USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1911 > Part 9
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6,143 54
$31,317 40
INCOME
Commercial light, less discounts $7,493 73
Domestic light, less discounts
16,531 89
Commercial power, less discounts
2,191 13
Power sold to Water Works
430 80
Power sold to Wakefield
2,668 40
Lighting municipal buildings
518 59
Street lighting, North Reading
1,482 86 - $31,317 40
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT, DECEMBER 31, 1911
DR.
Deficit Jan. 1, 1911
$33,513 20
Interest paid
2,775 64
Depreciation
4,079 78
Bad debts ·
66 02
$40,434 64
227
CR.
Appropriation for interest
$1,300 00
Jobbing income .
261 26
Rent of poles .
120 58
Interest on bank balances
28 93
Gain in operating
6,143 54
$7,854 31
Deficit December 31, 1911
32,580 33
$40,434 64
STATEMENT, DECEMBER 31, 1911
ASSETS
Real estate
$11,526 59
Steam plant
10,781 61
Electric plant
.
[2,760 74
Lines
35,390 27
Incandescent street lights
1,787 47
Arc lamps
4,709 17
Meters
10,243 05
Transformers
6,826 43
Inventory :
Fuel .
2,113 22
Station tools and appliances
776 59
Oil and waste
39 25
Jobbing supplies
1,352 93
Line material
1,623 45
Globes
34 50
Incandescent lamps
575 67
Carbons
22 29
228
Repairs, steam plant
$96 90
Repairs, electric plant
103 40
Horse, wagons, etc.
648 85
Distribution tools and appli-
ances
461 80
Office supplies
219 80
Office furniture
507 13
Unexpired insurance 296 98
Cash in Town Treasury
128 70
Cash in Mechanics' Savings Bank
(customers' deposits)
943 12
Accounts receivable (manufactur-
4
ing) .
7,057 56
Sundry accounts receivable
41 75
$111,069 22
Profit and loss deficit
32,580 33
$143,649 55
LIABILITIES
Bonds outstanding $48,000 00
Appropriations for bond payments 28,000 00
Appropriations for note payments 21,000 00
Appropriations for construction 21,915 04
Notes payable 16,000 00
Overdraft for construction .
3,211 64
Customers' deposits 943 12
Interest accrued, not due 712 61
Accounts payable, construction 290 93
Accounts payable, maintenance
3,576 21
$143,649 55
229 CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT DR.
Cost of plant as shown in Town Re-
port December 31, 1910
$135,992 62
Steam plant
$5 15
Electric plant
879 93
Lines
4,453 44
Incandescent street lights 613 34
Meters
1,653 99
Transformers
1,115 59
8,721 44
Cost of plant December 31, 1911
$144,714 06
CONSTRUCTION CASH ACCOUNT
DR.
To appropriation for new street lights
$1,000 00
Proceeds of note for construction 2,200 00 Amount received from N. E. T. & T. Co., account of joint pole lines in North Reading 1,054 48 Amount received from N. E. T. & T. Co., account of joint pole lines in Lynnfield Center Depreciation cash used for con- struction 4,079 78
127 43
$8,461 69
230
CR.
By amount paid for steam plant $5 15
Amount paid for electric plant
879 93
Amount paid for lines
4,418 96
Amount paid for incandescent
street lights . 613 34
Amount paid for meters
1,397 54
Amount paid for transformers
1,115 59
$8,430 51
Balance December 31, 1911
31 18
$8,461 69
ADDITIONAL TUNGSTEN STREET LIGHTS
Appropriation
$1,000 00
Expended
968 82
Balance
$31 18
NORTH READING EXTENSION
Total investment to Dec. 31, 1911 :
Electric plant
$440 12 ·
Lines
12,614 43
Incandescent street lights
901 16
Meters
649 38
Transformers
410 11
$15,015 20
LYNNFIELD EXTENSION
Total investment to Dec. 31, 1911 :
Lines
$3,040 88
Incandescent street lights
139 18
Meters
529 49
Transformers
261 88
$3,971 43
231
WILMINGTON EXTENSION
Total investment to Dec. 31, 1911 :
Lines .
$317 73
Incandescent street lights 16 03
$333 76
In accordance with the law I submit herewith my esti- mates for the year beginning January 1, 1912 :
Expenditures :
Operation, maintenance and repairs $26,500 00
Interest on bonds and notes . 3,070 00
Depreciation (3% on $138,126.68)
4,143 80
Note payments
2,200 00
Bond payments
5,000 00
Total
$40,913 80
Receipts :
Estimated income from consumers . 33,913 80
Balance .
$7,000 00
New construction
4,000 00
Total to be appropriated
$11,000 00
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR G. SIAS,
Manager.
Annual Report
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING
For the Year Ending December 31
1911
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman, Walnut St.
Term expires 1911 HOWARD W. POOR, Mt. Vernon St. Term expires 1911 EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON, Lowell St. Term expires 1912
CHARLES A. LORING, Summer Ave. Term expires 1912
MRS. IDA A. YOUNG, Woburn St. Term expires 1913 JESSE W. MORTON, Woburn St. Term expires 1913
Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of School Committee HARRY T. WATKINS
Truant Officer WILLIAM KIDDER
Medical Inspector E. DALTON RICHMOND, M. D.
ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman HARRY T. WATKINS, Secretary
Sub-Committees
W. S. Parker
FINANCES AND ACCOUNTS H. W. Poor
E. L. Hutchinson
J. W. Morton
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES Mrs. Young W. S. Parker
C. A. Loring
SCHOOL HOUSES AND PROPERTY H. W. Poor E. L. Hutchinson
E. L. Hutchinson
RULES AND REGULATIONS C. A. Loring
H. W. Poor
W. S. Parker
TEACHERS AND SALARIES H. W. Poor
J. W. Morton
Mrs. Young
MUSIC AND DRAWING C. A. Loring J. W. Morton
H. W. Poor
COURSE OF STUDY Mrs. Young J. W. Morton
RFPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In conformity to law and custom we would respectfully submit the following report for the school year 1911-1912.
Another year has passed in our educational history and while nothing of an unusual nature has transpired, yet we hope that we can truthfully assert that some progress has been made and some advance gained over our past attain- ments.
The changes in our teaching force have been much less than in past years, and the interruptions less frequent from one cause and another than in the past.
The Superintendent has carried on the work of the High School in connection with his other duties with marked suc- cess. . We have every reason to believe that the plan of uniting the work of Superintendent and Principal of the High School in one person has been in every way very suc- cessful.
The building on Lowell street is completely finished on the outside and the two rooms on the first floor finished in every detail, and are both now occupied by pupils. There is every reason to believe that the town took the right action when it was decided to build a four-room building in that district.
The grading is nearly completed and after a few trees and shrubs are placed about the grounds the whole plant will be a credit to the town. Attention is called to the fact that steps will have to be taken in the near future looking towards the enlargement of the Prospect Street schoolhouse or the building of a separate new schoolhouse on the west side of the railroad track.
236
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237
There seems to be every indication of an increase of school population in that part of the town. Many houses are in process of erection and others are to be built soon. All our school buildings are nearly full at present, and it is not improbable that another grammar school building will be needed on the west side of the railroad.
As we are going to press with this report we have re- ceived a petition from the elementary teachers praying that increase of salary be granted them, giving for the reason of their request the obvious facts-the high cost of living and their present low rate of pay. The Committee feels that the prayer of the petitioners is a reasonable one, and that one thousand dollars, at least, should be added to the school appropriation for that purpose.
We desire to call the attention of our citizens to the report of the Superintendent and especially to that part of the report on the attendance of the pupils and the number we are sending to college and other higher institutions. There seems to be a lack of knowledge on this point among the citizens. While we are not doing all we would like to do, yet the fact remains that we are doing a great work in this direction. We hope to do a much greater and better work in the future.
The citizens of Reading have always valued a good edu- cation. They have supported liberally the schools.The schools have graduated a splendid body of young men and young women, who are a credit to the town and to them- selves. Yet, notwithstanding this impressive fact, we still have the feeling that too many fall by the way, leave school for one reason or another before finishing the course. We still have too many who are not willing to pay the cost of good education in hard work, in self denial, in perseverance.
Emerson says, " The gods sell everything to everybody at a fair price, but they give nothing away."
238
Money cannot buy a good education; money is con- venient to have and it will procure the accessories to a liberal education. It will pay board, pay rent, buy clothes, buy books and all necessary and all unnecessary things, but the education itself can be gained only by hard, laborious labor by the student himself. The teacher can assist in this, but the pupil must do the most important part.
The mind, heart and soul can be developed only by self- activity on the part of the student.
Our boys and girls must themselves work to gain the prize.
The opportunities for a good education are so many in Boston and the immediate vicinity that it can truthfully be said that any boy or girl who earnestly desires a liberal education can get one.
In all our colleges of the United States there are num- berless instances of those who are working their way through.
There never was a better chance for an ambitious boy than there is today to make the most of himself.
In conclusion, we would take this opportunity to thank the citizens of the Town for their cordial and hearty sup- part of the School Committee in carrying on the important work of the education of the young. We are more and more deeply impressed with its great importance and its great magnitude.
The terms of Charles A. Loring and Edwin L. Hutchin- son expire at the ensuing Town meeting.
APPROPRIATIONS
We ask for the same appropriation as last year-$30,000 for regular school expenses and $5,000 for school inci- dentals - an additional appropriation of $1,000 for increase
239
of salaries, and $1,500 for repairs in installing sanitaries in the Union Street building, as suggested in Town meeting of last year.
Adopted in School Committee, Jan. 29, 1912.
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman. CHARLES A. LORING. JESSE W. MORTON. EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON. MRS IDA YOUNG. HOWARD W. POOR.
HARRY T. WATKINS, Secretary.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Members of the School Committee :
I herewith respectfully submit my third annual report, the same being the nineteenth in the series of annual reports of Superintendents of this Town.
Those most intimately connected with the schools agree that the past year has been one of unusual efficiency and harmony on the part of the teaching corps. One of the most important factors of success in school life is the spirit and enthusiasm with which the teachers attack their work from day to day. A spirit of good cheer, optimism and mutual good will amongst school workers is bound to pro- duce the like among the children, and begets that sort of voluntary effort on the part of the pupil which alone will render instruction vital and effective. Such a spirit has prevailed throughout the schools this year and has resulted in a particularly happy atmosphere. Despite the usual dis- couraging features and petty annoyances which are always with us, students and teacher alike have been in the main happy in their work, and tasks accomplished in such a spirit are far more effective than those carried on under other con- ditions.
TEACHERS
A little less than the usual number of changes in the teaching force are to be recorded this year, twenty-three out of the thirty-seven regular teachers remaining with us from last year. The vacancies have been filled, with only a few exceptions, by teachers of experience and we are fortunate to be able to record that of the twenty-five grade teachers
240
241
only two are without experience, and in the High School only four. As is always the case, those teachers who have- gone elsewhere have yielded to the call of larger cities at salaries which Reading could not equal with the present resources at its command.
It is with great sorrow that it becomes necessary to record one death amongst the teachers during the year. Miss Isabelle Cordiner, for two years the teacher at Chest- nut Hill, was stricken shortly after the opening of school with a swift and fatal disease and passed away a few weeks later at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Her high char- acter, unfailing cheerfulness, uniform courtesy and sympathy with her pupils had endeared her to her school associates and the community alike and her loss is deeply felt by all.
The changes in teachers are recorded below :
HIGH SCHOOL
RESIGNED
NOW AT
APPOINTED
W. P. Raymond
Middlesex School
* J. O. Carroll
Sara A. Quimby
Married
* Maud H. Ingalls
FROM Pittsfield, Mass. Castleton-on-Hudson, New York
Marion E. West
Brockton H. S.
* Marjorie Shand
Lynn, Mass.
Reba M. Bush
Not teaching
3 Gertrude B. Soper Bar Harbor, Me.
Marjorie Wheeler
Brockton H. S.
* Ruth E. Low
Essex, Mass.
Helen Chapin
N. Britain, Ct., H. S.
2 Myrtle E. Jensen Melrose, Mass.
HIGHLAND SCHOOL
Julia A. Floyd
Married
5 Mabel P. Williams Woburn, Mass.
Abbie M. Crosscup
Beverly
Norwood, Mass.
M. Louise Robbins
Waltham
2 Eleanor Batemen * Dorothy Carlisle Exeter, N. H.
CENTRE SCHOOL
Ethel M. Flanders
Married
7 Edee D. Gammon
Old Town, Me.
M. Veronica Long
Boston
3 Louise M. Durkee
Wilmington, Mass.
UNION STREET SCHOOL
Eudora W. Gould
Not teaching * Alberta R. Doyle
Reading, Mass.
*Without experience.
Figures at left indicate years of previous experience.
242
As will be seen, therefore, thirty-one of the thirty-seven of our corps are experienced teachers. Regular teachers' meetings throughout the year have tended toward harmony and uniformity of work. The teachers of the High School meet with the principal every Monday afternoon at 2.30, teachers of Grades I. to V. meet the Superintendent the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 4 p. M., and those of Grades VI. to VIII. on the first and third Mondays. The teachers have been addressed during the year by Presi- dents Roberts of Colby and Luther of Trinity, and by Mr. Nolan, District Instructor of the Palmer Method of Penman- ship.
CONDITION OF SCHOOLS
The plan adopted two years ago of doing a fixed amount of permanent renovation of school buildings each year has been continued this year. It is not extravagance to expend money upon repairs needed to prevent depreciation of town property, nor can it be called economy to save money by neglecting to take prompt measures to prevent such depre- ciation. The much needed painting of the Centre, Prospect Street and Union Street buildings has been the chief item in this program of permanent improvements this year, and the improved appearance of the buildings, to say nothing of the protection afforded the Town property, will, I think, be recognized. The last of the antiquated and unsanitary inside blinds have vanished from our schools, and all are now equipped with modern and convenient shades. Exten- sive repairs have been made upon the roof and gutters of the Centre building which were heretofore in a leaky con- dition, and the roof of the Union Street building and out- buildings have been made tight. The Chestnut Hill build- ing has also been treated to a much needed interior renova- tion, having been fitted with adjustable furniture and com- pletely painted inside and re-tinted, also furnished with new shades. The usual care has been taken to safeguard the health of the pupils by rendering and keeping the buildings
243
sanitary at all times. Every desk and chair in every build- ing is scraped down and refinished with a coat of shellac and varnish each summer, this work being done very efficiently by the janitors ; floors are washed regularly and sprayed as needed to keep down the dust with a good quality volatile oil spray ; the janitors of the smaller buildings never sweep without using a dust-laying compound and the teachers are directed to look carefully to the proper heating and ventilat- ing of the rooms. For two years Reading has had all build- ings equipped with sanitary drinking fountains. Legislation is now PENDING in New York and proposed in Massachusetts to abolish the common towel in public places, but the Reading schools have had no such thing now for over a year, and for that time all buildings have been equipped with liquid soap and individual paper towels. Besides these measures the West Company's disinfecting drip machines are installed in all toilets and these work night and day, rendering them as sanitary and odorless as their construction will permit. It is a pleasure to report that the Prospect Street school is now furnished with sanitary toilets and modern plumbing in the basement. It is only a question of time when the same thing will be done in the other school buildings not already taken care of in that respect.
The schools are not now overcrowded. The opening of the Lowell Street building has brought about a great im- provement in this respect. The average number of pupils to a teacher in the Highland School, Grades V. to VIII., is forty-one, in the other schools, Grades I. to V., is thirty-six. In the High School the average is twenty-eight to each teacher.
GIFTS
Highland School has recently received several gifts that are worthy of mention.
The Class of 1910, as a parting gift, contributed to the school a valuable collection of birds. They were able to secure it through the generosity of Mr. Richard Whall, who
244
had gathered and mounted the collection himself, and placed the price of it so low to the boys and girls that they were able to buy it.
The Class of 1910 gave mural decorations for one of the fifth-grade rooms. They purchased ten pictures, excellent prints of masterpieces, which are largely the works of Ameri- can artists.
The Class of 1909 established an American-Indian stair- case. They hung upon this staircase several pictures, most of them prints of Remington's Indian studies, and added baskets, jars, vases, and a Navajo rug, all made by the hands of the Indians.
Through the kindness of Mr. Willard P. Adden the school has come into possession of a unique work of art. It is a narrow placque, five feet long, upon which is represented the seal of Massachusetts. The work is in plaster, but is not a CAST. It was moulded by the hand of the artist.
The American-Colonial staircase has received an addi- tion, to its decorations this year. Veteran Relief Corps 128 has presented to the school a beautiful copy of Kline's " Her Tribute." It represents Betsy Ross sewing the first flag.
Gifts to the High School - Portrait (framed) of Edward Everett Hale, presented by Miss Scott, the local photo- grapher. A set of three valuable lithographs, Class of 1911. Early English Capitol and two photographs of architectural significance, Mr. W. P. Adden.
Lowell Street School - Bas-relief of Washington, Miss Bertha F. Turner.
READING .
A great change in the reading matter in the grades has taken place in the last two years in respect to both material and condition of books. All old and worn-out books and out-of-date reading matter have now been eliminated and all reading books are now new and fresh. A glance over the titles of the list given below will convince one that
245
the matter is modern and interesting. The teachers report that an awakening of effort and improvement in expression and interest have followed the introduction of new texts.
PRIMERS
88 Aldine Primer. Newson & Co.
35 Arnold Primer. Silver Burdett Co.
40 Brooks Primer. American Book Co.
36 Child Life Primer. MacMillan Co.
20 Cyr Primer. Ginn & Co.
10 Finch Primer. Ginn & Co.
16 Hiawatha Primer. Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
46 Mother Goose Primer. Charles E. Merrill Co.
20 Wheeler Primer. William H. Wheeler Co.
37 Wide Awake Primer. Little, Brown & Co. 25 Gordon, Book I. D. C. Heath. 25 Rhyme & Story Primer. D. C. Heath.
25 Primer of Work and Play. D. C. Heath.
15 Graded Literature Reader. C. E. Merrill.
15 Buckwalter Primer. Parker P. Simmons.
15 Riverside. Houghton, Mifflin Co.
18 Baker & Carpenter. MacMillan Co.
17 Folklore .. Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover.
FIRST READERS
18 Folklore. Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover.
18 Carroll & Brooks. D. Appleton & Co.
81 Aldine I. Newson & Co.
38 Art Literature I. Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover.
19 Around the World I. Morse Co.
20 Child Life I. MacMillan Co.
49 Cyr. Ginn & Co.
35 Circus Reader. Benjamin H. Sanborn Co.
11 Graded Literature. Maynard Merrill & Co.
43 Lights to Literature. Rand, McNally Co.
19 Boy Blue and His Friends. Little, Brown & Co.
246
18 Baker & Carpenter. McMillan Co. 17 Nature's Byways. Morse Co.
20 Progressive I. Silver Burdett.
14 Robin Reader. Charles Scribner's Sons.
36 Stepping Stones. Silver Burdett.
43 Wide Awake. Little, Brown & Co.
25 Bass, Book I. D. C. Heath.
15 Buckwalter. Parker P. Simmons.
15 Riverside. Houghton, Mifflin Co. 9 Good Health. Ginn & Co.
SECOND READERS
40 Aldine. Newson & Co.
60 Animal Life. D. C. Heath.
53 Art Literature. Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover.
24 Baker and Carpenter. MacMillan Co.
25 Brooks. American Book Co.
34 Carroll and Brooks. D. Appleton & Co.
22 Child Life. MacMillan Co.
31 Child Lore Dramatic Reader. F. E. Scribner's Sons. 25 Cyr. Ginn & Co.
21 Eskimo Stories. 17 Hawthorne. Globe School Book Co.
38 Heath. D. C. Heath.
25 Howe. Charles Scribner's Sons.
16 New Educational Reader. American Book Co.
25 R. L. Stevenson's Reader. Charles Scribner's Sons. 23 Silver Burdett Reader. Silver Burdett. 25 Wide Awake. Little, Brown & Co.
25 Gordon Second Reader. D. C. Heath. 27 Graded Literature. C. E. Merrill Co. 15 Buckwalter. Parker P. Simmons.
THIRD READERS
40 Aldine. Newson & Co. 25 Baker and Carpenter. MacMillan Co. 40 Brooks. American Book Co.
247
25 Carroll and Brooks. D. Appleton & Co.
69 Cyr. Ginn & Co.
22 Fairy Tales (Grimm's). MacMillan Co.
17 Fairy Tales (Shaw). University Publishing Co.
25 Gordon. D. C. Heath.
30 Heath. D. C. Heath.
42 Little Betty Marigold. O. M. Clark Publishing Co.
43 Little Goldie Goldenrod. C. M. Clark Publishing Co.
40 Little Polly Primrose. C. M. Clark Publishing Co.
25 Progressive. Silver Burdett.
25 Seed Babies. Ginn & Co.
25 Silver Burdett. Silver Burdett.
25 Wide Awake. Little, Brown & Co.
12 Stories of Great Americans. American Book Co.
FOURTH READERS
42 Around the World, II. Morse Co.
50 Around the World, III. Morse Co.
24 America's Stories. D. C. Heath.
31 Children's Classics. Houghton, Mifflin Co.
25 Gordon, IV. D. O. Heath.
23 Stories of Colonial Children. Educational Co.
22 Stories of Pioneer Life. D. C. Heath.
27 Art Literature. Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover.
15 Life of Nature Stories-Bees. Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover.
12 Merry Animal Tales. Little, Brown & Co.
PENMANSHIP
To my mind one of the most important steps of the past year is the adoption by the Committee of the Palmer Method of Business Writing and the appointment of a Supervisor of Penmanship. The introduction of some rational system from the lowest grades up which would start the child out into the world capable of writing with legibility and at the same time with rapidity a hand that would render him
248
desirable acquisition in business life and not an object of derision, seemed imperative. The Palmer Method may not be better than others of similar type but the results it has accomplished in the New York schools and others where it has been established long enough for results to show are well-nigh wonderful. The objects of the system seem to be along the right lines as it places stress upon movement exer- cises as a means to speed and aims at a clear business style of writing. It is one of the most economical systems in use. Miss Alice M. Lombard, an expert in the Palmer Method, is systematically supervising the work of both teachers and pupils, and I shall be surprised if a few years do not show wonderful improvement in the writing of Reading school children.
ONE SESSION IN GRADE I
The adoption of one session for the First Grade children has worked out very successfully, indeed far more so than was originally expected, and its effects have been felt even as far as the Fourth Grade. The first year of school life is largely one of adjustment. Up to the time of going to school the play element has been paramount in the waking moments of the child. The step from that to the two-session confine- ment and restrictions of the First Grade is abrupt and often demoralizing. More gradual adjustment is needed to draw in the little mind from the broad realm of play ideas in which it has aimlessly roamed, to the narrower confines of self control and work along definite lines which the school work requires. The child is only capable of just so much of this adjustment process in the first months of school; any more saturates and clogs the little brain to its detriment. All work and no play makes LITTLE Jack MORE than a dull boy. The plan adopted is that the First Grade children shall attend school only in the forenoon session, having the afternoon for healthful outdoor play, and the First Grade teachers shall devote the afternoon hours to extra work on
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