USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1914-1924 > Part 6
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There is more work in the three towns than can be properly done by one official, and some re-adjust- ment would appear to be necessary. Hadley and Hat-
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field together could profitably use the entire time of a superintendent. Bernardston is a very desirable town to serve, but it is about twenty-five miles from the rest of the district, and it would seem that it could be more economically served in a district with some nearer towns."
The Hatfield committee believe that some read- justment is for the best interest of all concerned and will probably favor such action at the meeting of the joint committee next April.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For Fiscal Year Ending Dec. 31, 1916.
Resources
From State:
Superintendent of Schools
$500.00
School Fund
577.19
$1,077.19
Tuition :
Whately
155.17
Northampton
144.08
Boston
6.75
306.00
Dog tax refunded
102.89
Tickets sold
38.48
Sundries sold
1.38
Town: Regular appropriation
11,500.00
For repairs at Bradstreet
500.00
12,000.00
Total resources
$13,525.94
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Expenditures
Salaries:
Teachers
7,403.60
Janitors
1,436.00
Supervisors
383.00
Superintendent of Schools
720.00
School committee
65.00
10,007.60
Books and supplies
749.06
Fuel
1,342.98
Repairs
992.43
Transportation
128.00
Miscellaneous
313.72
Total expenditures
$13,533.79
Overdrawn
$7.85
JOHN F. O'DEA, Chairman
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
In the calendar year covered by this report, com- prising portions of two school years, there have been no events of marked importance in school affairs. But while nothing sensational has been attempted yet there has been constant effort to keep in touch with current theory and practice, and a purpose to apply in our teaching and administration whatever has seemed best and most practicable.
Only some of the outstanding features of the year's work are given here together with some sug- gestions for the future.
CENSUS AND ENROLLMENT
By a recent change in the law, the school census is no longer taken in September, but the record of all children in town is supposed to be kept continuously. The official number for the year as reported to the state will be based on the number listed on April 1. At the time of the last census in September, 1915, there were 498 children in town between the ages of five and fifteen.
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The number of pupils enrolled in our schools on October 1, of each year has increased from 315 in 1911, to 468 in 1916, an average gain of about 30 each year, or aoubt 49% for the five years. In about the same period the population of the town has increased from 1986 in 1910, to 2630 in 1915, a gain of about 32%. The enrollment by schools and grades for Octo- ber 1916 may be found in the table accompanying this report.
CHANGE IN SCHOOL CALENDAR
By referring to the school calendar on another page it will be noticed that the school year now con- sists of thirty-eight weeks, divided into four terms, with one long term in the fall and three short terms in the winter and spring. Many towns in the state have found this plan to work to advantage, and we believe it will prove an improvement on the former arrange- ment.
TEACHERS AND SALARIES
Five teachers, Misses Woods, Jenney, Hibbard, O'Brien, and Riley, resigned before the opening of the present year, and two others, Misses Rand and Breor, were transferred to the third grade and fifth grade re- spectively of the Central school. The increasing num- ber of grades and pupils in the Bradstreet school has made it necessary to employ another teacher there. Miss Lyons resigned in December from the third grade in the Central building and Mrs. L. A. Powers is substituting in her place. The names and assign- ments of all teachers, may be found in the table on another page of this report.
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Beginning with January an increase in salary of two dollars a week has been granted to all Hatfield teachers. Many other towns and cities are taking similar action. The recent increase in the cost of liv- ing and the tendency toward higher wages in other lines of work would alone be sufficient reason for this increase. But there are other reasons more import- ant than these which would justify paying teachers considerably larger weekly salaries than they have formerly received. One reason is their limited period of employment, this being only from two-thirds to three-quarters of the year. Another is the higher standard of living that a teacher is expected to main- tain, and the expense of attending summer schools, institutes and other meetings, together with the books, magazines, and other material that she must have in order to increase or even maintain her effi- ciency as a teacher. Then under the present pension law she must deposit with the state treasurer at least thirty-five dollars each year, which is not available for her use until she retires from teaching.
The strongest reason of all for a more liberal sal- ary schedule lies not in the needs of the teacher but in the nature of the service to be rendered. The one vital element in the whole school system is the teach- er's personality and work. "The teacher makes the school." All else-builrings, equipment, supervision -are secondary. Fine buildings, a,ttractive books and pictures, playgrounds, expert supervision, and good janitor service are important, yet all avail but little when the teacher is weak and inefficient.
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It is true as a general rule in all lines of work that the quality of service rendered is in proportion to the salary paid. In no other way can a town im- prove its schools more effectively than by increasing the salaries of its teachers; for the larger salary makes available a higher type of service than could be secured for the smaller rate.
An advance of only one dollar a week has some- times made the difference between success and par- tial or complete failure. The higher salary paid to an efficient teacher is a good investment, while if for the lower salary it is possible to employ only a weak or inefficient teacher, the money may be worse than wasted. Here, as elsewhere in the world of affairs, "the best is the cheapest."
SUPERVISORS
Miss Boyle continues to supervise the work in mu- sic successfully. Miss Landers, the supervisor of drawing, was released early in the year to accept a more desirable position. It has not been possible to find a suitable person for the place, but it is expected that one will be secured to begin in February.
Our schools made fine progress in penmanship last year under the supervision of Miss Kilmurry. She is now employed for full time by Northampton and we have as yet found no one for the position.
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
With the exception of arithmetic the text-books in use are satisfactory. Several series of arithmetics have been issued within the last few years that are su-
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perior to the one now used in our schools. I would recommend that a change be made at the opening of the school year 1917-18 if the expense can be met out of the regular book and supply account.
In common with other interests the schools are affected by the "high cost of living." Some grades of paper have trebled in cost, while the prices of some other articles are practically prohibitive. Beginning with January nearly all book publishers have also advanced the prices of text-books. To partly offset the higher cost more care and economy in the use of the standard supplies has been suggested to teachers and pupils.
PROMOTIONS AND GRADING
So far as conditions permit, grading is flexible by subjects. There is no "passing mark," or locksetp in promotions. A pupil should be assigned to the class or grade where his scholarship, ability, maturi- ty, and willingness to work indicate that he can get the greatest benefit. Promotions come regularly at the end of the school year, but a pupil may be ad- vanced at any time during the year when he gives evidence of ability to do the work in a higher grade.
Commencing this year, the elementary school course is reduced from nine to eight grades. We be- lieve the improved organization of the schools will warrant this change and that it will prove a saving both in time and expense.
It is taken for granted that many pupils who en- ter the first grade at the age of five years, coming
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from homes where no English is heard, will need to repeat the first year's work. When he has once mast- ered the work of the first grade, a pupil of average ability should be able to complete the elementary course in seven years.
BOYS' AND GIRLS' GARDEN CLUBS
About one hundred seventy Hatfield boys and girls undertook garden work in some form for the season of 1916. A majority carried the work through the season more or less successfully. During the fall term a fine exhibit was given at the Central school. This was called by visiting experts one of the best town exhibits in the state. A selection of the best articles from this exhibit was taken to the three- county fair at Northampton where it received the second prize, a silver cup. Several individual prizes were also taken by Hatfield pupils at both the North- ampton Fair and the National Dairy Show at Spring- field. This should be considered a very good show- ing, since it is the first time that the Hatfield schools have exhibited at the fairs.
All pupils having gardens were enrolled as mem- bers of the Boys' and Girls' Garden Club, by the Ex- tension Department of the Massachusetts Agricultur- al College. The Hampshire County Farm Bureau also co-operated by furnishing an agent, Mr. Wetherbee, to direct and supervise the work. The success of the movement was largely due to the interest shown by teachers and citizens, several of whom assisted in in- specting the gardens during the summer.
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There is no question as to either the educational or economic value of the work. It takes nothing from the regular school subjects but rather adds to their significance and practical value. It enlists the interest of teacher, pupil, and parent, and thus helps to bring about a better understanding and co-opera- tion between the home and the school. It helps the child to "find himself" and frequently develops a lik- ing for and an appreciation of farm life and pursuits.
There has been in the past too great a tendency to educate our children away from the farm and to- wards the store or office. They should be led to feel that labor either with head or with hands is equally worthy and honorable, and that the spirit of the work- er and the quality of the work done are the really important considerations. The inclusion of garden- ing, manual training, and domestic science among the school activities will help to give children the right attitude towards honest and necessary manual labor.
Plans are being made for the continuation and extension of the garden work during the present year.
EVENING SCHOOL
Owing to the small number of illiterate minors registered in town and the lack of interest shown by those who are above the age of legal requirement, no session of evening school has been held this season.
It is highly desirable that all persons of foreign birth who are to become permanent residents of our town acquire at least the rudiments of an education
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in the English language. If any assruance of a profit- able attendance could be given. I would recommend that the town provide for the instruction of all who might wish to attend.
HEALTH
Health should be one of the fundamental consid- erations in any school system. Without good health, the best educational opportunities can be of little val- ue to the individual or the community. Progress, effi- ciency, and happiness largely depend on having a "sound mind in a sound body." It should be one of primary functions of the school to see that pupils have proper instruction and training in hygiene. But the teaching of hygiene will not suffice unless the condi- ยท tions in and around the schoolhouse conform to sani- tary requirements.
The Committee on Health Education of the Na- tional Education Association have given the mini- mum requirements for rural schools in the form of the "Sanitary Ten Commandments" as follows:
In every school which may be considered pass- ably sanitary the following conditions shall obtain:
1. Heating by at least a properly jacketed stove. (No unjacketed stove to be allowed) Avoid overheat- ing. Temperature should never go above 68 degrees F.
Ventilating by direct outdoor air inlets and by adequate and direct foul air outlets.
2. Lighting from left side of room (or from left and rear) through window space at least one-fifth of floor space in area.
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3. Cleanliness of school as good as in the home of a careful housekeeper.
4. Furniture sanitary in kind, and easily and frequently cleaned. Seats and desks adjustable and hygienic in type.
5. Drinking water from a pure source provided by a sanitary drinking fountain.
6. Facilities for washing hands, and individual towels.
7. Toilets sanitary in type and in care (with no cesspools unless water tight) and no neglected privy boxes or vaults.
8. Flies and mosquitoes excluded by thorough screening of schoolhouse and toilets.
9. Obscene and defacing marks absolutely ab- sent from schoolhouse and toilets.
10. Playground of adequate size for every rural school."
To these I would add the following:
11. Thorough training in hygiene aiming to- ward the formation of good "health habits."
12. Regular (at least once a year) medical and dental inspection with some provision for remedy- ing defects found.
We owe it to our children that as far as possible, these conditions should be met in all our schools.
CONCLUSION
The people of Hatfield are loyal to their schools. They have given evidence of this by their generous financial and moral support. In return what should they expect the schools to do for their children?
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First and always they must furnish the essentials of an English education, the "3 R's" with a modern interpretation. Together with instruction in the es- sentials there should be given some knowledge and appreciation of music, nature, art, and literature Through different forms of practical arts a taste for home interests and duties should be fostered, and re- spect for any form of honest labor. Above all, both by precept and example, and through the various ac- tivities of the school, there should be imparted the fundamental principles of morality and good conduct. This is our ideal. To realize it we shall need the co- operation of all the social and individual forces of the community.
CLINTON J. RICHARDS.
Report of Supervisor of Music
The work in musical theory which is being taught in our public schools may be defined under two heads, namely, time and tune. Under time comes the seven time motions and their modifications; which cover the rhythmical value of all the notes; arithmetic of mu- sic; and the theory of common and compound time. Under the time side is; memorizing the scale as a rote song and drill in singing accurately any of its inter- vals; staff reading; pitch names; finding "do" from key signatures; key names; chromatics; position of sharps and flats in signature and scale structure.
A thorough knowledge of these fundamentals combined with good tone quality, which must be in- sisted upon in all singing, insures accurate sight sing- ing and the musical interpretation of any song within the grade of the individual.
The chorus work for the first three years consists of rote songs which appeal to the children. In the fourth and fifth grades two part singing is started and according to the ability of the grades increased to three and four parts.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to our teachers for their faithful work and earnest endeavor to make this one of our most suc- cessful years in the course of music.
MAUDE E. BOYLE.
Report of Medical Inspectors
When the schools opened September, 1916, Mass- achusetts was in the height of an epidemic of Infan- tile Paralysis. The question naturally arose as to the advisability of opening the schools.
The State Board of Education advised. if proner medical supervision was provided, that it would be well to open on time.
Your Medical Inspectors visited daily. till dang- er of the epidemic was past. No case of Infantile Paralysis developed among the children of school age, and the schools have not been interrupted by any serious illness.
At this time we wish to further emphasize the necessity for proper care of children's teeth. The small cavities found in the first set mav be filled without pain to the child and without much expense, if done early. We find in our inspections that at a certain age. the majority of the children show great neglect of the teeth. They are unable to masticate their food properly. because their teeth are in ulcer- ated condition. This is not only ininrious to their health for the time-being, but often leads to organic disease from which they suffer later. Many times, for relief. they are driven to extraction, which inter- feres with the proper development of the mouth and of the second set.
CHARLES A. BYRNE, M. D. A. J. BONNEVILLE, M. D.
Medical Inspectors.
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Teachers and Enrollment, October, 1916
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS
Home Address
Salary per Week
Pupils by Grades
12345678
Mary L. Allaire, Prin.
Hatfield
$ 20 00
Theresa Nolan
Hatfield
11 00
Margaret L. Claire
Northampton
10 00
28
28
Sarah V. Kiely
Hatfield
12 00
34
34
Constance C. Breor
Hatfield
12 00
37
37
Margaret A. Ryan
Hatfield
12 00
40
40
Blanche E. Lyons
Bennington, Vt.
12 00
22 13
Doris J. Rand
Johnson, Vt.
12 00
24 10
Mary G. Dickinson
Hatfield
10 00
37
37
Hill Primary
Lena H. Proulx
Hatfield
12 00
32
32
Georgia Gates
Ludlow
13 00
6
7 3
23
West Primary
Alice E. Keating
Northampton
11 00
6
8
4
9
27
North Grammar
Katharyn T. Lucey
Northampton
10 00
8
7
6
4
25
North Primary
Mary D. Donelson
No. Hatfield
12 00
12 10
6
28
Bradstreet
Nellie E. Salvas
Bradstreet
10 00
Supr. of Music
Maude E. Boyle
Hatfield
6 00
Total
$208 00
92 74 50 73 53 59 35 32
468
Total
25
25
Center
Building
35 34
Mary C. Leary
Northampton
12 00
30
30
West Grammar
Mary B. Woods
Haifield
11 00
2
8
3
3 12
33
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Hatfield
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1917
HERALD JOB PRINT
NORTHAMPTON, MASS.
Finance Committee
To the Voters of the Town of Hatfield :-
Gentlemen :- Owing to the uncertainties-to en- able our boys at the front to go ""'over the top" more easily, it should be the wise and patriotic duty of all voters to adopt "retrenchment" as their slogan for this year.
Provided that the State and County taxes are no larger than last year, and that these appropriations are not exceeded, we can promise a rate of nineeteen dol- lars.
We recommend the following appropriations only : Obligations already voted on and to be assessed in
1918 :-
Street Lights, $3,548.00
Fifth payment and interest-New School-
house Loan, 3,395.00
$6,943.00
Article 5-Highways.
Ordinary Repairs-highways and bridges, 2,500.00
Repairs and resurfacing stone roads, 2,000.00
Qiling stone roads, 3,000.00
4
Article 6-Necessary town expenses.
Contingencies, $1,200.00
Bonds-Town Officers, 100.00
Care Memorial Hall,
150.00
Salaries-Town Officers,
1,600.00
Poor-care of, 1,000.00
Interest, 950.00
Insurance, 75.00
Inspection of Animals,
75.00
Hatfield-Hadley Ferry,
100.00
Schools-maintenance,
14,000.00
Article 7-Memorial Day,
$19,250.00 $ 75.00
Article 10-Care of Cemeteries,
100.00
Article 11-Public Library,
500.00
Article 14-School Physicians,
100.00
Article 15-Smith Industrial School, 250.00
Article 17-Tree Warden and Moth Work,
50.00
Article 18-Tuition-Smith Academy, 1,000.00
Article 19-Hampshire County Farm Bureau, 100.00
$35,868.00
Respectfully submitted, JOHN C. RYAN, HUGH McLEOD, GEORGE S. BELDEN,
Finance Committee.
Articles in the Warrant for Town Meeting, February 4, 1918
Article 1-To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2-To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year :- Town Clerk; three Selectmen; one Assessor for three years; Town Treasurer; one School Committee for 3 years; one Water Commis- sioner for 3 years; one Sinking Fund Commissioner for 3 years; one Trustee Public Library for 3 years; Auditor; Tree Warden; Elector, under the Will of Oliver Smith; Tax Collector; six Constables; and to vote on the question-"Yes" or "No"-Shall Li .- censes be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town? All the foregoing to be voted for on one ballot.
The polls will be opened at ten o'clock in the fore- noon, and be kept open at least four hours, and for as much longer time as a majority of the voters pres- ent shall direct, but in no case shall they be kept open after the hour of sunset.
Article 3-To hear the reports of the various town officers and committees and act thereon.
Article 4-To receive and pass on town accounts.
Article 5-To take action in relation to main- tenance and repairs of highways and bridges the en- suing year, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 6-To take action in relation to raising money and appropriating same to defray the neces- sary expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Article 7-To see if the town will raise and ap- propriate money for Memorial Day.
Article 8-To take action in relation to support of the poor for the ensuing year, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
Article 9-To revise and accept the list of Jurors reported by the Selectmen.
Article 10-To see if the town will raise and ap- propriate money for care of cemeteries for the ensu- ing year.
Article 11-To see if the town will raise and ap- propriate money for the Public Library for the ensu- ing year, and what action the town will take to pro- vide better accommodations for the same.
Article 12-To see if the town will raise and ap- propriate money for Firemen's Muster.
Article 13-To see if the town will vote to au- thorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Se- lectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the rev- enue of the current financial year.
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Article 14-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for the employment of one or more School Physicians, in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 502, Acts of 1906.
Article 15-To see if the town will raise and ap- propriate money for the payment of tuitions of Hat- field children attending the Smith Industrial School.
Article 16-To see if the town will raise and ap- propriate money for any supplies for the Fire Depart- ment.
Article 17-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for Tree Warden and Brown Tail Moth work.
Article 18-To see if the town will raise and ap- propriate money for the payment of tuitions and sup- plying books for Hatfield pupils in Smith Academy, who are of suitable age and attainments to attend High School.
Article 19-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for aiding the Hampshire County Farm Bureau.
Article 20-To hear the report of the Committee appointed at the last annual meeting for the purpose of investigating, and finding ways and means for im- proving the conditions of the West Hatfield school building.
Article 21-To see if the town will vote to cele- brate its 250th Anniversary, (due 1920) and authorize and appoint a Committee for the purpose of preparing
8
a programme that will represent the public spirit in this modern-old town.
Article 22-To hear the special report on Motor- izing the town's Fire Department.
Article 23-To see what action-if any-the town will take in regard to preventing the contamina- tion of the purity of its water supply at the source, and also to consider the advisability of enlarging the ca- pacity of the reservoir.
Selectmen's Report
To the Citizens of Hatfield :-
In accordance with the requirements of the Statutes of Massachusetts, the following report for the year ending December 31st, 1917, is respectfully submitted:
STATE AID.
State Aid paid to three persons, $162.00
TREE WARDEN
F. A. Pease, old bill,
$2.00
MEMORIAL DAY
C. K. Morton, $73.20
POOR EXPENDITURES.
C. A. Byrne, 30.00
G. H. Danforth-Clothing,
2.20
H. W. Marsh-Clothing,
4.00
J. H. Moore- Clothing,
9.14
Dickinson Hospital,
222.00
P. Ahearn & Co .- Burial,
40.00
City of Northampton,
304.50
E. B. Richardson-Med. Attendance,
2.25
H. E. Roote-Supplies,
8.65
Hampshire County Sanatorium,
173.58
$796.32
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CONTINGENCIES.
P. R. Mullany, stamped envelopes and postage, $28.24 Geo. Eberlein, table for Town Hall, 13.60
Henry Pellam, care Town Hall and clock, 121.50
M. J. Proulx, police duty, 49.70
Herald Job Print, town reports and ptg.,
230.25
Amherst Gas Co., Town Hall, 19.49
C. A. Byrne, fumigating, 74.50
Est. A. L. Strong, wood Town Hall,
45.00
William F. Fitzgibbons, plumbing,
3.90
Fred Kleasner, sawing wood Town Hall,
5.50
Wm. P. Boyle, rep. Town Hall,
16.35
C. H. Chase, transfer,
7.95
Library Bureau, 1.00
6.00
Wright & Potter Ptg. Co., assessors' list,
8.67
W. and L. E. Gurley, sealers' supplies,
5.42
D. E. F. Radasch, sweeping compound,
10.00
Peerless Handcuff Co.,
7.00
Geo. Roderick, police duty,
2.50
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