USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1907 > Part 9
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Our course in history follows the suggestions of the Committee of Seven, and with additions to our equipment of maps and reference works, with the added time devoted to it, our school has steadily gained for the past few years.
To say that in mathematics we fit for college would call forth no word of surprise from those who know what the school has done for many years past, but the fact that the most advanced pupils are nearing the completion of solid geometry and will be able to take as much of trigonometry as is needed for admission to any of our col- leges will appeal to many as strong work indeed. In addition to this work with the upper classes the record of bringing all but four of a class of fifty to standard attainment in the geometry of the first four months, with frequent " originals " thrown in, will indicate the character of the work done willingly under the leadership of the teacher.
The work in physiology is very interesting to our pupils, so that the subject is elected by a large number of them, an experience as gratifying as it is unusual in high schools generally.
Our text book on this subject is The Human Mechanism, a fine model of a modern text book on science, with enough of the strictly scientific treatment to entitle it to respect, and with an unusually sensible adaptation of the scientific to the practical experiences of life.
I can give you no better idea of what is going on in the classes of biology, physiology and physical geography than to quote from the report of the teacher of these subjects.
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" There are few courses of study that offer greater possibilities of interest than biology, for it deals with living things, therefore I have tried to develop these possibilities among the seventy Fresh- men taking biology. The work has been met with enthusiasm."
PHYSIOLOGY
This course is not confined alone to physiology, but also in- cludes anatomy, hygiene and sanitation. The " human organism" is looked upon as an exceedingly delicate and complex "mechanism," a " living machine," which may be used, or abused, which requires care and repair, and skill in its running. With this view in mind we endeavor to teach the student how to operate the "mechanism," how to prevent abnormal conditions (disease ) and how to repair in case of disorder. Furthermore, that "public health" and "public sanitation" depends on personal health and cleanliness.
In physics and chemistry our work has steadily gained in mak- ing the pupils feel at home in these subjects by means of a proper experience with the laboratory method of work. This department is now in charge of a teacher who was offered the position of in- structor of physics in one of our leading colleges. College prepara- tion is of course provided for all who elect such work, and that thoroughly, while the practical application to every day living of the many principles studied is constantly kept in mind. To quote again, " My aim has been to make this course (Sophomore physics) a popular course."
For the first time the students come into the realization of the fact that there are natural laws, laws which can be applied for the benefit of man. Special stress has been laid on the application of physics, as in heating and ventilation, and later the camera, telegraph and the telephone.
With the addition of a third year to our course in French we have a department of modern languages requiring the time of more than one teacher, when the full course is carried out.
Here again the teacher in charge finds a way for making the work practical by using the conversational method in both French and German and in requiring the pupils to take notes upon idiomatic
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expressions, special grammatical constructions in addition to the reading prescribed by the college authorities. But this description fails to give the impression that would be gained by a visit to the class room, where the keen attention and enthusiasm of the pupils are apparent.
In the commercial department it is interesting to know that the teachers are keenly alive to the need of forming right habits of accuracy and reliability from the first, with the thought that only such have a claim for consideration in the competition for positions.
Touch typewriting is taught and by a special plan of accounting for attendance these pupils are enabled to make rapid progress by using the usual study periods for practice upon the typewriters, with the result that the machines are in constant use throughout the day, and neat work by a proper method is secured from all.
The department of English is also reaching a condition of still greater thoroughness and definiteness of work for each year with the time and facilities now afforded, and it is a source of great satis- faction to hear from our graduates now in college of the ease with which they carry the English work now required of them.
This study of the mother tongue we fully believe in and feel proud that our preparation in English compares favorably with the best that can be secured in private fitting schools.
The teacher now directing this work gives the following in her report :
" To do its part in laying this foundation a course in English must teach them to understand and appreciate the thoughts of other people, to think for themselves, and to express their thoughts with clearness, some degree of grace and conformity with correct usage." Again, " by the study of literature three days a week, and the prin- ciples and practice of composition the other two, the effort is made to fit every student to understand, think and express his thoughts."
The work in Latin and Greek is under the special direction of the master of the school, which is a guarantee for a thorough college preparation for all who are willing to put forth the necessary effort.
Favorable as this report is designed to be and creditable as is the work of those who do not happen to hold the position of head
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of a department, it does not touch upon the most important matter in the development of our young people, the training for reliable citizenship.
In athletics, in the class room, at lunch, at entertainments given in the hall, our pupils show a degree of self control that proves them already young ladies and young gentlemen who may be relied upon to do the right thing whether in connection with athletic contests or in a class room when alone.
I am very desirous that the people of Reading who have given us so splendid school equipment shall visit all the schools and get some clear idea of the work going on with these buildings. We are just beginning to get the hoped for results in our High School building. With the gymnasium completed, and regular work in rhetoricals established, we shall surely be in a fair way to develop at the best possible advantage the three-fold nature of every pupil in attendance.
SPECIAL TEACHERS
Our special teachers are all making definite gains in their respective lines of work.
The teacher of Sewing urges the extension of her work by giving the girls of the fifth grade an opportunity to learn the first elementary steps and also allow the sixth grade girls to receive instruction regularly each week instead of once in two weeks as at present.
I heartily endorse her plan and believe that the additional $75 per annum would yield rich returns.
The teacher of Manual Training is succeeding in leading the boys to attempt something out of the regular set of models and thus develop their ingenuity and independence each according to his gift in this direction.
At the exhibition of work in Boston under the auspices of the Middlesex County Teachers' Association the work of both girls and boys called forth much favorable comment.
In Music the supervisor reports great gain in independent sing- ing, which results in better chorus work, holding the pitch and improved rendering generally. He is pleased to find in the High
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School so competent leaders of the glee clubs, Miss Buffum of the girls and Mr. Redden of the boys. This work gives a keener zest to all the music work of the High School, while the extra drill is certain to give greater efficiency in chorus work.
In Drawing the usual care and painstaking thoroughness still is manifest all along the line, and in the High School still more is attempted under the inspiration of the new environment.
In the higher grades especially the pupils are trained to use good material that the artistic effect of the result may be as nearly perfect as possible.
THE TEACHERS
Having touched upon the physical conditions and the plan of work in a general way, we now consider the most important factor in all this work of the school, the teacher.
We all know the kind of teacher we wish for our own children. It falls to me, as my chief duty, to select just that kind for the children of all, just so far as lies within my power, whether the salary at my disposal is large or small.
With what degree of success this has been accomplished I leave for you to decide as you visit their schools and make their ac- quaintance. During the year it became necessary to secure twenty- two teachers out of a total of thirty-eight.
To secure this large number has taxed the energies of superin- tendent and principals, both in making the selection and in training them into our plan of work with its various details for mental and moral development of the pupils.
A few changes in a corps of teachers each year is healthful for the schools, but a loss of more than one-half is too great for the good of the children. In most cases the children lose ground while making the acquaintance of the new teacher, even with the best teacher our salaries will secure.
In most cases those who left us were called to positions that yielded a much larger salary.
Miss Jennie F. Currier was first to resign, in February, after being elected to a larger position in the Fitchburg High School.
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By a transfer of work Miss Alice P. Rand, of Lewiston, Me., was secured to take her place.
Miss Agnes S. Ordung left us the last of March to accept a po- sition in Winthrop, at an advance of $150.00.
At the April meeting Miss Edith Ray Clapp resigned to accept a position at Dana Hall, Wellesley, at the close of the year. This was a decided promotion professionally and financially, and it came to one richly deserving it.
Miss L. Lucille Wheeler, of White River Junction, Vt., was secured for work in science.
At the same meeting resignations were received from Mr. E. N. Babcock and Miss Clara B. Wright, the latter to change her name and occupation, the former to accept the principalship of the High School at North Attleboro, both greatly benefitting by the change.
Miss Carrie L. Wyman, of Brookfield, was elected to take Miss Wright's school at the Prospect Street School, and Mr. Wm. R. Redden, of Hyde Park, was elected sub-master.
At the May meeting Miss Helen P. Abbott resigned to accept a larger position in the Brockton High School.
Miss Mabel A. Hayes, of Augusta, Me., was elected to take the work in French and German in September.
As Miss Alice M. Grover decided to change her occupation, Miss Ruth Buffum, of Easthampton, was elected to take mathe- matics in September.
Late in August Miss Isabel H. Coombs was elected to a posi- tion in the High School of New Bedford, at a large increase in salary, and Miss Alice M. Lombard, of Brimfield, Mass., was elected her successor.
At the October meeting Miss Jennie E. Wier tendered her resignation to accept a larger field of work in the High School of Chelsea.
Miss Helen B. Flanders, of Brookline, was elected in her place.
In the grades the following changes took place after the close of the school year and during the fall. At the Highland School
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Miss Goodsoe secured a school in Melrose, Miss Holman in Milton, Miss Reid in Wenham, Miss Foster in Haverhill.
For their places were secured Miss Ethel M. Burrington, of Heath, Mass .; Miss Lavinia C. Cairns, of Hillsboro, N. H .; Miss Edna F. Wood, of North Adams, Mass .; Miss Julia A. Floyd, of Lowell, Mass .; Miss Edna H. Dyer, of Sebago, Me.
Miss Burrington was soon obliged to resign on account of ill health and Mrs. Anna M. Reck served as substitute for a time.
In December Miss Annie L. Dolloff resigned to accept a larger salary in Revere.
At the Center we have lost Miss Edith Wright, who has secured a more lucrative position nearer home. Miss Annie L. Donovan of Rockland, Mass., was elected to one of the schools in that building. Later Miss Batchelder resigned to accept a larger position in Natick, and Miss Wood was transferred from the sixth grade in the Highland to the fourth grade left vacant, at her request, while Mrs. Reck was secured as substitute for the sixth grade.
At the Union Street, no change took place during the summer, and we thought the school was to escape the disaster which affected each of the other schools.
In October, however, Miss Myra K. Parker received her appointment to a position in Boston and the search for her successor began at once. Miss Eudora W. Gould of Bridgton, Me., was finally secured to take up her work the Monday following Thanks- giving. In the meantime Miss Babcock was transferred to the room of first grade, at her request, and Miss Zita Fegan was secured as substitute for the room of second and third grades.
The Prospect Street school has lost three teachers within the year, Miss Wright and Miss Wyman for reasons before stated, and Miss Duncan to accept a larger position in Milton, to which she was elected in December.
She had served the school faithfully for four and a half years and had surely earned the promotion that came to her.
Miss Hortense F. Small of Somerville was secured for the room of first and second grades, and Miss Josephine Drown of
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Johnson, Vt., was elected to succeed Miss Duncan.
At Chestnut Hill we have a change caused by the resignation of Miss Flett to accept a position with a larger salary in her home town.
Miss Gertrude B. Carter of Winchester was secured for the school.
At Lowell Street school we find Miss Lulu C. Colby of Haver- hill who was elected to take the work after Miss Bessie Parker had been assigned to a room of fifth grade in the Highland School.
This gives our experience for the past year in losing teachers. I think it safe to say that one-half of these changes might have been prevented if we had been able to offer from fifty to seventy- five dollars more than we had to offer.
The individual who shows to visiting superintendents the qualities that characterize the good teacher, the tactful disciplin- arian, the inspirer of children to do their best, is the one who is worth more to Reading than to others for quite a period of time, for she is established here and can continue right on in her good work, while in a new field every new teacher is taking chances for a longer or shorter time.
When we consider the high cost of living in our town, especially for the past year, all must admit that the salaries paid to our teachers are wholly out of proportion to what they render us in service, and in comparison with what our neighboring towns are paying.
Another phase of this matter must not be lost sight of.
If the superintendent is to do anything in the way of super- vision, time must be found for this work, but hardly a week of the first four months of the present school year passed in which it was not necessary for him to travel in search of a teacher for one grade or another. This is not offered in any spirit of complaining, for, in spite of the hardships of travel, I take pleasure in seeking the teacher of the proper qualities of mind and heart to do the work the committee and people of Reading demand.
One element that enters into all this is a certain strength, usually depending upon experience, that will enable a teacher to
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work successfully without very much supervision.
Our salaries will not command the type of teacher we need under these circumstances except under certain untoward conditions that hold the individual for the time. To find just these teachers calls for longer trips usually, and then in competition with other towns in need of the same teacher, the lack of the fifty or one hun- dred dollars results in losing to the other town, though first to find the teacher.
In view of our needs and our recent experience, I recommend that the salaries of our teachers be raised from fifty to seventy-five dollars, according to the necessity in each case, and that the last fifty dollars of the maximum salary for any grade be based upon merit rather than length of service.
GARDENING
It will be remembered that I said in my last report that con- tinued co-operation of home, school and interested organizations would give us still greater benefit.
The past year has shown how thoroughly interested have been both parents and the members of the Woman's Club.
Through their efforts our Tree Warden was secured to under- take a systematic supervision of the work, and as a result the gar- dens of the seventy-five boys and girls were inspected three, four, and in some cases five times during the season.
Mr. Hubbard proved to be the right man in the right place in this work. By his encouraging words and helpful suggestions the boys and girls persevered to the end, and as a result the exhibit held in Highland Hall, on September 18th, showed excellent results in spite of the unfavorable season. Fifty of the children wrote a good description of the experiences of the summer in connection with this work, and thus additional benefit was derived.
Several prizes were given by the local Woman's Club and friends, and seven out of ten who sent flowers and vegetables to Horticultural Hall, Boston, in September, received prizes, and in December the fourth prize was awarded Reading Home Gardens.
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This certainly is a good showing for our children, and I feel very strongly that this work is a very important one and should receive hearty support as a very efficient means of training our chil- dren in the most important things of life, a knowledge and a love for nature, patience and persistence under discouragement, appre- ciation of the cost of living, of the worth of our common fruits and vegetables.
It seems to me that we are now pursuing the right course in this matter, that home gardens so located that each child shall feel special interest in its success all through the summer, are more likely to be successes than any we might start as school gardens until we can provide still more instruction and supervision than the funds of the school department at present warrant our assuming.
PATRIOTISM
Another way in which our people show an interest in the de- velopment of the moral nature of the children is shown by the fol- lowing experience.
Last spring the Woman's Relief Corps expressed a wish to present a silk flag to the Highland School, and suggested the loca- tion of the flag should depend upon the result of a contest partici- pated in by one representative from each of the ten rooms of the building.
This contest took place early in June and the patriotic selec- tions were nicely rendered by all the contestants. It was decided that the prize was won by Master Harold White, of the eighth grade, and the banner accordingly will be found in his room until some representative from another room carries off the honor.
In addition to this gift the Woman's Relief Corps presented each of the rooms in the Union Street School with a small silk flag to be a daily incentive to patriotic thought and purpose.
TEMPERANCE
Early in the year the Hon. J. B. Lewis, Jr., offered a prize to the successful competitor in each of the large schools, the High School and the Highland School, for the best essay written and de- livered upon the subject of temperance.
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The contest took place in the High School Hall before an ap- preciative audience.
Messrs. A. N. Mansfield, Oscar Stevens and Rev. W. H. Parker acted as judges.
Of the twelve contestants for the honor of representing the High School the lot fell to Miss Mildred C. Tuttle, class of '09; Miss Dotty M. Hodson, class of '07; Master Carl M. Smith, class of '10; Master Douglas A. Shepardson, class of '10.
Of these Miss Tuttle won the prize on the evening of the contest.
At the Highland School the teachers selected four from the eighty-six essays handed in, and the following pupils appeared on the program : Mabel Strout, Grade VIII; Frances Phelps, Grade VIII; Leroy Spiller, Grade IV ; Nellie Hodgkins, Grade V.
Of these Miss Hodgkins received the prize.
In each case the prize was a set of Shakespeare, six vols., and a set of Dickens, twelve vols., costing $25.
Our friend Mr. Lewis renews his offer this year and we expect to show great gain in this kind of work. We have great faith in the value of public speaking in the schools, and we would express our hearty appreciation for the interest that is shown in the liberal annual gift of fifty dollars.
PRUDENCE, THRIFT
In connection with our stamp savings plan, we can this year report a large number of stamp cards deposited in the local Savings Bank, in all amounting to $291.60.
The total amount of stamps sold during the year is $614.51.
In this report will be found a list of the pictures and other gifts to the schools, which show how great an interest our people feel in them.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation for the hearty loy- alty of the teachers, and the encouragement given me by your own never failing support.
Such mutual co-operation cannot fail to secure the best possible good for the children, Respectfully submitted,
MELVILLE A. STONE
Superintendent of Schools
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LIST OF PICTURES AND OTHER GIFTS
HIGH SCHOOL
(The Subjects, Reproductions and Donors' names follow)
Boys with Book, Plaster relief
Picture Fund
Boys with Scroll, Plaster relief
1905 Entertainment
Wm. McKinley, Portrait
Charles I demanding the five impeached members, Heliotype
Class of '98
Franklin before Lords in Council, Engraving Amalfi, Turner print
Class of '07
Stratford on Avon, Turner print
Class of '07
Adieux d' Hector a Andromaque, Engraving
Class of '82
Judgment of Paris, Plaster shield
R. H. S. Alumni Asso.
Shield of Achilles, Plaster shield
R. H. S. Alumni Asso.
Lorenzo de Medici, Statue and pedestal
R. H. S. Alumni Asso.
Japanese Pottery
R. H. S. Alumni Asso.
Drapery of Alcove
R. H. S. Alumni Asso.
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE
Theodore Roosevelt, Portrait
Mr. Charles H. Marston
RECEPTION ROOM
First Railway Train, Etching
Mount Vernon, Hand-tinted photograph
Mrs. Charles H. Marston Miss Clara Pierce
Shakespeare, Bust
Class of '72
PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Venice, Etching
Miss Ella M. Pinkham
TEACHERS' ROOM
Miss Frances Willard, Portrait
Spanish Maiden, Photograph
Class of '83
Girl with Fan, Photograph
Class of '83
ROOM 1
H. W. Longfellow, Bust Class of '85 Mr. Hiram Barrus
Daniel Webster, Bust
LIBRARY
Class of '71
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ROOM 2
Pharaoh's Horses, Heliotype
Roman Forum, Photograph Coliseum, Photograph Arch of Triumph, Photograph
Class of '05 Classes of '92 and '93
Classes of '92 and '93
Classes of '92 and '93
ROOM 3
H. W. Longfellow, Portrait Class of '88
ROOM
Aurora, Engraving
Mendelssohn, Portrait
Sunrise at Sea, Oil painting
Class of '77 Proceeds of Concert Class of '78
WEST CORRIDOR (SECOND FLOOR)
Wm. Cullen Bryant, Portrait Class of '96
EAST CORRIDOR (SECOND FLOOR) J. G. Whittier, Portrait Class of '96
ROOM
Return of Mayflower, Engraving Class of '79
Christ and the Fishermen, Carbon photograph
Spelling Match Prize
ASSEMBLY HALL
Apollo with Lyre, Statue and pedestal The Arno, Florence, Turner print Grand Canal, Venice, Turner print Ruins of Temple, Turner print Berlin Victory, Statue and pedestal
Reading Woman's Club Reading Woman's Club Reading Woman's Club
Adden & Parker, Architects Highland School, Class of '06
ROOM 8
J. R. Lowell, Portrait Class of '88 Mr. F. E. Whittemore Class of '80
Columbus, Portrait Queen Elizabeth, Engraving
ROOM A
Lake Maggiore, Chromo Class of '67
ROOM 9
Ely Cathedral, Solar enlargement N. Hawthorne, Portrait
1897 Picture Fund Class of '88
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DRAWING ROOM
Minerva, Statue
Arab's Head, Portrait study
Class of '73 Mr. Willard P. Adden
BIOLOGY ROOM
Agassiz, Bust
Class of '74
COMMERCIAL ROOM
Mount Vernon, Solar enlargement Faneuil Hall Chapter, D. A. R.
CORRIDOR (THIRD FLOOR)
Milton, Bust
Class of '72
RECITATION ROOMS
Landscape, Chromo
Class of '70
Landscape, Chromo
ADDITIONAL GIFTS
Walnut Bookcase
Class of '75
Clock
Class of '76
Portrait of Mr. C. A. Cole
Class of '81
Books for Library
Class of '86
Books for Library
Class of '87
Books for Library
Class of '89
Books for Library
Class of '90
Latin and French Lexicons
Class of '91
Revolving Bookcase
Class of '94
Album for Photographs
Physical Apparatus
Fortitude, Statue
Class of '95 Class of '98 Mr. Geo. E. Abbott ( Missing) Mr. Jacob Mitchell
Lion of Lucerne, Solar enlargement
History of U. S .- Woodrow Wilson, 5 vols.
Great Events by Famous Historians, 20 vols. R. H. S. Alumni Asso. The World's Famous Orations, 10 vols.
Masters of Art, Book
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