USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1906 > Part 8
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The savings due to the use of the clay treatment at least bal- ances the cost of investment and makes the required expenditure a judicious one and to the advantage of the Town of Reading.
TIME FOR BEGINNING WORK
Not only would I recommend that the above work be carried out, but that it be done as soon as possible, so that the new plant may be ready for the water of the dry summer season, which cannot be satisfactorily clarified by means of the present plant.
Respectfully presented,
ROBERT SPURR WESTON.
1
Proposed Filters Reading Water Works. January, 1907.
Present
Proposed Flow Line
Operating Floor.
Coagulating
Present Flow Linea
(10" Inlet.
11/101
"0-12" Waste.
do" Wash.
C
Pump
Suction
Filter Outlet
Ejector
Suction
Clear Water Basin
Section on X Y
Basins.
Sand Im
P
Drain to River
From Stand-Pipe
7
- Hydraulic-Valve.
--- Inlet
-Temporary Connection.
X Ejector
A
4
Waste 3
Present
Coagulating
10:8'
B.
.
2.
Inlet
1/2"
-
C.
3
6
Y.
X
+ Controller.
Pump
Suction
Proposed Filters Reading Water Works. January, 1907.
Notes :- Area Each Bed = 181Sq.Ft. Combined Area = 544 Sq. Ft. Capacity per min. = 1088 Gal. Capacity per 24 hrs .= /2 MGal.
Basins.
17'-0"
8" Wash
5
1
THE HIGH SCHOOL
I
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING
1
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1906
School Committee
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman, Walnut St., Term expires 1908 *GILMAN L. PARKER, Washington St., 1909
*HORACE G. WADLIN, Woburn St., 66 1908
J. H. ROBINSON, High St., 1909
MRS. MARY L. NESMITH, Main St.,
1907
HENRY C. PARKER, Chute St.,
66 1907
Superintendent of Schools and Sec'y of School Committee MELVILLE A. STONE
Truant Officer A. A. SMITH
*Resignation received by School Committee Feb. 8, 1907
1
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman MELVILLE A. STONE, Secretary
SUB-COMMITTEES
Finances and Accounts
G. L. Parker
J. H. Robinson
W. S. Parker
Books and Supplies
Mrs. Nesmith
H. G. Wadlin
School Houses and Property G. L. Parker
J. H. Robinson
H. C. Parker
Rules and Regulations J. H. Robinson
H. G. Wadlin
Teachers and Salaries
W. S. Parker
G. L. Parker
Mrs. Nesmith
H. C. Parker
Mrs. Nesmith
H. G. Wadlin
Music and Drawing
Course of Study
W. S. Parker Mrs. Nesmith
GIRLS ENTEANCE
BOYS' ENTRANCE
AIR CHAMBER
VESTIBULE
AIR CHAMBER
BICYCLE ROOM
GIRLS' LOCKER RM.
GYMNASIUM
UP
LOBBY
LAVATORY
LAVATORY
LOBBY
DOWN
DOWN
LIFT
b
DOWN!
SHOWER BATH
LUNCH
ROOM
KITCHEN
BOILER
COAL STORAGE
BOYS' LOCKER RM.
ROOM-
AIR DUCT COVER
AIR CHAMBER.
AIR CHAMBER
DUCT"1 OVER
UP
UNPACKING ROOM
H
BASEMENT PLAN
VESTIBULE
UP
-
WOMEN TEACHERS
RECEPTION ROOM
PRINCIPAL
CLASS ROOM
Up
DOWN
LOCKERS
01
BOOK
SUPT. OF SCHOOLS
CORRIDOR,
ROOM
LIFT
-
CLASS ROOM
LIBRARY
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
Un
VESTIBULE.
DOWN TO DASLEMENT.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING READING, MASS. ADDEN K- PARKER, ARCH'TS. BOSTON,
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
INDICATES TEACHER'S DESK. INDICATES DIRECTION PUPILS YACE
CLASS ROOM
DOWN
-
-
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
DOWN
DOWN
ASSEMBLY HALL
F
RECITATION ROOM
LOBBY
LOBBY
RECITATION ROOM
LIFT
X
-
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
ANTE ROOM
STAGE
ANTE ROOM
0
0
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
UP
COMMERCIAL ROOM
TYPEWRITING RM.
WORK HRM.
PHYSICAL LABORATORY
ICEILING LIGHT 1
CEILING LIGHT
,
DOWN
DOWN
LOBBY
DOWN
CORRIDOR CEILING LIGHT ! -
DOWN IST
LOBBY
- - - 4
LIFT
CHEMICAL LABORATORY
CLos.
1
CEILING LIGHT |
O
1
APPARATUS
DRAWING ROOM
RECITATION ROOM
ROOM
SUPPLY ROOM
SUB MASTER
WORK ROOM.
THIRD FLOOR PLAN
-
T
1
DARK PM.
1
.- +
-
-
BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
+-
1
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
The first definite movement toward the erection of a new High School building was begun March 7th, 1904, when the Town voted to accept the generous offer of Miss Adelaide Sheak, and authorized the purchase of her property upon Linden and Sanborn streets for the sum of $8,000.
A special meeting of the Town held January 30th, 1905, appointed a committee consisting of the School Committee with Henry R. Johnson, Charles A. Loring and Albert J. Francis, and authorized it to procure plans and estimates for a new High School building, appropriating the sum of $1,500 to defray the expense. It was the expressed desire of the meeting that plans should be solicited from Willard P. Adden and Winthrop D. Parker, archi- tects, and residents of our Town, and if they should present plans meeting the requirements of the Committee that they be selected as architects for the building ; otherwise competitive plans should be secured.
The Committee immediately communicated with Messrs. Adden & Parker, satisfactory arrangements were made for preliminary sketches and estimates, a schedule of requirements was formulated, and the architects began their problem of designing a building to meet the requirements of a modern high school, moderate in cost but such as should be an honor and credit to the Town. And here the members of the Committee desire to express their appreciation of the personal interest, the zeal, and the patience with which the architects wrought to a final solution their problem, receiving with never failing courtesy and adopting many suggestions made by the Superintendent, the teachers and the members of the Building Committee. We congratulate them upon the result of their work. The building will long remain a conspicuous mark of their skill as
162
architects and of the liberality of the citizens of Reading in provid- ing for the education of its inhabitants.
While the preliminary plans were being made, the Committee visited many of the recently constructed high school buildings, carefully studying them, receiving many valuable suggestions from the experience of others.
The report of the Committee was presented to the Town at a special town meeting held June 28th, 1905.
By a unanimous vote the School Committee, together with Henry R. Johnson, Charles A. Loring and Albert J. Francis, were made a Building Committee with full power to act for the Town in the erection of a High School building in accordance with the plans prepared by Messrs. Adden & Parker, and the sum of $85,000 was appropriated for the purpose. July 2nd, 1906, an additional appropriation of $6000 was voted.
The building is designed to accommodate four hundred and fifty pupils ; the following description was prepared by the archi- tects, Messrs. Adden & Parker, for publication in the Reading Chronicle :
A WORD FROM THE ARCHITECTS
The problem of location of the building, always difficult, was made doubly so in this case by the slope of the lot in relation to streets and the points of the compass. To face the building on either street would have made a structure low at one end and high at the other, resulting in a very awkward facade. The question was not decided, however, from the point of view of looks alone, but after considering various schemes for a plan, as well. This point being decided, that of settling upon the final plan was taken up.
Here two things had to be kept in mind: the conditions pre- sented by the Committee, and the amount of money voted by the Town. After working out three variations of the same scheme, the second one was chosen as combining the imposed conditions con- densed to the most practicable limit. This plan is that of the building as constructed. And it will be seen that the sloping lot is
163
of great advantage as it permits the students to pass directly from the south yard level to their dressing rooms, whence they go to the floors above by the main staircases - a more direct arrangement. than is usually possible.
The scheme of the building as a whole is as follows :
From the south yard, opening upon separate approaches, are the students' entrances to the basement ; one at the east side for the girls and one at the west side for the boys. In addition to these there is an entrance for bicycles at the extreme west end of the south front, and under the front porch a door to the unpacking room, where all express matter et cetera is to be received. Coal is to be taken in by way of the main drive and ashes removed by the one at the east side, the apparent prominence being explained by the fact that all sides of the building are equally important and exposed.
The boys' and girls' dressing rooms and lavatories are located at the extreme opposite ends of the basement and near their respective out door entrances, the boys' room having a shower bath in connection. Off the lobby on the west side of the building is also a well for a booklift running to all floors.
-
In the centre of the basement between the boys' and girls rooms are the gymnasium and lunch room, the latter being provided with an alcove which is fitted up as a kitchen. A high gymnasium is provided by dropping the floor 4 ft. 6 in. below that of the sur- rounding rooms, the latter serving as galleries in connection with the gymnasium. The boiler and coal rooms are located in the northeast corner of the basement and are both excavated the same depth as the gymnasium. Two sixty horse-power boilers supply heat for the building, which is heated and ventilated by the so- called " gravity system." And the school is also provided with a complete system of telephones and fire alarms.
Directly opposite the main entrance on the first floor are the reception room and administrative offices. At the left of the en- trance, on the main corridor, is the library, the remainder of the
164
floor being taken up with five class-rooms, an office for the Super- intendent of Schools, and a large room for the storage of books.
The second story is given up to the assembly hall, occupying the entire central portion of the building, and seating about five hundred, four class-rooms, and two emergency toilet rooms.
The third story is devoted to the sciences and commercial work, with a large room for drawing.
The limited amount of money at command relative to the size of the undertaking was felt as a handicap on the exterior of the building more than elsewhere and the sole aim here has been to produce a simple and dignified result. To this end brick, lime- stone, terra cotta and wood have been combined, the last two being used more freely than we would have chosen if more money had been available. The red "water struck" brick was used from preference as well as from motives of economy, a substantial saving being effected by its use. It will, perhaps, be of interest to know that the sentiment " For the Benefit of All" on one of the tablets at the side of the main entrance was selected by the Committee from the old legislative act establishing high schools.
In the completed structure the townspeople have a building which could not be duplicated today for a sum largely in excess of what it has cost.
This result and whatever of success has been attained in the solution of the problem have been due in no small degree to the attitude and co-operation of the Building Committee, the Principal, Mr. Watkins, and the Supt. of Schools, Mr. Stone. It is also with much appreciation on our own part that we mention the ability with which Mr. Cummings has carried out his obligations, and the sense of duty manifested in connection with the same during most trying conditions.
Very truly yours,
ADDEN & PARKER.
September 6, 1906.
165
The contract for constructing the building, including the heating, plumbing, wiring, telephone system, clocks and bells was awarded to the H. P. Cummings Co., who were the lowest bidders.
Excavation for the foundation was begun Aug. 14th, 1905. The first brick was laid Oct. 16th. No corner-stone was laid, but a metallic box was placed in the masonry containing documents, papers and pictures which will some day without doubt be of interest to the future citizens of the Town.
The building was completed Sept. 14th, 1906, and the following day was opened for inspection by the public. The expressions of pleasure and commendation from our own citizens, and many others whose judgment is especially valuable because actively engaged in school work, lead the Committee to believe that their purpose to secure for the Town one of the best arranged and equipped high school buildings for the money expended, has been satisfactorily accomplished. The following from Dr. A. E. Win- ship, editor of the Journal of Education, is typical of the many expressions received :
"The new High School house is one of the best, and one of the best equipped and appointed in the state. Indeed, I know of none better for the size and wealth of the Town in the country. The money has gone for the latest and best for school purposes, rather than for ornamentation. It is as valuable for its purposes as some High School buildings that have cost $50,000 more."
The Committee presents the following financial statement. A more complete account may be found in the High School building account in the Town Report.
STATEMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING ACCOUNT
Original appropriation
$85,000 00
Additional appropriation
6,000 00
Cash from sale of fence
9 80
Cash from material sold
17 45
Amount from interest
accrued on High
School loan
200 28
Amount due from material sold
325 85
$91,553 38
166
H. P. Cummings Co., contract . $77,836 00
H. P. Cummings Co., extras not included in contract 1,231 07
H. P. Cummings Co., blasting not included in contract 2,699 70
Total H. P. Cummings Co., cont. and extras $81,766 77 Adden & Parker, architects 3,950 17
Allen Shade Holder Co., window shades 332 83
Furniture 2,997 74
David R. Craig, electric light fixtures 506 55
Grading, including shrubs 1,253 80
Miscellaneous account 1,024 79
Fuel 426 33
Removal of material from excavation 463 99
$92,722 97
Amount overdrawn $1,169 59
All bills included in the above statement are paid with the exception of a balance due the H. P. Cummings Co., amounting to $5,358.57. Owing to the failure of the H. P. Cummings Co., liens amounting to $4,757.87 have been filed against the Town; the validity of these claims is disputed by the receiver of the H. P. Cummings Co. and therefore now remain unpaid. As soon as it shall be finally determined to whom the money should be paid these claims will be liquidated.
The expenditure in excess of the appropriations is due largely to the grading and planting of the grounds, together with certain other expenditures not contemplated nor provided for in the original appropriations, the following being some of the larger items : Legal advice $170 00
Expense connected with printing and issue of bonds 200 00
Covering certain steam pipes with asbestos, applied by
the contractor by mistake but allowed to remain Extra plumbing not provided for in the contract 217 00
113 00
$700 00
167
An appropriation should be made at the annual Town meeting to provide for the amount overdrawn.
The members of the Committee express their sincere thanks to all who in any way have assisted them in their work. Especially valuable have been the suggestions of Mr. M. A. Stone, Superin- tendent of Schools, Principal Harry T. Watkins, and other teachers connected with the High School. The Committee desires also to express, both for itself and for the citizens of the Town, grateful appreciation to Mr. J. Woodward Manning, whose personal services in landscape effects have been rendered without cost to the Town.
WALTER S. PARKER, HORACE G. WADLIN, HENRY R. JOHNSON, MARY L. NESMITH, HENRY C. PARKER, CHARLES A. LORING, ALBERT J. FRANCIS, JOHN H. ROBINSON, GILMAN L. PARKER, Committee on New High School Building.
READING, FEB. 6, 1907.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee of Reading submits the following report :
The past year has been an eventful one in the educational history of the Town. It is almost true to affirm that the new High School has been erected and completed during the year. We desire to express to the citizens our hearty appreciation for the cordial and emphatic manner in which they have expressed them- selves concerning the building of the High School whenever the subject, per se, has been presented to them for a pronounced opinion. .
It is within the bounds of truth to say that Reading has ever been true to the higher educational interests of her children. The percentage of pupils in the schools to the number of inhabitants is large, and the percentage of pupils in the High School is very large, being one of the highest in the State, showing conclusively that our citizens make large use of the educational privileges of the Town.
Our present new High School building, with its splendid equipment and picturesque situation, is but another expression of the Town's devotion to the cause of education. Education considered in its broadest and best sense, is of the highest impor- tance to all,-an education that appeals to the heart and soul, the mind and intellect, and the physical nature, leading to good health of body, mind and soul. What can be of greater importance !
We would in this connection suggest that in order to make the most possible use of our new building with its modern appliances, we must not forget that building, apparatus, books and even excellent teachers in addition, cannot make a good school; this can exist only when and where the pupils are willing to do the
RECEPTION ROOM AND PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
169
necessary amount of hard work. In fact, it is but a truism to assert that nothing worth while can be accomplished, nothing of enduring good to the individual can come except by struggle and perseverence, self denial and sacrifice. A perfect character, which is the end of all education and in fact the end of all life, must be. attained by persistent effort of heart, mind and body.
We earnestly desire to make our schools better and better, more efficient in building stronger boys and girls, possessing keener minds, healthier bodies and higher moral characters. While we firmly believe that our children will compare favorably with those in other places in like conditions, yet we cannot state our desire too strongly for better results and a higher development.
We, therefore, solicit the hearty cooperation of all parents to the end that the educational training which the pupils receive at our hands will not result in disappointment and failure, but will show its fruitage in a life of never ending usefulness and efficiency.
MEDICAL INSPECTION
The Legislature of 1906 passed the following bill providing for medical inspection of all public school pupils by regular physicians and for eye and ear tests by the teachers. The physicians have been appointed and the teachers are making the tests at the present time.
The act is as follows :
ACTS OF 1906, CHAPTER 502
An Act relative to the Appointment of School Physicians.
Section 1. The school committee of every city and town in the Com- monwealth shall appoint one or more school physicians, shall assign one to each public school within its city or town, and shall provide them with all proper facilities for the performance of their duties as prescribed in this act: provided, however, that in cities wherein the board of health is already maintaining or shall hereafter maintain substantially such medical inspection as this act requires the board of health shall appoint and assign the school physician.
Section 2. Every school physician shall make a prompt examination and diagnosis of all children referred to him, as hereinafter provided, and
170
such further examination of teachers, janitors and school buildings as in his opinion the protection of the health of the pupils may require.
Section 3. The school committee shall cause to be referred to a school physician for examination and diagnosis every child returning to school without a certificate from the board of health after absence on account of illness or from unknown cause; and every child in the schools under its jurisdiction who shows signs of being in ill health or of suffering from infectious or contagious disease, unless he is at once excluded from school by the teacher; except that in the case of schools in remote and isolated situations the school committee may make such other arrange- ments as may best carry out the purposes of this act.
Section 4. The school committee shall cause notice of the disease or defects, if any, from which any child is found to be suffering to be sent to his parent or guardian. Whenever a child shows symptoms of small- pox, scarlet fever, measles, chicken pox, tuberculosis, diphtheria or influenza, tonsilitis, whooping cough, mumps, scabies or trachoma, he shall be sent home immediately, or as soon as safe and proper conveyance can be found, and the board of health shall at once be notified.
Section 5. The school committee of every city and town shall cause every child in the public schools to be separately and carefully tested and examined at least once in every school year, to ascertain whether he is suffering from defective sight or hearing or from any other disability or defect tending to prevent his receiving the full benefit of his school work or requiring a modification of the school work in order to prevent injury to the child or to secure the best educational results. The tests of sight and hearing shall be made by the teachers. The committee shall cause notice of any defect or disability requiring treatment to be sent to the parent or guardian of the child, and shall require a physical record of each child to be kept in such form as the state board of education shall prescribe.
Section 6. The state board of health shall prescribe the directions for tests of sight and hearing and the state board of education shall, after consultation with the state board of health, prescribe and furnish to school committees suitable rules of instruction, test cards, blanks, record books and other useful appliances for carrying out the purposes of this act, and shall provide for pupils in the normal schools instruction and practice in the best methods of testing the sight and hearing of children. The state board of education may expend during the year nineteen hun- dred and six a sum not greater than fifteen hundred dollars and annually thereafter a sum not greater than five hundred dollars for the purpose of supplying the material required by this act.
Section 7. The expense which a city or town may incur by virtue of
.
171
the authority herein vested in the school committee or board of health, as the case may be, shall not exceed the amount appropriated for that purpose in cities by the city council and in towns by a town meeting. The appropriation shall precede any expenditure or any indebtedness which may be incurred under this act, and the sum appropriated shall be deemed a sufficient appropriation in the municipality where it is made. Such appropriation need not specify to what section of the act it shall apply and may be voted as a total appropriation to be applied in carrying out the purposes of the act.
Section 8. This act shall take effect on the first day of September, in the year nineteen hundred and six .- Approved June 20, 1906.
This act of the legislature shows progress in the direction of better care and watchfulness on the part of teachers and all con- cerned for the physical welfare of the children, and emphasizes the idea of which we are all well aware, but which is often forgotten in daily practice, that good physical health is the basis of clear thinking and sound living. The law states explicitly that every child shall be "tested and examined at least once in every school year, to ascertain whether he is suffering from defective sight or hearing or from any other disability or defect tending to prevent his receiving the full benefit of his school work or requiring a modification of the school work in order to prevent injury to the child or to secure the best educational results." The state by this law recognizes that the school is for the child, not the child for the school.
Permit us to call your attention to the carefully prepared report of the Secretary of the High School Building Committee for a correct survey of the work of that Committee in connection with the completion of the building.
At the beginning of the present year, the Committee joined with Merrimac and Topsfield in a Superintendents' Union making the expense to Reading of $900 for supervision by the Superinten- dent, besides having the advantages of his residence in town, enabling us thereby to call upon him at any time for work and conference.
172
VACANCIES
The terms of Mary L. Nesmith and Henry C. Parker expire at the ensuing town meeting, and as our report goes to press the resignation of Gilman L. Parker and of Horace G. Wadlin have been received, thus making it necessary to fill four vacancies at the Town meeting in March. As the Town will lose the services of three members of the present board, it will not be inappropriate to state a brief word concerning them.
Mr. Wadlin has closed a long and successful term of service of over a quarter of a century. His breadth of view, his keen per- ception, his varied experience and his general scholarship have ren- dered his services of great value.
Mr. Gilman L. Parker's long term of service has been marked by unfailing devotion to the work of improving the schools. His careful, discriminating business sense and his unselfish, constant application to every detail of the work, especially in all financial matters, have been of incalculable help to the Committee. In all of his work for the town he has truly illustrated the principle, " That a public office is a public trust."
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