grace Bancroft Nichols,
Bertha Fay Drake,
Lena Bancroft Nichols,
Sadie Veronica Foley,
Alyce Mae Haley,
Grace Eugenia Sanborn, Carl Mason Spencer,
Fannie Amanda Taylor.
INSTITUTE COURSE.
Allan Hanscomb Barrows, Robert Arthur Jewett, Harold Viall Palmer.
172
GRADUATES FROM GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Abbott, Ruby H.
Meuse, Florence M.
Alger, Gertrude W.
Miller, Fred H.
Amsden, Lilian K.
Miller, W. E. Erskine
Bailey, Edward S.
Morrison, W. Homer
Bancroft, Frank B.
Nason, Arthur O.
Bell, Elizabeth J.
Nichols, Chester W.
Bickford, Frank C.
Parker, Bessie M.
Boyd, Emma J.
Poock, Charles A.
Brooks, Mabel D.
Pratt, Elsie M.
Bruorton, Elinor E.
Putnam, Alice M.
Canty, Margaret
Putnam, Inez E.
Chase, Lucius W.
Ramsay, Flora M.
Clement, Ralph B.
Riddell, E. Arthur
Crafts, Lawrence H.
Roberts, Helen A.
Damon, Maude C.
Day, Fred M.
Robinson, Sadie A. Rollins, Mildred M. Rogers, Bessie V.
Dodge. Walter E.
Downes, Leon B.
Sherman, Charlotte E.
Eaton, Elsie F.
Skillen, Hattie F.
Eaton, Wilfred P.
Smith, Ermina J.
Emerson, Helen A.
Smith, Harry E.
Emerson, Eva A.
Soper, Leona
Gay, William H.
Spencer, Herbert O.
Granger, Clover
Stimpson, George
Harkness, Florence C.
Turner, Ethelind W.
Hill, Charles H.
Walsh, Richard J.
Hodson, Robert H.
Wall, T. Edward
Horrocks, Flora B.
Weston, Philip S.
Howard, Ethel H.
Whall, Thomas J.
Hutchins, Frank C.
Webb, Frank
Killam, Edith A.
Willis, Lizzie
Livingston, Arthur
Vanhon, G. Thomas
173
STATISTICS TAKEN FROM REPORT TO THE STATE BOARD IN APRIL, 1899, AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST.
NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN TOWN BETWEEN 5 AND 15 YEARS.
School census of May, 1890
611
66 1891
629
66 1892
666
66
"
1893
692
66
66 1894
771
66 66 66
1895
804
66
44
1896
794
66
66
1897
1898
845
" Sept., 1899
832
Number between 7 and 14 years Sept., 1899
648
Length of school year
. 40 weeks
Days lost-stormy weather, holidays, etc.
11
Actual length of school year
. 37.8 wks.
1896
1897
1898
1899
Total enrollment from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31
929
1018
981
1093
Total enrollment in May .
799
843
829
882
Total enrollment in October
848
895
864 946
Average number belonging in May .
780.3
822.9
807 861.6
Average number belonging in October
815.7
841.7 850.6 909.5
Average number belonging in year .
782.5
851.2 833.8 852.8
Average daily attendance for the year
733.6
802.2 789.3 807.6
Per cent. of attendance for the year .
93.7
94.2
93.8 94.7
Average number in each of the eight grades.
I II
III
IV
V
VI VII VIII
120
103
102
85
108
72
93
67
Number of books belonging to the town 8,597
864
174
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898
1899
Whole No. of pupils during year
138 158 156 171 183 187 195
Largest No. at one time
118 124 126 142 138 140
149
Number admitted during year
40
50
44
55
42
66
55
66
from other schools
4
6
5
5
6
6
3
66
graduated
.
7
20
11
15
18
15
24
of post graduates
0
3
1
1
1
1
5
unclassified .
3
2
7
1
1
66 enrolled December, 1899
108 114 118 139 122 140 147
44
of boys
41
44
41
58
53
60
61
67
70
77
91
69
80
86
in English Course
45
39
22
34
50
53
71
in Latin-English Course
46
52
70
81
63
79
63
יי
in College Preparatory .
14
15
21
18
5
5
יי
in Institute
4
8
5
6
2
3
3
in first class when it en- tered the school
49
49
52
58
44
63
58
66
in first class, December .
45
49
46
56
40
66
56
in second class when it entered the school
42
49
49
52
58
44
63
in second class, December
27
25
34
35
32
23
46
in third class when it en- tered the school
28
42
49
49
52
58
44
66
in third class, December
16
25
19
28
28
24
17
66
in fourth class when it entered the school
37
28
42
49
49
52
58
in fourth class, December
20
12
15
18
15
25
23
60
52
from Grammar School
36
44
39
50
36
66
of girls
TEACHERS IN SERVICE, WHERE EDUCATED, AND YEAR WHEN FIRST APPOINTED.
ALSO ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE FOR THE TERM ENDING DEC. 22, 1899.
School
Grade
Teacher
Where Educated
Year Appointed
Salary
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent. of
Attendance
of Tardines
Number neither
Absent nor Tardy
High
XII
F. E. Whittemore, Principal
Brown University
1891 $1,700
151
147
142
96.6
17
65
XI
Christine M. Scott
Salem Normal
1895
800
X
Sarah T. Kurt
Wesleyan University
1897
750
Wellesley College
1897
700
1899
600
Highland 66
VILI
Alice Barrows, Principal
Bridgewater Normal
1880
850
37
34
33
97.1
7
12
VIII
Grace M. Dennison
Wellesley College
1898
600
35
34
32
94.1
9
7
VII
Frances M. Wilson
Salem Normal
1885
500
49
45
43
95.5
4
16
VII
Emina S. Page
N. H. State Normal
1899
500
47
47
44
93.6
15
8
.
VI
Mary W. Baker
Salem Normal
1899
400
59
43
41
95.3
43
6
VI-V
Mary A. Perkins
Bridgewater Normal
1899
450
38
37
97.4
9
7
V
Florence E. Hunter
Castleton Normal
1898
450
53
48
43
89.2
30
5
V-IV
Mary E. Barnes
Boston English High
1899
400
50
45
42
93.3
15
4
66
IV
Helen A. Parker
Reading High
1898
375
51
42
40
95.2
34
6
Union St.
III
Laura C. Pollard
Salem Normal
1899
450
48
49
47
95.9
7
10
III-II
M. Grace Wakefield
Salem Normal
1890
400
49
46
43
95.7
13
5
II-I
Annie P. Reid
Reading High
1884
400
50
47
43
91.5
14
8
1
Myra K. Parker
Reading High
1898
375
40
37
35
94.6
42
2
Chelsea High
1897
450
40
36
33
91.7
17
0
Woburn Training
1899
400
31
29
28
96.5
28
3
III- II-1
Quincy Training
1896
400
30
26
25
96.1
45
6
Prospect St.
IV-III
A. Gertrude Demsey
Salem Normal
1892
450
37
33
32
96.9
6
4
II-I
Alice G. Haskell
Kindergarten Training
1899
400
44
40
36
90.
.24
1
Lowell St.
III-II-I
C'ora J. Jaquith
Salem Normal
1898
350
30
26
25
96.1
16
4
Main St.
VI-I
Alice M. Day
Townsend High
1807
350
14
11
10
90.9
0
4
Supervisor
Annie B. Parker
Prang's Normal
1892
400
945
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