USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1938 > Part 10
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As one method of providing experiences, many of the children are being given opportunities to take excursions or field trips to see vari- ous places and things that will be of both direct and indirect educa- tional value; that is, that will give direct knowledge and, at the same time, provide an experience background that will lead to a better understanding of other life situations.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
As mentioned before, the curriculum and courses of study cannot remain static if they are to meet changing conditions, and if they are to be in accord with modern trends. Mr. Perry, Principal of the Junior High School, points out in the following quotation from his report, some of the changes that have been made during 1938 in the curricu- lum of that school :
115
"At the opening of school in September, 1938, certain significant changes were made in our course of study: (1) More time has been allotted to the teaching of English in Grade 7, which includes the in- struction in reading, oral and written expression, literature and spell- ing. (2) The school now requires all pupils to continue the work in practical arts in Grade 8 for two periods each week. (3) In Grade 9, although mathematics continues to be a required subject, provision is now made to meet the needs of all pupils more adequately by offering (a) algebra to those pupils who have in mind college preparation; (b) general mathematics for those pupils who would have some difficulty with the usual formal course in algebra, but whose interests demand a well-rounded program in mathematics including arithmetic, simple geometry, and and elementary principles of algebra; (c) social and business arithmetic for those pupils who need further practice and drill in the fundamental skills and applications of arithmetic to meet the needs of any individual in our present society. In connection with our work in mathematics, new textbook adoptions were made for all grades in the school. (4) Finally, the elective offerings in Grade 9 have been expanded to allow pupils, under guidance, to select work in Latin, French, general science, business training, art, music, and in practical arts for the boys,-woodworking, printing, mechanical drawing, or metal and electrical work,- and for the girls, either a general course in homemaking, or special work in connection with either foods or clothing.
"For those pupils who intend to prepare for college, the school now demands that these boys and girls meet the standards of work as set up by the Secondary School Board in the subjects of mathematics, English, and the foreign languages. Our guidance policy for ninth grade pupils who intend to follow the college preparatory course in the Senior High School is to demand concentration on the four major subjects of algebra, English, social science, and a foreign language, rather than to allow a wide selection of elective subjects as in former years. If our pupils are to approximate the standards of work de- manded of pupils in Grade 9 of our better private college preparatory secondary schools, then, with the limited amount of time at our dis- posal in the public school, it is difficult to meet the requirements of the Secondary School Board if pupils are allowed to spread themselves through the wide offerings of our elective program."
Test Results
The following is also quoted from Mr. Perry's report :
"The Iowa Reading Test Form A was given to all pupils of the school in February. The results of this standard test in reading formed the basis for discussions in faculty meetings and conferences with the Elementary School Supervisor on ways and means to improve the in-
116
struction of the school in relation to the reading. The results of all our standard tests indicate that it is the job of the Junior High School to continue to teach the skillful use of the fundamental school subjects of reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, oral and written expression. The school is conscious of this objective and is attempting to see to it that our pupils are well grounded in the tool subjects."
HIGH SCHOOL
Test Results
As previously mentioned, a more comprehensive program of stand- ard testing is being planned for the High School. In this connection, I quote from the report of Mr. Sussman, Principal of that school:
"Again a rather careful check has been made to discover the poor readers among the pupils, and remedial work is being given to those who need help in this direction.
"Many of the final examinations in June were standardized tests. In most instances, the so-called Co-operative Tests of the American Council on Education were used. In every case these standardized tests showed that the Reading High School pupils' accomplishments were at least equal to the country's norms, and, in most cases, were considerably above the standard norms.
"The National Clerical Ability Tests, sponsored jointly by the Eastern Commercial Teachers' Association and the National Office Management Association, lead us to believe that the commercial edu- cation in the Reading High School is basically sound. Thirty pupils volunteered for this test and six won certificates. In bookkeeping, Theodore Lawson and Arthur J. Roberts made an almost perfect score. The tests are so arranged and so graded that only twenty per cent of all the students in the United States taking these tests will receive certificates in any given year."
Commercial Work
In recognition of the fact that the office worker of today must be acquainted not only with the typewriter, but also with other types of office machinery, a start has been made in adding to the equipment of the Commercial Department. An ediphone transcribing machine and a comptometer are now available for instruction.
If the excellent success that our commercial pupils have had in securing employment is to continue, they must be prepared to compete with graduates from other schools where office machinery is being rapidly introduced. We must, therefore, carry on a program of equip- ment extension.
117
Class of 1938
We find that the members of the class of 1938 are engaged as follows :
College
24
Preparatory School
6
Commercial School
11
Art School
5
27 Graduates Post
Trade School
2
Office Clerk
10
Store Clerk
3
Cashier
1
Library Assistant
1
Hospital
3
Institutional Work
2
Navy
1
Merchant Marine
1
Mother's Helper
6
Restaurant
4
Beauty Academy
1
Tree Surgery
2
Taxi Driver
1
C. C. C.
1
W. P. A.
1
Unskilled Labor
11
Married
1
Unemployed
27
Unaccounted for
1
-
153
HEALTH
The resignation of Miss Mabel Brown, who, for many years has been our Director of Health, was a severe blow to our health work. What is our loss is a distinct gain for the Cambridge Tuberculosis and Health Association, of which she has become Executive Secretary.
Under Miss Brown's direction, the health work in the Reading schools has come to have an outstanding reputation, and, more impor- tant, the children of the schools have had the benefit of the health work. Because of the excellent set-up, Reading was chosen by the State as a demonstration center for public health nurses. The Read- ing schools and the whole community are better and will be better be- cause of the health work done under Miss Brown's direction.
We have been most fortunate in securing Mrs. Margaret Clewley as Miss Brown's successor. Mrs. Clewley, a widow, is a graduate of
118
the Newton Hospital Training School, the Certificate Course in Public Health at Simmons College, and has many points for her degree in the Boston University School of Education. In addition to private nursing experience, Mrs. Clewley was School Nurse in Woburn for three years. During the school year 1937-1938, she was assistant to Miss Brown in Reading under a grant from the Federal Government. At that time she had been selected by the State Department of Health, in co-operation with the School Committee, to assist Miss Brown be- cause of the added work entailed in the teaching and demonstration center that had been set up in Reading by the State Department of Health. The Federal grant expired last June. Mrs. Clewley was with the Children's Aid Society of Boston during the summer and since September has been with the Winchester Visiting Nurse Association.
During the time that the teaching and demonstration program mentioned in the above paragraph was in operation, thirty-one stu- dents were working in Reading at various times.
The following paragraphs are quoted from Miss Brown's report. I want to say that I heartily agree with the thought expressed in her first paragraph, that is, that we do need two nurses.
"Since September, the department has operated on a one-nurse basis and without clerical assistance. It has been a difficult four months and has served to demonstrate the impossibility of one nurse's carrying the present program. Because of the pressure of work inci- dent to the annual health inventory of pupils this fall, it was impossible to maintain a regular schedule of school visits until December. The close daily check-up of pupils by the teachers, however, helped to bring to the notice of the Doctor or Nurse cases in need of their immediate attention. With the type of program that our children are accustomed to and should have the benefit of, two nurses are needed. This stand- ard is not inconsistent with that set by the Physical Education Depart- ment which has five members on its staff. Until such time as the em- ployment of two nurses is practiced, full-time clerical assistance for the nurse is imperative.
"One of the most interesting and worth while improvements in the health program during the year has been at the Junior High School. Beginning this fall, all the health activities, except those related to the physical education work, have been transferred to the homeroom period. This includes the nurse's classroom inspection, the weighing and measuring, the vision testing and some small amount of teaching incident to the promotion of better health habits. The plan has re- sulted in the development of more health consciousness and a better understanding of pupils' health needs on the part of the homeroom teacher. This program has been strengthened by the health counselor plan which has been in operation throughout the year and consists of a daily checking of all pupils who have been absent on account of ill-
119
ness, by Mrs. Tyacke, who serves in the capacity of health counselor. "The annual registration of children entering school in September was held on March 8 and 9. One hundred and twenty-seven children registered. One hundred and twenty-two (or 96%) had the requested examination and returned their physical records to school prior to school entrance. This represents the best response that has yet been obtained on registration and seems to indicate that parents are coming to appreciate the need for getting children ready for school. The number of children who enter school with defects corrected also shows an appreciable increase each year."
Dental Clinic
'Something must be done in the near future if the Dental Clinic is to be able to meet the needs of those who apply to it for care. The clinic has about 483 active cases enrolled; experience shows that, under the present program of two days a week, approximately 200 children can have their dental work completed during the year. It is apparent, therefore, that it is impossible for the children now enrolled to be seen as regularly as is desirable.
The Reading Good Health Committee, under the able leadership of Mrs. Clarence White, is doing all in its power to remedy the situa- tion. The funds for the clinic are secured by that Committee, from the Tuberculosis Association and the Red Cross, and the town appro- priates $500. Since September, ways have been found to run the clinic three days a week, but this cannot continue unless more funds are made available.
Every effort is made to make the clinic facilities available only to those who cannot afford to go to their own dentists. An investigation of each case is made by the School Nurse, with the aid of others, but a few cases where the financial need is not sufficiently great may get into the clinic. Some means of relieving the School Nurse of some of the investigation must be found, both because o the pressure of her other duties and also because of the embarrassment sometimes caused when it is necessary for her to turn down certain applicants.
Either more financial aid must be secured, or else the dental work will have to be limited, say, to pre-school and first grade children. I am sure we all hope that the former will be the case.
I want now to quote the concluding paragraphs of Miss Brown's report :
"In closing this, my seventeenth and last report as School Nurse and Director of Health in the Reading Public Schools, I wish to ex- press my appreciation to all those who have helped to make the health program what it is. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have worked in a community that has been so receptive and responsive to what the school has attempted to do in the interests of better health for the community. To those organizations and individuals who have
120
been most closely associated with the health work in the schools,- the Reading Good Health Committee, the Visiting Nurse Association, the Reading Board of Health, the Public Welfare Department, the teachers, the parents, and the pupils, I am deeply grateful. To the School Committee, that has never failed to give it support to the pro- gram, and to you, Mr. Pierce, who have been an ever-wise and patient leader, I wish to extend my sincere thanks.
"I commend my successor, Mrs. Margaret B. Clewley, to you with the assurance that the work will grow and develop under her guidance and that the ideal that the health program will be educational in every aspect will be maintained and promoted."
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The most spectacular parts of our physical education program are the various forms of athletics. The football team, under the leadership our new coach, Mr. Albert Holgerson, showed a splendid spirit of enthusiasm, effort, and loyalty.
The tennis team went through its second consecutive undefeated season. Better and increased facilities are needed for this sport. The interest in it should be fostered, for it is one of the sports that can be carried on in after-school years.
The girls' tennis team brought to Reading the Junior and Senior Interclass Tennis championships for Middlesex County as a result of the Belmont Interclass Meet. The Senior and Junior girls' basket- ball teams each won seven out of eight games for the past season.
The less spectacular phase of the physical education program-the general activities that lead toward the development of better bodies- is the more important part, if only because it reaches more pupils. In connection with this phase of the work, Mr. Althoff, Director of Physical Education, says in his report :
"A corrective physical education program has started in the Highland and Junior High schools this fall. In addition to the correc- tion of remediable physical defects at the Junior High School level, we are also interested in bringing up to average those pupils who have the lowest Physical Fitness indices. Dr. Frederick Rand Rogers clarifies the significance of Strength Tests in revealing physical con- dition in the following paragraph :
'The positive and very high relation of muscular strength to gen- eral health, physical fitness, or "capacity for activity" can hardly be questioned. With no strength there can be no physical activity; more- over, when muscular strength is low, all other life functions are handi- capped. One can hardly see as much, hear as much, meet as many persons, or contribute as much to social life when one is continually fatigued by the most necessary activities of life-eating, digestion, attention to environment, and the physical movements incident upon
121
travel from one group of surroundings to another. . . the develop- ment of muscular strength is of prime importance in any rational physical education program.'
"Low physical fitness indices are the results of physical defects, improper food or eating habits, improper exercise, emotional disturb- ances, or other physical or mental drains or strains or injuries. Indi- viduals with P. F. I.'s below 85 to 90 ought to engage in supervised remedial activities or rest daily until their indices are 100 or higher."
MUSIC
The Musical Festival given last May by pupils of grades 1-6 gave over one thousand people the opportunity to become acquainted with the various phases of work being done by the Music Depart- ment. I am sure that I am safe in saying that those people were satis- fied that something is being accomplished.
The proceeds from the festivals have been used to further the music work,-books for a children's music library, an electric victrola, additional records, glee club and orchestra music, etc.
The increased instrumental work mentioned in my report of last year is beginning to bear fruit, both in the competency of the bands and orchestras, and in the increased interest in learning to play an instrument. A series of monthly recitals by students of the instru- mental classes has been started. It is hoped that these will give further incentive and motivation.
I have pointed out before that our music program in the High School is inadequate, due to Mr. Peck's crowded schedule. He says, in his report:
"More music courses should be offered in the High School, such as harmony, music appreciation, and chorus, and music in the ninth grade should consist of an elective-selective chorus of about one hun- dred mixed voices. It may be possible to carry out these recommenda- tions during the coming year."
LIP-READING
The lip-reading work is progressing quite satisfactorily. The pupils are making progress, and the work is apparently of help to them in their regular classroom activities. Twelve children received instruc- tion during the year.
ATTENDANCE
The two following paragraphs are quoted from the report of Mrs .. Josephine Fowler, Supervisor of Attendance :
"Work certificates have been issued to eighty-four minors, only seven of whom were under sixteen years of age and whose financial help was definitely needed in the family.
122
"It is my opinion, after three years' work in Reading, that every attendance problem is a family adjustment problem. Sometimes the economic condition of the home is the only reason the children are not in school. This is much more easily remedied than the more frequent cause,-lack of understanding by the parents. Some homes seem to have no idea what the schools offer or what they are trying to do for the children. As a whole, the parents are very amenable when they do understand."
FALL CONFERENCE
One of the outstanding events of the year was the Second Annual Fall Conference. The conference has been made a local affair for Reading and North Reading, as the teachers have felt that more value can come from the small meeting than from the large one in Boston.
The conference this year was on visual education. It was a prac- tical and helpful meeting. We anticipate that the use of visual aids in the classroom will be given a considerable impetus because of what was seen and heard during the day.
One of the most impressive features of the meeting was the exhibit in the Junior High School gymnasium of the visual education appa- ratus now in the schools, and, especially, of a wealth of excellent graphic representations that have been made by the children in con- nection with various projects.
The members of the committee in charge of the conference were :
Mr. George D. Anderson, chairman
Miss Carmen Simon
Mr. L. Reginald A. Kibbee
Miss Claudia Perry
Miss Maud Adlington
Miss Dorothy Allard
Mrs. Olive Perry
Mrs. Alberta D. Mathieson
Miss Elois Godfrey
Miss Ada E. Dow
Miss Esther P. Smith and
Mrs. Mildred Barmby and Mrs. Lottie Yuill of the North
Reading Staff.
Certainly the committee deserves commendation on its work. I am sure, too, that each member would agree that the splendid exhibit could not have been arranged had it not been for the whole-hearted support and co-operation of the other members of the staff.
123
PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS
What, in my opinion, was a very wholesome step was taken during the year by the then Central Parent-Teacher Association. That or- ganization was disbanded in order to organize a unit in each school. Under such an arrangement there should be an increased interest and value in the meetings for the problems peculiar to a given school or grade level can be more readily considered than was possible when most of the schools were represented in only one association.
There will eventually be a central council composed of the indi- vidual units. It is hoped that each school will have a unit and that it will be a part of the central council.
This step is further evidence of the thought and support that the parents of Reading are giving to their schools. We who are on the staff want to express our appreciation to them and to assure them of our co-operation.
SCHOOL PLANT, EQUIPMENT, AND GROUNDS
Our regular maintenance program has again been very materially supplemented by W. P. A. work. The buildings are in good condition and the grounds are being improved. Some of the major work that has been started or completed during the year is :
A new and improved driveway at the King Street entrance to the Junior High School.
Regrading and drainage of the playground at the Highland School, and resurfacing of the walks and driveways ..
Regrading of play area at Chestnut Hill School.
Work started on resurfacing of walks and driveways at Lowell Street and Junior High schools.
Quite a little interior painting in the Junior and Senior High schools.
Started work of laying new floors in the Senior High and Chestnut Hill schools.
Retubing of one boiler at the High School.
Replacement of obsolete furniture on the first floor of the High School.
124
BUILDING PROGRAM
The new elementary building now under construction in the east district of the town is the first step in the modernization of our school plant. The next step, as far as elementary schools is concerned, should be a new building for the west district to replace the Prospect Street and Chestnut Hill schools.
Unless, however, the elementary school population becomes larger, the most immediate need is for an enlarged and modernized high school building. The present building was designed and erected in 1906 to house 450 pupils. The enrollment as of December, 1938, was 628 pupils, or 178 more than the plans contemplated.
Every available space is in use. Two additional classrooms have been made out of the dressing rooms and offices that were at the ends of the stage. Pupils are studying in the assembly hall and library, and in the back of the classrooms where recitations are being held. Even so, many of the classes are too large. The assembly hall, the gymna- sium, and the basement rooms used as lunchrooms are entirely inade- quate. There are no facilities for practical arts work for either boys or girls, yet this is the only type of work that will meet the needs, in- terests, and abilities of many of our pupils. At present they are sent to the Junior High School for such work, but that arrangement is far from satisfactory, and, furthermore, does not allow for enough pupils.
We should, therefore, it seems to me, give serious consideration to the enlargement of our High School. The plans should include among other things, more classrooms and better laboratories; a good gym- nasium; an auditorium adequate not only for high school use, but also adequate for large community gatherings; better cafeteria facilities; provisions for shop and household arts; more adequate toilet, shower, and rest rooms; and a better library.
In closing, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the townspeople and the members of the school staff for their splendid help and co- operation. To you, the members of the School Committee, I express my especial appreciation, not only for your kindly support and help, your desire and willingness to study and discuss my proposals, but also because you see to it that the business of the schools is so conducted that your executive officer, the Superintendent of Schools, is that in both name and in fact.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. PIERCE.
125
Age-Grade Table-October 1, 1938
Äge
Oppor.
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
P. G. Total
5 Years
66
147
6
104
43
158
7
16
95
47
169
8
1
2 16
99
50
1
175
9
2
2
16
99
45
11
182
10
3
5
20
98
55
1
"
3
4
31
83
51
1
175
12
"
2
14
24
58
82
6
186
13
"
1
2
11
39
94
81
3
231
14
1
5
11
31
61
109
2
220
15
",
2
15
17
96
73
6
"
1
1 3
7
29
89
53
7
190
16
.
"
1 11
30
68
19
129
18 £
"
2
2
16
8
28
19
"
1
1
1
20
"
1
3
4
21 and Over
Total
13
188
156
169
-
173
192
189
163
226
173
250
196
148
41
2,277
"
3
4
7
209
11
2
"
66
"
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES READING HIGH SCHOOL
Class of 1938 Motto "He conquers who endures" Shepardson Hall, Reading, Mass. WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE EIGHTH Eight O'Clock
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