USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1936 > Part 17
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Under some of the teachers, the plan has worked admirably. Many of the children drop right off to sleep. A prominent pediatrician, who observed some of the rest periods, stated that because of the short time the children are lying down, there is very little danger of catching cold, and that the amount of benefit to be derived from the rest period far outweighs the possibilities of harm.
Washing Facilities
In accordance with the recommendation made in my report last year, improved hand-washing facilities have been installed in the High School and the Highland School. The new equipment facilitates wash- ing and should encourage the pupils toward increased cleanliness.
The facilities in the other grade schools are inadequate and obso- lete. I hope that they may be replaced with better equpment in the near future.
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Lip Reading Instruction
We find that we have in the schools eight children whom otologists have pronounced incurably deaf, though they may not have lost all hearing as yet. Our audiometer tests show that there are fifty-four other children with a hearing loss that indicates danger of permanent deafness. An effort is being made to have the parents of these child- ren have them examined by a competent doctor in order to get at the reason for the hearing loss.
We estimate that there will be thirty-five to forty children, all told, who are somewhat deaf now and who will become increasingly so. These children, of course, find difficulty in competing with their school work. It will be even more difficult for them when they get out of school.
I recommend, therefore, that provision be made in the budget for a lip-reading instructor. The cost will not be great. Miss Wadleigh is carrying on some work where it is most needed, but her other duties make it impossible for her to devote to lip-reading instruction the time that it needs and deserves.
Communicable Diseases
This year has been a much better one than 1935 in respect to the amount of communicable disease. We hope that our prevention pro- gram has played some part in this relief. Certainly we are making every effort to prevent the spread of disease. Our work has received enthusiastic commendation from the State Board of Health.
Health Teaching
Although some good work is being done in health teaching, we feel that there is room for improvement. A committee has been appointed to study the matter and to select better textbooks. We hope that a report will be forthcoming before the end of the present school year.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
During the year we have had a survey made of our physical edu- cation program by Mr. Carl Schrader, formerly Director of Physical Education in the State Department of Education, in the hope of getting suggestions for further improvement. Several excellent suggestions and recommendations were made, and many of them have already been incorporated into the program.
One point emphasized by Mr. Schrader was the desirability of play- ground equipment that would invite the children to stretching and hanging exercises. He feels that such exercises are essential to the
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development of good posture. We were able to purchase a so-called "junglegym" for the Lowell Street and Chestnut Hill Schools. Fur- ther equipment should be purchased as soon as possible.
Individual Needs
Through measurement of various physical skills, strength and other physical tests, and through our physical examinations we are getting information that is enabling us to do more and more in setting up work to fit the needs of individuals and groups of individuals. We hope that during 1937 we shall be able to carry on a more thorough-going program in the correction of postural defects. We can, of course, do little or nothing with poor posture that is due to structural defects, nor should we attempt to. That is work for a doctor.
Athletics
Reading has been creditably represented in competitive athletics. Its teams have not always been winners, but they have evidenced a knowledge of fundamentals, good physical condition, good sportsman- ship, team-play, a zest for competition, and a generally wholesome and virile spirit. Winning is pleasant and worth striving for; the fun of the game and the strength and character it builds should, however, be the primary objectives.
The High School has teams competing interscholastically in the following sports: football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, cross country, golf, field hockey.
MUSIC
The most noticeable achievements in music during the year were the success of the glee clubs in the Highland, Junior High and High Schools. The Highland and Junior High School glee clubs won superior ratings in the Massachusetts Music Festival held in Haverhill. The Ju- nior High group won first place in the New England Music Festival held in Portland. The same club, in conjunction with the High School Glee Club and the Medford Band, opened the "Music and American Youth" series of broadcasts over a nation-wide hookup. All of the clubs made creditable appearances at other times.
Those achievements were the more apparent ones. We must not forget, however, that they are the result of the generally excellent vocal work that is being carried on in our schools. Our children are not only learning to sing, they are also learning to get joy out of singing.
Our instrumental work is also making satisfactory progress, though the cost of instruments prevents many children from participating in the bands and orchestras. The opportunity for participation is, however, provided even in the primary grades where rhythm bands have been
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formed. In addition to the regular school organizations, competent in- structors outside the school staff are giving instrumental lessons in the schools at relatively low cost to the pupils. These classes come afternoons after school and on Saturdays.
I have spoken thus far of training to produce music at the amateur level. Equally or even more important work is being done in training for intelligent consumption of music, that is, for appreciation. Rela- tively few of our pupils will become expert musicians; there is no reason, however, why most of them cannot be brought to an under- standing and appreciation of music, with the resulting happiness that will come to them now and later.
ART
During the year, Mr. L. Reginald A. Kibbe was elected Supervisor of Art. He teaches the work in the High School and teaches and su- pervises in the grades. Miss Harriet Beattie was elected as art teach- er in the Junior High School. The work of these two people thus far indicates that in each case our choice was a happy one, : - 1 :
Excellent work is being done in tying up the art work with the other studies, especially the social studies. Large group projects are being carried on which enlist the interest of the children because they; present a real purpose. Some of the friezes that have been made are well worth seeing.
In all of the art work, we are attempting to give the children an opportunity to express themselves, to exercise their ingenuity and cre- ative ability. The technical aspects are, of course, being taught, but as a means to an end rather than as an end in themselves. Live and in- teresting materials are being presented. We are trying to get away from the type of work that caused a boy in another system to say to his principal, "I have drawn that wooden egg ever since I was in the first grade, and I am sick of it."
In the art, as in the music, the appreciative side must be empha- sized. We are planning for even more of that work through increased presentation of prints of worth while works of art and through a study of the beauty in nature and in the works of man.
ATTENDANCE
Truancy is not an acute or widespread problem in Reading. Most of the absence is due to actual sickness. In some cases it is due to lack of clothing. As soon as such cases are discovered, the Attendance Officer, Mrs. Josephine Fowler, in co-operation with municipal or pri- vate organizations, or with interested individuals, is usually able to remedy the situation.
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There are children who are truant too often. It is usually found that the school has nothing to offer them in which they have any real interest or aptitude. Mrs. Fowler again this year emphasizes the need for increased provision for work in the manual arts.
Speaking of that need in relation to lessening truancy, she points out the ultimate economy of adequate handwork as a means of holding children in school. I quote the following paragraph from her report :
"Looking at the problem from a money angle, we all know that a child first delinquent, then criminal, is many times more expensive to the state than one who is kept in school and develops into a useful man or woman."
GENERAL
English
During the year the committee of teachers on English made its report. The committee had been at work for about one and one-half years on the English curriculum and on the choice of basal textbooks for English. The study was a thorough-going and painstaking one, and will, I think, result in better English work in the schools. The funda- mental thought behind the new course of study and the new books is a closer tie-up of English with the other school work and with the child's daily experience ; that is, the use of good English at all times, and not only in the English class. We are trying to get across the idea that every teacher must be a teacher of English as well as of her own special field.
Some of the courses of study at the various levels are not in their complete written form as yet. The High School committee has, how- ever, completed a very excellent and thorough analysis and program.
I wish to extend congratulations and commendation to the various members of the committee for the hard work they have done and the good results they have achieved. The committee is made up as fol- lows: High School-Miss Batchelder, Miss England; Junior High School-Miss Heffron, Mrs. Bean; Grades-Miss Wadleigh, Miss Quil- len, Miss Borden, Mrs. Potter, Miss Macken, Miss Perkins, Miss Mark- ham, Miss Smith, Mrs. Lounsbury, Miss Cleary, Miss Glenna Dow, Miss Berry, Miss Burgess. The members from North Reading were Mr. Hendershot, Mrs. Youill and Miss Murray.
Practical Arts
Again this year, in their reports to me, the principals of the High- land, Junior High and High schools, and the Attendance Officer have pointed out the need for broadening our shop and domestic science pro- gram. I heartily agree with them.
Early in the depression, the work for grades five and six was
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discontinued, and the scope of the work in the Junior and Senior High School was narrowed. At present, in the shop, for instance, the pro- gram includes only woodworking, although the shop is equipped for metal and other types of work. Furthermore, with only one instructor in shop and one in domestic science, it is impossible to accomodate many of the secondary school pupils who would like to take the work and who would benefit by it.
I recommend, therefore, that you make provision in the budget for an added teacher in shop and in domestic science. Facilities for the work are available only in the Junior High School building, but added teachers will make it possible for us to make more adequate pro- vision for pupils from the other schools. Because the facilities and equipment are available, very little added expenditure will be neces- sary.
Superintendents' Visit
On December 4, we were honored by having the Merrimack Valley Superintendents' Association hold its meeting in Reading. Many of the superintendents brought supervisors and principals with them. About one hundred attended. Their special interest in coming was to see our work in remedial reading and other subjects. They spent the morn- ing in visiting classes in the various schools. Luncheon was then served in the Junior High School cafeteria, and in the afternoon there was a meeting in the auditorium of that school. The program was as follows :
1:15-1:20 Introductory remarks, Roy E. Keller, President
1:20-1:25 Word of greeting, Superintendent Arthur E. Pierce
1:30-2:00 Demonstration class of small-group technique in reme- dial reading-Miss Jeanne Sweetland and class from Center School.
2:00-2:45 Address by Dr. Donald Durrell on remedial reading Discussion by :
2:45-3:00 Mr. Roy E. Keller-Superintendent, Manchester
Mr. James J. Quinn-Superintendent, Winchester Mr. Thomas Grindle-Superintendent, Lexington Open discussion
3:00-3:30
3:30-3:45 Business meeting
The visitors made many favorable comments on what they had seen in the classrooms. Since the meeting, several of the superintend- ents have had some of their teachers observe our work.
I wish here to commend and thank Miss Wadleigh, the Elementary Supervisor, the principals, and particularly the teachers for the part they played in making the day a success. It was the work that they are doing that made the superintendents desirous of visiting with us.
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School Plant and Grounds
On the whole, the school buildings are in excellent condition. We are indebted to W. P. A. projects for much of the work that has been done at relatively low cost to the Town. We are fortunate in Reading in the group of men who are supervising the W. P. A. work and who are doing the actual work on the projects.
A great deal of work has, of course, been done through regular channels. The heating plants in all schools are now in better and more efficient condition. One of the most worth while improvements was the installation of modern hand washing equipment in the Highland School and High School. I sincerely hope that similar steps may be taken in the primary buildings in the not distant future, for the wash- ing facilities there are anything but modern or adequate.
New, movable furniture has been put into several rooms to replace some rather ancient and unhygienic fixed furniture. We should, as soon as possible, start on a regular program of furniture replacement. Many of our pupils are having to use desks that cannot be adjusted to fit them.
The alterations to the High School building and the fire escape on the Opportunity buildling, required for certification by the State De- partment of Public Saf ty. have been satisfactorily completed.
Grounds
The school grounds are certainly not in as good condition as the buildings. We should start immediately to overcome the damage result- ing to them through inadequate funds during the past several years for their proper upkeep.
I recommend that provision be made in the 1937 budget for com- plete reconstruction and proper drainage of the High School grounds, for caring for the Highland School grounds where washing has oc- curred, for complete regrading and reconditioning of the Lowell Street playground, and for adequate care and fertilization of all grounds.
During 1936 a small amount of money was spent in an attempt to improve the athletic field at the Junior High School. It is now evi- dent, however, that improved drainage will be necessary before any lasting improvement can be made. That drainage will involve more area than just the field. It probably cannot be carried out in 1937, but steps in that direction should be taken as soon as possible.
In closing, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the townspeople, the school staff, and to you for the co-operation, help, and guidance that have been extended to me during the year.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR E. PIERCE
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Age-Grade Table-October 1, 1936
Age
Ungraded I
II
III
IV
V VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
P. G. Total
5 Years
58
163
6
108
55
174
7
2
7
110
54
1
188
8
1
4
28
92
62
1
195
9
4
4 26
105
55
1
205
10
5
6 20
71
95
8
220
11
2
6
38
84
86
4
9
30
66
93
3
9
19
76
74
8
1
13
8
6
6
22
76
64
14
199
14
11
3
8
34
85
59
2
193
15
"
2
1
7 31
65
60
1 165
16
"
11
27
60
9
107
17
3
13
24
10
50
18
"
2
3
4
5
14
19
"
1
20
"
1
21
Total
42
177
197
178
194
174
225
188
204
194
204
182
152
25
2336
"
"
"
7
208
12
195
58
"
1
1
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF THE READING HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1936 Shepardson Hall WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE TENTH eight o'clock
PROCESSIONAL-Pomp and Chivalry Roberts High School Orchestra
PRAYER-Rev. Charles F. Lancaster
CHORUS-Pilgrim Chorus from "Tannhauser" Senior Class
Wagner
Salutatory WHITHER Muriel Areta Newberry TORCH ORATION Richard Howe Crooker, Class President Response by John Russell Bird, Junior Class President CLARINET SOLO
The Californian Le Thiere
Elsdon Eames Richardson ESSAY New England Mary Lee Kingman, Faculty Honors ESSAY Lincoln, A Challenge to the Youth of Today Joseph H. Reed, Jr., Class Honors PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT Lawrence Abbott Cate, Class Treasurer Acceptance by Head Master CONFERRING SCHOLASTIC HONORS Rudolf Sussmann, Head Master PIANO SOLO
Impromptu in C Sharp Minor Rheinhold
Marguerite Frances Doucette
Valedictory WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION Lawrence Abbott Cate CONFERRING DIPLOMAS Arthur W. Coolidge, Chairman of School Board BENEDICTION-Rev. Charles F. Lancaster PRIEST'S MARCH FROM ATHALIA Mendelssohn
High School Orchestra
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GRADUATES
Accounting Course
Bernard Gordon Nichols Raymond A. Nichols Walter Edward Noyes
Agricultural Course
Walter H. Avery
Philip Davies Dewhurst
Louis Robert Doyle Paul Thomas Stephens
Civic Preparatory Course
John Frank Bronk Ann M. Conners
Frederick Campbell Kenney, Jr.
Vernon Albert Lake
Delmer Daniel Cotreau
Evelyn M. LaPlante
John Russell Crowley
Agnes Elizabeth O'Dowd
Ronald Edgar De Patie
Ivan H. Robertson Elinor Muriel Salmon 18
John William Done
Edward Maxwell Spavin
Edward Joseph Duggan
George Henry Spindler
Roger D. Hatfield
William John Timmerman
Mary Hitchcock
Classical Course
Ruth Hazel Boston
Mary Cameron Estabrook
Mary Lee Kingman Virginia Elsie Pease Raymond Edgar Thorn
Dorothy May Ward
Clerical Course
Marion C. Brown
Alice Marie Holmes
Lillian May Carder
Irvin Francis Lake
Olive Lucille Condon
Eileen Katherine Maguire
Frances Agnes Doucette
Elinor Marion Mills
Catherine Faulkner Alida Fox
Beulah Pierce
College Course
Emily Warren Ambrose Merton Charles Barstow, Jr
Ardis Mae Paul
Joseph H. Reed, Jr.
Frank Farnham Sargent
Lawrence Abbott Cate John Thomas Creiger John Cullinane
Frances Joslyn Shay Dorothy Carson Steele
Jean Elizabeth Jacob
Philip Brooks Sussmann
Charles Warren Jones, Jr.
Ronald Nuttall Taylor Elsie Janet Wilkinson
Muriel Areta Newberry
Fine Arts Course
John Anthony MacDonald, Jr .
Esther Farrell Ray
221
10
Raymond T. Gibbons Mildred C. Mason Leo Dennis Meuse
Frances Mary Jewett
Nathaniel Bailey Doane
Normal Course
Audrey Elaine Batchelder Edward Wilfred Batten
Carroll Noyes Colby
Barbara Leona Davis Eleanor A. Dissel
Marguerite Frances Doucette
Clifton Philip Englund
Harriet Bancroft Esty
Marcus Kent Fletcher
Helen Roberta Gillis Richard Woodbury Gonnam
James Henry Howard
Winnifred Keating
Ernest R. Leavitt, Jr.
Edward Norman Macmanı
Paul Ellsworth Mansell
Oscar Lloyd Olsen Virginia Pomeroy
Elsdon Eames Richardson
Linton Birkett Salmon
Barbara Knight Sawyer
Tessibel Werner
Practical Arts Course
George Anderson
Marian H. Bacheller
Charlotte Reed Bates Wendell Godfrey Henry Paul Landry
Charles Everett Parry
Helen R. Picard
Bernard Joseph Pitman
Helen Powell
Helen Louisa Stephenson
Scientific Course Francis Martin Hayward
Secretarial Course
Hazel Elizabeth Brenton
Virgina Frances Pitman
Emma F. Bridges
Lois Pratt Quigley
Robert Bastow Coombs
Constance Roberts Taylor
Marjorie Elizabeth De Patie
Elvira L. Thieme
Geraldine Martha Le Tourneau
Maude Irene Whitcomb Marjorie Louise Willard
Dorothy Mae O'Brien
Irregular Course
Emma Sanborn Ames
Bruce Poore Bailey
Olive Winslow Bates Eleanor Hill Brady
Nancy Elizabeth Rossman
Shirley Frances Burbank
William Dean Sommers
Mavis Lloyd Burns Robert Chanonhouse
Charles Robert Stark Jessie A. Stewart
Richard Howe Crooker
Harlan Surrette
Kenneth Vincent Cutcliffe
Edith Goodwin Day George Wilson Harris
Marjorie June Vaughan Mildred Julia White Fanny Ethelyne Wilkins
Lillian M. Xavier
222
13
Irene Norton
Rita Madeline Johnson Gardner Clifford Knapp Catherine Ryan Marr
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable, the Law Committee of the Town of Reading :
I herewith submit my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1936.
In the performance of the duties of my office it has been necessary to devote considerable time to the cases brought against the Board of Assessors before the Board of Tax Appeals. There are now pending before the Board ten undisposed of appeals which will be heard by the Board of Tax Appeals when reached for hearing on the docket or otherwise disposed of through successful negotiations for settlement. During the year three cases were disposed of after hearing before the Board.
Tax titles involving nineteen cases have been filed in the Land Court for foreclosure, resulting in the entry of sixteen decrees issued by the Court foreclosing the right of redemption and declaring the title to said parcels to be absolute, the remaining three cases are still pending in said Court. I have collected the taxes on three tax titles aggregating the sum of $2429.06. The tax liens on five parcels of land of low value have been foreclosed as provided under the Statute, so that for the ensuing years four of such parcels will contribute to the tax revenue of the Town.
Release deeds have been prepared covering several parcels of land sold by the Board of Selectmen and acquired by the Town by fore- closure of tax liens in the Land Court. The Town acquired nine par- cels of land for the enlargement and development of the public dump on John Street. The titles were examined and proceedings for the taking of such parcels by right of Eminent Domain were perfected, in- cluding negotiations with the owners for settlement of damages. Re- lease deeds and waiver of claim for damages were obtained from the owners of such parcels. Opinions on several important matters were rendered to the Board of Selectmen. Certain by-laws which the Town adopted at the annual Town Meeting were submitted by me for approval by the Attorney General, and the necessary proceedings taken to effectuate the by-laws in accordance with the provisions of the statute. I have prepared the contract and bond for the installation of the automatic fire alarm repeater.
The matter of laying out of streets, orders of taking of easements for drainage and water main purposes and waivers of claim for dam- ages have required my attention for the Board of Public Works. Opin- ions concerning various matters coming under the supervision of the Board of Public Works have been rendered by me. Titles have been examined in connection with the takings of land and easements, and
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various other activities of the Board were referred to me for my consideration and advice.
I have examined and approved for the School Department the con- tracts for the transportation of school children, the alterations to the High School building and the removal of ashes and rubbish. I have also prepared certain rules, regulations and policies governing the election, re-election and holding office of teachers under tenure, which regula- tions have been duly adopted by the School Committee.
Assistance has been rendered the Board of Public Welfare in con- nection with the rights of the Town in real estate of Welfare and Old Age Assistance recipients. Opinions have been rendered to the Board on various matters, and a claim against the Town has been settled for the support of an individual entitled to welfare benefits.
I brought suit in behalf of the Town for the Municipal Light De- partment against an individual to recover damages to electric light pole and equipment, and the litigation has been adjusted by the taking over of an automobile which the Town had under attachment. At the beginning of the year there were five suits pending against the Town in the Courts and one petition for assessment of damages resulting from a change of grade and specific repairs on Main Street. During the year two suits were brought against the Town, one for damages to real estate caused by a welfare recipient, and the other suit is in behalf of the City of Boston for reimbursement of welfare aid and hospital ser- vices rendered to individuals having legal settlements in and chargeable to the Town. Ten claims have been made against the Town during the year, which claims have not been made the subjects of suits.
I have assisted the Planning Board in the matter of the proposed new zoning by-law, have attended hearings of the Board of Appeal, and have rendered opinions in connection with their decisions on ques- tions involving the zoning and building laws of the Town.
The usual routine matters of answering to trustee suits have oc- cupied considerable time. I have attended the hearings of the various boards, given advice and opinions on Town matters, drafted all docu- ments and legal instruments, prosecuted all claims brought in behalf of the Town, appeared in defense of all actions and suits instituted or pending against the Town, and performed every professional act re- quired of me in the performance of the duties of my office.
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