USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1949 > Part 10
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MINIMUM STANDARDS. This fall the Principals and the Super- intendent have met to analyze possible minimum standards which may be used for the 70% of pupils who represent those of average ability. To date, the minimum program for seniors in High School in the areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies has been reviewed and consideration is being given to adjusting the school's program for those at the upper and lower ends of the intelligence scale.
REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION. Recognizing the desirability of pro- viding for those children in the elementary schools who, in various sub- jects, are not at the proper grade level in achievement, the School Com- mittee this year elected a remedial teacher to work with these children to the end that by special instruction they might be brought to a level in achievement commensurate with their native ability. The teacher who was elected to this position has for ten years been an elementary school remedial teacher in Needham and is now very successfully work- ing with approximately 70 pupils.
The necessity for caring for the slow and rapid learners re-empha- sized the need for a comprehensive testing program, and during the past year additional standardized tests have been added to the pro- gram.
PHONICS. A specific step has been taken for the improvement of reading in the Town. Over a year ago a new system for the teaching of phonics, that is, word analysis and pronunciation, was analyzed by two teachers in the Pearl Street School, who used the new system with their classes. The outstanding results as determined by standardized texts prompted the School Committee to provide textbooks for all of the
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first three grades in Reading so that now all primary children in the Town have the benefit of this program.
SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION. As a definite step in the coordination of the school activities, the School Committee has made possible the assignment of Mr. Philip W. Althoff to the supervision of Physical Education in all schools in town. Mr. Althoff now has available time to coordinate Physical Education activities of the Ele- mentary, Junior High and Senior High Schools, and is entrusted with the responsibility for a coordination and development of athletics.
Supervisory Units
The principle of semi-independent supervisory units, a practice found in many of the larger, better school systems in Massachusetts, has been inaugurated in Reading and found highly successful. There are four supervisory units embracing from 400 to 600 pupils. Each principal is responsible to the Superintendent for the supervision of teachers and pupils, the proper control of the pupils and the school staff under the rules and regulations of the School Committee, and the public and personnel relations affecting his school. The principals of the Reading schools, as noted before, are skillful administrators and super- visors and it is only proper that such responsibility and authority should accrue to them.
Parent and Public Support
The Town of Reading is unusual when compared with other com- munities in the State in that parents take such a vital interest in the program and operation of the schools. Every Parent-Teacher Associa tion in Reading is a flourishing organization which contributes in no small degree to the successful operation of the schools. While some of the activities of the PTAs are social, the underlying purpose and many of the activities of these associations are directed toward the improve- ment of the education of the children. Membership in one of these as- sociations provides the parent with a better opportunity to know the teacher, to know of the school's work, and to know better the strength and weaknesses of his own child. The teacher, in like measure, re- ceives similar benefits and the net result is that there is greater oppor- tunity for the pupil's successful advancement. Related to this asso- ciation is the Study Group of parents at Pearl Street School. Organized by the parents, Principal and teachers, the Study Group meets once a month to study methods of instruction, content of the educational pro- gram, and the various matters relating to child psychology. The fine spirit generated in teachers, parents and pupils by these cooperative studies is apparent to anyone who visits this school. The Highland PTA is at present studying the desirability of establishing a program for similar purposes.
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The Reading Parent-Teacher Council was established over a year ago to coordinate the activities of the various parent groups in Read- ing. Its initial step was to plan for meeting dates which would not be in conflict, one with the other, and to serve as a clearing house for infor- mation concerning PTA programs and problems. This year the Council is taking the leadership in investigating the need for a new high school, in stimulating interest in the formation of a PTA at the High School, and in making plans for an analysis of the single and double session plans of organization in the elementary schools. Parents who do not now belong to such an association should contribute to, and take from, the association the ideas and help which such membreship provides.
School Housing
Last year it was apparent from an examination of enrollment figures and the population trend in Reading that, like other communi- ties, Reading would be faced by major problems in the housing of its school children. It is reasonable to believe that for the next five years there will be an increase in the school population of over 500 pupils. The increased growth of the school population will soon crowd the Junior High School and by 1952 the evidence seems to indicate that the Senior High School will be crowded considerably beyond the capacity authorized by the State Department of Public Safety.
Fortunately, the Town realized that the population trend would affect all of our schools and constructed the 18-room school building now called the Joshua Eaton Elementary School. This beautiful new school opened in September with 16 of the 18 classrooms filled, and was dedicated on October 23, 1949. The change in the school district lines relieved the Highland and Pearl Street Schools, but the expected in- crease in enrollment probably will, within two years, again fill all three major elementary school units. The School Committee returned to the Town the Grouard House and the two-room Chestnut Hill School, but it retained the Prospect Street School, which may again be opened if the enrollment increase develops as expected. An unknown factor in pre- diction at this time is the effect that the opening of a parochial school in Reading will have upon public school enrollment.
The major problem facing Reading today is obviously the High School. The increased growth of the Town and the increased birthrate, as indicated above, probably will swell enrollment in this school in 1952 to such a degree that even by using the gymnasium and cafeteria for classroom purposes, it would be impossible to accommodate all high school pupils. Then, too, how long Reading will be satisfied to pro- vide her boys and girls with the inadequate curriculum imposed by limited facilities is another imponderable. The matter of financing another school building at this time is naturally one which should be of real concern to the townspeople, but the assistance available from
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the State to relieve the burden on the local property tax certainly should encourage our townspeople to investigate without prejudice the needs of the High School pupils of the next 40 years.
Legislation
Because Education is a State function, subject to the control of the State Legislature, those bills reviewed by the Legislature, and which may become law, regulating the operation of the schools in this Town, are important and your Superintendent and School Committee analyze proposed laws and support the desirable and oppose the undesirable.
Plans For 1950
The major endeavor in the coming year will be the continued study and work for the improvement of integration in the Reading schools. The second major project will be an investigation of ways and means for developing a program of instruction for the boys and girls so that they may be better prepared to find their proper places in today's so- ciety. The High School curricula will receive special attention as a result of a recent analysis which indicated that high school graduates were continuing their studies or going directly into work, as follows:
In the past five years 23% of Reading High School graduates have gone on to college; 3.7% have gone on for nurses' training; 3.9% have entered college preparatory schools, or have taken post graduate courses; 5.4% have entered business schools; 2.3% have gone into vocational schools; 13.3% have gone directly into business offices. Almost 52% of the Reading High School pupils leave High School to go directly to work.
At the present time it appears that while we continue to seek ways and means of improving instruction in the fundamentals, through remedial teachers and otherwise, we should also modify the High School curricula to accommodate the 50% who are going into the trades, and particularly into the distributive occupations. The High School pro- gram should also provide some realistic training for all pupils in home- making, and should strengthen its program for teaching all pupils about the routine business procedures, including consumer education.
An attempt will be made to secure more information about en- rollment in the High School and other factors which point directly toward the construction of a new high school. Two plans which are now under investigation will be further examined in the coming year. One is a plan for continuous pupil progress in the primary grades, which if adopted, would mean a more realistic adaptation of the school's instructional program to the needs of the young child as we find him.
The other is a plan which involves the organization of the school day and is familiarly known as the single or double session plan. This
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plan would effect only the elementary schools and if the single session plan were adopted, would mean that elementary pupils would attend school earlier in the day and leave school earlier in the afternoon. There is merit on both sides of this question and careful analysis needs to be made before any decision is reached.
The Reading Public Schools have a fine reputation and the instruc- tion in our schools is of the highest order. No single person or group of people is responsible for this fact - the devotion of the School Commit- tee and professional staff, the interest and energy of the various parents' organizations, and the generous support of all townspeople are all factors contributing to the character and reputation of our schools. As long as this teamwork which characterizes all who are associated with our schools continues, the Town may justly be proud of its public school system.
Respectfully submitted ARTHUR B. LORD, JR., Superintendent of Schools
READING HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
Class of 1949 June 8, 1949
PROGRAM
PROCESSIONAL MARCH
High School Band
ยท RAISING OF FLAG and PLAYING OF COLORS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Led by Class President, George S. Zanni, Jr.
STAR SPANGLED BANNER Key-Smith
Audience, Senior Class and Band
PRAYER -- Rev. Charles F. Lancaster
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SALUTATORY "Fitness For Service" Eleanor Ruth Caulk
TORCH ORATION
ESSAY
George S. Zanni, Class President "Statement for Success" Deborah Williams, Class Honors
ESSAY
"Science for All" Stanton Hillier, Faculty Honors
ESSAY
"The Higher Pioneering" Virginia Bradford Reynolds, Faculty Honors
ESSAY
"Nos te Morituri Salutamus" Alton E. Brown, Class Honors
VALEDICTORY "Thanks for the Memories" Julia Josephine Miller
CONFERRING SCHOLASTIC HONORS
Rudolf Sussmann, Headmaster
CERTIFICATION OF CLASS
ACCEPTANCE OF CERTIFICATION OF GRADUATES Arthur B. Lord, Jr., Superintendent of Schools
CONFERRING DIPLOMAS Alexander P. Glover, Chairman of School Board
AMERICA
Smith-Carey
Audience, Senior Class, and Band
BENEDICTION-Rev. Charles F. Lancaster
RECESSIONAL MARCH
High School Band
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CANDIDATES FOR DIPLOMAS
Shirlee Aims Barbara Louise Allen
Francis A. Kimball
Carolyn Knight Thomas Krueger
Doris G. Lane
Charlotte Toby Lappin
Harold F. Lewis
Earle Clifford Livingstone
Frederick E. Livingstone, Jr.
Roy Neil Long
George William Blanchard
Barbara Emma Lord
Daniel J. Bogan
Gilbert James Mackenna
Kathleen MacPherson
Ann Mary Maguire
Joan Maguire
Mary Margaret Malone
Janice Irene Margeson
Jean G. Martorano
June H. Martorano
John K. Campbell Theodore Campbell Arlynne Carroll
Barbara McCabe Robert E. McCarthy
Eleanor Ruth Caulk
Eleanor Jane McKenney
Helen Merriam McKenney
James L. McMahon
John O. McSheehy Paul Mecewitz
Jean E. Merrill
Elisabeth Charlotte Merriman
Marian Frances Merritt
Phyllis Mae Messier
Ronald Edward Meuse
Nancy Fay Middleton
Julia Josephine Miller
Edward Roy Milley Arthur Winn Morrison, Jr.
Sherman Haymes Murphy, Jr.
Donald C. Murray
R. Bruce Murray Ralph A. Nelson Elaine Rona Oram
Robert D. Partridge, Jr.
George Albert Peters
Stanley Winfield Peva, Jr.
Laurence B. Poole
Carole Frances Porcella
Robert E. Anderson, Jr. Sharon Alys Anderson Lillian L. Bagley Richard S. Bateman
Mary Louise Beaudoin Mary H. Berglund John A. Bilicki
H. Lawrence Bradford Alton E. Brown Marion E. Brown Nancy Jane Buckler Howard A. Bussell Shaun F. P. Caisse
Betty T. Chadwick Ann M. Chase Brenda L. Clark Jean Marie Colford Patricia Ann Connelly
*Mary Shirley Connors Peter Forrest Cook Doris Barbara Crosby Arlene M. Cullington Rita A. Cunningham Arthur M. Curtin, Jr. Elizabeth L. Curtis Margery P. Delano Robert Eugene DeMar Robert J. Desmond Anne Marie Deurell Natalie Janet DeWolfe Robert G. Dickerson Jane Dolben
Ethel Patricia Donahue Anne Cecelia Doucette Charles H. Doucette, Jr. Jeanne Doucette
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Lorraine Marie Doucette Ruth DeVere Doull June Martha Estabrook Carolyn Ruth Fairbairn Natalie Joyce Falle Katherine Louise Fallon Harriette B. Flater Richard George Flint Jean Foley Nancy Jane Ford Donald Edwin Foster
Gloria Ann Frasco Edmund G. Freeman
Lois Fulton
Alvin L. Scott
Christine A. Gadbois
Richard Donald Sheridan
Joseph J. Gaffney
Richard Thomas Sillars
Janet Marilyn Galeucia
Anthony Smith Norma H. Smith
Melba Marie Gardiner Priscilla Marian Gardner
Paul K. Spaulding
Joanne Elizabeth Spillane
Barbara Ellen Garey
Richard Francis Spindler Mary Louise Squires
Shirley Irene Gelotti Barbara Gibson
Gertrude Louise Stanton Alison Jeanette Steele
Mary Lydia Gibson
Raymond Albert Stuart
Sebastian Robert Giuliano Jean E. Grenier
Florence Mary Sullivan Paul A. Surette Paul V. Surette
Ronald W. Haselton
William Carter Towle
Pauline Cleone Turner
Deborah E. Upton
Robert Louis Upton William H. Vercammen, Jr.
Carl V. Wells, II
Evelyn H. Howes
Virginia Marion Weymouth
Everett Sidney Wheeler
Constance Hutchins Barbara L. Hyslip John P. Jensen Sarah Jigerjian Barbara Jean Johnson
Dorothy Marie White Martha Ann White Deborah Williams Joseph Dennis Williamson
Nancy Ellen Johnson
John William Yorks
Elmer Robert Jones Roland Johnson, Jr.
Phyllis Gertrude Zagorski George S. Zanni, Jr.
*Class Marshalls
Richard G. Priebe Marjorie Ann Priestley Stillman Putnam Jean A. Reardon Noel J. Reebenacker
Florence Annette Reynolds
Virginia Bradford Reynolds Nancy Richardson John Rigione Catherine W. Roberts
Barbara Jane Rodgers
Barbara Ann Ruggles
Shirley Louise Runge
Philip N. Gallant
*George Wheeler Hall, Jr. Patrician Ann Halloran Muriel L. Harris
Evelyn Theresa Thornton
Rudolph C. Hede
Richard C. Heselton
George E. Hickman Stanton Hillier Grace Horrigan
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Dedication of Joshua Eaton School PROGRAM
- - Mr. Glover Presiding
National Anthem Flag Salute Invocation Presentation of Building
Acceptance Acceptance for School Committee Remark : Remarks Selection
Remarks
Remarks
Remarks
Message Selection Address
Benediction
Arthur E. Willey, Director Post 62, American Legion Pastor. Congregational Church Chairman, School Committee
Chairman, Board of Selectmen Chairman, School Committee
Superintendent of Schools
Parent-Teacher Association Council President Novelty March --- Lee Consultant Architect Principal, Joshua Eaton School Chm., Mass. School Bldg., Assistance Com. America the Beautiful Dean, Harvard School of Education Pastor, St. Agnes Church
Reading High School Band Ernest L. Nigro, Commander Rev. Paul E. Sheldon Alexander P. Glover Kenneth C. Latham Alexander P. Glover Arthur B. Lord, Jr. Kenneth R. Johnson Reading High School Bard Dr. William K. Wilson George H. Sidebottom Carleton F. Rose John E. Marshall Reading High School Band Frank Keppel Rev. William F. Reilly
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Reading Public Library
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The year of 1949 was one of transition for the library in that it marked the beginning of an addition to the building and a change of librarians.
After five years of intensive effort your Trustees found the town meeting willing to appropriate $135,000 for the purpose of building a stack room and making necessary changes in the present building. The contract was awarded to Proia Construction Co., of Newton, and work began during the summer. Apparent progress has been slow due to the necessity of awaiting fabrication of the custom-made stacks, although construction was well under way by year's end. This addition will house twice the number of present volumes, allow a return to the reading room as designed 31 years ago and provide more efficient service.
Miss Grace Abbott, who had served in the library since 1908 and was librarian during the past eleven years, retired in June. The Trustees express for the town its gratitude for her pleasant, helpful, and efficient administration and long service. Taking her place is Miss Anna R. Turner, formerly in charge of the Children's Library.
Through the Reading Antiquarian Society an anonymous donor presented the Trustees with a bronze plaque to indicate that the library stands on the site of the Parker-Haven-Sanborn-Grouard House (circa 1740), a dwelling of historical significance. In appreciation of this plaque the Trustees have had it placed on the library to the right of the entrance.
During the year the Lion's Club presented to the library a ceiling projector for the use of immobile bed patients. Fifty book films were in- cluded with this gift which is deeply appreciated by the Trustees and librarians.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM S. TONKS, Chairman
EVE E. HENDERSON, Secretary
C. NELSON BISHOP SYDNEY M. HODSON
KATHERINE C. PIERCE
NEIL C. ROBINSON
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BREAKING GROUND
STEEL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
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LIBRARIAN'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR 1949
Volumes in the Library, Dec. 31, 1948
28,190
Volumes purchased
Adult fiction
477
Adult Non-fiction
391
Total
868
Juvenile fiction
238
Juvenile Non-fiction
76
Total
314
Reference
16
Total purchased
1,198
Gifts
113
Total volumes added
1,311
Total
29,501
Withdrawn during year 1949
306
Total number of volumes Dec. 31, 1949
29,195
Circulation
Adult fiction
44,473
Adult non-fiction
15,166
Adult periodicals
7,113
Adult total circulation
66,752
Juvenile fiction
19,330
Juvenile non-fiction
3,140
Juvenile periodicals
643
Juvenile total
23,113
23,113
School circulation
5,520
Inter-library loan
120
Total circulation in 1949
95,505
Total circulation in 1948
98,568
Loss in 1949
3,063
New borrowers registered
Adult
387
Juvenile
223
Total
610
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8
Out-of-town borrowers
Average circulation
Number of days Library was open
293
Average adult circulation
227.8
Average juvenile circulation Average daily (total)
306.7
Interlibrary loan borrowed
75
45
Total
120
Appropriation
$ 12,254.00
Salaries, appropriation
$ 8,254.00
Librarian - Jan. to July
$ 1,195.98
Librarian - July to Jan. 1, 1950
1,182.48
Assistants
3,565.02
Janitor
1,039.92
Janitor's vacation
10.00
Part-time workers
1,173.98
Total salaries
$ 8,167.38
Appropriation returned to town
$ 86.62
Maintenance Appropriation
$ 4,000.00
Telephone
$ 76.30
Fuel, light, water, sewer
783.99
Printing and supplies
295.06
Books and periodicals
1,953.24
Binding
296.35
Maintenance and repairs
228.64
Miscellaneous
27.32
Total expenses
$ 3,660.90
Trust fund expended
$ 250.03
Total expended
$ 3,910.93
$ 3,910.93
Appropriation returned to town
$ 322.70
Receipts, Fines from Children's Room Fines collected
725.71
Fees collected from out-of-town borrowers
16.00
Paid Town Treasurer and hold his receipts for same
$ 940.84
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$ 199.13
78.9
loaned
MEMORIAL BOOKS have been presented to the Library during the year by relatives and friends of late Reading citizens, in memory of:
George H. Clough Scotland
Mrs. Grace Clough Home and Garden Flower Prints Fair Harvard
Mrs. Laura Gordon
Proper Study of Mankind
Mrs. Maria Winchester Chinese Painting
Roger Reed America's Small Houses. Also, Shots at White Tails
Mrs. Theresa Duval The Wise Encyclopedia of Cooking
Mrs. Margaret Lyons
Literary History of the United States Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Book of Costume Art through the Ages Dickens
George Albee Golf Clinic
James W. Fairchild Money and Banking
Lester Riley
Dog Encyclopedia Story of Maps Webster's Geographical Dictionary
Albert E. Fowler Great Britain
Charles Damon John Q. Adams
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Mrs. J. Marshall Hubbard
Treasury of Early American Homes Milk Glass
Mrs. Lucille Buck Hallock Music of the World
Miss Helen Davis Searchlight on Peace Plans
William Benjamin Home Book of Trees and Shrubs
Mrs. Janet Bird Macdonald
Furniture and Decoration: period and modern Figure Drawing for all it's Worth American Prize Prints of the 20th Century Contemporary American Painting Art Through the Ages American Arts
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
To the Board of Public Welfare:
I submit the following report as Welfare Agent and Director of Old Age Assistance for the year 1949:
During the year we have assisted 22 family cases and 33 single cases under General Aid, representing a case load increase of about 25% over the previous year. Employment conditions, which have been fairly stable for several years, have been less secure, particularly for unskilled labor, during the last half of 1949 and this condition always . reflects immediately in General Aid expenditures.
In Aid to Dependent Children the case load figure has remained the same as in the previous year, namely, 22, but at this writing is showing definite tendency to increase. Reading's Aid to Dependent Children case load has for the past few years remained what is gener- ally considered below "normal" for a town of our population and general character and a natural increase is to be expected.
Under Old Age Assistance 266 cases were handled in 1949, this
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figure being practically the same as for the last four years. A sub- stantial increase in "cost per case" has been a factor in all categories but is most strongly evident in Old Age Assistance.
All branches show the effect of an increased living cost and a sharp increase in medical costs, particularly hospital expense, but Old Age Assistance has in addition the much discussed "Leisure Time Activities" act - Chapter 796, enacted by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1949. This act provides for a mandatory increase of $4.00 a month in every Old Age case and, by itself, increases our expenditure in this category by some ten or twelve thousand dollars annually.
It is now rather well known that public assistance expenditure is now pretty much a matter of legislative mandate. This places even greater importance locally on initial investigation, periodic re-investi- gation as to continued need, and the maintenance of social and fiscal records, in unbelievable detail and extent, to assure material for the claiming of reimbursement. This reimbursement, from federal, state, and municipal sources and to some extent from individuals and estates, ordinarily amounts to between seventy-five and eighty percent of the total expenditure for relief. Its financial significance to the town is obvious.
In this matter we have been fortunate in that our administrative staff, though few in number, is experienced and competent, and I feel that the town's interests are duly protected.
Below is given a condensed schedule of expenditures and net cost:
1949 Expenditures for Assistance
General Aid
$ 26,655.73
Aid to Dependent Children
23,535.10
Old Age Assistance
168,607.12
$218,797.95
Total reimbursement
172,665.39
$ 46,132.56
Total administrative expenditure
$ 19,750.82
Administrative reimbursement
6,977.52
Net cost
$ 12,773.30
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD E. HARNDEN,
Welfare Agent and Director of Old Age Assistance
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AGENT FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS
January 9, 1950
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
As your Agent of Veterans' Benefits I submit my annual report.
Our case load and number of persons aided have increased over last year, especially so since September.
We have had an unusual amount of sickness and medical bills that have increased our expenses.
While we cannot predict to a certainty, the situation for 1950 seems to be of more expense than for a number of years.
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