USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1934 > Part 11
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 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
In addition to the regular project work, a demonstration was given by the Food Preservation specialist on canning and jelly making and one by the Home Demonstration Agent on simple refreshments. A great deal of interest is shown in the clothing work which begins in Feb- ruary.
127
It should be remembered that the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service is free to all citizens of the county who desire to participate in its work. It is organized primarily to serve farmers, homemakers and boys and girls residing in rural sections, but home- makers, back yard gardeners and boys and girls in villages may also avail themselves of this service.
MRS. HERBERT L. HENDERSON,
Chairman for Reading.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report as Dog Officer to December 31, 1934 :
Since my appointment in September I have canvassed the town to see that all dogs were licensed. Unlicensed and stray dogs have been found and disposed of as follows: fifty-four have been gassed, five sent to the Animal Rescue League, six returned to owners, and have found homes for ten. All stray dogs are kept for fourteen days before any disposition is made of them, except those whose owners appear to claim them.
The Town Clerk reports that two hundred and sixty-seven dollars ($267.00) was paid in for dog licenses as a result of the Dog Officer's efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. MELENDY,
Dog Officer.
Reading, December 31, 1934.
123
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS
For the year Ended December 31,
1934
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
School Committee
Arthur W. Coolidge. Ch., 136 Summer Ave.
Term Expires 1937
Mrs. Helen B. Hartshorn, 15 Vine St.
Term Expires 1937
Mrs. Ruth M. Stembridge, 74 King St. Term Expires 1935
Dr. Charles R. Wakeling, 25 Linden St. Term Expires 1936
Charles A. Holcomb, South St., R. F. D. Term Expires 1935 Frank D. Tanner, 91 Oak St. Term Expires 1935
School Committee Office
Grouard House, 9 School St.
Telephone, Reading 0180
Open daily 8:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. Saturdays 9:00 a. m. to 12 m.
Superintendent of Schools
Arthur E. Pierce, 38 Vine St. Tel. Res. 0243; Office 0180
School Committee Clerk
Hope R. Williamson, 44 Vine St. Tel. Res. 1338; Office 0180
School Physician
Dr. Charles R. Henderson, 126 Woburn St. Telephone 0580
Supervisor of Attendance and of School Lunches Secretary to Superintendent
Abigail H. Mingo, 15 Prescott st. Tel. Res. 0808-R, Office 0180
No-School Signals Fire Alarm 2-2 repeated three times. Street lights turned on for five minutes. 7:30 a. m. for Senior High School, Junior High School, Highland School, and Opportunity School. 8.15 a. m. for Grades I to IV inclusive, morning session. 12:45 p. m. for Grades 1 to 4 inclusive, afternoon session.
To keep the schools open every day if possible is the policy of the management. This affords parents the choice either of sending pupils to school or of keeping them at home as the parent considers the con- ditions warrant in his particular case.
130
School Clinics
Dental, Wednesday and Friday at the Grouard House, 9-12 and 1-4. Habit, every Tuesday at 2:30 in Nurse's office at High School. Posture, second Monday in the month at the Channell House. Pre-School, at the Town Building, room 19, every Tuesday, 2-4 p. m. Tuberculosis Prevention, by special appointment. Diphtheria Prevention, by special appointment.
School Janitors
High School :
John Maguire, Fairview Ave. Telephone : : 0581-W
Charles Cummings, 17 Lincoln St.
Mary L. Kennedy, 47 Washington St. 0100-J
Junior High School :
Henry W. Bryden, 14 Village St. 1567-W
Walter Smith, 30 Temple St. 1445-M
Fred Riessle, 4 King St.
1199
Agnes Hurley, 108 Haven St.
Highland School :
James L. Healey, 139 West St. 0047-M
Arthur H. Cook, 170 High St. 0041-W
Emma Tibbetts, 9 School St. 0460-M
Center and Union St. Schools : Edward McBrien, 18 Salem St. 0228
Prospect St. School: J. Fred Richardson, 17 Prospect St. 0161-J
Lowell. St. School: Sylvanus L. Thompson, 8 Intervale Ter. 0827
Chestnut Hill: Leander Smith, 5 Winter St. 0955-M
School Schedule
September 1935 to June 1936 inclusive
Schools open No Sessions :
September 9, 1935
Teacher's Convention October 25, 1935
Armistice Day November 11, 1935
Thanksgiving Recess from noon November 27, 1935 to December 2, 1935
131
Christmas Vacation from close of regular session on Friday December 20, 1935 to January 2, 1936
Winter Vacation week of February 23, 1936
Spring Vacation week of
April 26, 1936
Holiday-no sessions
June 17, 1936
Schools close for summer
June 19, 1936
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading :
The School Committee herewith presents its report and those of the Superintendent, Principals, and Department heads.
Anyone who attempts to survey a public school system cannot fail to be impressed by the variety of activities and interests that are repre- sented. The task and responsibility of directing public education in the immediate future is admittedly great. From these many activities, two definite aims stand out as fundamental : first to develop character, and second to give pupils a better knowledge of our social and economic problems so that they may be better fitted in the future to assist in their proper solution.
Effective budget making and loyal co-operation by the personnel of the School Department made it possible during the past two years to make economies with a minimum disturbance to these varied interests. As the Committee pointed out last year the budget for the past year represented a minimum amount on which the system could be operated on the plane on which the Committee believes the Town wishes its schools to be maintained. Some of the economies inaugurated have shown their toll. The Committee is making recommendations to remedy some of the more obvious results.
Over a course of years, the caliber of new appointments to the administrative and teaching staff and the retention of those occupying key positions determine the fate of the schools. Adequate salaries play an important part in determining what type of instructors we can attract and hold. The Committee feel that the salaries of the teach-
132
ers were in no sense excessive before the salary cut was inaugurated. As a matter of justice, step-up salary increments were restored last September. We feel the teachers earn and are entitled to their full salaries, that restoration of cuts should be made, at least in part, this year, and in full as soon as the ability of the community to pay per- mits.
During the past year emphasis has been placed in improving the ele- mentary grades. By changes in the Highland School, three new rooms were made available, and three teachers added to the elementary staff. This relieved the housing problem where it was most acute and has helped to lessen the teaching load in the grades.
Erection of steel bleachers, further grading and fencing of the play field at the Junior High School have provided the system with an enclosed play ground adequate for daily use and for public exhibi- tions. This fills a long felt need in the Physical Education department. E. R. A. projects were instrumental in this and in the painting of the buildings.
During the year there has been a change in the administrative head of the system. Adelbert L. Safford had been superintendent of schools in Reading for twenty-one years. Full credit should be given for his progressive vision, his regard for educational ideals, his long experience in both theory and practice of education. Much of what is best in the system is due to his leadership. The regard in which Mr. Safford is held by the teachers, citizens, and educators was expressed in a public dinner held in his honor.
Mr. Arthur E. Fierce of Southbridge was elected to the super- intendency of the Reading-North Reading Union and assumed his duties in August.
The terms of Charles A. Holcomb and Frank D. Tanner expire this spring.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. COOLIDGE, Chairman HELEN B. HARTSHORN CHARLES A. HOLCOMB RUTH A. STEMBRIDGE FRANK D. TANNER CHARLES R. WAKELING
School Committee.
133
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET, 1935
Est. Appro. 1935
Expended 1934
Expended 1933
Expended 1932
SALARIES
$153,461.00
Supt. and Teachers
$145,757.73
$143,344.76
$166,516.83
16,040.00
Janitors
15,675,64
15,711.28
16,913.20
461.00
Attendance Officer
435.00
435.00
500.00
948.00
Medical Inspector
935-00
935.00
1,000.00
1,842.00
Nurse
1,895.00
2,464.86
3,138.67
$172,752.00
$164,698.37
$162,890.90
$188,068.70
Total Salaries Cont. by sch. employ's to Wel. Fund
$ 7,675.98
MAINTENANCE :
$ 6,200.00*
Transportation
$ 5,949.30
$ 5.866.58
$ 6,427.76
200.00* Tuition
19.14
92.00
4.700.00*
Books
5,372.88
3,749.00
4,081.78
6,550.00*
Supplies for Fupils
4,992.98
6,570.19
7,377.13
935.00*
Apparatus for Teaching
988.70
1,166.82
926.13
Administrative Expense :
300.00
Print. and Advert.
$ 232.87
$ 561.13
$ 343.37
750.00
Office Supplies
803.64
745.75
511.38
800.00 Telephones
895.63
810.45
826.86
300.00
Graduation
290.45
250.24
306.60
450.00 Supt.'s Expense
184.54
10-00
460.00
Superv. Expense
468.40
607.44
463.09
250.00
Health
259.79
3,310.00*
Total Adm. Exp.
3,135.32
3,050.31
2,451.30
6,000.00*
Fuel
4,292.41
4,332.35
5,355.63
Operation of Plant :
2,600.00
Gas and Electricity
2,504.92
2,054.92
2,259.02
1,400.00
Water and Sewer
1,180.08
1,351.98
1,284.47
450.00
Removal Ashes, etc.
399.09
363.59
423.08
2,000.00
Janitors' Supplies
2,012.89
1,428,35
1,678-89
6,450.00*
Total Oper. Plant
6,096.98
5,198.84
5,645.46
Maint. and Improvements :
7,680.00
Repairs
4,982.17
1,580.00
Furn. and Equip.
1,084.94
7,268.32
9,508.81
1,362.00
Grounds
2,078.18
1,329.45
1,173.41
C. W. A.
1,177.70
1,353.58
1,424.33
13,635.00*
Total M. and I.
9,322.99
9,951.35
12,106.55
3,373.00*
Insurance
3,372.16
317.77
346.95
Prof. Jesse B. Davis
50.00
$ 43,390.00* Total Maintenance
$ 43,592.86
$ 40,203.21
$ 44,810.69
€
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET, 1935
$221,142.00
TOTAL EXPEND. :
$208,291.23
$203,094.11
$232,879.39
AGRICULTURAL ACCT. :
$ 2,775.04
Salaries
$
2,737.04
$
2,322.86
$ 2,765.81
540.00
Maintenance and Supplies
155.41
114.34
251.97
1,500.00 INDUS. TUITION :
$
995.80
$ 1,348.51
$
1,742.94
SPEC. APPROPRIATIONS :
.
$ 1,950.00
F. R A. Painting Materials
$
1,246.00
1,500.00
E. R. A., Other Materials
$ 3,450.00
Total
Grading Jr. High School
72.40
$ 28.75
$ 3,398.85
Highland Sch .- Rep. and Alter.
8,500.00
Highland Sch .- Furnishings
1,200.00
Bleachers-Jr. High School
3,041.03
*Totals
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS NOT FROM TAX LEVY SHOWING NET COST TO THE TOWN - 1934
General Account:
Total Expenditures 1934
$208,291.23
Receipts :
State Reimbursement
$ 16,558.00
Tuition
17,705.19
Sundry receipts
84.00
Due but not paid
(5,545.82)
34,347.19
Net Cost to Town
$173,944.04
Agricultural Account:
Total Expenditures 1934
$ 2,892.45
Receipts :
State Aid Ind. Sch.
$ 1,159.20
Tuition
1,222.66
Smith-Hughes Fund
313.91
George Reed Fund
454.16
Due but not paid
(163.50)
2,740.93
Net Cost to Town
$ 151.52
Industrial Tuition :
Total Expenditure 1934
$ 995.80
Receipts : State Reimbursement
803.58
Net Cost to Town
192.22 $
CHANGE IN PERSONNEL - 1934
Left:
April
Margaret Hunt
Doris E. Bauer
June June
Lois R. Bradley
September
Adelbert L. Safford
December 21
Margaret Cameron
December 21
Gladys Cutcliffe
December 21
Eva C. Wilcox
School Committee Clerk Highland School High School - Latin Surerintendent of Schools Supervisor Penmanship Jr. High School - Gen. Science Highland School
Appointed
August
September
Superintendent of Schools High School - Latin Highland School Highland School
September September
September September
Arthur E. Pierce Mildred H. Holden Elizabeth Larkin Helena Markham Margaret Scullane Mary M. Walsh
Highland School Highland School
137
TEACHERS IN SERVICE, DECEMBER 31, 1934, WHERE EDUCATED, YEAR APPOINTED Showing Attendance and Enrollment for Year Ending June 22, 1934 and Enrollment for October 1, 1934
School
Name of Teacher
Year
Appointed
Grade or Subjects Taught
Graduate of
Total
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Enrollment Oct. 1. 1934
Arthur E. Pierce .
1934
Superintendent of Schools
*Mass. State, B.S .; Harvard, Ed.M.
2,434
Abigail H. Mingo
1918
Supt's Sec., attend. Off.,
Mgr. Lanches, Dean Garas
llope R. Williamson
1931
Clerk, Sch. Committee.
Verna L. Wadleigh
1927
Dir. Research and Guidance
*B. U. 3 rs; Harvard Grad. Sch.
Philip W. Althoff
1927
Dir. Phys. Ed. and Athletics.
*Spring ield College, B.P.H. *B. U., B.S.kd .: Mass. Memor. Hosp.
Mabel M. Brown
1921
Director Health.
Charles R. Henderson,
ŞI.D.
Medical Inspector
547
504.27
468.31
92.43
555
Rudolf Sussmann
1917
Principal.
*Conn. Ag., B.S. Agr .; B.C., B.S.Ed.
Myrtle W. Tilton
1926
Secretary
Reading High School.
Josephine M. Bariow
1928
English
*Mt. Holyo c, A.B .; B.U., M.A.
Elizabeth Batchelder
1915
Com. English, and Type.
$Salem Nor .; B.U., B.S.Ed.
Clarissa I. Brown
1924
English
*Gorham Nor .; B.U., B.S.Ed.
Elva A. Buckley
1924
Shorthand and Type.
* Bay Path Inst .; B.U., B.S.k.d.
A. Imrie Dixon .
1930
History
*Ohio Wesleyan, A.B .; Harvard, M.A.
Henry J. Downes .
1933
*Boston College, Ph.B.
Alberta F. Drury
1917
*Posse Normal. Salem Normal
Helen M. England
1929
Helene M. Frns>
1931
German, History
*Bost mi College, A.B.
E. Frances Greenh Jgh
1914
*Bay Path, Willimant c Nor.
Luke Ilalpin .
1922
*Bowdoin, A.B .; B.U., A.M.
Mildred Holder
1934
Latin.
*Mt. Holyose, B.A.
Lillian H. Jenkins
1930
Biology, Math
*Univ. of Missouri, A.B ..
Ida C. Lucas
1917
Cont. Goog., Eng., Arith., Math.
*Sargent Sch .; B.U., B.S.
Mercie V. Nichols
1929
*Lasell and N.E. Sch. of Design
Samuel A. W. Peck
1931
Music, High and Jr. High .
*Boston Univ., A.B.
Frederick J. Pope
1922
Chemistry and Physics
*Colby, B.S., Harvard, Ed.M.
Marian T. Pratt .
1919
French ..
*Wellesley, A.B .. .
Carmen Simon
1928
French, English
*Boston Univ., A.B., A.M. *Bates, A.B .; Harvard, Ed.M.
609
542.66
532.17
93.05
575
Jr. High
Raymond W. Blaisdell
1923
Principal
*Radcliffe, A.B., A.M Radcliffe, A.B.
Joseph F. Fitzgerald
1929
Geometry, Anc. History
Shorthand, Typewriting Mathematics.
*Worcester Nor .; B.U., A.B., A.M
Florence G. Nichols
1929
Physical ld. High and Elem ..
Super. Drawing-Mech. Draw.
-
Coach, Hist., Alg., C.C. Rev.
Bookkeeping and Penmanship. English
2,312
*Boston Univ., A.B .; Chandler Sec. - Boston Univ., Sec. Cert ..
Iligh
TEACHERS IN SERVICE, DECEMBER 31, 1934, WHERE EDUCATED, YEAR APPOINTED) Showing Attendance and Enrollment for Year Ending June 22, 1934 and Enrollment for October 1, 1934
School
Name of Teacher
Appointed Year
Grade or Subjects Taught
Graduate of
Total
Enrollment
Average
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Enrollment
Oct. 1, 1934
Jr. High . . . ..
Doris Skinner .
1925
Secretary .
Chandler Secretarial
Alice L. Arsenault
1933
Clerk .
Reading High School .
George D. Anderson
1926
Mathematics
*Boston Univ., S.B., A.M.
29
26.64
25.35 28.726
94.66 93.545
Helen B. Bean
1931
English .
Wellesley, A.B ..
33
30.71
¡Margaret Cameron
1927
Super. and Teacher Penmanship.
*Salem Nor .; Zancrian Coll. of Pen.
3.3
31.52
29.16
92.56
Marian D. Day .
1925
Science .
*Beverly High School.
Lyman E. Fancy
1918
Woodworking
*Mass. Normal Art.
31
30.97
28.47
96.39
Helen L. Frost .
1933
Art. .
*Mass. School of Art . Salem Normal .
38
36.70
32.85
88.53
Grace M. Harriman
1928
Soc. Studies, Vocations
*Radcliffe, A.B .; Harvard A.M
30
26.15
95.20
Grace N. Heffron
1930
English .
Tufts, A.B. .
35
32.48
31.43
92.98
Genevieve P. Hook
1931
Latin and French
35
32.39
29.87
92.23
Louise B. Jenkins
1920
Soc. Studies .
35
32.33
29.06
89.89
Helen T. McGill
1928
English
Wheaton College, A.B
38
32.88
30.62
93.12
Claudia Perry .
1928
*Radcliffe, A.B.
36
33.64
31.96
93.34
Victor E. Pitkin
1933
*Clark Univ., A.B., A.M.
36
32.05
29.30
91.45
Dorothy Randall
1929
*Bridgewater Nor .; Radcliffe., A.B
32
31.83
30.20
94.8
Anna M. Reck.
1928
*Radcliffe, A.B ..
16
14.97
13.66
87.34
William A. Rich .
1928
Mathematics
28
27.37
26.07
95.25
Frances K. Shelly
1933
*Janiata College, B.S ..
31
30.38
28.17
92.72
Margaret E. Tyacke
1926
Phys. Ed. and Hygiene
32
29.58
29.42
93.00
Ethel S. Williams
1922
Type., Spell., Bookkeeping
*Salem Normal.
31
30.25
28.21
93.32
John M. Woodbridge, Jr
1930
Soc. Studies, Bus. Pract.
33
30.08
26.46
94.63
Highland . ..
M. Grace Wakefield
1890
Prin. Hld. Center, Union
*Salem Normal .
841
Beatrice Bryden
1927
Secretary .
Chandler Secretarial .
Dorothy A. Allard
1927
History and Science
*Salem Normal
44
42.68
38.04
97.00
38
Lillian Brann .
1930
Grade 5.
*Farmington Nor. 1 yr.
40
35.71
31.65
87.60
34
Marjorie Buckle
1927
Phys. Ed.
*Posse-Nissen, 3 yrs ..
41
39.69
36.36
91.188
34
A. Louise Fogg .
1919
Grade 6.
*Colby, 2 yrs .; B.
*Not in-
cluded
in 575
above.
-
*38
Halden L. Harding
1927
Grade 3 and 4
Walter E. Hawkes
1933
Phys. Ed. and Hygiene .
35
32.59
29.88
91.64
*Bridgewater Nor .; B.U., B.S.Ed ..
Inez H. Lewis .
1923
Mathematics
Gorham Normal.
English
Soc. Studies .
Mathematics and English
20
Special Class
*Salem Nor .; B.U., B.S.Ed. .
Home Economics, High and J.II.
*Girls High Sch., Boston; Harvard Summer
*Ilar., A.B., Ed.M .; Har. Bus., M.A.
801
¡Gladys Cutcliffe .
1928
General Science
Salem Normal .
Springheld College, B.S. .
** Univ. Vermont, A: B .; Radcliffe, M.A.
.
Membership
'TEACHERS IN SERVICE, DECEMBER 31, 1934, WHERE EDUCATED, YEAR APPOINTED Showing Attendance and Enrollment for Year Ending June 22, 1934 and Enrollment for October 1, 1934
School
Name of Teacher
Year
Appoined
Grade or - Subjects Taught
Graduate of
Total
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Attendance
Enrollment
Oct. 1, 1934
Matilda J. Gamble
1920
Grade 5
*Woburn High School
41
37.83
34.18
88.42
37
Carolyn C. Grace
1919
Grade 6
*North Adams Normal .
40
39.28
34.25
86.55
34
Elizabeth Larkin .
1934
Grade 5.
30
Florence Potter
1926
Grade 5.
*Plymouth, N.II. Normal
4.3
40.26
37.57
93.32
36
Annie W. Quillen .
1916
Grade 6
** Salem Normal
44
42.05
37.76
89.85
34
Margaret Scullane
1934
Grade 6.
*Lowell Normal.
44
42.90
38.60
89.85
35
Helen D. Stockwell
1930
Opportunity
21
19.63
17.85
90.93
19
Florence Thackleberry
1931
Grade 6.
*Plymouth Normal
37
33.98
30.72
90.42
28
Mary M. Walsh
1934
Margaret Whittier
1916
Music Grades 1-6
43
41.37
37.59
90.93
38
A. Louise Breeze
1933
Grade 4
39
36. 47
33.94
91.95
37
Addie A. Copeland
1925
Grade 1
31
27.45
23.58
84.74
27
Dorothy Cronin
1933
Grade 3
44
41.15
36.50
88.71
36
Helen Donnelly .
1933
* Boston University
33
31.4
28.94
92.00
33
Edna T. Lounsbury
1930
Grade 3
*Salem Normal
47
40.667
36.74
90.315
37
Norma E. Perkins.
1928
Grade 4
Salem Normal
43
39.81
36.28
81.838
37
Union St .. . ..
Alice D. Berry .
1927
Grade 1
44
34.80
30.57
87.66
38
Winifred Cochrane
1920
Grade 1
45
39.26
35.79
86.45
37
Glenna A. Dow .
1919
Grade 2.
39
36.04
31.97
91.16
31
Alberta D. Mathieson
1924
Grade 2.
** Salem Normal.
38
29.11
26.38
91.11
30
Lowell St.
Nellie P. Beaton .
1920
Grade 4, Principal
46
40.48
37.45
92.64
32
Dorothy L. Burgess
1926
Grade 1
*Lesley Normal
46
43.05
36.23
83.99
37
Doris R. Cleary .
1927
Grade 2.
*Salem Normal
46
40.64
36.34
89.04
35
Isabel Winchester
1928
Grade 3.
*Salem Normal
42
41.15
36.05
87.74
34
Prospect St ... .
Ada E. Dow.
1908
Grade 3, Principal .
43
40.25
36.798
91.51
29
Jessie L. Goddard
1926
Grade 2.
** Bridgewater Normal
33
29.69
25.12
84.41
39
Velina E. Herrick
1927
Grade 1
*Perry Normal .
40
37.44
32.21
85.88
42
Olive S. Perry .
1916
Grade 4.
*Wheelock .
38
35.62
32.38
91.18
39
Chestnut Hill .
Irene Royea .
1928
Grades 1 and 2, Principal
33
29.07
25.74
86.585
21
Josephine H. Carleton
1932
Grades 3 and 4
*Boston Univ., Lowell Norm.
32
27.16
24.61
90. 44
35
:
** Salem Normal.
1. . va E. Wilcox
1927
Grade 5.
*Nova Scotia Prov. Normal
*Plymouth Normal; Tufts, 2 yrs.
* Dover, N.II., High School .
* Lowell Normal
Grades 3 and 4
*Bridgewater Normal
*T'lymonth, N.II., Normal
*Caribou Iligh School, Emerson 1 yr.
*Danvers Iligli School
.
+Resigned December 21, 1935
*Have taken extra courses for credit
30
Helena Markhan
1934
Grades 3 and 4
*Framingham Normal .
*Salem Normal
Grade 6
*Westfield Teachers' College; B.U., B.S.Ed.
31
Center
Wellesley, 2 yrs .; B.U., B.S.Ed.
Per cent of
*Aroostook State Norm., 1 yr
*Caribou High, Emerson, Lowell Norm.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1934
To the Honorable, the School Committee,
Reading, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I present herewith my first annual report, it being the forty-second of the series of reports issued by the superintendent of the public schools of this town.
I wish to express my appreciation and pride at the opportunity that has been given me to serve the people of Reading and their chil- dren. That feeling of pride is heightened by the fact that I follow Mr. Adelbert L. Safford in this office. Through his foresight and his ex- ceptional knowledge of education, and through his able leadership, a sound educational system has been built in Reading. To keep that sys- tem at its present high standard and to keep continuous the progress that has marked it, presents a very real challenge.
The foundation is solid and the structure sound. There are, it seems to me, several principal strengths. First is the effort that is be- ing made in all branches of the work, including the health and physi- cal education, to meet the needs of the individual child. The testing program is an essential element in that endeavor. Through it, is pro- vided information that, coupled with the teacher's experience and judg- ment, makes the adjustment of the work to each child more possible and more certain. The promotion procedure is correlated with that work, for it attempts through a study of all available information to see that no child is pushed into work that will cause strain because of the fact that he is not ready or prepared for it. At the same time it aids in setting up enriched work for the gifted child. The schools should teach success, not failure, and that cannot be done by placing the child where he will have to compete with work for which he is not ready either in natural endowment or in previous experience and learnings.
Secondly, an attempt is being made to present much of the subject matter in terms of units of work that, instead of appearing as so many disconnected facts, appeal to the child as problems having meaning and a bearing on his own present life and experience. In our life's work, both as children and as adults, facts have meaning and interest only as they apply to our daily life and its problems. When knowledge does have that application it is more readily learned and better retained.
Thirdly, the schools are organized on the junior high school basis rather than on the 8-4 system. The junior high school is no longer an experiment. It has demonstrated, wherever it is well organized, that it can better meet the needs of the children of the age it serves than did the 8-4 system. At the same time that it meets those needs, through its enriched program, it is showing that the fundamentals and the col- lege preparatory function need not be neglected or allowed to suffer.
141
It is not a panacea; it has weaknesses, but the fundamental idea is sound.
Last, but of primary importance, is the fact that Reading has a staff of teachers who, on the whole, are well trained and highly pro- fessional in their atttiude toward their work. A change in administra- tion cannot but make necessarily for them a period of re-adjustment. I am deeply appreciative of the way in which they are meeting the situation.
In this system. as in all others, weaknesses here and there will in- evitably come to light. We shall address ourselves to seeking out those weaknesses and to correcting them as best we can. The teachers of Reading have demonstrated and are demonstrating not only a willing- ness but also a desire to aid in the studies that will make for improve- inent. Their excellent professional spirit makes further progress and the correction of defects easier and more certain.
Age of Our Pupils
Children should not be put into formal school work until they are sufficiently mature mentally, physically, and socially. I feel that we should make a study as to whether some of our children are not start- ing school before they have reached that maturity.
Children even below our present entrance age should have school experience. It should, however, be not in the first grade, but in a pre- primary (kindergarten) room. The lack of such classes is a weakness of the Reading system. I recognize that now is not the time to organ- ize them even if there were room to do so, but they should be con- sidered in future planning.
Adult Education
The increased leisure that marks our time, and which is apparently here to stay, and the serious need for education to meet changing in- du trial, business, and social conditions make it increasingly evident that Reading and all other communities must give careful thought and planning to adult education programs.
School Buildings
Reading can well be proud of its junior high school plant. The high school building is a satisfactory structure. It is, however, over- crowded and needs more rooms, as is pointed out in more detail in Mr. Sussmann's report. In any plan of enlargement. consideration should be given to better physical education facilities, both as to gym- nasium and as to playground. The primary buildings should, however, receive first attention. They are hardly in keeping with the high civic ideals that seem to be typical of Reading. They are not only over- crowded but are also unhygienic, and they certainly provide very little protection against fire.
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.