USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1908 > Part 8
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12. Number of stop gates now in use, 270.
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13. Number of stop gates smaller than 4-inch, none.
14. Number of blow-offs, 14.
15. Range of pressure on mains, 63 lbs. to 78 lbs.
SERVICES
16. Kind of pipe, cast iron, lead and cement lined.
17. Sizes, & to 6 inches.
18. Extended, 3,387.1 feet.
19. Discontinued, 691 feet.
20. Total now in use, 18.2398 miles.
21. Number of service taps added during year, 37.
22. Number now in use, 1,311.
23. Average length of service, 91.5 feet.
24. Average cost of service for the year, $48.43.
25. Number of meters added, 24.
26. Number now in use, 1,191.
27. Percentage of services metered, .908.
28. Percentage of receipts from metered water (B divided by C).
29. Number of motors and elevators added, none.
30. Number now in use, none.
LEWIS M. BANCROFT, Superintendent.
Reading, Jan. 30, 1909.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF READING
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1908
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman, Walnut St.
Term expires 1911
HOWARD W. POOR, Mt. Vernon St. Term expires 1911 MRS. ELIZABETH H. BROWN, Prospect St.
Term expires 1910
- HENRY C. PARKER, Chute St. Term expires 1910
CHARLES A. LORING, Summer Ave. Term expires 1909 J. H. ROBINSON, High St. Term expires 1909
Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of School Committee MELVILLE A. STONE
Truant Officer WILLIAM KIDDER
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ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman
MELVILLE A. STONE, Secretary
SUB-COMMITTEES
FINANCES AND ACCOUNTS
W. S. Parker
J. H. Robinson H. W. Poor
H. C. Parker
W. S. Parker
Mrs. Brown
SCHOOL HOUSES AND PROPERTY
C. A. Loring
J. H. Robinson H. W. Poor
RULES AND REGULATIONS
C. A. Loring
H. W. Poor
W. S. Parker
TEACHERS AND SALARIES
H. C. Parker
H. W. Poor
MUSIC AND DRAWING
Mrs. Brown
H. C. Parker
COURSE OF STUDY
H. W. Poor
H. C. Parker Mrs. Brown
C. A. Loring
J. H. Robinson
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In accordance with law the School Committee submits the following report :
The schools have enjoyed in many ways a very prosperous year. We have been more fortunate than usual in retaining the services of a larger number of our teaching force during the entire year.
The attendance in all of the grades has been excellent, and in the High School the number remaining in all classes has been very large, indicating that the whole body of stu- dents in the several classes in the High School are carrying on their work with sustained interest and strong endeavor.
As we go to press we report with regret the resignation of Mr. William R. Redden, sub-master in the school during the past two years. He has gained the love and respect of the entire school by his manly bearing, his excellent scholar- ship, and his sympathetic, kindly nature. His influence has always been wholesome and inspiring.
We desire to call the special attention of the citizens to the financial report. That report shows clearly and with some minuteness of detail the several items of expense which enter into the cost of the schools. The number of the pupils is continually increasing and hence the expense will inev- itably increase.
We are endeavoring to keep down the expenses in every way possible, consistent with the greatest good of the schools. It should be borne in mind that the largest part of all moneys raised and appropriated for schools is included in the salary list of teachers. We ask your careful attention to that list.
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The price of board is seven and eight dollars a week, which together with the other necessities, clothing, books, etc., required in the cost of living, make the life of the aver- age teacher one of pecuniary hardship, when the small salary she receives is considered.
When we take into account the importance of the work of education, when we remember the difficult and delicate task which the teacher has to perform in training and devel- oping the youth of our land, then we must realize that a too great economy at this point would be false economy, in fact, a waste. A poorly paid teacher is, as a rule, an inefficient teacher. An inefficient teacher at the lowest possible salary is an expensive luxury, a false economy, a wasteful extrav- agance.
The teacher teaches not only by what he says and does, but very largely by what he is. Hence there is a closer correspondence in this department of human labor than in others, between the quality of the work and the attributes of the workman. The two cannot be dissociated. Therein lies the importance of the character of the teacher's work. Personality is the greatest factor in the well-being of the world, and in the province of teaching it is the great- est factor. It is that which stimulates the activities of the pupil, fires him with aspirations for higher things. There is fundamental truth in Emerson's declaration that "it makes little difference what you study, but that it is in the highest degree important with whom you study." There flows from the living teacher a power which no text-book can compass or contain, the power of liberating the imagination and set- ting the student free to become an original investigator.
" Text-books supply method, information and discipline ; teachers impart the breath of life by giving us inspiration and impulse. When a man recalls his educational experi- ence, he finds that many of his richest opportunities were
171
not identified with subjects or systems or apparatus, but with teachers."
It will be remembered that Philip of Macedon thanked the gods, not so much that he had a son, Alexander, but that he lived in the time of Aristotle who was his great teacher. We can, if we must, go without many of the appli- ances of education, but to economize in the quality of the teaching force would be poor management and detrimental to the best interests of the schools. The scriptural injunc- tion would apply : "There is that scattereth and yet increas- eth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."
We have had manual training for boys in our elementary course of study for several years. Only expressions of com- mendation have been heard from the parents. It is doubt- ful if one person desires its discontinuance. In fact, it would be proper to assert that more industrial work in our schools will be demanded by the public. The whole country is awakening to the importance of more industrial work in our schools.
This industrial work for boys is not the only phase which is being introduced. Practical arts and domestic science for girls are securing careful consideration by educational interests in progressive centers. Even in our own Town among the young pupils, the question is asked by some of the girls, "The boys have manual training- why should not the girls have domestic science and cooking?" Emerson, in one of his essays, says: "Teach our pupils those things in school which they will want to know when they become men and women." Is there anything that will be more useful, more elevating, more refining, and contribute more to the elevation of the home, as the greatest factor in the upbuild- ing of our great country than knowledge of domestic science and training in domestic arts? The home is the foundation
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of our social structure, and whatever tends to make the home life stronger and more beautiful, tends to strengthen the social whole. We all need, the young especially need, to have their thoughts and feelings directed in the direction of service at home and among immediate friends.
To do the thing near at hand and to do it better, the chemistry of foods, the right way of cooking and serving, the very many things in the kitchen, in the dining room, in the living rooms, in the sleeping rooms, the heating, the ventilating, the sanitary arrangements, simplicity of taste in all household affairs, economy in buying, preparing and cooking of all things that go to make up the delights of home, making life worth living. The beginnings of all these are well worth careful study and practice at school and at home.
It is the purpose of the Committee, if the citizens so desire, and express that desire at the ensuing town meeting, to fit up a room in the Highland building for a cooking class and the study of domestic science and household arts, and give two hours a week to the girls of the upper elementary grades.
We desire to thank heartily all persons who have assisted in the collection of pictures and other works of art which now adorn our school buildings. Our schools now possess a very valuable collection of beautiful works of art by the great masters. We trust that the impression made upon the minds and hearts of the pupils by the presence of these beautiful expressions of what is noblest and grandest in life will endure forever, acting as an incentive to greater and better service in life.
The terms of two members of the Board expire at the next Town meeting,- John H. Robinson and Charles A. Loring.
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APPROPRIATIONS
We would respectfully recommend the sum of $30,000 for regular school expenses and $5,000 for school incidentals. Special appropriation for Domestic Science and Art, $500.
Adopted in School Committee Jan. 30th, 1909.
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman. ELIZABETH H. BROWN. HENRY C. PARKER. JOHN H. ROBINSON. HOWARD W. POOR. CHARLES A. LORING.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of the Town of Reading, Greeting :
My tenth annual report, the sixteenth in the series, is offered for your consideration.
CARE OF BUILDINGS
Our first thought in the education of the children must be given to the physical conditions under which the school work proper is to be done. Last spring it was found that the exterior woodwork of the Highland School was in need of paint, and the contract for this work was given to Mr. Wal- ter F. Cook. Mr. Hall, of Allen, Hall & Co., made a spec- ially low price for retinting the Highland Hall on condition that the work be done in February, and the contract was awarded to him. The fine appearance of the hall bears wit- ness to the wisdom of the Committee, as well as the thorough manner in which Mr. Hall supervised the work.
To Messrs. Stewart & Robertson was awarded the contract of repairing the roofs of the Center and Union Street Schools. Other large repairs, such as painting exteriors or refinishing the remaining rooms at the Highland School were allowed to await another appropriation.
In case of the steam heating plants, changes in safety valves were necessary to comply with the recent laws regard- ing them.
With the usual care of the desks during the summer vacation the buildings were in fine condition for the opening of school in September.
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I take pleasure in reporting the evident appreciation of the pupils as shown by their care of the school property in general.
The small amount collected as fines for damage of either books or other equipment shows great regard for property on the part of all the 1,250 pupils enrolled.
MEDICAL INSPECTION
Since the repeal of Section 7 of the law relating to med- ical inspection of the schools, the Committee may feel free to expend from the regular appropriation the amount needed to fulfill the spirit of the law. It is desirable that our schools should receive the benefit of this law as soon as possible.
PHYSICAL CULTURE
Firm in the conviction that the sound and normal mind can be found only in the sound and normal body, we under- take, throughout the grades, to give the exercises that pro- mote deep breathing and bring into exercise all the muscles of the body, but in the High School our efforts along these lines have been confined to the exercises of those taking part in the various games of ball in different seasons of the year.
I refer you to the report of Mr. Watkins regarding the extent of the organization of the pupils in the interest of the regular team work of the school, and feel that we are fortu- nate in having men who appreciate the value of this kind of work.
When I consider how much our gymnasium is doing for the boys and girls that get the drill incident to the games, I wonder if it does not often occur to the parents of the other boys and girls that in some way the fine equipment for physi- cal development ought to be available to the rest of the school so as to secure more vigorous bodily health and estab- lish correct habits of physical exercise.
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TRAINING OF THE HAND
All we have said in previous reports in favor of manual training holds good still, and still more may be said in its favor. With sewing for the girls in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and sloyd work for the boys of sixth, seventh and eighth grades, we seem to lack only cooking for the girls of eighth grade and High School to make our plan of work for the elementary schools consistent with the demands of the times and the best development of the pupils, to fit our girls for the most. honorable station in the community - that of the home maker, skilled in the culinary art, and in that of dressmaking, as well, two qualifications that are very essential to making a happy and comfortable home upon a small income.
We have a room that might easily be utilized for this purpose, and the needed equipment can be secured for not more than $200. The sooner this work is established in our school system the sooner the girls will derive the benefit of it. Shall it come this year?
More specific work in the High School course of study along manual and industrial training will call for an equip- ment too great to consider at this time, but it will do no harm to suggest that, proud as we are of our present plant, there still remain many good things to be added as oppor- tunity offers.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEAD
We have given so much space to the consideration of the physical environment of the pupils in school and the train- ing that shall result in improved physical conditions, after leaving school; regarding the intellectual training given, we can say that constant effort is made to make the pupils feel that they are a part, and a very important part, of this world of affairs; that they are to become accurate in the use
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of numbers in order to be of service in business, first in the humble position of clerk and later as manager of large enter- prises.
In the study of geography, especial effort is made to vitalize the work so that pupils in the various grades may see the relation their lives sustain to those living in other lands, and, as they advance, come to an appreciation of the inter-dependence of each part of the world upon the rest.
In the study of history, we endeavor to develop a love for their own country by making them familiar with the work of those who bore the burdens of the early days, in due time leading them to see how our present condition has been secured from the experience of the past, not for- getting to mention the influence of climate, coastline, moun- tains and great rivers upon the development of our own country.
In the study of physiology and hygiene, we aim to lead to self-knowledge that shall result in stronger bodies and more alert minds.
CULTURE OF THE HEART
Without giving the course of study in detail, I wish to refer to our work in language as a matter that tends, as strongly as any in the curriculum, to develop culture of both the head and the heart, for from the very early grades the pupils are given choice selections for reading and for memo- rizing, which give fine illustrations of the most approved forms of speech, and whose content gives exercise to the noblest impulses of the higher nature.
In the preparation of the programs for the anniversary days, special effort is made to bring to the attention of the pupils the noble qualities of mind and heart shown by those who have taken so prominent a part in our country's history.
Our work in humane education continues to develop in our children an appreciation of the claims our domestic ani-
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mals and the birds have upon our care, with the result that increasing regard is shown to both teachers and school- mates.
Another way by which we aim to direct the thought into right channels is found in the stamp savings work. The oft-repeated decision to save for some greater future good the few pennies that would otherwise be spent for trifles makes for right living and a proper control of the appetite.
For the year 1908 the total amount of savings is $589.39. Of this the sum of $309 was received during the first four months of the present school year, which seems to indicate that the stringency of the money market of a year ago has passed, so far as Reading pupils are concerned.
Early in the year, Feb. 26, 27, 28, an exhibit of the Horace K. Turner pictures was held in the High School Hall and as a result $536 was raised, $336 of which was secured by means of a souvenir booklet. This contained the programs of the three evenings and much interesting information regarding the early history of the school, the present condition of the schools and the Town, so far as figures and the organization of the Town government can give.
A list of pictures secured from the fund thus raised is found in the report of our Supervisor of Drawing. Miss Annie B. Parker. Upon her has rested mainly the responsibility of selecting and locating these decorations, and I gladly take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the good judg- ment shown in making the selection. In connection with our topic, culture of the heart, I may say that possibly it falls to the lot of no individual in the entire corps of teachers to do more in this work of awakening the love of the beau- tiful than to the Supervisor of Drawing. How well this is done in the schools of Reading we have only to refer to the high position accorded to our work as it has been displayed at various exhibits.
These things properly come under the general division "Culture of the Heart," for we cannot tell how strong an
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influence these works of art have in the unfolding of these growing souls. Our aim in all our work is to bring about conditions most favorable for the complete development of our boys and girls, both in respect to the inanimate physical environment and in respect to the intelligent, sympathetic souls of those who are to lead them into the highest possi- bilities of their lives.
From what I have said it is clear that the most important factor in the school is the teacher. We require for our chil- dren teachers who possess more than the average qualifica- tions of teachers. We must have those who are ready and glad to give of themselves that they may lead to the best development in all lines of activity.
It is only simple justice to those who now hold these positions in Reading to say that they are, as a whole, doing better work in our schools than it has been my privilege to observe during my term of office here.
One reason for this is that we have had fewer changes than usual the past year, and the continued work of a good teacher cannot be measured in dollars.
At the High School we were fortunate in losing only one. Miss Rand was called to a position in Winchester at a con- siderable advance in salary. Her place was filled by the election of Miss Helen A. Taff of Dorchester, a recent grad- uate of Radcliffe.
At the Highland School we have only two who have not been employed there before.
Mrs. Anna M. Reck decided not to take a school for the year, but stands ready to give substitute service when needed. We consider our schools fortunate in having the services of a graduate of Radcliffe available for this work. Miss Pearl M. Pillsbury, of Newburyport, was secured to take the school thus left vacant.
Miss Edna H. Dyer accepted a larger position in the schools of New Bedford and Miss Elizabeth G. E. King, of Westport, was secured for her place.
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In the spring Miss Alice E. Hood was compelled to give up her work on account of ill health, and leave of absence for a year was readily granted. From latest reports we are hope- ful that she will be able to return to us again.
In September the number was made good by the trans- fer of Miss Wood to the Highland School.
At the Center School Miss Joyce L. Fielder, of Everett, was secured to fill the vacancy caused by the transfer of Miss Wood to the Highland School.
Miss Babcock, principal of the Union Street School, was elected to a larger position in Newton, and Miss Miriam P. Clark, of Medford, was elected to make good the number, as Miss Gould had been promoted to the principalship.
In August the Prospect Street School suffered the loss of Miss Small, who accepted a position in Somerville, and Miss Carolyn R. Spencer, of Malden, was secured to succeed her.
Chestnut Street and Lowell Street Schools becoming vacant Miss Elsa R. Anderson, of Chelmsford, was secured for the Lowell Street School and Miss Marion F. Hall, of South Paris, Me., for the Chestnut Street School.
Besides these changes our Supervisor of Music, Mr. Leon R. Maxwell, resigned in order to prosecute his studies abroad, and Mr. Albert Edmund Brown was secured for this work. Thus we see that in September we began with nine new teachers, almost one-fourth of the total number, thirty-eight.
While this is favorable in comparison with the loss of twenty-two of thirty-eight for the year 1907, it is proper to consider whether our schools ought to suffer so many changes when an additional fifty or seventy-five dollars will often hold a good teacher for another year.
As stated before, our standard for teachers is high, and those we secure are of such a character that each additional year of service here greatly enhances their worth.
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With the present high rates for board and room, the sal- aries paid by Reading will barely meet the cost of living, leaving practically nothing for the vacation months of July and August. Many teachers try to help out this situation by finding employment for the summer and so return to the school to rest. Such service is not usually quite up to the standard. Nature rebels at being driven all the year round, and some things must go. The good of the children demands that the teacher come to her school refreshed and in full vigor after the long vacation.
Let us then pay a salary that shall not force them to expend too much of their energy upon the bare necessities of life during the summer months.
At the close, I wish to express my hearty appreciation of the cordial co-operation of all the teachers, and the ready support of the Committee in my direction of the work.
Respectfully submitted,
MELVILLE A. STONE,
Superintendent of Schools.
.
EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF MASTER OF HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The matter of the physical training of High School boys and girls is an important one, so much so that in any school where the financial conditions allow there should be regular systematic physi- cal culture work under a regular instructor in that subject. Such work wisely carried out would result in incalculable benefit to the graduates of both sexes. Failing this, however, we have endeav- ored to broaden the field of athletic activities so as to reach as large a number of students as possible, and progress will be made along the same lines from year to year as opportunity offers. Track and field work was introduced for the first time in the fall of 1908, and called out for practice a large number of boys who would not other- wise have participated in athletics. Interest was high throughout the practice season and finally culminated in a dual track meet with Lynn Classical High School at Quannapowitt Driving Park, where Reading High School, altho' this was its initial attempt in this branch of sport, decisively defeated the larger school and added another handsome cup to its growing collection of trophies. A short season of base ball served to show what to expect for material the coming spring, and ended with a record of more victories than defeats.
Basket ball, the winter sport, has reached a very large number of the students by the formation of an interclass league. Each class is represented by its team and substitutes, and a series of games, lasting through December, January and February, is played off for a cup presented each year by the Principal. Over sixty boys have participated in this game. In this connection one thing is noteworthy, and that is the clean and sportsmanlike way in which
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the boys have played this much maligned game. Under the direc- tion of the sub-master, a skilled athlete and wise counsellor, the game has been kept clean. No team representing the High School is ever allowed to go away from home unless accompanied by the sub-master. As a consequence of this rule, the good behavior and manly conduct of the boys when travelling is assured, and one of the greatest evils of High School athletics is eliminated. How im- portant this is, is proven by the impression made by teams which visit us unaccompanied by an instructor or any one in authority. Such a comparison only makes us rejoice the more in our own con- ditions. The girls have been represented by a basket ball team which has an unbroken record of victories to report this season. It is and always will be my hope that at some time the girls of the school may be offered an opportunity for regular physical culture work under a competent instructor.
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