USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1938 > Part 9
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33,197.83
124.98
Sundry
125.00
33,859.68
$200,673.00
NET COST TO TOWN
$202,012.32
School Lunches:
$ 10,369.14
Receipts
$ 12,000.00
9,930.77
Expenditure
12,000.00*
NET GAIN TO TOWN
NET COST TO TOWN
Industrial Tuition:
$ 1,173.05
' Total Expenditure Receipts :
$ 1,350.00
678.41
State Reimbursement 520.34
$ 494.64
NET COST TO TOWN $ 829.66
* In 1938 the Lunches were under town appropriation for only nine months; in 1939, however, it will be for ten months.
Due 1938 but not received 969.60
$ 438.37
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET-1939
Est. Appro. 1939
Detail
SALARIES:
$168,622.00
Supt. and Teachers
$165,858.74
1,600.00
Substitutes
1,021.50
17,504.00
Janitors
17,792.09
537.50
Attendance Officer
500.00
1,837.50
Nurse
2,562.50
1,000.00
Medical Inspection
1,000.00
378.00
Lip-reading
281.00
$191,479.00
TOTAL SALARIES
$189,015.83
MAINTENANCE:
General Control:
$
350.00
Supt.'s Office Supplies
$ 357.50
460.00
Research and Professional Study
304.17
50.00
Research-Office Expense
51.83
525.00
Travel Expense
549.02
145.00
Printing
76.50
100.00
Census
100.00
300.00
Other Expenses
307.12
370.00
Grouard House-Operation
339.87
175.00
Grouard House-Maintenance
224.41
50.00
Grouard House-Capital Outlay
27.87
$ 2,525.00
Total General Control
$ 2,338.29
Instruction:
$ 745.00
Supervision Expense
$ 579.20
301.00
Principal's Office Expense
240.55
2,845.00
Textbooks
3,375.15
5,142.00
Supplies
4,568.29
706.00
Supplementary Books
1,539.26
285.00
Commencement
273.29
817.00
Other Expenses
615.70
$ 10,841.00
Total Instruction
$ 11,191.44
Operation of Plant:
$ 1,965.00
Janitors' Supplies
$ 1,869.29
6,294.00
Fuel
6,205.16
1,126.00
Water and Sewer
1,070.39
1,915.00
Electricity
1,908.10
442.00
Gas
431.67
504.00
Telephone
504.36
105
Expended 1938
Est. Appro.
Expended
1939 300.00 80.00
Detail
1938
Other Expenses
257.06
Freight and Drayage
24.13
$ 12,626.00
Total Operation of Plant
$ 12,270.16
Maintenance of Plant:
$ 2,432.00
Grounds
$ 1,887.68
2,405.00
Buildings
851.98
834.00
Service Systems 1,548.14
337.00
Plumbing
254.79
389.00
Instructional Apparatus 787.00
28.00
Furniture
33.04
216.00
Other Expenses
214.80
$ 6,641.00
Total Maintenance of Plant
$ 5,577.43
Capital Outlay :
$ 592.00
Alterations and Additions
$ 339.95
847.00
Furniture
1,597.07
1,321.00
Instructional Apparatus
2,334.91
171.00
Other
527.26
$ 2,931.00
Total Capital Outlay
$ 4,799.19
Auxiliary Agencies:
$ 8,100.00
Transportation
$ 8,104.21
312.00
Tuition
221.15
$ 8,412.00
Totál Auxiliary Agencies -
$ 8,325.36
Coordinate Activities:
$ 100.00
Compulsory Attendance
$ 100.00
35.00
Medical Service
35.96
282.00
Nurse Service
217.17
$ 417.00
Total Coordinate Activities
$ 353.13
$ 44,393.00
TOTAL GENERAL MAINTENANCE
$ 44,855.00
$235,872.00
GRAND TOTAL
$233,870.83
$ 1,350.00
INDUSTRIAL TUITION
$ 1,173.05
$ 12,000.00
SCHOOL LUNCHES
$ 9,930.77
106
CHANGE IN PERSONNEL-1938
Left :
Hope R. Williamson
School Committee Clerk April
Edward P. Batchelder
High School-Teacher-Coach June
Arline C. Burnham
Highland School June
Margaret B. Clewley
Special Nurse June
Cecilia A. Dunlop
Union Street School June
Helen M. England
High School-English June
Phoebe Mercer Clerk-Jr. High June
Dorothy W. Randall
Jr. High-English June
Chester G. Seamans
High School-Latin June
Ruth E. Wetmore
Jr. High-Household Arts June
J. Fred Richardson
Prospect Street-Janitor Sept.
Marjorie V. Smith
Center School Oct.
Verna L. Wadleigh
Elementary Supervisor Oct.
** Mabel M. Brown
Director of Health Dec.
Appointed :
Helen M. Pratt
School Committee Clerk April
Grace E. Storti
Clerk-School Department April
Evelyn Durgin
Center School Sept.
Albert H. Holgerson
High School-Teacher-Coach Sept.
Florence C. Pratt
Center School
Sept.
Helen F. Schellenberg
Jr. High-Household Arts
Sept.
Leander Smith
Prospect Street-Janitor Sept.
Arthur L. Spencer
High School-Latin
Sept.
Russell P. Taylor
High School-English
Sept.
Maud E. Adlington
Elementary Supervisor Oct.
*Frances Haskins
Highland School Oct.
Olive L. Joney
Center School Oct.
Edward T. Durant
Jr. High-English
Nov.
* Substitute for year 1938-1939.
** Mrs. Margaret B. Clewley succeeded Miss Brown Jan. 2, 1939.
107
TEACHERS IN SERVICE, DECEMBER 31, 1938, WHERE EDUCATED, YEAR APPOINTED Showing Attendance and Enrollment for Year Ending June, 1938 and Enrollment for October 1, 1938
School
Name of Teacher
Appointed Year
Grade or Subjects Taught
Graduate of
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Enrollment
Oct. 1, 1938
Arthur E. Pierce.
1934
Superintendent of Schools
*Dartmouth; Mass. State, B.S .; Harvard, Ed.M.
2,433
2,247.93
2,076.94
92.28
2,277
Ruth C. Roberts
1935
Sec'y to Superintendert.
Boston University, A.B ..
Helen M. Pratt.
1936
School Committee Clerk.
Grace E. Storti.
1938
Clerk.
Josephine L. Fowler
1935
Supervisor of Attendance. Elementary Supervisor
*Simmons .
L. Reginald A. Kibbe.
1936
Art Supervisor . .
*Mass. School of Art, B.S.E Springfield College, B.P.E., M.Ed.
Philip W. Althoff
1927
Dir. Phys. Ed. and Athletics
Mabel M. Brown ***
1921 Director of Health
Charles R. Henderson, M.D.
1918
School Physician
Doris J. Thomas
1937
Lip-Reading.
High.
Rudolf Sussmann
1917
Principal .
596
547.19
508.53
92.59
635
Myrtle W. Tilton
1926
Secretary . .
Elizabeth A. Batchelder
1916
Com'l Eng., Off. Train. and Law
Elva A. Buckley .
1924
Shorthand and Type ..
Mary E. Devaney .
1937
English .
*Radcliffe, A.B .; Boston Univ., A.M .. Ohio Wesleyan, A.B .; Harvard, M.A. Posse Normal; Salem Normal.
Alberta F. Drury ..
1917 Bookkeeping and Penmar: hip.
Helene M. Ernst.
1931
German, History . .
Joseph F. Fitzgerald.
1929
History, Geometry
Luke Halpin
1922
Mathematics
Albert H. Holgerson
1938
Coach, History ..
Elizabeth J. MacIver.
1935
Shorthand, Type., Com'l Geog.
Florence G. Nichols.
1929
Physical Ed .- High and Elem .. Music-High and Jr. High
Frederick J. Pope.
1922
Chemistry and Physics.
Marian T. Pratt.
1919
French, History .
Carmen Simon.
1928
French, English
*Boston Univ., B.A., M.A.
Arthur L. Spencer.
1938
Latin .
*Boston Univ., A.B ..
Helen B. Stanwood
1937
Shorthand, Type., Com'l Geog .. English.
Russell P. Taylor.
1938
Hermon T. Wheeler.
1924
'Occup., Orientation.
Jean M. Wiens.
1935
English and Public Speaking .. Biology, Practical Science.
*Univ. of Wisc., B.A .; Emerson College, B.L.I. *Wellesley, B.A .; Purdue Univ., M.S., Ph.D ..
Helen R. Zimmerman.
1937
*Radcliffe, A.B .. Boston College, A.B., M.A
*Bowdoin, A.B .; Boston Univ., A.M. Boston University, B.S.Ed ..
Boston Univ., B.S ..
*Sargent School; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed.
Samuel A. W. Peck.
1931
*Boston Univ., A.B., M.A .. Colby, B.S .; Harvard, Ed.M.
*Wellesley, B.A ..
*Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed.
*Bates College, A.B .. Mass. State College, B.S.
*Have taken courses for professional advancement in 1938. ** Substitute teacher.
*** Mrs. Margaret B. Clewley succeeded Miss Brown, January 2, 1939.
*Reading High School. Burdett College. Buffalo Normal School.
Maud E. Adlington
1936
*Boston Univ., B.S.Ed .; Mass. Memor. Hosp.
Mt. Holyoke, A.B., A.M .; N. E. Sch. Speech Read., Cert .. .
*Conn. State College; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed. Reading High School .
*Salem Normal; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed.
Bay Path Inst .; Boston Univ., B.B.A.
A. Imrie Dixon ..
1930
History .
School
Name of Teacher
Year
Appointed
Grade or Subjects Taught
Graduate of
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Enrollment
Oct. 1, 1938
Jr. High. ...
Robert F. Perry.
1935
Principal.
*U. S. Naval Academy, B.S.
645
609.68
566.82
92.90
562
George D. Anderson
1926
Asst. Prin., Math.
*Boston Univ., S.B., A.M .; Harvard Grad. Sch., Ed.M ..
Natalie Cate.
1935
Secretary .
Helen B. Bean .
1931
English
Harriet S. Beattie
1936
Art. .
*Mass. School of Art, B.S.Ed Framingham Teachers' College, B.S.Ed ..
Marjorie Brier .
1937
Household Arts
Beverly High School.
Marian D. Day .
1925
Science.
Bowdoin, A.B .; Univ. of New Hampshire, M.A.
Edward T. Durant.
1938
English
Mass. Normal Art.
Lyman E. Fancy .
1918
Shop.
Radcliffe, A.B .; Harvard Grad. Sch., Ed.M.
Grace M. Harriman
1928
Social Studies, Math.
Walter E. Hawkes.
1933
Physical Ed., Hygiene
*Springfield College, B.S .. Tufts, A.B ..
Grace N. Heffron.
1930
English.
*Univ. of Vermont, A.B .; Radcliffe, A.M.
Genevieve P. Hook
1931
French, Latin
Louise B. Jenkins.
1920
Social Studies.
*Bridgewater Normal; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed. Gorham Normal. .
Inez H. Lewis ..
1923
Mathematics.
Roderick E. Macdonald
1937
Shop. . ..
*Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed ..
Mary Mercadante.
1937
Business Training
*Boston Univ., B.S.Ed ..
Clifford R. Nelson.
1937
General Science
*Radcliffe, A.B.
Claudia Perry.
1928
English .
*Clark Univ., A.B., A.M.
Victor E. Pitkin.
1933
Social Studies
Radcliffe, A.B .. .
Anna M. Reck.
1928
Math., Eng., Soc. Strcies
*Salem Normal; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed.
William A. Rich.
1928
Math., Soc. Studie-
*Mass. State College, B.S ..
Neil C. Robinson.
1936
Social Studies. .
Helen F. Schellenberg
1938
Household Arts
*Lasell Junior College; Keene, N. H. Normal, B.S.Ed.
Margaret E. Tyacke.
1926
Phys. Ed., Hygiene.
Harvard Summer School
Framingham Normal
29
27.64 729.54
25.73 670.72
93.16 91.92
32 721
... Highland.
M. Grace Wakefield
1890
Principal, Hld., Center, Union
Alice L. Arsenault.
1933
Secretary
*Salem Normal.
38
34.85
32.50
93.25
36
Dorothy A. Allard.
1927
Grade 5.
35
31.48
28.88
91.74
26
Lillian F. Brann.
1930
Grade 5.
*Posse-Nissen. ..
38
36.12
33.69
93.20
32
Jean M. Butters
1936
Grade 5 .
Woburn High School
38
36.79
33.27
90.45
38
Matilda J. Gamble.
1920
Grade 5.
1919
Grade 6.
North Adams Normal
32
29.51
27.59
93.59
35
Carolyn C. Grace.
1934
Grades 3 and 4.
Salem Normal.
787
*Reading High School.
*Farmington Normal, 1 year.
Marjorie H. Buckle.
1927
Physical Education
*Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed.
Helena Markham.
Fitchburg Teachers' College, B.S.Ed.
*Reading High School Wellesley, A.B .. .
TEACHERS IN SERVICE, DECEMBER 31, 1938, WHERE EDUCATED, YEAR APPOINTED-Continued Showing Atter.dar cc ard Er rollment for Year Ending June, 1938 and Errollire t for October 1, 1938
School
Name of Teacher
Appointed
Grade or Subjects Taught
Graduate of
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Enrollment
Oct. 1, 1938
Harriet Fall .
1937
('rade: 3 a d 4
Bridgev ater Normal; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed ..
29
27.72
26.10
93.97
27
Ellen F. Fari ey
1937
Grace 5.
Welle. ley, A.B .; Boston Univ., M.Ed ..
34
32.33
29.89
92.45
27
Frances Haskins **
Grade 6.
Presque Isle Normal ..
33
32.29
30.18
93.46
35
Mary T. Marlen
1935
Grade 6.
*Emman! el College, A.B., Boston Univ., M.Ed.
26
22.97
21.57
93.92
25
Florence A. Lotter
1926
Crade 5.
Plymouth Normal.
37
36.81
34.45
93.60
33
A nie W. Q. illen .
1916
Grade 6.
28
27.35
25.70
93.96
36
Margaret A. Scullare
1934
Grade 6.
33
32.95
29.64
90.00
34
Florence V. Tha kleberry
1931
Grade 6.
27
24.39
22.27
91.29
24
Margaret E. Whittier
1916
Music-Crade. 1-6
*Salem Normal
Helen D. Stor ky ell.
1930
Opportunity .
28
24.63
22.35
90.76
32
Lorothy L. ( ro. in
1933
Grade 2
31
28.46
25.96
$0.94
25
Evelyn L. Dirgin
1938
Grade 3
33
28.52
25.97
91.09
33
Clive L. Joney .
1938
Grade 4
34
32.44
30.24
93.25
31
Clive S. I erry :.
1916
Grade 4
41
36.57
33.66
92.02
32
Flore:ne C. Pratt.
1938
Crade 3
44
39.11
35.85
91.63
36
Glenra A. Low.
1919
Grade 2
*Hyannis Normal; Emerson College
28
25.30
23.80
93.73
25
.
Velma E. Herrick .
1927
Grade 1.
*Perry Kindergarten School
35
31.66
27.81
87.87
32
Alberta R. Mathieson
1924
Grade 2.
*Salem Normal .
34
31.23
27.72
89.40
22
Ruth L. Montgomery
1937
Grade 1
*Fitchburg Teachers' College, B.S.
34
31.27
28.19
89.79
32
Lowell .
Nellie P. Beaton.
19.0
Grade 4, Principal
*Danvers High School.
39
34.29
31.94
93.12
30
*Bridgewater Normal.
40
34.56
31.95
92.39
33
Elois Godfrey. .
1937
Grade 1
*Bridgewater Teachers' Col., B.S.Ed
43
36.65
32.03
87.41
35
Isabel L. Winchester
1928
Grade 3.
*Salem Normal
41
33.82
31.39
92.77
31
Prospect .
Ada E. Dow .
1909
Grade 3, Principal
Lowell Normal; Emerson College
35
32.64
30.11
92.18
30
Alice D. Berry .
1927
Grade 1.
*Bridgewater Normal.
40
37.23
33.21
89.18
40
Dori: R. Cleary.
1927
Grade 2
*Salem Normal
36
31.98
28.97
90.61
39
*Salem Normal.
36
32.44
29.65
91.40
29
Irene Royea .
1928
Grades 1 and 2, Principal
*Aroostook State Normal.
30
26.10
23.75
90.98
29
Esther P. Smith.
1936
Grades 3 and 4.
*Lyndon State Normal; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed ...
36
34.17
32.14
94.09
31
. .
17
14.79
13.44
90.83
13
Opp ...
Cei ter ..
Dorothy L. Burgess.
1926
Grade 1
*Le ley Normal .
*Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.Ed.
*Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.Ed.
Worce.ter Teachers' Col., B.S.Ed.
*Wheelock Kindergarten School. .
*Bridgewater Teachers' Col., B.S.Ed.
Union.
Jessie L. Goddard
1926
Grade 2
Fdna M. Lour sbury.
1930
Grade 4.
Ches. Hill. .
Salem Normal.
*Lowell Normal
*} lymouth Normal; Boston University
*Salem Normal .
Vear
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1938
To the School Committee,
Reading, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs :
I present herewith my fifth annual report, it being the forty-sixth of the series of annual reports made by the Superintendent of the Public Schools of this town.
The year has been a happy one, and has, I am sure, seen further progress. The staff, however, is not complacent regarding our general situation. We know that we have made some gains, but we realize that there are still many weaknesses to overcome. Some of them we can correct through our own effort. Others will require added building facilities, added personnel, or are dependent upon other factors that are more or less out of our control.
Many people have asked me questions about our methods of select- ing teachers, and also about what is done to maintain and improve in- struction standards. I shall, therefore, start my report with some in- formation on those points.
TEACHER SELECTION
Reading has each year a considerable turnover in its teaching force, though it is not now as great as it was while the salary cut was in effect. It is essential to the efficiency of the schools that we secure, to take the place of those who leave, teachers who are the best that can be attracted by our salary schedule. How do we attempt to bring this about ?
The Reading School Committee has insisted and does insist that the Superintendent recommend to it the best teachers he can find. The only factors considered are those that directly pertain to teaching ability,-personality, character, health, training, experience, etc. This is a most wholesome situation, especially when one realizes that parti- san politics and other factors that have no relation to teaching ability do play such a large part in teacher selection in many communities.
To insure adequate training and experience, the Committee has in- cluded in its rules and regulations the following policy :
"In so far as possible, the Superintendent shall recommend for election only teachers who have had the equivalent of at least a four-year training in a recognized teacher-training in- stitution, and, further, who have had classroom experience as a regular teacher for the equivalent of at least one year and preferably two."
111
The Superintendent carries out his logical and legal function of selecting teachers to recommend to the Committee, with the above poli- cies as his guide. What are the usual steps in that selection ?
Quite a number of candidates apply either in person or by mail for teaching positions in our schools. Each one is required to fill out a regular application blank. When the information on the blank indi- cates that the person would meet our qualifications, reference blanks are sent to those persons whom the candidate has listed as best in- formed concerning his training, experience, background, character, per- sonality, health etc. A folder of information is thus made up for each candidate and is filed until such time as there is a vacancy.
When a vacancy arises, the papers of those candidates who might meet the needs of the position are taken from the files. Then, in order to broaden the field of possibilities, various teachers' agencies and the placement offices of teacher-training institutions are requested to send papers on candidates whom they would be willing to recommend.
The Supervising Principal, the Elementary Supervisor in the case of the elementary grades, and the Superintendent then make a careful study of all papers,-there may be from ten to one hundred of them, depending upon the position-and decide which persons should be in- terviewed as possible candidates. Those selected are invited to be interviewed by the Superintendent and the principal or supervisors affected.
As a result of the interviews and the conferences following them, the several candidates who seem to be outstanding are selected as ones to be visited at work. The observation of a teacher actually at work in his classroom gives the best measure of his ability. The selected candidates are, therefore, visited by the supervisory officers, except, of course, when a vacancy has to be filled during the summer vacation.
Then comes a further conference. The person who in the judgment of the supervisory officers seems to be the most desirable one is selected. That is the person whose election the Superintendent recommends to the School Committee, at the same time presenting information re- garding him.
The process is a painstaking and time-consuming one, yet it is worth it. It is the Superintendent's most important job. He is charged by the School Committee to see to it that the schools are good. Good schools can exist only where there are good teachers.
In-Service Growth of Teachers
The selection of the teacher has now been made; he is a member of the staff. Now it is important that provisions be made to help him toward further and continuous growth in teaching proficiency, with all that is necessary to and implied by that proficiency,-personality, tech- nique, knowledge, etc. What are some of these provisions ?
112
Exhibit of Visual Aids For Fall Conference
20
-
-
Exhibit of Visual Aids For Fall Conference
-
-
. .
--
Junior High School at Work
.
Junior High School at Work
------
*** ****
1. Classroom Visitation
It is the duty of the supervisory officers to visit the classrooms as much as possible to observe the work of the teachers. These visits are made by the supervisor not as a "snooper," but in the spirit of co-opera- tion in the hope that observations made will be of help to the teacher in his effort to continuously improve his teaching. Co-operative and friendly conferences are essential to bringing about that improvement.
This type of help is, of course, particularly important to the teacher during his first year. It is equally important that the supervisory of- ficers have a thorough knowledge of a teacher in order to determine whether he will be reappointed at the end of the first year. At the end of the third year an important decision must be reached, for, if he is re-appointed, he automatically goes on tenure, according to State Law, and can be removed only for good and sufficient cause.
Just as it is essential to select good teachers in the first place, it is essential that there be re-appointed, and particularly to tenure, only those teachers who measure up to high standards in teaching ability and in professional spirit.
2. Teachers' Meetings
The discussion and study of problems, desirable changes, etc., by the building, grade, or subject group affected are carried on in the various teachers' meetings held at regular intervals.
3. Observation of Other Teachers
During the past several years, the teachers have had less opportu- nity to visit teachers in other systems, as it has seemed necessary to cut substitute costs as much as possible. We should encourage more. visiting as soon as it is feasible. Much can be learned by watching other teachers at work.
4. Curriculum and Textbook Committees
The curriculum and courses of study must be continuously scruti- nized and revised to meet changing conditions and trends. New text- books must be selected. All of this work is done by committees made up of the teachers and the supervisory officers.
The comprehensive and thorough-going study and discussion that are necessary to arrive at conclusions tend to keep the staff informed on modern thought regarding a given problem. The application of the knowledge gained results, not only in improved courses of study and the selection of better textbooks, but also in teacher growth and, so, in more efficient instruction.
5. Reading
Our library of professional books, the school magazines to which we subscribe, and the books and magazines that are purchased by the teachers themselves provide ample opportunity for the alert teacher to do intensive and extensive reading in matters that pertain to his work.
113
6. Bulletins
Bulletins in special subjects and problems are sent out from the offices of the Superintendent and other supervisory officers.
7. Professional Courses
The opportunity for further study in education or general culture is almost unlimited in the environs of Boston. Courses of all kinds are given in the colleges, universities, teacher-training institutions, and through extension courses. Reading can be proud of the way in which its teachers take advantage of this avenue of improvement and growth. The list of those who have taken courses during the past year is too voluminous to publish in this report. It has already been published in the Reading Chronicle. It is enough to say that approximately fifty to sixty per cent of the members of the school staff do take, at their own expense, some sort of professional improvement courses each year. 8. The Testing Program
Standard tests are published by various concerns. They are tests that have been arrived at by giving a set of questions in a given sub- ject to thousands of children throughout the country. The answers are then studied to find which questions may not be valid or reliable. Those questions are eliminated or revised. After a series of such ex- periments, a test is arrived at that may be considered valid and reliable. It is entirely objective and eliminates the personal element. Further- more, because the tests are so widely used, it is possible to set up standards as to the rating to which a child of a given grade should be able to attain.
We now have a rather excellent testing program, particularly in the grades and Junior High School, and with the development of better tests for secondary school use, the program in the Senior High School is being made more comprehensive.
Through a study of the test results, the teacher is able to determine where there may be weaknesses in her work with individuals and with her whole group. She is then in a better position to correct those weaknesses and modify her program. Teacher growth, with the con- comitant improvement in teaching efficiency, is the result.
The amount of growth that will come about because of the above or other procedures depends very largely upon the individual teacher,- his personality, his ability to grow, and his professional spirit. I should like at this time to commend the large majority of the Reading teachers for the spirit they demonstrate, and congratulate them upon the growth they are making.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The resignation of Miss Verna L. Wadleigh as Elementary Super- visor and Director of Research, to accept an editorial position with the John C. Winston Company, deprived Reading of the services of a
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splendid educator. Her efforts, ideas, and leadership have contributed much to the Reading schools.
Miss Maud Adlington has been appointed to act in Miss Wad- leigh's place. She has a long and outstanding record both as a teacher and as a supervisor. For over ten years she was supervising princi- pal in Lexington, and then became Elementary Supervisor in Green- field. This is her third year with us, and, previous to taking over her present assignment, she was a teacher in the Highland School.
Test Results
The results obtained on the standard tests in tool subjects that have been administered during the year have been quite satisfactory. In each instance, our median achievement has been above the standard as set up by the test. This doesn't mean that we can afford to rest on our laurels, for there is still much to be maintained and accomplished.
Books
The elementary grades are now pretty well supplied with up-to- date textbooks in most subjects. Science books and health books are still to be selected for grades five and six. Studies are now going on, and we hope to be able in 1939 to put in books for those subjects.
Each room now has a small library of supplementary books. The library books are vital to a broad and rich program of reading and of social studies. We hope that more of them can be purchased in the near future.
Excursions and Field Trips
"Experience," it is said, "is the best teacher." We are, therefore, trying to give the children as many and as varied direct experiences as possible. A child who visits and is shown over the fire station will know much more about it than one whose experience is confined to what he can get out of a book. Furthermore, these direct experiences provide material for English work, both written and oral, and give in- creased motivation to reading.
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