USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1947 > Part 12
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No matter what is done to make the present buildings safe and at- tractive, there still must be faced the need for increased room for effective instruction.
The pupils in the Prospect School district still must use two class- rooms in the Junior High School. In the Elementary schools there are many classes in which there are more children than seems wise for efficient learning. This is particularly true of the primary grades.
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It may be necessary next year to turn the small library and the ad- joining teachers' room in the Highland School into an additional class- room due to the growing school population in this area.
The problem of enrollment growth is not an easy one to solve. If a new school at the corner of Oak Street and Summer Avenue were opened tomorrow, it would have to accommodate the two classes at Chestnut Hill, the six rooms at Prospect, and all the fifth and sixth grades at Highland School who live in the Chestnut Hill and Prospect School districts. This would mean there would be enough pupils to fill twelve rooms of a proposed eighteen room building.
There is urgent need to consider a long-range building program when costs make construction possible.
Teaching Stresses Fundamentals
Schools have been established by the citizens of the community to do two specific things: the first is to teach pupils those fundamental learnings which will make them efficient citizens; the second is to teach these learnings in such a way that pupils can apply them efficiently in the practical situations arising in their lives today, and in the years to come. The first of these objectives dominated much of school work in the nineteenth century, but life became much more complex in the 20th century and these fundamental learnings we now use in a multitude of ways unknown before.
The most important contribution to teaching in the last twenty-five year is the discovery that children differ widely in their ability to learn. This difference in learning ability is to a certain extent general. It is also specific. Children differ in learning Arithmetic, Spelling, Reading, Writing and other things.
Our methods in school take these facts into account. Teachers take special pains to understand the difficulties a child has in learning, and work with him individually to bring up his achievement.
We use drill but believe it is most effective when it has meaning for the pupil. If, in the solution of an Arithmetic problem, a child fails be- cause he has not learned his multiplication facts-that is the time for thorough drill, because he can see the need of it.
The teaching of the multiplication facts is begun as early as the child has a curiosity or need to use them, even if the child happens to be in the first grade. The learning of these facts proceeds until all of them are learned. The child in this way builds up a knowledge of the multi- plication table by the fourth or fifth grade and values it as a tool for future use.
Each year we find certain lacks and failures in basic knowledge, due perhaps to imperfect teaching methods or failures in intergration. Those things we mark for fresh study to discover how improvement may be made. Throughout the country a fresh attack is being made on spelling,
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and we are working on it in Reading; we are also diagnosing failure of individual students in fundamentals by means of a battery of tests in the High School, and finding ways of supplying those things which are lacking.
Thinking things through and developing sound judgments also en- ter into teaching from the first grade through the high school. Our schools provide many opportunities for growth along these lines. Dis- cussions in English and Social Study classes, membership on a student council, or a traffic patrol, or working with a few other pupils to pre- sent the results of the group's study to the whole class, constantly help pupils develop good judgment and clear thinking.
To help all teachers obtain a broad common background of teach- ing material and suggestions for its use, the State Department of Edu- cation in 1947 issued a large teachers' guide of over 500 pages. With all teachers in a given grade using this guide, pupils in the various schools are guaranteed more uniform instructional material than hereto- fore. The textbooks and supplementary books used in connection with the State Guides, provide pupils of different levels of ability with material suited to their needs.
Emphasis on Speech
This year speech has been emphasized-especially in the Junior High School. Here we have had some assistance from an excellent speech instructor who developed speech work with the teachers, and they in turn worked with their students. Through this emphasis on develop- ing correct speech habits we hope our pupils will be better able to think of their feet and to talk in clear, concise, and convincing English. The Elementary schools are also giving increased attention to good speech.
Music Classes Grow
Music has increased in importance in the school curriculum during the last year. The band in the High School now numbers 53 members and has played regularly at football games. The High and Junior High School orchestras have increased in size during the year.
A new musical venture was started in the Elementary Schools this year. Instrumental classes were organized at Pearl and Highland Schools. School-owned instruments were used when ever possible -- these were supplemented by instruments which were rented by parents or donated by friends. Weekly classes taught by the Director of Music have included eighteen pupils playing trumpets, cornets, trombones or horns, twenty playing clarinets or saxophones, eighteen playing violins or cellos, and ten playing drums. This teaching is preliminary to the development of Elementary School orchestras. Much public interest is being shown in the method of teaching as well as in the progress of the pupils.
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Many students are taking advantage of private instruction being offered after school and Saturday mornings here in Reading and in Boston. Nine students are sufficiently advanced to participate in re- hearsals and concerts of the Reading Civic Symphony.
Art Work is Unified
The Art work has grown to a point where additional supervision will be needed before long. The present supervisor carries a load of four High School classes and the supervision of Art work in forty Elementary classes. In the High School a course of Art Appreciation, open to all students, is offered. This course provides a one-year survey of Art, both from the historical and contemporary viewpoints. In the second and third years, the Art work covers production of drawings, paintings, designs, interior decoration, modelling and posters. The Art pupils have generously loaned their talents in supplying posters, dis- plays, and decorations for many community drives and affairs.
The Junior High School Art Classes have developed a program leading up to the Senior High School work. It is, however, also con- cerned with finding the pupils with art ability and encouraging them to prepare for careers in which these talents are used.
In the Elementary Schools the teaching of Art is a part of many activities-decorating the stage for a play; contributing to exhibits in the school showcases; illustrating events in Social Studies; and repre- senting the child's own experiences in art forms. Pupils become interest- ed in line, form, color, rhythms, and design organization.
Health Work in the Schools
The work of giving thorough general physical examinations to chil- dren in Grades 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 has continued this year. The Massachu- setts Vision Test is given throughout the school system in search of de- fective vision.
In June a Hearing Research Program was set up in the Junior High School. This made possible for each child with a reported hearing loss an opportunity for an ear, nose and throat examination by a recognized specialist. Dr. Werner Mueller, of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear In- firmary, made the examinations. The results were as follows :
44 pupils showed a significant hearing loss.
1 pupil had a marked hearing loss since childhood.
1 pupil had hearing loss throughout the tone range.
Of the 44 showing significant hearing loss, 18 were recommended for surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids by X-ray treatment. Oppor- tunity to have these operations performed without charge were made through Mr. Philip Johnston, of the Child Growth and Development Division of the Department of Public Health.
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Dental Clinic
Because of the increase in costs, the Dental Clinic has found itself in a difficult financial position. Appeals have been made to the Parent- Teacher Associations for additional funds. If increased support is not obtained soon, the work of the Clinic will be greatly reduced.
Diphtheria Clinic
In March notice was received that a Junior High School pupil had been found to have a positive throat culture. Immediately a Schick Clinic was organized with the aid of Dr. Halligan, Dr. Baisley, Dr. Mor- ris and Dr. Halpin, assisted by three Reading Good Health Committee workers. The Schick test was administered to 442 pupils, 19 teachers and 3 cafeteria workers during a three-hour period.
Cafeteria Program Expanded
With funds available in 1946 and financial assistance from the War Food Administration cafeterias were established in the Highland and Pearl Street Schools. The cost of a well-balanced meal for children in these cafeterias at present is 25c. This includes a bottle of milk. For each meal the War Foods Administration provides 7c thus making it pos- sible for the pupils to obtain the benefit of a much better meal than they could otherwise.
The basis of any school system is the quality and ability of its teaching corps. The members of the school staff in Reading have work- ed hard this year to reach high professional standards. They have done this in the face of very trying economic conditions. They should receive the appreciation of everyone interested in the education of Reading's youth.
Respectfully submitted, ELBRIDGE C. GROVER Superintendent of Schools
READING HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES Class of 1947 Outdoor Exercises, Junior High School Stadium Wednesday Afternoon, June Fourth PROGRAM 'PROCESSIONAL MARCH High School Band
RAISING OF FLAG and PLAYING OF COLORS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Class President, Herbert John Robertson STAR SPANGLED BANNER Key-Smith
Audience, Senior Class and Band
PRAYER - Rev. William Gunter
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SALUTATORY
"Opportunities-Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" Albert Chester Robinson, Jr.
TORCH ORATION
Herbert John Robertson, Class President
ESSAY-"The End of the Beginning"
Gladys M. Buck, Faculty Honors
ESSAY-"Culture and The Classics" Robert D. Marston, Class Honors
AN EVENING'S PASTORALE Shaw
GLORIA FROM THE "TWELFTH MASS" Mozart
A Cappella Choir
ESSAY-"Life's Final Star" Eleanor Ann Cole, Faculty Honors
ESSAY-"Worth from Waste through Chemurgy" E. Thomas Stafford, Class Honors
VALEDICTORY "Operation Education"
Elisabeth Ann Dagdigian * *
CONFERRING SCHOLASTIC HONORS Rudolf Sussmann, Headmaster
CERTIFICATION OF CLASS
ACCEPTANCE OF CERTIFICATION OF GRADUATES Dr. Elbridge C. Grover, Superintendent of Schools
CONFERRING DIPLOMAS
Alexander P. Glover, Chairman of School Board AMERICA
Audience, Senior Class and Band BENEDICTION-Rev. William Gunter
RECESSIONAL MARCH
High School Band
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CANDIDATES FOR DIPLOMAS
Marion Elizabeth Anderson
Donald B. Kimball
Rose Marie Anderson
Walter B. Kimball, Jr.
Kenneth Clayton Balsor
Edmund F. Knowles
Marilyn Reed Batchelder
Barbara L. Laughton
Robert M. Batchelder
Sally Erline Benson
Thomas W. Berry
George A. Lothian
Lois Blake
Lucy M. Lucci
Robert Frederick Brown
Mary N. Lucci
William J. Brown, Jr.
Wallace Macdonald
Gladys M. Buck
Douglas Kimball MacLeod
Alfred L. Butler. Jr.
Eleanor Elaine Macleod
Margaret Campbell
Luther D. Macleod
David Leonard Castine
Robert D. Marston
Kenneth W. Castine
Joseph Edward Martin, Jr.
Wilbur F. Castine, Jr.
Betty Anne McCabe James P. McDonough
Marion Gertrude Caulk
Chester A. Chabot, Jr.
Margaret E. McLean
Nancy Elaine Chapman
Herbert N. McSheehy
Jean Shirley Chase
Karl W. Mecewitz Helen Mentus
Warren F. Clancy
Eleanor Ann Cole
Gordon F. Messier
Mary Lou Conron
Henry J. Meuse, Jr.
Dorothy E. Coolidge
Kathleen Meuse
Charlotte Ann Crawford
Nita Michelini Donald Milton, Jr.
Robert Mackay Crosby
Howard W. Crowell
Ralph Chester Monegan, Jr.
Richard Stockton Crowell
Kenneth James Monty
Elisabeth Ann Dagdigian
Patricia A. Moody
Barbara Ann Dalton
John V. Morookian Franklin Emery Munnis
Daniel Kevin Desmond Paul A. Desmond
Marjorie Lois Nickerson
Ralph Elmer Dodge
Elsie Marion Nilson
Paul Edward Doucette
Ann Veronica O'Keeffe
Raymond J. Doucette William J. Doucette
Richard F. Perley
Carole E. Powers
Diane Decker
Barbara Ann Murphy
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Nancy Lawson Mary Elizabeth Leach
Edward Downs Kenneth Douglas Downs Richard D. Duggan Barbara Ann Dulong Marianne Dunn Leonard Dyer John Francis Edmonson
Lorraine Marie Raymond H. Richard Reed Muriel Anne Reed Dominic Rigione Shirley Marie Rivers
Claire Roberts Herbert John Robertson
Dolly Eisenhaure
Albert Chester Robinson, Jr.
Myron G. Eisenhaure
William H. Rodgers
Ruth Elisabeth Ruggles
Dorothy E. Sherrod
Dianne Shulkey
Robert Vernon Sillars
Catherine Slack
Robert A. P. Fitzgerald
Richard L. Flanders
Beverly H. Flater
Alice May Sprague
Cynthia Alice Flood
E. Thomas Stafford
Bertha M. Foster
Pauline Gertrude Stephens
Frank Richard Foster
McLeod C. Stewart
M. Carol Fulton
James Leonard Surette
Louise Sara Gaffney DeMelle C. Garey
Mary Stuart Teel
Jacquelyn E. Goding
Anne Thompson
Paul Everett Grant
Viola M. Tompkins
Glenna Winifred Gullam Elizabeth Hallock
Sally Viall Helen E. Walkup
Alice Halloran
Dorothy Ruth Washburn
Barbara Watson
Lawrence S. Webster
Joan Marie Wellings
Alfred Hanson Wheeler
Walter Francis White
Dorothea Rowena Whitton
Marcia Wilson
Edward Charles Wright
Dorothy Marie Zanni John Jack Zeytoonian
Margaret Ellison Richard Dean Evans
William Anthony Evans Lyman Fancy Roy R. Farr
Emery Smith
Carol Spaulding
Peter E. Surette
Homer Richard Harding
Robert Edward Harrington Marilyn Hatch Janet Louise Higgins Edward Joseph Hrynowsky Philip George Hunt Clarice Irene Jacobs Marguerite Grace Jehu Kenneth Milton Jones Coleman L. Kempton
155
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The report of the Inspector of Wires is hereby submitted.
Notices have been received of the following elctrical work:
Additions to existing wiring .. 118 Laundry Machine and dryer .. 1
Aid conditioning units 2
Mangles
1
Alterations to existing wiring 9
Motors
9
Barns wired 2 Offices
1
Corrections made to wiring . .
32
Oil burners (power) 162
Damper regulators
1 Ranges 25
Dishwashers 2 Refrigeration 13
Dwellings (New)
131
Repairs to old wiring
5
Dwellings (Old rewired)
2
Repairs after fire damage
4
Freezing units
1 Repairs after lightning damage Roadside stands
1
Garbage disposal units
2
Services (replaced)
33
Gasoline pumps
9
Services (temporary) 10
Generators (gasoline driven) .
2 Shops
2
Greenhouses
1 Signs
3
Gas heat controls
30
Stokers
4
Heat Regulators
2 Ventilating fans 5
Henhouses
2 Water heaters 20
Water pumps 5
The cooperation of the electricians has been appreciated and there has been very few cases where changes were necessary in work done. But there were several cases where existing wiring, installed by amateurs, has been condemned.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH L. EAMES,
Inspector of Wires
156
4
Garages
2
Status uo
Annual Report of
Public Library Trustees
In the town reports for 1945 and 1946 the Trustees of the Public Library have shown clearly the need for more storage space for books and records but there have been uncontrollable factors in the way of progress along that line. We are thus able to make our 1947 report quite brief.
A visit to the Library would demonstrate to any keen observer the constant demands that face the Library staff. We, therefore, still point to the plans for expansion as a present necessity and (when completed) as adequate to care for a half-century of growth. When the townspeople sense this need and ask for action, the developed plans still will be suitable; but it is to be hoped that this awakening may take place in the not too distant future.
Sufficient evidence describing the cramped conditions under which the Library operates, and the architect's plans for relieving the situation have been portrayed in the two previous annual reports. Until the townspeople fully realize the absolute need for expansion at the Library, there is small likelihood of building the required stack room. In the meantime, the Library staff serves the community as efficiently as conditions allow.
The Library staff is woefully underpaid. During the war, one of the five per cent salary increases granted to employees in other town departments was denied in the Library budget. Libraries with circulations similar to Reading's have a much more favorable salary schedule. We believe more careful consideration should be given before the town meeting members refuse a request for adequate pay.
On the recommendation of the librarian we have decided not to take advantage of the Saturday closing. Leisure and cultural interests can be served, in particular, on Saturday. This is in keeping with the policy to do a superior job under inferior conditions of housing and salaries.
Board of Library Trustees
William S. Tonks, Chairman
C. Nelson Bishop Katherine C. Pierce
Eve F. Henderson, Secretary Sydney M. Hodson Neil C. Robinson
157
Report of Librarian
Salaries, Appropriation - $7,300.00
Librarian
$ 2,108.11
Assistants
4,172.78
Janitor
960.68
Janitor, extra work
50.00
$ 7,291.57
Maintenance, Appropriation - $3,350.00
Fuel, light, water, sewer
$ 371.87
Telephone
52.26
Printing and supplies
413.85
Maintenance and repairs
140.46
Books and periodicals
2,179.04
Binding
155.43
Miscellaneous
22.17
$ 3,336.98
Balance unexpended and returned to revenue
On salaries $ 8.43
On maintenance
13.02
Receipts
Fines collected $ 813.72
Fees from out-of-town borrowers
10.50
Paid to Town Treasurer
$ 824.22
Librarian's Report on Circulation for 1947
Volumes in Library, Dec. 31, 1946
27,364
Volumes bought
Adult fiction
293
Adult non-fiction
310
603
Juvenile fiction
222
Juvenile non-fiction
120
342
158
Reference
Gifts
5 123
1,073
1,073
Withdrawn during year
655
Total no. volumes, Dec. 31, 1947
27,772
Circulation
Adult
Fiction
47,824
Non-fiction
15,029
Periodicals
6,529
69,382
Juvenile
Fiction
18,611
Non-fiction
3,540
Periodicals
677
Schools
3,802
26,630
Total circulation in 1947
96,012
Total circulation in 1946
99,501
Loss in 1947
3,489
New borrowers registered
Adult
413
Juvenile
267
Total new borrowers
680
No. days Library open
294
Average daily circulation
Adult
235.99
Juvenile
90.63
Borrowed from other libraries
26
Loaned to other libraries
20
MEMORIAL BOOKS have been presented to the Library during the year by relatives and friends of late Reading citizens in memory of:
John J. O'Brien
An Ernie Pile Album
Skiing for the Millions
Santa Fe Trail
Norman Rockwell, Illustrator
Scientific Encyclopedia
159
28,437
Maurice C. Proctor Gun Collector's Handbook of Values Mrs. Arthur Libby Treasury of English Wildlife
Ray E. Littlefield Book of Trout Lore
Dr. E. D. Richmond Biography of Harvey Cushing
Prof. Clark S. Robinson Look at New England
Frederick D. B. Ingalls Churches of Old New England
Mrs. Alice Symonds Natural History of the Birds of Eastern and Central America Encyclopedia of English and American Wildflowers
Donald L. Tuttle, Jr. Linden on the Saugus Branch
Frank L. Edgerley Philosopher's Quest Animal Anatomy and Psychology I Remember Distinctly
Mrs. Emma A. Burns Old New England
Lester Riley
The World's Great Madonnas Mexican Folkways Mixed Train Daily Picture Makers of the Old West
Arthur S. Cook Word Finders
Miss Carrie Blake Whittling and Wood Carving
Mrs. Roberta Steele Handicraft in Wood and Metal
Robert Stevens Albert Schweitzer, the Man and His Mind
William H. Willis An Old New England Village
James Earl Ireland Collier's Photographic History of World War II
160
TWENTY - SEVENTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
for the year ended
December 31, 1947
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading :
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1947.
The Board organized with Harold W. Putnam as Chairman and Harmon D. Smith as Secretary. Philip Welch was reappointed Super- intendent.
Regularly scheduled meetings were held during the year, as were several special meetings and conferences. Individual members were appointed to and served on special committees.
Public Hearings were advertised and held on street acceptances, sewer extensions, drain easements and pole locations. Acting as the Board of Survey, several hearings were held on proposed housing de- velopments, and for the establishment of lines and grades on existing and proposed private ways and new streets.
Petitions for sewer extensions, storm drains, water mains, grano- lithic sidewalks, granite curbing, and other services have been filed with the Board, the cost of which greatly. exceeds the amount of the usual annual appropriations made for these purposes. The Board, conse- quently, has tried to install the various utilities requested based on the greatest need and value to the Town. The Board will, in 1948, be able to provide sewers to a greater extent since a bond issue for this purpose has been approved.
Storm water drain requests are continually being received. This presents a serious problem. A large backlog of requests now exists, the estimated cost of which is far in excess of normal yearly appropriations. Unless greater funds are provided for this purpose annually, a point will soon be reached where a sizeable bond issue will be necessary.
A substantial increase in the number of water main extensions and water services was realized in 1947. It is expected that a similar situation will exist in 1948. A number of developments have been started in various locations many of which will require water main extensions plus a substantial number of services in each case.
The attention of the Townspeople is called to the excellent service rendered and the long hours worked by the employees during the snow season. At the time of writing this acknowledgment of service is quite timely. It does not seem necessary to remind you that without the proper supervision by the Superintendent and foremen and the good work
162
of our chauffeurs who operate the equipment and other workmen doing miscellaneous tasks during regular and extra hours beyond the ordinary call of duty, there would be many a day that we could not pursue our regular routine habits.
Although a street here and there has been cleared a few hours later than we or you thought it should be, we feel that the general conditions during the snow season have been equal to any nearby Town and better than most. Credit for this is not ours but the employees and we are sure that, given proper equipment and reasonable wages, these employees will continue to give you the type of service for which the Town of Reading has many times been complimented.
The Board has endeavored to cooperate with other Town Boards and Departments during the past year and wishes to acknowledge the courtesy, help, and cooperation extended to them by other Town De- partments.
On December 1, 1947, a letter of resignation was received from Mr. Wendell P. Davis, to take effect December 31, 1947, due to his change of residence from Reading to Durham, New Hampshire. Mr. Davis was a member of the Board of Public Works from 1936 to date, a period of eleven years, during which time he had served as Chairman for eight years. He also served as Chairman of the Reading Drainage Committee and was a member of several sub-committees of the Board of Public Works. His resignation was accepted with deep regret by the Board. His continuous conscientious service to the Town over a long period merits the praise of the Town. The remaining members of the Board of Public Works commend him to the Town as an example of a fine public spirited citizen always willing to serve the Town in an excep- tionally fine manner.
Reference is made to the report of the Superintendent, which fol- lows, for a more detailed account of the activities of the various divisions which comprise the Departments supervised by the Board of Public Works.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD W. PUTNAM, Chairman HARMON D. SMITH, Secretary WENDELL P. DAVIS ALEXANDER LINDSAY WILLIAM WEBB
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
As required by Section 4, Chapter 118 of an act authorizing the Town of Reading to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration the Twenty-seventh annual report of the Department, including a financial report of each division and a Chronicle of the principal work performed with recommendations for the coming year.
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