USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1935 > Part 14
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Agriculture
The Agricultural Department of the High School continued to win state approval for its work. This year's class of sixteen is small, yet during the year the individuals of the group earned $3437.00, and won several prizes in various state contests.
Much of the teaching in this course is done right in the field. Each boy receives aid from the instructor on his particular project. All of the boys have opportunity to observe agriculture, in its various phases actually at work.
The enrollment for 1935 :
Sophomores 6
Juniors
Seniors 7
3
16
Graduated October 15, 1933 3
HEALTH
The health work in the schools has been exceedingly difficult this year, and particularly since September. Infantile paralysis and scarlet fever made it necessary for the nurse or doctor to be in each school each day. I wish to commend both Dr. Henderson and Miss Brown for the excellent way in which they handled the situation. Much of the regular health work had to be neglected or slighted.
The following on communicable diseases is quoted from Miss Brown's report : "Owing to the prevalence of communicable diseases, in the form of german measles last spring, three cases of infantile paraly- sis this fall, and, later, scarlet fever, a considerable amount of time has been devoted to communicable disease control. Every effort has been made by the school to check the spread of these diseases. Daily inspection has been made in those schools where a child developed the disease, pupils have been readmitted following illness-absences by the doctor or nurse, excluded cases have been followed up by the nurse, and, in those schools where a number of children have been out on account
178
of contagion, absentees have been investigated. This has made a tre- mendous amount of additional work and has delayed many of the routine functions of the health program. Through the co-operation of the Board of Health and the Department of Nursing, Simmons College, an additional nurse was placed on this work from December 2-21, and an intensive campaign to teach the methods of communicable disease control was undertaken. If, through this practical demonstration, pa- rents have learned the importance of early and adequate medical sup- ervision when communicable disease is present in the community and the value of isolation and quarantine, the efforts along this line will have been worth while.
"Unfortunately, the problem of communicable disease will not be solved, or even greatly reduced, by isolation and quarantine alone. Many factors, such as the case of communicable disease that is deliberately hidden, the case that is so mild that it escapes diagnosis, the problem of the disease carrier, and the fact that many of these diseases are more contagious before the symptoms appear, make the problem of control a difficult one.
"Communicable diseases will continue to exist and flourish until such time as every case is discovered through the efforts of an enlightened public that looks upon any illness, especially in children, with suspicion, and provides proper isolation until the question of contagion is ruled out; through the development of a public consciousness that thinks in terms of community protection, instead of personal convenience; and through better methods of detection and control of the carrier. In many cases, prevention offers the most satisfactory solution. In those diseases, where safe methods of prevention have been developed, such as smallpox and diphtheria, resource to these protective methods seems indicated."
Reading has an excellent program of health improvement and heatlh protection. Previous to the depression, there were two school nurses. Miss Brown is doing yeoman service in trying to carry on all of the work. I recommend, however, that another nurse be added, when possible, and that we require that she be, not only a graduate nurse, but, also, that she have had training in public health and school nursing.
A survey of the lighting in the schools indicated the need for ad- justments in lighting equipment in many of the rooms. Within the physical limitations of the room, those adjustments have been made. The teachers are co-operating to see that the children's eyes are not strained by inadequate light, and, at the same time, are making every effort to have optimum temperature and ventilation.
I concur in Miss Brown's recommendation to me that better wash- ing facilities be provided in the High School and Highland School, and that more time for washing before eating be allowed in the three schools
179
where there are cafeterias. The children are taught in their health classes to wash their hands before eating, but the facilities for doing so can be improved.
We should, as soon as possible, start on a regular program of re- placing the old, unadjustable furniture with newer types that are less harmful to posture.
The increased use of the diphtheria clinics in 1935 was quite marked. Of the 329 children visiting the clinic, 163 were new members. Of these, 61% were pre-school children, and, of the remainder, another 61% were first grade children. I quote Miss Brown again: "The fact that so large a number of the new participants were pre-school children is highly gratifying. The fact, however, that 61% of the remainder were first grade pupils shows that many parents are awaiting until their children get into school before having them immunized. From the point of view of diphtheria prevention, the latter is unfortunate, as there is not only a greater incidence to the disease but more deaths from it between the ages of one to five than any other age group."
The regular program of health instruction has been carried on dur- ing the year. Objective tests and health-habit questionnaires were given to the pupils of the first six grades. Remedial work was then in- stituted to care for the weaknesses that were indicated by the results.
I should like to add emphasis to one of Miss Brown's concluding paragraphs: "No report of the Health Department would be complete without a word of appreciation for the unfailing support of the Reading Good Health Committee, for the contribution which it has made over a period of years to our school health program. Appreciation is also due for the splendid co-operation which we have had from the Board of Health and the Welfare Department and the local F. E. R. A."
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Objective measurements of the results of physical education are relatively new. Since 1933, all High School pupils have been given what is known as a Physical Fitness Index test. This is arrived at through a series of physical capacity tests : lung, grip, back, leg, and arm. After securing the indexes, an effort was made to base the physical education program on the test results. Attention was concentrated on those with the lowest index.
The test results for the several years indicate substantial gains, and show that physical education is playing a real part in improving the physical fitness of our pupils.
Many of our boys and girls are getting enjoyment, physical better- ment, and lessons of team play from our regular competitive and intra- mural athletics and games. The following tables show the number taking part:
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Table 1-High School Competitive and Intra-mural Activities
Classification
Activity
Boys
Girls Total No. of
Contests
Inter-school
Football
65
65
9
Basketball
32
50
82
17
Baseball
28
28
12
Soccer
25
25
4
Tennis
11
4
Cross Country
20
20
6
Golf
10
10
8
Field Hockey
25
25
2
8 Teams
191
75
266
62
Intra-mural
Riding
48
48
Swimming
15
15
Rifle
18
18
Basketball
75
75
Golf Instruction
18
18
Wrestling
20
20
Tennis
28
30
58
Gymnastics
30
30
Archery
20
20
9 Activities
171
131
302
Table 2-Junior High School Intra-mural Activities Girls
Activity
Number Participating
No. of Teams
Squash Ball
91
13
Kick Ball
123
17
Field Hockey
35
3
Baseball
224
28
Basketball
237
38
5 Activities
710
99
181
Activity
Boys Number Participating
No. of Teams
Basketball
137
18
Interscholastic Basketball
29
4
Baseball
168
16
Baseball Team
24
1
Soccer
111
10
Touch Football
45
4
514
53
6 Activities
An afternoon program is also carried on at the Highland School.
MUSIC
Elementary Schools
Miss Whittier, with the aid of teachers, has revised the course of study in music for the first six grades. The new course provides, not only for the teaching of music fundamentals and appreciation, but, also, for the integration of the music with other subjects. Each teach- er has an outline of the work with suggestions for possible correlations with other activities.
Musical programs were held in all of the schools during the year. The operetta, "The Smiling Sixpence," presented by the sixth grade at the Highland School was an outstanding success.
The brevity of this, my report on music in the first six grades, does not imply a lack of importance, for it is vitally important. I take the following from Miss Whittier's report : "In a recent article by Mr. Os- bourne McConathy, entitled, 'What Next?', there was this statement : 'We are aware that there is a serious attempt on the part of the leaders in education to make our schools function more as life con- cerns. We are looking at education now as actual life, and we are not looking upon our schools as merely a preparation for some future activity. Life is in the school and music in this coming era must func- tion as a part of the active life of children.'"
Junior and Senior High School
In the Junior High School, music is required of all seventh and eighth grade pupils and of all ninth grade pupils not taking art or two major electives. In addition to the regular class work, there is an op- portunity for children to be in the school orchestra or in the newly
182
formed glee club. We hope that the glee club will be able to com- pete in the Massachusetts and in the New England Music Festivals held in May in Haverhill and Portland.
In the High School, music is entirely elective. The program con- sists of band, orchestra, chorus, voice culture, and music appreciation. The band is well known because of its public appearance, and Reading is justly proud of it. The orchestra and chorus are doing equally good work. The latter now has an enrollment of one-hundred forty pupils.
On March 14, 1936, an All-New England High School Band, Orch- estra and Chorus will give a concert in Springfield. Reading will be represented in each group.
Mr. Peck points out in his report to me that the radio and the depression have materially lessened the number of children who are taking instrumental or vocal lessons outside of school. Mr. Peck says : "A good instrument and a good teacher is an investment which may bring an untold amount of happiness and profit to the child later in life. It is a mistake, however, to think that the music supervisor can take the place of the parent in shouldering this responsibility for pri- vate musical instruction in voice or on some instrument."
Intelligent and appreciative consumption of music is one of the major aims of our music work. We can help some few pupils toward be- coming producers of music in a professional sense ; we hope to help all of them to an increased joy in the soul-stirring qualities of good and great music, both as amateur producers and as consumers.
DRAWING
At the very beginning of the present school year, Miss Mercie Nichols, Drawing Supervisor, found it necessary to resign from school work because of illness in her family. Her leaving was a severe blow. She had carried on outstanding work, and had developed an excellent course of study in drawing. Many of her High School pupils went on to art school and did work of distinction. The task of filling her position will be a difficult one.
We were fortunate to be able to call on Mrs. Helen Frost, form- erly of the Junior High School, as a substitute, and through her good efforts the work has been carried on.
ATTENDANCE
. The schools are indeed fortunate in having secured the services of Mrs. Josephine Fowler as Attendance Officer. Her long experience
183
with social work and with the schools gives her an appreciative and sympathetic understanding of boys and girls and of home life. I pre- sent her report in its entirety :
"My dear Mr. Pierce :
I hereby submit this report covering the work of the Attendance Department for the past year, the first six months that of Mrs. Mingo, the last four months, my own.
The schools census was taken in October and has been fully check- ed.
Work certificates have been issued to 75 minors, only three of which were to boys or girls under 16 years af age who were definitely needed at home. Minors remain in school in Reading longer than in most places.
There is very little real truancy in Reading. The greatest amount of absence here is due to lack of clothing and food. The generous response of organizations and individuals of the town has made it pos- sible to remedy this in most cases. The Welfare Department has also been very cooperative. We have consulted with them on the help they are giving children and in this way we have avoided duplication.
There is another group of absentees that is more difficult to con- trol. They are those who are not particularly interested in academic subjects and who need the chance to express themselves by doing with their hands. Are we offering these children what they need? I think not. For this reason we need the shops and domestic science courses restored as soon as possible. In any community, it is necessary that a large portion of the population be trained to work with their hands. If this training is begun early, it is more thorough and the re- sult is a more efficient and worth-while citizen. I feel that if this could be accomplished the need of juvenile courts would be almost negligible.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPHINE L. FOWLER Supervisor of Attendance"
GENERAL
School Cafeterias
The school cafeterias now have independent management in each one. In the High School, Mrs. Kingman is in charge; in the Junior High, Mrs. Canty; and in the Highland, Mrs. Bigelow. The system seems to be working out satisfactorily. The menus and the food are attractive.
184
It is the intention that each cafeteria shall be self-supporting, but that it shall not make any profit. The increased cost of food makes the first difficult, and profit impossible at the prices that are charged the pupils.
Miss Brown, the school nurse, makes the following statement in her report : "It is generally acknowledged that the school lunch should be regarded as a health sevice in that it should serve a two-fold pur- pose, namely, to provide well-cooked, nutritious food, attractively served at a minimum cost, and to serve as practical education in the choice of food and in good eating habits. The Reading schools can boast of ex- cellent school lunches. Their contribution to the health program is a valuable one."
Practical Arts
It is significant to note that the Principals of the High School and Junior High School, the Elementary Supervisor, and the Attend- ance Officer in their reports to me have all pointed out the very real need for increased opportunities in the practical arts-shop and domes- tic science. I heartily agree with them, and recommend that, as soon as possible, the work for the secondary school pupils be widened in its scope and made accessible to more pupils, and that the work once carried on in the Highland School be restored.
Social Studies
You will be interested to know that our twelve-year program in the social studies, that received national mention in the Yearbook of the National Council for the Social Studies, is to again receive national recognition this year. It, with several other selected courses, is to appear in the forthcoming yearbook of the Department of Superinten- dence of the National Education Association, a publication that goes to most of the school systems in the country.
Adult Education
In my last report, I mentioned the desirability of having some form of evening classes for adults. Some work has been started along that line since September. Several courses are now in operation, and we hope to start others. The instructors for this work have volunteered their services. They merit the sincere thanks and appreciation of the people of Reading.
A project that would enable us to set up vocational counseling and employment aid for our unemployed youth was submitted to the W. P.
185
A. early in the fall. Thus far, we have received no further word re- garding it. We may probably assume that it will not be approved.
The Janitors
I am writing this report on a cold day and am reminded that many of our janitors spend long hours at night and in the early morning in keeping the schools warm for the children. It is their work, to be sure, but I wish to commend their faithfulness in carrying it out. Some rooms are always difficult to heat, but all rooms are usually ready for the children when school opens.
The janitors should also be commended for the increased efforts they are putting into keeping the schools cleaner and more hygienic.
Salaries
The work of the schools during 1935 has not been helped by the number of vacancies that arose. We have had to fill fifteen positions out of eighty-seven, and, at this time, two remain to be filled. It has been exceedingly difficult, at the salaries we pay, to find teachers with the desired training and experience. Nevertheless, we feel that we are fortunate in our newcomers. I wish, however, to quote what I said last year: "If Reading wishes to secure good new teachers, it must express that wish in its salary schedule." I am glad that your budget for 1936 provides for restoration of the pay cut.
The Teachers
Because of decreased salaries and increased living costs, the teach- ers have found it difficult or even impossible to take professional courses. In spite of that fact, forty out of the eighty-eight principals and teachers did take some course during the year. That work is of real value in improving the instruction in the schools. Reading can well be proud of the professional spirit that marks its teaching staff. I wish to express my personal appreciation of that spirit, of the hours of work that have been put into committee studies, and of the splendid co-operation the staff has given to me.
In closing, I wish to thank the people of the town for their inter- ested and co-operative attitude, and you, the School Committee, for your help, guidance, and support.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. PIERCE
186
COMMITTEES FOR 1935-1935
Arthur E. Pierce, Chairman ex officio
Social Studies
Arithmetic Reading
English
Mr. Anderson
Miss Wadleigh
Miss Wadleigh
Miss Wadleigh
Miss Wadleigh
Miss Borden
Miss Batchelder Miss England Miss Heffron Mrs. Bean
Mr. Woodbridge
Miss Scullane
Miss Gamble Miss Brann
Miss Quillen
Miss Herrick
Miss Berry
Miss Gutman
Miss Macken
Mrs. Potter
Miss Cochrane
Miss Hallington
Mrs. Perry
Mrs. Beaton
Miss Perkins
Miss Burgess
Mrs. Royea
Miss Winchester
Mrs. Carleton
Miss Markham
Mrs. Mathieson
Miss Donnelly Miss A. Dow
Mrs. Harding Mrs. Lounsbury
Mrs. Mathieson
Miss Hallington
Miss Dow
Miss Cronin Mrs. Goddard
Mrs. Goddard
Miss Cleary Miss G. Dow
Miss Cleary
Miss Herrick
Mrs. Royea
Miss Berry Miss Burgess.
Mrs. Lounsbury Miss Winchester Miss A. Dow Miss Sweetland
Mrs. Carleton Mrs. Harding Miss Donnelly Miss Markham
Miss Walsh
Mr. Dixon
Mr. Halpin
Miss Cronin
187
English
Social Studies Miss Perkins Mrs. Perry Mrs. Beaton Mrs. Breeze
Miss Gamble
Miss Brann
Miss Allard
Miss Macken
Miss Thackleberry Miss Walsh Miss Grace
PROMOTION STATISTICS-JUNE 1935
Grade Total in
Promoted
Repeat
Opportunity Accelerate School
Grade
I
204
178
26
0
II
207
192
12
2
1
III
162
151
10
1
IV
208
205
3
0
VI
193
190
3
3
Opp.
18
3
15
Opp.
20
3
17
1,224
1,102
75
49
1
VII
191
177
14 - - 2 repeated voluntarily
VIII
182
163
19 - - 3 repeated voluntarily
IX
176
170
Special
20
2
6 - - 2 repeated voluntarily 18
569
512
39
18
X
193
166
27
XI
153
133
20
XII
141
141 graduated
487
440
47
212
180
21
11
188
Committees Continued Arithmetic Reading
Age-Grade Table-October 1, 1935
Ungrad- Grade
ed
I
II
III
IV
V
VI VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
P.G. Total
G. T.
Age G BG BGB GB G BG BGB GB G BG
BG
B G BG
B G
B
G B
5
30 27
30
27
57
6
1
50 56 32 24
84
80
164
7
1
5
18
56 44 38
32
1
100
95
195
8
1
2
1 9 9 52 53 30
28
2
2
94
95
189
9
1
1
3
1 13
13 35
25 60 38
6
2
118
80
198
10
3
1
1
15
15 36 49 48
40 1
3
101
111
212
11
1
5
5
5 13
16 26 39
46
48 2
2
93
115
208
12
3
3
92
98
190
13
6
6
2 2
4 14
9
44
37 34
24 5
8
105
90
195
14
2
4
113
74
187
15
2
4
112
91
203
16
2
90
86
176
17
1
3 12 11 17 24
13
6
51
57
108
18
1
1
3 3
13
5
3
22
27
49
19
3
1
1
1
4
2
6
20
1
1
1
1
2
21
1
1
1
Tot. 18 31 85 102 100 78 105 99 85 74 116 111 94 96 101 107 104 95 95 71 111 114
103 75 71 66 22 11
1210
1130
2340
G. T. 49
187
178
204
159
227
190
208
199
166
225
178
137
33
2340
35
40 4.
2
2 1 4
1
3
7
2
11
13 43 26 12
44 41 45 46 23
4
2
1
1
3 6 17 20
41 28
27 28
2
21 14
6
Note : G-Girls B-Boys. G. T .- Grand Total
1
5 4 10
10 35 39
4 16
26 2
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF THE READING HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1935 Shepardson Hall WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE TWELVE eight o'clock PROGRAM
GRAND PROCESSIONAL MARCH Roberts High School Orchestra
PRAYER-Rev. Charles F. Lancaster
CHORUS-NOW LET ALL THE HEAVENS ADORE THEE Bach CHERUBIM SONG Bortniansky
Senior Class Salutatory WE WHO ARE ABOUT TO GRADUATE, SALUTE YOU Dora Levine* CHALLENGE TO EDUCATION Rita Elizabeth Whelton*
TORCH ORATION
Fred Ryland, Class President
Response by Richard Crooker, Junior Class President ESSAY
NEW ENGLAND, THE CULTURAL LEADER OF ALL TIMES Priscilla Eisenhaure, Faculty Honors
PIANO SOLO
SONATA PATHETIQUE, (First Movement) Beethoven Robert Francis Hopkins
ESSAY-JUSTICE OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Joseph Albert Arsenault, Class Honors PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT
Robert Allen Parker, Class Treasurer-Acceptance by Headmaster CONFERRING SCHOLASTIC HONORS Rudolf Sussmann, Headmaster
Valedictory THE CHALLENGE OF THE MODERN AGE TO YOUTH Phyllis Elizabeth Comey
CONFERRING DIPLOMAS
Arthur W. Coolidge, Chairman of School Board
BENEDICTION-Rev. Charles F. Lancaster
PRIEST'S MARCH-(from Athalia) Mendelssohn
High School Orchestra
*Tied for second honors
190
GRADUATES
Norman Charles Hinds Alice Moorehouse
Accounting Course Bernice Eleanor Terhune George Bradstreet Wright
Agricultural Course
Harold Warren Corthell julian Weston Hurd Sherman Parker Lester
Civic Preparatory Course
Dennis Edward Ainsworth John Thomas Ainsworth
Clifton D. LeTourneau
Ralph J. Mason, Jr.
Lois Albee
Donald Chester Mitchell
Everett G. Carroll
Katherine G. Pierce
George R. Dugan, Jr.
Fred Ryland
Roland Hill Estey, Jr.
Madelyne Louise Spellman
Kathryn B. Fultz
Phyllis Mae Stone
Mildred Jane Hicks
John Joseph Weafer
Wyatt O. Ingalls
Norman Robert White
Classical Course
Florence Frances Sullivan Elizabeth Gray Turner
Rita Elizabeth Whelton
Clerical Course
Ruth Albee
Rita Mae Durfee
Doris Marjorie Barchard
Edith I. Hartshorn
Alice M. Berglund
Helen Marion Pratt
Marion Edith . Cheyne
Henry James Skane
Beatrice R. Doucette
Helen Endicott Wallace
Eleanor Patricia Wright
College Course
Joseph Albert Arsenault
Pauline Lewis
Olive Louise Ambrose
Hope Thorndike Littlefield
John Allan Bowron
Parke Walker Masters
Frank Warren Colley
John A. Mathieson
Phyllis Elizabeth Comey
William Dillon McCarthy
Chester A. Cook, Jr. Elizabeth Marion Crosby
Francis Warren Miller, Jr.
Margaret Mary O'Leary Robert Allen Parker
Charles F. Doughty
Natalie M. Fairchild
Jean Wallace Phippen
Robert H. Foye
Margaret Elvira Ireland
Philip Emery Robinson Sheldon Skolfield
Mildred Eleanor Wheeler Fine Arts Course Natalie Jane Carpenter
191
Stanley R. Boyers Priscilla Eisenhaure
Normal Course
John Burton Austin Walter James Black Louise Bowers John W. Bridge, Jr. Douglas W. Burhoe Joseph H. Chisholm Lois Merle Connor Carl F. Copeland
Catherine Cecelia Cummings Mary Kathryn Dissel Paul F. Doucette
Rayna Frances Edwards
Walter Earle Eldredge
Helen Ruth Fortune
Eleanor Jeanette French Benjamin M. Hartshorn, Jr.
Maxwell Edgar Holland Robert Francis Hopkins Edith Turner Leach
Viola May Livingstone John Lawton Maguire George Morris McSheehy Edward John Michalosky Alice Elizabeth Moody C. William Mooney Willard Edward Morrison Harley Cummings Nelson Harry Wilbur Nutter Evelyn Harriet Olsen
Doris Gertrude Phillips
Edith Virginia Richman
Helen Virginia Sargent Peter Anello Scollo Carl Dewey Smith Alta Clarissa Stewart
Evelyn Marguerite Streeter
Earl A. Vance William Frederick Wilson, Jr. Sylvia Zalkan
Practical Arts Course
Elvera Bertha Apperti
Robert Elwin Carter
Grace Virginia Curtis Lois Beals Hildreth
Frances Hubbard
Ruth Alice Lutz
Frances Louise McQuesten Harold Fraser Waugh
Scientific Course
Clyffeton William Hill, Jr. Richard Tague Schaeffer
Secretarial Course
Helen Louise Arsenault
Davina W. Clapperton
Margaret Catherine Dulong
Ruby Louise Ellis Edna Mae Gorey
Madeline Gertrude Heselton
Mildred Elizabeth Landry
Dora Levine
Anne Mentus Janet Priscilla Moulton
Clara Thenser Nelson
Irregular Course
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