USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1923 > Part 12
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Respectfully submitted,
FANNIE C. WHITTEMORE,
December 31, 1923.
Standards and Guidance.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Adelbert L. Safford, Superintendent of Schools,
Reading, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
I herewith submit my second annual report of the Drawing Department.
The general outline which was given last year was followed this year with few changes but perhaps with a bigger, broader idea behind it. The study of art is a many-sided subject which involves mind, eye, hand, skill and judgment. The power to draw correctly is of supreme value in the art course because it is the basis for all work, aesthetic and mechanical. When the students themselves realize this half the problem is solved. This is what we have tried to "get over" to the students in the past year and we feel that results have been accomplished. More interest and better work was obtained. There are many, many children in Reading who draw very well; there are others who do not draw so well. Some of them may be interested in the mechanical work, others in the same group in the theory of color and design. Then there are always some, happily few in number, who feel that the work is a matter of duty and drudgery.
The standard of work has been raised by not permitting vagueness of drawing so that the pupils do not learn to associate the idea of drawing with vagueness and a floating notion about "art." The expectation of immediate result has been subordinated to accuracy. We have encouraged better work and stimulated interest by giving more time to instructions and discussions and less time to actual drawing, in order to chase away any fears or uncertainties about the work to be done. An easy mind, a relaxed body, and a clear understanding of the instructions insure the best work. Then again, many of the teachers save the best work of the pupils and by exhibiting these examples to the new classes before a lesson arouse interest and instill a feeling of competition. Invariably better work is done, there- by raising the standard.
At Thanksgiving time an illustrated talk on "Early Indian Art" was given in many of the grades, instead of the usual drawing connected with the story of the Pilgrims. The classes showed unusual enthusiasm and literally begged to be allowed to reproduce some of the Indian designs which were shown to them. They were given the opportunity and later added their bits of design to their November book covers. The work was well done with that free and spontaneous effort for which we are striving. The system is elastic, with a freedom for experiment, and an opportunity for advancement outside the "beaten path". Arrangements are being made
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whereby unusual talent may be sifted and students may secure an oppor- tunity to develop their technical ability to the highest point. There are many museums, art galleries, lectures, exhibitions, industrial and artistic, which are important factors in training artistic taste. We hope, in spite of distance, to get the children to see them. Last spring, on Saturdays, several visits were conducted to the Boston Art Museum.
On one occasion, a group of Junior High School pupils with Miss Emer- son journeyed to the museum in the forenoon, ate their lunches which they carried with them in a shady place in the Fenway, and in the afternoon visited the Natural History Rooms. It was a large, pleasant party and no doubt the success of it was due to the influence of Miss Emerson's Junior High School Art Club. Other groups were conducted to the Fogg Museum at Harvard. By the popularity of these excursions in the High School we foresee many of them in the future. The students do not copy but are in- structed to make themselves acquainted with the works of art and with the historic styles of certain ages. They are urged to catch the spirit of the ornament of each period.
In spite of the short drawing periods in the High School, the pupils have done well. Several fine posters were designed and painted last year in connection with the school activities. The linoleum cuts made at Xmas time proved intensely interesting. We are forming a camera campaign in connection with our landscape composition course. The majority of boys and girls possess a camera and admit that they spoil many films. "More successful pictures and less unsuccessful ones " is our slogan. We are collect- ing snapshots and will find out through study, why they are good or bad. An exhibition in connection with this campaign will be held in the High School or the Reading Library later in the year. The classes are growing larger in number every year in the High School and the pupils are asking for extra work and outside reading. This spirit is encouraging.
I wish to thank all the teachers and especially my assistant, Miss Emer- son, for their interest and co-operation and my heartiest thanks to you, Mr. Safford, for your full support.
Respectfully submitted,
J. ADELAIDE LAHAISE, Drawing Instructor.
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REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Adelbert L. Safford,
Supt. of Schools, Reading, Mass.
Dear Sir :- In response to your request, I am submitting for your approval my report for the year ending December 31, 1923, Without the assistance rendered by you and your car, it would have been impossible to cover the territory and make the number of calls which have been made this year. Taking a taxi is impracticable for this work and would be a great expense to the town. As stated in last year's report, the School Nurse and the Attendance Officer could use jointly a Ford of any vintage, providing it would go, and to the advantage of both branches of service. I also wish to acknowledge the hearty co-operation of our principals and teachers, as well as that of the parents of the majority of children whose attendance has been investigated.
Attendance
In all there have been 200 cases of irregularity reported by teachers and others. Of these cases 160 have required personal calls, 70 of these being what I may call "repeaters" or cases where I have had to make more than one call. About 40 letters have been written by me regarding children. Six cases have been referred to outside agencies, such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, The Society for the Care of Girls, etc. No cases have this year been taken to court.
Reasons for Irregularity
Most people in Reading live so comfortably that they cannot realize the conditions in some homes of this town. In a number of cases, chil- dren have so much to contend with in the filthy and uncomfortable homes they are in that the wonder is they have any ambition at all, not that they are somewhat irregular in attendance. Most of these fathers and mothers were not born in the United States, have had little schooling themselves, and know little about sanitary living or education beyond the rudiments. They can find only the oldest and most uncomfortable houses to live in, due to housing conditions which are general at this time, and also to the fact that with a large family of children a man and woman find they are unwelcome in a desirable tenement. Conditions such as these render null and void nearly all that the schools and other welfare agencies are trying to do for their children. Nothing is more important for children than a right start in clean, comfortable homes, among sensible people who realize the great value of mental and physical well-being. Very rarely do we find delinquency of any kind among children from homes where living condi-
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tions are good. I feel that every child has a right to be kept clean, well fed, and comfortably clothed, with his mind calm and peaceful because of harmonious home conditions. Only then can he do his best at school.
In some cases children have so much to do at home that the school work suffers, but, whether to the credit of Reading or not, this is true in only a few cases. Most children everywhere today have too little to do at home.
There is another serious cause contributing to irregularity and that is a lack of clothing in some cases. We have been able, through the gener- osity of the High School pupils at Christmas and by donations from a number of kind hearted people to provide clothing, shoes, and rubbers for some children who were badly in need of such things.
Illiterates
Reading's illiterates between 16 and 21 are few but we have some even who were born in Reading. We have issued from this office certifi- cates to five fiirls who have not completed the 6th grade, but who are over 16 years of age, consequently, cannot be kept in school longer. Three of the five came to us from Nova Scotia with their schooling finished before the 6th grade. We were obliged to issue certificates, as they were over 16, One of the five was born in Poland and had no educational advantages there. One, however, was born here and has always lived in Reading, but has never done her best in school or attended regularly. Certificates have been issued to six illiterate boys. Of these four came from Canada, (3 from Nova Scotia and 1 from Prince Edward Island), having left school previous to the 6th grade. Two were born in Reading. One was the case which was mentioned in last year's report and upon which we rather prematurely congratulated ourselves because the boy had gone voluntarily to a vocational school rather than to be sent by legal means to a truant school. He was nearly 16 at the time and stayed in the vocational school only a short while. As soon as he was 16, we had- no authority over him and he knew that, of course, all the time. The other boy, born in Reading, was a truant in days gone by. His case was taken to court and continued so many times, for some unexplained reason so far as the attendance officer of that day could find out, that the latter's patience was worn out and he refused to prosecute any longer. The boy, in each of these cases, suffers through lack of interest and co-operation at. home. All these illiterates, with those who have previously come to us and are still coming, should go to evening school and could go to' Wake- field, if provision was made for the small tuition involved, It is to the town's interest to decrease illiteracy all it can.
Pending Cases
We have a few cases now where attendance in school has been ir- regular and repeated visits to the homes bring no results worth mention- ing. We may have to appeal to the courts to help us with some of these, because several boys and girls of Reading are being deprived of
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their education by their parents on the flimsiest of excuses. In one family all 'the children have been out for weeks with a skin disease which is con- tagious, but not a reportable disease, so that the Board of Health has no authority. It can be cleaned up but the mother will not co-operate sufficiently. Another mother wrote to a teacher that she had a perfect right to keep her child out of school whenever she pleased. The law reads thus : "Every person in control of a child . . ... shall cause him to attend school, . . . .. and, if he fails to do so for seven day sessions or fourteen half-day sessions within any period of six months, he shall on complaint by an attendance officer, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars. No physical or mental condition capable of correc- tion, or rendering the child a fit subject for special instruction at public charge in institutions other than public day schools, shall avail as a de- fence unless it appears that the defendant has employed all reasonable measures for the correction of the condition and the suitable instruction of the child."' Also in another place it says: "Whoever induces or at- tempts to induce a minor to absent himself unlawfully from school, or un- iawfully employs him or harbors a minor who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully therefrom, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars." Again we read: "A child between seven and sixteen who wilfully absents himself from school shall be deemed an habitual truant, and, unless placed on probation may, on com- plaint of an attendance officer, be committee to a county training school." We hestitate to place the stigma of a court record on any child, but occa- sionally it is necessary for the child's own sake.
Issuance of Labor Certificates
We have issued 189 certificates to minors, mostly employed in Read- ing, but some working in Boston, Wakefield, or other nearby communities. It is a source of pride to us that nearly all have completed the 8th grade and many the High School. In comparison with the number of certificates issued, those given to boys and girls who have not completed the 8th grade are few indeed. In only a few cases have we issued more than one certifi- cate in a year to the same person. This shows that our boys and girls stay in jobs pretty well.
Some employers do not yet seem to understand that certificates are needed for the employment of minors in nearly all cases. If in doubt, it does no harm to require one anyway.
We are still having trouble because certificates are not always returned upon the cessation of employment of minors. We could keep track of these minors better, if, in every case of cessation of employment, the employer would return the certificate promptly to the office of the Superintendent of Schools. This is, moreover, ordered by law.
Outlook Good
On the whole, conditions in Reading are bright and hopeful as regards school attendance. We have now over 1700 pupils in all grades. Nearly
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every child who leaves Junior High School enters the High School. Parents are uniformly interested and helpful where their co-operation is needed. Reading homes, with few exceptions, are ideal. There is prob- ably no town of its size anywhere in which music and other cultural studies are more enjoyed as outside activities supplementing the school curriculum. Parents and teachers devote a great deal of their time to reading and taking courses which they think will enable them to under- stand better the problems of our boys and girls. We are doing things educationally in Reading that are the envy of others around us. The At- tendance Officer feels that some of Reading's children are not getting their rightful chance because, through no fault of their own, they are losing by absence and tardiness some of these golden opportunities which will not come back to them in later life. In 1924 let us try our best to have every child in Reading in his proper place at school, promptly and regularly, every day schools are in session.
Respectfully submitted,
ABIGAIL H. MINGO, Attendance Officer.
Reading, Mass. Dec. 31, 1923.
170
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Adelbert L. Safford, Superintendent of Schools, Reading, Mass.
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my annual report as School Nurse.
Dr. Charles W. Eliot has said, "Health is the indispensable foundation for the satisfactions of life. Everything of domestic joy or occupational success has to be built on bodily wholesomeness and vitality. Health is essential to the enjoyment all through life of sports and active bodily exercise. It is also necessary to continuous capacity for hard work; and it is only through active play and hard work that anybody can make sure of the durable satisfactions of life. To promote health in the in- dividual, the family and the community should be the constant aim of every good citizen in the American democracy,"
Coupling this objective with the slogan "prevention rather than cure" our aim then has been to build up a school health program which will assist the children of Reading to obtain the maximum amount of enjoy- ment from life.
In reviewing the work of the past year there seems to me much in the way of progress. The service has been extended so that it now includes, not only the routine inspection and examination for physical defects and the subsequent follow-up work, but several health clinics in perma- nent operation. Of these I shall deal in detail with the two which are new this year.
The Schick Clinic
Early in the year with the co-operation of the State Department of Health a campaign against diphtheria was started in the schools. Some five hundred and fifty children were given the Schick test and the ma- jority found to be susceptible to the disease. These children were then given an injection of toxin anti-toxin at intervals of one week for three weeks.
As the action of the toxin anti-toxin requires a period of from three to six months and the result of the treatment can only be obtained by another Schick test, the number who have been immunized after three in- jections cannot be quoted in this report. As this report goes to press plans are in order to resume the Schick program early in January.
Throughout the state the percentage who were immunized after the first course of treatments has been from 85% to 92%. Whether or not
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Reading will measure up to this standard has yet to be found out. What we do know, however, is, with the large percentage of children susceptible to the disease, the relative danger Reading has been in, had a well-defined epidemic of diphtheria invaded the town,.
The Examination Clinic
In last year's report I stated that much was need along nutritional lines.
Although there has been in operation for some time a hot noon lunch in three of the schools and a mid-morning lunch of milk in four others, there still persits a large percentage of underweights throughout the schools. And by underweights, I have in mind children who are seriously so. A margin of 10% is usually allowed and beyond this point it has seemed advisable to follow up the weight index with a general physical examination. This was made possible by the examination clinics which were held at different times during the year at the Grouard House.
The clinics are financed by the State Department of Health and the Tuberculosis League and are offered to the various towns as a part of the state-wide program against tuberculosis. The results of these clinics are far reaching both in diagnostic and educational value.
During the year, 130 children have been examined, 16 had X-Rays of chest at North Reading Sanitorium and one child has been a patient at Westfield Sanitorium since September.
With the majority it has seemed to be a question of rapid growth, improper food, or health habits, an over-crowded program of school and social activities or some remedial physical defect, such as diseased ton- sils and adenoids, carious teeth, etc. In such cases the simple recom- mendations of "more rest and proper diet" was stressed by the doctors and the State Nutrition Worker who was in attendance and added so much to the value of the clinics by her careful checking over of the child's habits with the parents.
The Dental Clinic
The work of the dental clinic has continued under the direction of Dr. Bates, assisted by Miss Ruth Bailey and since October, by Miss Bertha Perkins.
The amount of good accomplished by the clinic cannot alone be esti- mated by the number of fillings, extractions, etc., but by the general improvement along physical lines due to the correction of dental defects.
Since fall an inter-school contest has been carried on and the display of little red buttons at the school shows how each is progressing. For the little red button means that the wearer has been to the dentist and had the necessary work completed. The dentists in town have co-operated and their patients also are discharged with the red button, bearing the motto "Good Teeth-Good Health".
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Other Phases of the Work
In co-operation with the attendance officer, many families have been given material relief in the way of clothing, shoes, rubbers, etc.
At this time may I make an appeal for children's clothing which any parent may have on hand and have no further use for. Both the at- tendance officer and myself have found that in many instances the reason for absence from school has been the lack of proper clothing for certain weather conditions or illness caused by such conditions.
The health work in the schools has continued to have the steady sup- port of the Reading Tuberculosis and Red Cross Committees. The mem- bers of these committees have given freely of their time and interest. The success of several innovations such as the Schick and Nutrition clinics have been due in no small degree to the splendid assistance which they have rendered. May I take this opportunity to thank each and every member for her support ..
In closing I wish to thank you, Mr. Safford, for your wise counsel and understanding and the school committee and teachers for their co-opera- tion and support.
Respectfully submitted,
MABEL M. BROWN, School Nurse.
173
READING HIGH SCHOOL IVY DAY EXERCISES CLASS OF 1923
Reading High School Hall Monday afternoon, June twenty-fifth, at three o'clock
Class Officers
GEORGE BURTON LONG
President
MARGARET LUTES ROBINSON
Vice-President
DOROTHY ELIZABETH SIDEBOTTOM
Secretary
ARTHUR MONTELLE HATHAWAY, JR.
Treasurer
Ivy Day Committee EDWARD CUTCLIFFE, Chairman
RONALD MICHELINI
FAITH SMALLEY
EDWIN BROGAN
STEPHEN MEUSE
LAURA KELSO
Class Motto "SCHOOL THE PREPARATION-LIFE THE BATTLE"
PROGRAM
March Address of Welcome
High School Orchestra Edward C. Clancy
Presentation of Class Gift
Katrina Schimpfke
Class History
Albert Hall Damon
Chorus-The Viking Song-Coleridge-Taylor
Class Will
Dorothy Wiswall Crafts Arvilla Meade Copeland
Class Elections
Chorus-On to Victory-Reeves
Class Prophecy
Class Song
Arthur Montelle Hathaway, Jr., Laura Catherine Kelso Written by Grace Soule
The audience is requested to adjourn to the grounds for the planting of the Ivy
Ivy Oration George Burton Long, President of Senior Class Acceptance of the Spade Guy Mackay Crosby, President of the Junior Class
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READING HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES CLASS OF 1923
High School Hall Tuesday Evening, June twenty-sixth at eight o'clock
PROGRAM
MARCH
High School Orchestra
PRAYER by Rev. Marion Franklin Ham
THE VIKING SONG High School Chorus
Coleridge-Taylor
THE WORST GENERATION-Salutatory Mary Marble Johnson
THE POWER BEHIND THE POWERS Dorothy Elizabeth Sidebottom
THE BIRTHDAY SONG Jakobowski
High School Chorus
LAW AND LAWLESSNESS Nicholas Murray Butler
Ronald Michelini
HUMORING THE SENSE OF HUMOR -Valedictory Margaret Lutes Robinson
CONFERRING OF DIPLOMAS Walter S. Parker, Chairman of the School Committee
BENEDICTION by Rev. Payson Edward Pierce Director of Music-J. Albert Wilson
*Faculty Honor-George A. Gerard. Excused from Essay.
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CLASS OF 1923 College Course
Alice Elizabeth Batchelder
Gerald Francis Bredbury
Arvilla Meade Copeland
Edward C. Clancey
Doris Gertrude Sanders
Dorothy Wiswall Crafts
Dorothy Elizabeth Sidebottom
Alberta Hall Damon
Faith Smalley
Harold Otis Ernest Towle
Priscilla Vinning Webster
Scientific Preparatory Course
Frederick J. Emerson
Ronald Michelini
Arthur Montelle Hathaway, Jr. Charles Willard Perkins
Commercial Course
Eleanor Brown
Annie Elizabeth McKennon
Edwin Anthony Brogan
Gladys Isabell McLean
Marion Mabelle Burditt
Emily Bancroft Nichols
Martha Vivian Burrows
Charlotte Pransky
Christine E. Cheney
Katrina Schimpfke
Edward Patrick Donegan
Catherine Palmer Shaw
Ethel M. Douyard
Helen Mae Shaw
Thomas Joseph Fitzpatrick
Margaret Smith
Ruth Randall Goodwin
Myrtle Smith
Catherine Greene
Paul Beckett Stevens
Catherine Burleigh Horton
Gertrude Eleanor Strahorn
Catherine Louise Ingalls
Mary Anna Spillane
Florence Marie Kelley
Eleanor Mae Lyman
Lillian Turner
Anna May Zesewitz
General Course
Ruth Doris Abbott
Virginia Burnham
James Edward Cutcliffe, Jr.
Leander Payne Smith
Gladys Elizabeth Sias
Louise Wilson
Normal Course
Mary Rebecca MacDonald Frances Gertrude Moore
Agricultural Course Helen Hutchinson
Laura Catherine Kelso
Edith Christina Johnson Grace Mills Soule
Helen Goodwin Day
Edgar LeRoy Frost
George A. Gerard
Sophia Stone
Leo Marchetti Gertrude H. Mattison
Stephen Edward Meuse
Margaret Miles Partelow
Margaret Lutes Robinson
Mary Marble Johnson
George Burton Long
Laurence Gleason Lucas
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PUPILS GRADUATED FROM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
JUNE, 1923
Adden, Mary E.
McKenney, Margaret
Ainsworth, Parker
McLeod, Angus E.
Alderson, Blanche
McLeod, Eleanor L.
Allard, Marion
McLeod, Trueman
Anderson, Ethel
Melonson, Corinne
Atwood, Violet
Mercer, Dorothy
Barrett, Kenneth
Merritt, Alfred M.
Brown, Helen
Meuse, Agnes G.
Brown, Thelma E.
Meuse, Florence
Briggs, Louise
Morton, Newell
Bryden, Beatrice
Mount, Robert J., Jr.
Bryden, Bertha
Nelson, F. Gertrude
Byram, Joseph G.
Newell, Priscilla
Burke, George S.
Norton, Robert D.
Burns, Annie L.
Nutter, Barbara T.
Butters, Edna
Parker, G. Fletcher
Cain, Robert
Parsons, Eula E.
Carter, Donald C.
Patterson, Barbara
Charlton, Ralph
Piston, Edward M.
Clark, Norman
Porch, Louise
Clements, Mary E.
Putnam, Allan
Colby, Ruth P.
Rich, George
Condry, Catherine R.
Richards, John F.
Conti, Arthur
Riley, Evelyn
Conti, Ernest
Riseman, Louis
Cook, Leonice
Ritchie, Marjorie
Daniel, Douglas G.
Rogers, Elsie
Desmond, Nora R.
Rogers, Lillian
Dewey, Robert F.
Rogers, Margaret
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