USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1927 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Besides affording relief from the crowded conditions in the various buildings, the new grouping of pupils is based upon several more fundamental and permanent considerations that make the arrangement much more advantageous to the pupils than the one displaced. One reason is that it brings pupils together that are more nearly of the same social age and thus makes it easier to organize group activities that teach co-operation, team-work, and social integration.
112
The Junior High School
The Walter S. Parker Junior High School building erected during the first part of the year and occupied by the school in September afforded the necessary rooms and equipment for organizing an up-to-date, three-year Junior High School. This organization was promptly accomplished and the work of the school has gone on smoothly and efficiently. This building provides facilities for manual training, and printing, domestic science and household arts, physical training, and cafeteria service on a much more liberal scale than has been done heretofore in any school in Reading. The assembly room, Shepardson Hall, is larger and a finer type of school hall than any other in Reading. The pupils in the Junior High School will profit materially by these greater facilities and although no new subjects of study are added thereby the improved facilities for teaching will enable the pupils to get more out of the various courses involved. Naturally the overhead expense for maintenance will be somewhat more than in the Highland building. The Senior High School has been able to arrange its schedule so as to use the Junior High School gymnasium for its basketball games. This fine floor of ample size has been a great stimulus to interest in Senior High School varsity basketball and a decided asset in securing games with desirable teams.
The class rooms in this building are smaller than the class rooms in the Highland School. They are planned to take a maximum of only thirty-five pupils instead of the maximum of forty-eight in the High- land School. The smaller classes are undoubtedly a great advantage to the pupils. If the best results are to be expected, thirty-five pupils are enough for any class in the Junior High School. But smaller classes increase the number of teachers required and therefore correspond- ingly the cost of instruction. For every three teachers in classes of about forty-eight, four teachers are required if the size of classes is reduced to about thirty-five. This is an increase of one-third in the cost of instruction. The increase in the teaching staff in this case was not as much as one-third because the size of classes in the Highland School averaged somewhat less than the maximum of forty- eight. However this factor is one of the largest items in the increase in the salary budget for 1928. Thirty-five pupils has been considered the maximum for any class in the Senior High School for several years and many classes are of necessity much smaller, especially in college preparatory subjects. The addition of a third year to the Junior High School took away from the Senior High School the Freshman class and thus relieved the crowded condition which had existed there for some time. Several teachers were transferred from the Senior High School to the Junior High School on a basis of one teacher for every twenty-five pupils. As some of the classes in senior college preparatory subjects are relatively small the provision of
113
one teacher to twenty-five pupils left the Senior High School somewhat understaffed and several classes had to be increased considerably above the maximum of thirty-five. One more teacher would have been of great advantage to pupils in these large classes who in some cases could not receive the individual attention that they required.
Highland Intermediate School
Moving the Junior High School out of the Highland School building gave rooms to relieve crowded conditions in the Elementary Schools. All of the Elementary School districts in the town were reorganized and an effort was made to reduce the number of pupils in a room to forty-two. District lines were changed somewhat and all of the fifth and sixth grade pupils were brought together into eight rooms in the Highland building and organized into a platoon school with one session from 8.30 a. m. to 2.30 p. m. The work of teaching was departmentalized to a large extent and additional facilities provided for manual training, sewing, cooking, assemblies, and physical training so that this school now has about the same advantages, appropriate to its grades, as were provided for the Junior High School when it occupied this building. The amount saved in not having to transfer these fifth and sixth grade pupils home to dinner just about offset the extra cost of bringing them all together into one building. The organizing of this consolidated Intermediate School was the greatest new achievement in improving the whole school system that has been inaugurated this year. Its advantages will be more and more in evidence as the results of its work are noted.
The Primary Districts
There are now five Elementary or Primary School districts, each accomodating grades one to four in two sessions daily, morning and afternoon. The Highland School has, beside the fifth and sixth grades, two rooms for the first four grades made up of pupils living near the building or between the building and Reading Square. This district was organized in order that the danger of crossing Reading Square might be avoided for these pupils. The Central District in the Center School and the Union St. School remains about the same except that the pupils from North Main Street above Ridge Road are transported to the Lowell Street School, thus leaving in the Center School some room for expansion. The other two districts comprised of the Prospect Street School and the Chestnut Hill School have the first four grades the same as the others. The rooms at the Chestnut Hill School are somewhat smaller than the average of about 42 and the ones at the Prospect Street School a little larger.
Supervision of Penmanship
The teacher of penmanship in the Junior High School is de- voting about half of her time to supervising the teaching of penmanship
114
in grades one to six inclusive. Several years ago Reading had a Supervisor of Penmanship but in recent years no special attention has been given to this subject and there was need of improvement. Gratifying results are being obtained.
Teacher Training
During the school year 1926-27 several pupils from the Salem State Normal School spent ten-week periods of observation and practice-teaching in the Center and Union Street Schools. Several advantages to Reading schools result from having these pupils here. Backward pupils receive individual attention, the pupil teachers act as substitutes without pay, their presence fresh from the Normal School is a stimulus to our teachers to be up to date in their technique of teaching, and through our knowledge of the abilities of these teachers we were able to select and employ three valued additions to our teaching corps.
This year the officials of the Salem Normal School asked to continue the arrangement and to include the Junior High School as a school to receive pupil teachers for observation and practice. The officials of the Salem Normal School paid us the further compliment of dropping the other towns to which pupils were sent last year and sending to Reading this year all the pupils that do not receive their observation and practice experience in the Normal School's own Practice School.
School Housekeeping
Systematic efforts have been made in the past year in co-opera- tion with the sub-committee on janitors and buildings to improve the school housekeeping and establish higher standards of cleanliness by more frequent sweeping, dusting, and scrubbing, by better methods of treatment of floors and in other ways improving the technique of caring for the buildings. Besides the new staff of janitors for the Junior High School additions have been made to the staff in the older buildings. Some changes have been made in the personnel of the janitorial staff and improvement in the care of buildings has been noted, but there is still room for further progress in this direction. Experimentation is now going on in improved methods of treating floors by wax-oil or wax varnish processes instead of parafine oil which gums and blackens the floors and holds dirt.
Free Transportation of Pupils
For several years free transportation has been provided for pupils in the Elementary grades and Junior High School but not for pupils in the Senior High School. But as the pupils that would have made up the Freshman class of the Senior High School were retained in the Junior High School this year their free transportation was
115
continued. This item of course increased our total cost of transporting pupils but it seems to be the right thing to do. In fact most towns provide free transportation to the Senior High School on the same plan as to the Junior High School or elementary schools.
Special Reports
With this report I transmit a number of special reports from different departments of the work of the schools. All of these contain important information and interesting accounts of methods of carrying on the work and in some cases recommendations for improvements. In view of the expansion due to the occupancy of the new Junior High School building and the consequent general reorganization it would seem wise not to undertake new enterprises until time has been given to consolidate the gains already made.
The harmonious relations existing throughout the teaching corps and the cordial co-operation of the principals of the Senior High School, the Junior High School, and the Highland Intermediate School are very gratifying and advantageous to the schools. The Supervisors of Music, Drawing, and Penmanship are doing highly satisfactory work in their respective fields. The Department of Standards and Guidance was somewhat hampered from September to December by the absence of Miss Wadleigh on account of illness. This increased Mrs. Lucas's responsibilities and necessitated postponement of some of the work. Now that Miss Wadleigh has returned the plans for the school year are being carried forward satisfactorily. A small Evening School has been carried on in the Grouard House on about the same scale as last year. This school should have many more pupils enrolled but we have not reached them and convinced them of the value of adult education. A petition was received signed by fifty mothers of young children asking for the establishment of Kindergartens. This is undoubetly desirable if the money can be provided. The education of adults and of pre-primary children are the two weakest spots in our education program in Reading. Both could undoubtedly be rapidly developed if funds were provided.
The health program is one of the strongest features of our system and has been carried out very efficiently during the past year. The report of the School Nurse and the Manager of the School Cafeterias will give the details of the work.
Our thanks are due to the Reading Chronicle for a column a week description of various features of the school activities. The schools have received help and co-operation from many outside agencies without which many of the things accomplished particularly in health work would be impossible. The Parent-Teacher Associations have been valued agencies in promoting the best means of education the children and promoting a good understanding and co-operation between
116
home and school. In closing this report I wish to express appreciation of the large amount of conscientious attention which the School Committee have given gratuitously to the directing of the schools. The amount of money involved in maintaining the schools is large and requires much time, good judgment, and some special knowledge and experience in order that its investment may bring adequate returns in the proper development of the children by education. I wish to thank all the members for their uniformly helpful attitude and generous consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
ADELBERT L. SAFFORD, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, 1927
Mr. Adelbert L. Safford,
Superintendent of Schools, Reading, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my annual report as Principal of the Reading Senior High School ending December 31, 1927.
In September, for the first time in the history of the Reading High School, there were no Freshmen enrolled. Those who would have been members of this class are now in the highest class in the Junior High School. Our schools are now, therefore, on a 6-3-3 basis. Because of this readjustment the Senior High School building is not taxed to capacity as it was the last two or three years. It is now possible for the first time in many years to have study rooms so that but few pupils need study in rooms where recitations are being con- ducted. This is as it should be and better scholarship should result. The total High School enrollment in September, 1927, was 379 pupils, divided as follows: Sophomores 144, Juniors 123, Seniors 103, Post Graduates 9.
In connection with transferring the Freshman Class to the Junior High School five teachers were also transferred to the Junior High School. In addition one teacher was transferred part time to the Highland School, and one third of another teacher's time was given to teaching in the Junior High School. Thus, even though the Music Director is giving three periods a day outside of music to High School instruction, we are somewhat understaffed. This is due to the fact that in the upper classes there is a greater diversification of subjects and also smaller classes. We anticipate that our enrollment next year will be increased by at least fifty pupils.
117
Standard of Work
No spectacular experiments or demonstrations have been attempted but our standard of achievement has been kept high and maintained with a considerable degree of satisfaction. Our boys and girls going to college have made an excellent record for themselves both in entrance examinations and class work after entering. This same thoro-going standard has manifested itself also in the pupils in the Normal and Commercial courses. Few of our graduates find difficulty in obtaining work after high school. Office, shop, normal school, college, public service, art; all these fields are open to our boys and girls and they soon find their opportunity to be of service.
The Class of 1927 comprised 106 graduates. From this number 53 continued their studies in the following institutions.
Art School, 2; Andover Acadamy, 1; Boston College, 1; Boston University, 5; Burdett College, 5; Business School, 2; Dartmonth, 3; Exeter Academy, 1; Forsyth Dental, 1; Interior Decorating, 1; Iowa University, 1; Kendall Hall, 1; Kindergarten School, 1; Mass. Inst. of Technology, 1; Moses Brown, 1; Normal, 7; Northeastern, 3; North- field Seminary, 1; Pace Institute, 2; Posse-Nissen, 2; Proctor Academy, 1; Radcliffe, 1; Skidmore, 1; Simmons, 1; Tilton School, 1; Wellesley, 1; Hospital Training, 1; Post Graduates, 4.
We were instrumental in placing many of our graduates in business positions in Reading and Boston. Most of these were placed through the efforts of our placement bureau which is under the direc- tion of Miss Greenhalgh, Head of the Secretarial Department, and Miss Drury, Head of the Accounting Department.
Those not continuing their studies are in the following positions :
Army, 1; Bank, 5; Electrical Work, 1; Hotel, 1; Market, 5; Married, 1; Office, 26; Orchestra, 1; Store, 3; Telephone, 1; Usher, 1; Unemployed, 7.
Accuracy
We have made extra efforts this year to develop accuracy in scholarship. We want the students to realize that each problem in Mathematics has accurate steps that must be uncovered to arrive at the correct answer. We point out to the individual who is doing Manual Training that to achieve accurate results each step in the work must be accurate. It is often a surprise to a student to realize that while native skill is a great asset in drawing, it is more important to develop an accurate sense of proportions. If a student has learned the strict value of accuracy he avoids verbosity in writing and speaking. Teachers point out beauty of accurate rhythm in poetry, the value of a correctly stated theorem, accurate translations and neatly turned phrases in English. Few of us ever develop into leaders of importance but we may all become followers of importance if we learn accuracy. Accuracy of thought which strips an idea of its emotions and senti-
118
mentalism and presents facts in their true beauty is necessary for clear thinking.
The Modern High School
The public High School is becoming more and more an institu- tion for all our youth. We should not attempt to make them finishing schools, training schools for business, or homes of champion athletic teams, but rather educational institutions for training in the elementary essentials of society. The elaboration of the three Rs, appreciation of art, music, worthy literature, the ordinary principles of natural phenonema, manners, personality, thrift, accuracy and character, and all that makes for good citizenship, should be thoroughly taught in the High School. To this end the character of the teacher is more essential than material equipment. Teachers who can point out the value of intellectual training for its own sake and not merely for money getting possibilities are valuable factors in the High School. Reading is fortunate in having many such teachers and should do all it can to retain them.
College Entrance
It is not only becoming increasingly difficult to get into college but also it is more difficult to stay there. However, the Reading High School is preparing and sending a large proportion of its senior class to grade A Colleges. Several of these pupils have made an excellent showing in entrance examinations and all of our pupils are maintaining a high scholarship. We prepare thoroughly for any college. However, getting into college is a co-operative effort between teacher and pupil. Even the brightest students find themselves far better fitted to do good college work after an additional year. Education and preparation is a leisurely process. Two often pupils will not do their share. No pupil who is unwilling to work hard in class and study a minimum of three hours outside of school daily can hope to get into college. Too many parents do not take prompt action when deficiencies are brought home and often wait until it is too late for their child to make up his work, before seeing to it that he does his assigned work. Accurate, thorough daily preparation is the only safe way into college. We advise a fourth or post graduate year in the High School for most pupils because of the strain of trying to do the work of preparing for college in three years.
Vocational Guidance after the Junior High
The Principal and Dean of Girls are making an effort along the lines of guiding the young students toward a proper selection of their life's work. This work is taken up where the Junior High School leaves it and through individual conferences and general assemblies each pupil is given encouragement to attain something noble in the direction of his greatest abilities.
119
Health
Our physical department has improved its opportunities in that both the directors for boys and girls have done splendid work in look- ing after the matter of correcting vocational or acquired deformities. Each child is given a thorough physical examination and when deformi- ties are found, corrective gymnastics are given. Room F on the top floor is used for this purpose. It does very well, but in view of the fact that many exercises are given on the floor this should be put in better and more sanitary condition. Those children who are underweight receive a mid-morning lunch of milk and crackers. Great improvement has been noted in not only the bearing of the pupil but also in his scholastic work.
Senior High School Lunch
With the loss of one of our classes we find the overcrowding at lunch time greatly relieved, but of course until we have suitable tables and seats conditions will still be somewhat inconvenient. However, the School Committee hopes to partially equip the Lunch Room with tables and seats this year, completing the job later on so that all who eat at one time may be taken care of. Our loyal corps of women still remain with us and the service they render is of uniform high grade. The menus offer appetizing and nourishing foods at prices low enough to fit the state of nearly everyone's pocketbook. In variety, quality, as well as in size of helpings, we compare favorably with other school lunches in nearby towns. No item at present costs over 10c. and a good lunch can be secured for about 20c. to 25c .; as for example, soup, sandwich, hot special, ice cream and cookies. We do not pretend to serve a full dinner but do give a warm nourishing lunch. Health and educational results are closely correlated.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Debating is again taking a prominent part in the High School. Two debates this past year with Wakefield were won by Reading. A most interesting debate was held under the auspices of the League of Women Voters. In connection with the question, which was, "Resolved, that the direct primary is the best way to elect officers," a prize was given for the best essay on the subject. All this sort of work goes a long way to develop the American ideal of education. And so in athletics, the games won and lost are soon forgotten but the value of sports under proper guidance is invaluable as a builder of character, the foundation of education.
Co-operative Spirit
The co-operative spirit of the teachers, pupils and townspeople is exceptionally splendid. Through the kindness of a fellow townsman sixty-five students were given the privilege of inspecting the air-plane
120
carrier "Lexington." Tickets to the Shakespearean plays were given by several citizens to the school for distribution to seniors. The League of Women Voters made a fine debate possible. This same organization, the Woman's Club, and other organizations have made use of the school library for meeting places. Other pleasant contacts have been made with the townspeople to the mutual benefit of all concerned. Co-operation and understanding is the best way toward improvement in education.
In conclusion I would like to quote from a recent article by President Angel of Yale. "In the last analysis the final educational outcome always comes back to the amount of ordered intellectual effort put forth by the student himself. Teachers and books, and all the rest of the educational equipment are simply adjuvants to this end. Essentially education is always self-education."
Respectfully submitted,
RUDOLPH SUSSMAN, Principal, Senior High School.
REPORT OF AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR, 1927
Mr. Rudolph Sussmann,
Principal of the High School.
Reading, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :- A report of the work of the Agricultural Depart- ment of the Reading High School for the year 1927 is hereby submitted.
The work of this department has been carried on according to the schedule of the Division of Vocational Education, the major subjects for 1926-27 being poultry-keeping and orcharding. Wherever possible, seasonable work and special opportunities for teaching have been used to get the boys out of the classroom onto real jobs. More tools were bought and all of the boys given actual work in pruning trees, vines and shrubs; and planting, grafting and spraying. They have done highly satisfactory work and the department can furnish boys at any time competent to do this work, as well as to care for lawns and gardens. I may add that there is need for this work in town for we found many places badly infested with San Jose and Oyster shell scale, and many vines and trees neglected and in need of treatment for wounds, canker and fire-blight.
Two years ago a judging team took part in the State cham- pionship contest at Amherst on High School Day and fared rather badly. This year visits were made and practice judging done at some of
121
the best herds we could reach. For Holsteins we went to the State Infirmary at Tewksbury, for Ayrshires to the American Woolen Company's Farms at Andover, for Jerseys to Dr. Herman's at Lincoln and for Shorthorns to the Ryder Stock Farm at Lexington. At each of these places the boys had opportunity to see and handle some of the best individuals of the breeds, and this year we took eighth place in the judging contest. Sixteen teams competed.
Among other places of interest visited for study were the Lord Farms at Methuen, Whiting's Milk Station at Charlestown, North Wilmington and Breck's Nurseries, the Market Garden Field Station at Waltham, the United States Department of Agriculture Laboratory at Melrose, The Nashoba apple packing plant at Littleton and Reed's ham Works at Burlington. This last trip was made because the class had just slaughtered and dressed a hog raised by one of its members as a project and wished to study the final curing of the meat.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.