USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1947 > Part 11
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October 29, 1948
Armistice Day November 11, 1948
Thanksgiving Recess from noon, Nov. 24, 1948 to November 29, 1948 Christmas Vacation from end of regular sessions, Dec. 23, 1948 to January 3, 1949
Winter Vacation
Week of February 21, 1949
Spring Vacation
Week of April 18, 1949
No session :
Memorial Day
May 30, 1949
Schools close for summer
June 17, 1949
SCHOOL SECRETARIES AND CLERK
High School :
Myrtle W. Tilton, 99 Prescott Street RE 2-0295-W
Jean Underhill, 49 Pratt Street RE 2-1469-M Junior High School :
Priscilla Davis, 38 Temple Street RE 2-1445-W
Highland School :
Virginia H. Chute, North Street, N. Reading N.R. 130
Pearl Street School :
Dorothy A. Walsh, Park Street, N. Reading N. R. 195
131
SCHOOL CLINICS
Dental-Tuesday at Grouard House, 9:00 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. Tuberculosis Prevention-Annually by announcement.
Diphtheria Prevention-Annually by announcement.
Registration of children entering school in September is held the previous March. Time announced in local paper.
SCHOOL JANITORS AND MATRONS
High School :
John F. Maguire, 61 Vine Street RE 2-0281-J
Percy W. Curtis, 40 Pleasant Street, Wakefield CR 9-1188-IV Anne L. Joyce, 13 Spring Street RE 2-1435-M Junior High School:
Fred Riessle, 10 King Street RE 2-1617-MÍ
William R. Yorks, 16 Track Road RE 2-1087-R
Andrew J. Lomax, 159 Lowell Street RE 2-0511-WV Agnes Hurley, 23 King Street RE 2-0118-R
Highland School and Grouard House :
William J. Broussard, 131 Salem Street RE 2-0509-\V
Elmer F. White, 111 Salem Street
RE 2-2067-M
Matron-vacancy
Pearl Street School :
Simon A. Castine, 21 Green Street.
Edward W. McBrien, 213 Forest Street RE 2-0228
Prospect Street and Chestnut Hill Schools :
Leander Smith, 193 High Street RE 2-1325
Lowell Street School:
William A. Lloyd, 128 Bancroft Avenue
CAFETERIAS
High School :
Mary A. Kingman, 12 Sanborn Street
Ida Johnson, 38 Washington Street RE 2-0699-J
Junior High School :
Annie L. Canty, 72 Linden Street RE 2-1653-W
Edith J. French, 11 Lewis Street RE 2-0808-\
Eva E. Noble, 241 West Street RE 2-1438-W Pearl Street School:
Lois M. Connor, 268 Franklin Street RE 2-1251-W
Obeline Arsenault, 6 Eaton Street 2-1713-M
Elsiemae Collins, 11 Beech Street RE 2-0577-R Highland School:
Evelyn M. Davis, 36 Gould Street
132
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-
To the Citizens of Reading :
The School Committee submits its annual report.
This year the School Committee has tried to hold its high standard in the teaching personnel and plant maintenance at a minimum cost to the town. We have been well aware of the fact that all materials and service costs have risen, yet we have maintained our school buildings to their peak of usefulness.
At the demand of The State Inspector of Buildings, the School Committee will have expended $12,515.00 as specified for fire escapes, safety lights, fire doors, smoke screens, et cetera, in certain of the buildings in the school system.
The committee has had prepared, working plans, specifications, and estimates of the proposed Summer Avenue and Oak Street Elementary School which it is submitting to the townspeople at the coming town meeting. The citizens of Reading should know that the crowded con- ditions in the elementary grades make this building an immediate necessity. Birth statistics prove that this situation is becoming pro- gressively worse. We have placed in the town warrant a request for a sum of money to be used for this purpose.
The School Committee has established a new salary schedule to be effective September 1, 1948. The purpose of doing this is to keep Read- ing on an equal competitive basis with other towns of the same size and income in the selection and retention of a fine teaching staff.
During the year the resignation of Dr. Elbridge C. Grover, as Super- intendent of Schools was received and accepted with regret by the com- mittee.
The terms of Mrs. Mary E. Earley and Dr. Merle W. Wescott ex- pire this year.
Respectfully submitted ALEXANDER P. GLOVER, Chairman
MARY E. EARLEY MELVIN S. CROSBY GLADYS S. MILTON GOULD B. RUGGLES MERLE W. WESCOTT
133
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET-1343
Appropriations, Transfers and Refunds 1947
Expended 1947
SALARIES:
$294,691.61
Supt. and Teachers
$292,203.44
2,600.00
Substitutes
1,218.00
29,244.00
Janitors
28,883.42
500.00
Compulsory Attendance
207.66
3,583.33
Nurse and Clerks
3,152.15
1,100.00
Medical Inspection
1,266.56
$331,718.94
Total Salaries
$326,951.23
MAINTENANCE:
General Control:
$
650.00
Supt's Office Supplies
$ 448.73
50.00
Research and Professional Study
50.00
260.00
Printing
145.70
500.00
Travel Expenses
537.70
550.00
Other Expenses
491.06
600.00
Grouard House - Operation
622.79
335.00
Grouard House - Maintenance
133.89
375.00
Grouard House - Capital Outlay
373.45
$ 3,320.00
Total General Control $ 2,803.32
INSTRUCTION:
$ 625.00
Supervision
$ 648.78
616.00
Prin. Office Expense
373.73
2,587.00
Textbooks
2,087.89
10,400.00
Supplies
10,602.53
690.00
Library
615.04
1,035.00
Supplementary Books
1,025.95
350.00
Commencement
307.70
1,100.00
Other Expenses
1,093.91
$ 17,403.00
Total Instruction
$ 16,755.53
134
OPERATION OF PLANT:
$ 3,500.00
Janitors' Supplies
$
3,865.67
11,000.00
Fuel
10,485.16
1,600.00
Water and Sewer 1,140.84
3,500.00
Electricity
3,426.72
Gas
.50
920.00
Other Expenses
964.48
850.00
Telephone
729.34
$ 21,395.00
Total Operation $ 20,612.71
Maintenance of Plant:
$ 2,474.00
Grounds
$ 3,469.01
5,256.00
Buildings
6,360.96
2,770.00
Service Systems 2,593.86
1,485.00
Plumbing
1,924.00
1,857.00
Instructional Apparatus
3,596.16
350.00
Furniture
114.28
160.00
Other Expenses
135.89
$ 14,352.00
Total Maintenance
$ 18,194.16
Capital Outlay:
$ 1,339.00
Alterations and Additions
$ 383.86
740.00
Furniture
433.22
2,427.00
Instructional Apparatus
873.28
$ 4,506.00
Total Capital Outlay
$ 1,690.36
Auxiliary Agencies:
$ 104.00
Tuition
$ 104.00
Coordinate Account:
Compulsory Attendance
$ 55.00
40.00
Medical Service
21.75
475.00
Nurse Service
412.15
$ 615.00
Total Coordinate Account
$ 488.90
$ 1,211.50
New Chevrolet Coach Sedan
$ 1,211.50
$ 62,906.50
Total General Maintenance
$ 61,860.48
$394,625.44
Grand Total $388,811.71
$ 13,000.00
Transportation $ 11,541.67
$ 2,000.00
Industrial Tuition
$ 1,814.67
$ 550.00
Retirement for Teacher in Service. $ 550.00
$ 12,515.00
Safety Equipment $ 9,620.59
$ 52,075.99
School Lunches $ 44,756.81
$ 5,837.49
W. F. A. Reimbursement
$ 5,837.49
135
$ 100.00
25.00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1948 Receipts Not from Tax Levy - Showing Net Cost to Town January 28, 1948
Budget Estimate 1948 $425,439.10
General Account:
Total Expenditure (Less Transportation
$388,811.71
Receipts :
$ 19,000.00 22,000.00
State Reimbursement on Teachers
$ 18,850.30
Tuition
12,540.00
41,200.00
200.00
Sundry
125.40
31,515.70
$384,239.10
NET COST TO TOWN
$357,296.01
School Lunches:
Appropriations
$ 45,000.00
W. F. A. Reimbursement 1946
436.29
W. F. A. Reimbursement 1947
5,401.20
W. F. A. Equipment Reimbursement
1,238.50 $ 52,075.99
Credits :
Inventory
$ 856.66
Cash for Lunches
34,607.43
W. F. A. Reimbursement 1946
436.29
W. F. A. Reimbursement 1947
5,401.20
W. F. A. Equipment Reimbursement
1,238.50
$ 42,540.08
Total Cost of Operation Balance to Town
$ 7,319.18
Industrial Tuition:
Total Expenditure
$ 1,814.67
Receipts :
1,250.00
State Reimbursement
842.34
$ 1,750.00
NET COST TO TOWN
$ 972.33
$ 50,000.00
$ 54,000.00
4,000.00
$ 50,000.00 $ 54,000.00
4,000.00
$ 44,756.81
$ 3,000.00
CHANGE IN PERSONNEL - 1947
Left :
Florence Banning
Highland School-Cafeteria
February
Warburton J. Murray
Attendance Officer
April
Mary White
High School-Matron April
Glenna Dow
Pearl St. School-Grade 2 May
Florence Thackleberry
Highland School-Grade 6 May
Alice L. Bingham
Junior High School-Secretary June
Phyllis G. Boles
Junior High School-Home Ec. June
Hazel Davis
Pearl St. School-Grade 6 June
Kathleen Fesler
Pearl St. School-Grade 4 June
Helen F. Frederic
Lowell St. School-Grade 3 June
Jessie L. Goddard
Lowell St. School-Grade 2 June
Lila Hall
Highland School-Matron June
Thomas F. Halpin, M. D.
School Physician
June
Olga Henderson
Highland School-Cafeteria June
Helen M. Ingalls
School Committee Office-Clerk June
Priscilla A. Hingston
Junior High School-Home Ec. June
Genevieve P. Hook
Junior High School-Latin June
Ida M. Monahan
Pearl Street Cafeteria June
Eunice O'Donnell
Pearl Street School-Grade 2
June
Elizabeth Robinson
Pearl Street School-Grade 3
June
Sylvia Batchelder
Helen B. Stanwood
Elisabeth Louanis
Highland School-Secretary August Senior High School-Commercial August Highland School-Matron October
Barbara F. McQuesten
Highland School-Secretary November
Edna L. Rohwedder
Junior High School-Eng., Music Nov.
Appointed :
Elsiemae Collins
Pearl Street School-Cafeteria January
Evelyn Davis
Highland School-Cafeteria January
Ida Monahan
Pearl Street School-Cafeteria January
Obeline Arsenault
Pearl Street School-Cafeteria February
Florence Banning
Highland School-Cafeteria February March
Olga Henderson
Highland School-Cafeteria
Wellington A. Brewster
Junior High School-Soc. Studies May
Margaret R. Sousa
School Committee Office-Clerk May
Annie L. Joyce
Senior High School-Matron May
Priscilla Davis
Junior High School-Secretary June
Barbara F. McQuesten
Highland School-Secretary August Sept.
Alton C. Bennett
Senior High School-History
Isabel L. Carley
Pearl Street School-Grade 3 Sept.
Kathleen O. Chandler
Junior High School-Eng., Latin Sept.
Norma P. Chase
Lowell St. School-Grade 2 Sept.
137
Lois Connor
Pearl Street School-Cafeteria
Sept.
TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE EMPLOYEES
Class of Service
Men Women Total
Total number of School Committee employees ..
43.0
87.0
130.0
A. Administration
Total
2.4
2.4
4.8
Superintendent
1.0
1.0
Attendance
1.0
1.0
Visiting Teacher
1.0
1.0
Directors and Supervisors
.4
1.4
1.8
B. Supervising Principals
Total
3.0
1.0
4.0
High School
1.0
1.0
Junior High School
1.0
1.0
Elementary Schools
1.0
1.0
2.0
C. Teachers
Total
25.6
62.6
88.2
1. Regular
Total
18.5
53.5
72.0
High School (Grades 10-12)
9.5
9.5
19.0
Junior High School (Grades 7-9)
7.0
8.0
15.0
Elementary Schools (Grades 1-6)
2.0
36.0
38.0
Chestnut Hill School
2.0
2.0
Highland School
1.0
11.0
12.0
Lowell Street School
4.0
4.0
Pearl Street School
1.0
13.0
14.0
Prospect Street School
6.0
6.0
Marion R. Dynice
Pearl Street School-Grades 2-3 Sept, Sept.
Daretta Esh
Highland School-Grade 6
Alice H. Franzen
Clementina Frasca
Doris Forbes
Pauline S. Gilman
Pearl Street School-Grade 2
Anne M. Howe
Pearl Street School-Grade 4
Sept.
James A. Mclaughlin
Pearl Street School-Grade 6 Sept.
Albert E. Morris, M. D.
School Physician Sept.
Lorraine Pulson
Highland School-Grades 4-5 Sept.
Grace M. Walkey
Junior High School-Home Ec. Sept.
Katherine A. White
Senior High School-English Sept.
Robert A. Grundy
Attendance Officer Oct.
Elisabeth Louanis
Highland School-Matron Oct.
Violet H. Rockney
Junior High School-Music, English Nov. Highland School-Secretary Nov.
Virginia M. Chute
Senior High School-Commercial Sept. Junior High School-English Sept. Highland School-Grade 5 Sept. Sept.
138 >
2 Special
Total
7.1
9.1
16.2
Administrative, Supervisory and Guidance Art
.5
.5
1.0
.8
1.0
1.8
Industrial
Arts
3.0
3.0
Home Economics
2.0
2.0
Librarian
1.0
1.0
Music
.8
1.0
1.8
Physical Education
2.0
1.6
3.6
Special Classes
2.0
2.0
Sum of A, B, and C
31.0
66.0
97.0
D. Secretaries and Clerks
Total
8.0
8.0
Superintendent's Office
Total
2.5
2.5
Cafeteria
.5
.5
High School
2.0
2.0
Junior High School
1.0
1.0
Highland School
1.0
1.0
Pearl Street School
1.0
1.0
E. Health Department
Total
1.0
1.0
2.0
Physician
1.0
1.0
Supervisor
1.0
1.0
F. Janitors and Matrons
Total
11.0
3.0
14.0
High School
2.0
1.0
3.0
Junior High School
3.0
1.0
4.0
Chestnut Hill School
.5
.5
Highland School and Grouard House
2.0
1.0
3.0
Lowell Street School
1.0
1.0
Pearl Street School
2.0
2.0
Prospect Street School
.5
,5
G. Cafeteria Service
Total
9.0
9.0
High School
2.0
2.0
Junior High School
3.0
3.0
Highland School
1.0
1.0
Pearl Street School
3.0
3.0
139
AGE-GRADE TABLE-October 1, 1947
Age
5 6 7 8 9 10
11
12
13
14 15 16
17 18
19 20
21 and over
Total
Grade 1
100 137
8
245
2
77 109
13
1
200
" 3
65 109
24
2
200
"
4
78 106
26
3
213
"
5
1 89
17
6
1
1
170
"
6
50
88
29
9
1
177
"
7
40
75 40
11
166
"
8
50
69
26
13
4
1
163
"
9
1 44
92
24
6
167
"
10
1 70 121
23
11
1
227
11
54 107
25
3
1
190
" 12
39
73
26
6
1
145
PG
3
2
1
6
Opportunity
1
1
8
5
5
1
5
1
27
TOTAL
100 214 183
202 194 172 153 162 169 202 212 179 113
32
7
2
2296
55
1
MEMBERS OF READING SCHOOL FACULTIES
(Dates indicate year of appointment in Reading)
School Committee Offices
Elbridge C. Grover Superintendent of Schools
Harvard, B.S .; Columbia University, M.A .; N. Y. University, Ph.D .; LaSorbonne, Paris (1939)
Albert E. Morris, M. D. School Physician Dartmouth, B.A .; Harvard Medical School, M.D. (1947)
Margaret B. Clewley, R. N. Supervisor of Health Newton Hospital, R. N .; Simmons College, Certificate of Public Health Nursing; B. University, Harvard (1939)
Bernice Burdick Elementary Supervisor of Music
Boston University, Mus. B .; Columbia, M.A .; Boston Conser- vatory, Trinity (1945)
Robert A. Grundy (1947)
Attendance Officer
Jean F. Ramsay Visiting Teacher Smith College, B.A .; Columbia University, M.A .; Stockholm and Upsala (1941)
Senior High School
Rudolf Sussmann Supervising Principal
Boston University, B.S.Ed .; Harvard (1917)
Luke Halpin Assistant Principal, Math.
Bowdoin, B.A .; Boston University, M.A .; Harvard (1922)
Royal S. Adams Science, Math.
Bates College, B.S .; Harvard, Boston University (1943)
Philip W. Althoff Director of Physical Ed., Athletics
Springfield College, B.P.E., M.Ed. (1927)
Clifford W. Baker Math.
Boston University, B.S .; M.A. (1944)
Elizabeth A. Batchelder Commercial English, Guidance
Salem Normal; Boston University, B.S.Ed. (1916)
Alton C. Bennett Social Science, Coaching Tufts College, A.B .; M.A. (1947)
Elsie I. Bishop Librarian
Colby College, B.A .; Simmons, B.L.S .; Boston University (1943) Robert Bronner World History
Boston University, B.S.Ed .; M.S.Ed .; Harvard (1940) Cathleen Burns English and Spanish
Smith College, A.B .; Boston University, A.M. (1942)
Virginia Cox English and Latin
Radcliffe, A.B .; A.M .; Harvard (1945)
141
Joseph A. Crowley Math., Athletics
Dartmouth College, A.B .; Boston University (1946)
Alberta F. Drury Bookkeeping, Bus. Law, Arithmetic Posse Normal, Salem Normal, Boston University (1917) Joseph F. Fitzgerald Math. Boston College, A.B .; AM ..; Boston University, M. I. Tech (1929)
Alice H. Franzen Shorthand, Type. Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1947)
William E. Hanlon Social Studies, German
Dartmouth College, A.B .; Boston University, Ed.M. (1945)
L. Reginald A. Kibbe Art Supervisor and Teacher Mass. School of Art, B.S.E .; Boston University, M.Ed .; Colum- bia (1936)
Svea W. Kling Shorthand, Type., Business English Burdett, Boston University, B.B.A .; Harvard, M.Ed. (1940)
Florence G. Nichols Phys. Ed. Supervisor and Teacher Sargent School, Boston University, B.S.Ed .. M. I. Tech. (1929) Frederick J. Pope Chemistry and Physics
Colby, B.S .; Harvard, M.Ed .; M. I. Tech (1922)
Mary E. Shay English
Regis College, B.A .; Harvard; B. College (1943) Latin and English
Arthur L. Spencer
Amherst College, A.B .; Brown, A.M .; Boston University (1938)
Cyrus D. Thompson Director and Teacher of Music N. E. Cons. of Music; Penn State, B.S .; Eastman School of Music, M.M .; N.Y. University (1945)
Marion B. Wadsworth French
Radcliffe, A.B .; M.A .; Harvard; Inst. of France (1943)
Katherine A. White English and History Brown University, A.B .; Boston University (1947)
Helen R. Zimmerman Chemistry, Science, Biology Wellesley, B.A .; Purdue University, M.S., Ph.D .: Ohio State : M. I. Tech. (1936)
Junior High School
Robert F. Perry Supervising Principal
U. S. Naval Academy, B.S .; University of New Hampshire; Columbia University (1935)
William A. Ric'n Assistant Principal. Math.
Salem Normal; Boston University; B.S.Ed .; M.A. (1928)
James T. Amsler
Fitchburg State Teachers' College, B.S.E.d. (19:6)
142
Harriet S. Beattie Art
Massachusetts School of Art, B.S.Ed. (1936) Lloyd G. Blanchard Mathematics
Dartmouth College, A.B. (1946)
Wellington A. Brewster Mathematics
Tufts, A.B .; M.Ed. (1947)
Kathleen O. Chandler Latin and English
University of New Hampshire, B.A .; Columbia, M.A. (1947)
John R. Copithorne . General Science
Simpson College, B.A .; Boston University (1946)
Ethelyn M. Cowperthwaite English Framingham Teachers' College; Harvard; Boston University ; Cornell (1945)
Marian D. Day Science
Bates College: M. I. Tech .; Harvard; B. University (1925)
Clementina Frasca English
Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1947)
Grace M. Harriman Social Studies Radcliffe, B.A .; Harvard, M.Ed .; Stanford University; College of the Pacific (1928)
Walter E. Hawkes Physical Ed., and Hygiene
Springfield College, B.S. (1933)
Louise B. Jenkins
Social Studies
Bridgewater Normal; Boston University, B.S.Ed .; Harvard, (1920)
Helen R. Knight English
Lowell State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1946)
Roderick E. Macdonald Shop
Fitchburg State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1937)
John B. Pacino Commercial Subjects Tufts, B.S .; Springfield College, B. University (1945)
Anna M. Reck
Mathematics
Radcliffe, B.A .; Boston University (1928)
Neil C. Robinson Social Studies Mass. State College, B:S .; Boston University, M.Ed .; Harvard (1936) Violet H. Rockney Music and English Los Angeles City College; University of the City of Los Angeles, B.A. (1947)
Margaret Tyacke Physical Ed. and Hygiene Harvard Summer School; Boston University (1926) Frederick Wales Shop
Fitchburg State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1912)
Helen A. Walker
Home Economics, Jr. and Sr. High
Framingham State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1941)
143
Grace M. Walkey Home Economics Framingham State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1947)
Albert H. Woodward Math., Social Studies Amherst, A.B .; Boston University, Ed.M .; Clark University (1940)
Highland School
Elizabeth Graham Supervising Principal Framingham Normal; Boston University, B.S.Ed .; M.Ed .; Har- vard (1941)
Henry J. Barone Grade 6 State Teachers' College, N. J. B.S .; Boston University, M.Ed. (1946)
Dorothy L. Burgess Grade 3
Leslie Normal, Boston University (1926)
Dorothy L. Cronin Grade 2 Lowell State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; Boston University, M.Ed. (1933)
Eileen R. Cummings Grade 1
Wheelock College, B.S.Ed. (1945)
Daretta G. Esh Grade 6
Central Michigan College, B.A. (1947)
Doris S. Forbes Grade 5
Plymouth Teachers' College (1947)
R. Hilda Gaffney Grade 6
Boston University, B.S.Ed .; University of Wisconsin (1941) Carolyn Grace
Grade 5
North Adams Normal; Boston University; Hyannis Summer School; Harvard (1919)
Olive L. Joney Grade 4
Worcester State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed; Boston University, M.Ed. (1946)
Edythe M. McQuaide
Grade 6
Lowell State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; Tufts, M.A. (1940) Florence Potter Grade 5
Plymouth Normal School; Boston University (1926)
Lorraine Pulson Grades 4-5
Salem Teachers' College (1947)
Pearl Street School
Arthur D. Simonds, Jr. Supervising Principal Boston University, B.R.E .; M.A .; Yale (1944)
Doris Bailey Grade 5 Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; University of Michigan, M.A .; Duke; Columbia (1945)
144
Ruth S. Carey
: Grade 1
Boston University, B.S.Ed. (1941)
Isabel L. Carley Grade 3
Salem State Teachers' College; Penn State (1928)
Velma E. Curtin Grade 2
Perry Kindergarten; Boston University; Tufts (1927)
Marion K. Dynice Grade 2-3
Fitchburg State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1947)
Pauline S. Gilman Grade 2
Keene Normal School (1947)
A. Josephine Guild Grade 1 Perry Kindergarten School; Boston University, B.S.Ed. (1944)
Frances Haskins Grade 3 Aroostock State Teachers' College (1943)
Ann M. Howe Grade 5
Framingham State Teachers' College; Boston University (1947) Esther Kempton Grade 4
Farmington Normal School; Boston University (1946)
Beth G. MacGregor Grade 1
Salem State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1943)
James A. McLaughlin Grade 6 Oswego State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; Boston University, M.Ed. (1947)
Mary W. Moore Grade 5 Provincial, N.S., Normal School; Boston University, B.S.Ed; Harvard (1941)
Helen D. Stockwell Special Class Salem Normal School; Boston University; Harvard (1930)
Margaret G. Traquair Special Class
Salem State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1945)
Myrla P. Wilbur Grade 6 Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; Hyannis, M.Ed. (1945)
145
Lowell Street School
Nellie P. Beaton Principal, Grade 4 Hyannis Teachers' College, U. of Maine; Boston University (1920)
Norma K. Chase Grade 2 University of Vermont, B.E. (1947)
Loraine C. Merrill Grade 3
Gorham Normal School, Boston University, B.S. (1946)
Marion R. Weagle Grade 1 Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.E. (1946)
Prospect Street School
Eleanor M. Skahill Principal, Grade 4
Bridgewater Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; Boston University (1943)
Catherine M. Chipman Grade 3 Lowell State Teachers' College; Boston University (1944)
Grace L. Gifford Grade 1
Wheelock Kindergarten School; Boston University (1943)
Helena A. Markham Grade 4 Framingham State Teachers' College; Boston University (1934)
Alberta R. Mathieson Grade 2
Salem State Teachers' College; Boston University (1924)
Glenis M. Ridley Grade 1
Farmington Normal School; University of Maine (1946)
Chestnut Hill School
Irene R. Royea Principal, Grades 1 and 2 Aroostook Normal School; Boston University (1928)
Clara A. Anderson Grade 3 and 4 Gorham Normal School; Boston University, B.S.Ed. (1944)
146
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1947
To the School Committee
Reading, Massachusetts
Mrs. Earley, Mrs. Milton, and Gentlemen :
Herewith please find my ninth annual report as Superintendent of Schools, which is the fifty-fifth of a series of annual reports describing the work of the Reading Public Schools.
Reading, along with other towns and cities, has been faced with two major problems during the past year. The first, and most important, was the changes in teaching personnel. The second was the increased school enrollments, especially in the elementary grades. Underlying both of these problems has been the difficult economic situation with high prices and shrinking dollars with which all public services have been confronted. These conditions resulted in the need for increasing salaries and the necessity of paying high prices for supplies, repairs and main- tenance of public property.
The school administration has, throughout the year, sought to at- tract teachers with ability, excellent training, and experience. During the year eighteen new members have been added to the school staffs. This number is four less than the twenty-two added in 1946, yet it is a sizable number of people to assimilate in an organization and still retain the advantages of the continuity which made possible constant and steady professional growth under pre-war conditions.
Increase in Birth Rate
School populations are increasing throughout the country. This in- crease is largely due to the accelerated birth rate during the war years. It is beginning to be reflected in the primary grades and will have even more effect upon elementary school enrollments in the next five years.
Births, as recorded in the Town Reports for the last ten years, show the following increases : 1937-144, 1938-138, 1939-149, 1940-165, 1941-170, 1942-222, 1943-237, 1944-223, 1945-205, and 1946-244.
Enrollment Increase
Since Reading is so close to Boston we can expect continued in- creases in school enrollments, not only from the increase in birth rate, but also from families moving into Reading to make it their home.
This growth will bring problems of school accommodation which will be acute unless additional facilities are provided in the near future.
The October 1, 1947, enrollment figures by grades and schools are as follows :
147
School
Grade
1
2
3
4
5
6
Opp.
Pearl
101
81
89
74
58
73
27
503
Highland
37
35
27
44
112
104
359
Prospect
51
36
38
46
171
Lowell
36
34
26
34
130
Chestnut
Hill
20
14
20
15
69
Grade Totals
245
200
200
213
170
177
27
1232
and the comparative enrollment figures for the last seven years are :
School
1941
1942
1943
1944 1945
1946
1947
Senior High
599
548
491
508
495
531
568
Junior High
524
521
514
524
514
501
496
Elementary
1093
1103
1150
1152
1180
1201
1232
Totals
2216
2172
2150
2184
2189
2233
2296
-
-
Neither birth rates nor enrollments alone can be depended upon for an accurate index of future school population growth because of the movement of families in and out of town, but taken together indicate a definite and steady increase of young people for whom the schools must provide.
Safety Construction and Building Repairs
Much has been done this year to make our school buildings safer and more attractive. Fire escapes have been added to the Senior High School, and emergency lighting is being installed in the Junior High School, Highland, Lowell, and Pearl Street Schools. Fire doors have been made for the Chestnut Hill, Lowell, and Highland Schools, and smoke screens have been erected in the Lowell and Highland Schools.
Because materials were again available, many repairs were under- taken which have been deferred for a number of years. The most im- portant among these repairs were the following: hot-topping the King Street driveway at the Junior High School, new shades throughout the School System, painting auditorium and cafeteria and a number of rooms in the Junior High School and the first floor in the Senior High School, re-tubing two large boilers in the Junior and Senior High Schools, and providing large curtains in the Junior High School gym- nasium. The roof of the Prospect Street School caught fire and had to be replaced. An incinerator was installed in the Highland School, and the water piping in the basement of this school was renewed.
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