USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1925-1935 > Part 18
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MRS. MARGARET MULLANY, MISS MARIAN C. BILLINGS, ARTHUR C. BARDWELL, DAVID BILLINGS,
Committee Appointed.
42
Report of Librarian
To the Trustees of the Public Library:
January 1, 1931, the library contained 5611 volumes. During the year 402 books were added. Of these 120 were for children and 282 for adults.
The circulation of books and magazines for the year was 4188 in the juvenile department, 10509 in the adult, and 573 in West Hatfield and Bradstreet, making a total of 15270.
There are 461 borrowers.
The rule governing fines was enforced and $60.15 collected.
The library is open Tuesday and Saturday from 3-5 and Thursday from 7-9.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGARET A. MULLANY, Librarian.
43
Police Report
Hatfield, Mass. December 31, 1931.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1931, is herewith respectfully submitted.
Total number of arrests
78
Drunkenness .
20
Automobile Violations
28
Road Violations .
6
Breaking and Entering
2
Assault and Battery
5
Assault with Dangerous Weapon
1
Larceny .
3
Liquor Violations
3
Bastardy .
2
Fish and Game.
2
Committed to State Farm
1
Vagrancy
1
Rape.
1
Tresspass .
1
Labor Laws
2
78
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR R. BREOR, Chief of Police.
44
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
Town of Hatfield
FOR THE
Year Ending Dec. 31, 1931
45
School Organization
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Joseph F. Chandler, Chairman Term expires 1933
J. Henry Charlebois, Secretary .Term expires 1934
Francis W. Lovett Term expires 1932 .
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
William E. Hebard
19 Bates Street, Northampton Telephone 1088
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
A. J. Bonneville, M. D.
C. A. Byrnes, M. D.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Chief Arthur R. Breor
SCHOOL CENSUS
October 1, 1931
Boys
Girls
Total
Between 5 and 7 years
58
46
104
Between 7 and 14 years.
231
225
456
Between 14 and 16 years
84
86
170
373
357
730
47
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Elementary Schools and Smith Academy
First Winter Term-8 weeks. . Opened January 4, 1932 Closes February 26, 1932
Second Winter Term-8 weeks. . Opens March 7, 1932 Closes April 22, 1932
Spring Term-6 weeks . Opens May 9, 1932 Closes June 17, 1932
Fall Term-16 weeks . Opens September 6, 1932 Closes December 22, 1932
First Winter Term of 1933 begins Tuesday, January 3, 1933
HOLIDAY NOTES
There will be no sessions of school on holidays and Good Friday.
Schools will close the noon of Wednesday before Thanks- giving and re-open the following Monday.
Holidays legal in Massachusetts are: January first, Feb- ruary 22, April 19, May 30, July 4, Labor Day, October 12, Thanksgiving and Christmas. When a holiday falls on Sunday the following Monday will be observed as a holiday.
48
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of Hatfield:
Your committee have maintained the same number of school buildings with the same number of teaching positions as we reported one year ago. According to reports from our superintendent our enrollment at the close of the fiscal year was 691-a reduction of 18 pupils distributed along the scope of the grades.
We would call your attention, that now the attendance in Smith Academy is 135 pupils and that this enrollment may be expected to remain constant for the next four years, or until the large grades, VI and Vll have been members thereof. With this fact in mind, there may be expected to be larger supply and textbook costs, in those grades of school, for the obvious reason that the more advanced years of school require more material.
We have endeavored to employ painstaking janitors so that the costs of building upkeep have been meager and that the town property be conserved as much as possible, in spite of the large enrollment.
Coincident with the opening of the schools for the present scholastic year came the unwelcome word that the Heavenly Father had seen fit to call our late superintendent, Orion A. Morton, from his earthly abode. Mr. Morton had served this union conscientiously and his absence from the classrooms was a handicap indeed. For two months the teachers and principals carried on their work with a loyal civic spirit.
With the beginning of November, William E. Hebard entered upon the duties of superintendent of schools for the union and town. Mr. Hebard had served in similar capacity
49
in the Chester and Charlemont districts in this state since 1920.
Another interruption in regular teaching was caused by the illness of Clarence Larkin, who has been absent from his duties since October. We have been fortunate in having available capable substitutes, Miss Billings, and now Mr. Larkin's brother, Edward, for the important grades. We would be for- getful if we did not express our appreciation to Mr. Larkin for his extra work while we were without a superintendent.
Following this report will appear the forecast of expenses for 1932 and we have attempted to have the best interests of our town and your town at heart. We have returned about $3000 of the 1931 appropriation into the town treasury. We assure you that if our anticipated forecast is appropriated we shall be as careful in its expenditure as we were this past year.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH CHANDLER, J. HENRY CHARLEBOIS, FRANCIS W. LOVETT.
50
Financial Statement
1932
The following set of figures constitutes a careful forecast of the several portions of the Hatfield School Account, based on prevailing salary scales.
For comparison purposes there is shown at the right of each sub-total the amount which would result if we used for Hatfield the average pupil costs for the specified items as taken from the last annual report of the State Department of Edu- cation.
General Administration:
Hatfield State
School Committee.
$200.00
Supt. of Schools.
1,650.00
Attendance Officer
400.00
Stationery, postage.
125.00
Telephone.
150.00
Travelling
240.00
Census
25.00
$2,800.00
$2,611.00
Instruction :
Elementary
$22,100.00
Academy
7,900.00
Vocational
4,500.00
Health.
1,000.00
Supervisors
1,800.00
Substitutes
400.00
$37,700.00 $49,775.00
Textbooks and Supplies:
Academy .
$1,200.00
Vocational
200.00
Elementary
1,600.00
$3,000.00
$3,189.00
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Transportation :
Academy .
$1,100.00
Elementary
200.00
$1,300.00
$1,849.00
Janitors, Fuel, Lights :
Academy .
$1,600.00
Elementary
5,400.00
$7,000.00
$7,050.00
Repairs :
Academy .
$100.00
Elementary
200.00
$300.00
$3,454.00
Household Arts
$300.00-
Miscellaneous including grad-
uation expenses.
$100.00
$591.00
Total for Hatfield.
$52,500.00
IF-we had used the average cost for the entire Commonwealth for the present enrollment in Hat- field. $68,519;
52
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee, Citizens and Parents of Hatfield:
Herewith I present my first annual report as superintendent of your schools and as the time in which I have served you is less than a term so this report may be somewhat shorter than has been customary.
I am satisfied that in the elementary schools all of the rooms have made progress. Perhaps some grades have made greater strides than other grades or other divisions of the same grade. This fact should not necessarily be cause for alarm for not all pupils of the same age have the same native ability in the various studies of even the lower elementary years of school.
The ideal situation would be to have sufficient trained teachers so that each child could be taught individually through- out his progress along the routine subjects. Obviously this would entail more expense than any ordinary township can devote to education. So our traditional plan of grade grouping is at best plainly to a degree a makeshift arrangement and it is to the credit of teachers everywhere that these groups of widely vary- ing abilities make the advance year by year with so few real failures.
Right here in Hatfield I believe that we should expect more thorough grounding in the customary elementary studies before the certificate of completion of the eighth grade is granted permitting entrance into Smith Academy. It might result in an extra elementary teacher even to the number now employed but it is equally certain elementary instruction is more econ- omical than secondary instruction. 1 am equally confident that the scholarship within the classes of Smith Academy could be held to a more definite standing than I think may prevail at the present time.
53
Inasmuch as the present pupils are there enrolled I have not made a very thorough testing of the high school grades as yet. I do think it wise to be reasonably certain that pupils who enter the Academy for the next few years will be sufficiently ready to grasp the work. I assume that the Academy faculty will agree with me.
From random observations I should think that your Academy faculty is doing creditable teaching. I imagine it is from a too heavy teaching load that in some instances a teacher has two grades of subject matter to teach in one period. I refer to the French classes. For college and normal preparation some different plan ought to be arranged before next Septem- ber. I think we can.
I am pleased with the care and maintenance given your buildings. They are in good shape. Some of the elementary buildings are not modern but they are well cared for.
As my late predecessor has mentioned I, too, will commend the opportunities given the townschildren in the vocational courses. Those pupils who have not given serious thought toward advanced studies in college, normal or professional courses should be encouraged to largely limit their secondary studies to the vocational courses that they may be the more inter- ested citizens as they grow into the local civic life following school activities.
It is a common saying that comparisons are odious. There are occasions when comparisons are enlightening and may serve as stabilizing factors. It may be that the present economic situation is sufficiently vital to give a few figures from the most recent report of the State Department of Education. These figures are based on the school year which ended June 30, 1931.
The net average cost per pupil for Hatfield in
all the grades, I through XII was $72.10
On the similar basis for the Commonwealth . was 100.82
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The net average cost per elementary pupil in Hatfield .
was $59.63
On the similar basis for the Commonwealth . was 80.69
The net average cost per high school pupil in Hatfield . was 128.40 e
Similarly for the Commonwealth was 126.41
In this connection it is fair to state that your average high school attendance last year was 94, and this year it has been in excess of 130 without an attendant increase in costs. Also some of this per pupil cost was attributable to the installation of the commercial equipment.
Now should the voters in town meeting assembled decide to reduce school costs and vote it was the sense of that meeting that the committee reduce existing salaries I do not presume to question the intentions of any citizen or group of citizens. I shall assume it my duty to mention approximate results from given conditions.
1) Should the voters instruct the School Committee to reduce all salaries $50.00 per year which would produce a total salary reduction of $1350.00. There would also be a reduction in State and Vocational Funds of $850 so the net saving would be only $500.00. Base this reduction on its effect on your tax rate and use the state valuation on which much of the school returns is based and a difference of 15 cents per thousand dollars of valuation would ensue.
2) Suppose a reduction of $100 per teacher be the issue a saving of $2700.00 would occur. However there would also be a reduction of $2265 in State and Vocational Funds which would bring a net saving of only $435.00 and an effect of only 13 cents per thousand of valuation.
Frankly, I have just ONE object in making these deduc- tions, namely, to inform the interested voters as to probable results. These are times of stress and all have the right to do sa may seem best. I do not want to be held responsible if in
55
measures of economy the results are not compatible with the expectations.
In the few weeks which I have served your community I have appreciated the many kindnesses of the officials and the loyalty of the teaching force and the response from the pupils for whom after all this report wholly concerns.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM E. HEBARD, Superintendent of Schools.
19 Bates Street,
Northampton, Mass.
56
Principal of Smith Academy
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee of Hatfield :
1 hereby submit my second annual report as Principal of Smith Academy. The opening registration was 137-divided as follows: Seniors, 20; Juniors, 23; Sophomores, 30; Fresh- men, 64.
Since that time 6 pupils have left school and 1 has entered. The present enrollment of 131, 67 girls-64 boys, is the highest in the history of the school. The opening registration in Septem- ber 1930 was 94. The percentage of attendance to date of 94.5% is practically the same figure as of last year and approx- imates closely the average attendance figure for High Schools of the State. Truancy is not a problem in our School. How- ever a continued effort is made to reduce all absences to a minimum.
The School Curriculum lists the following courses: Classi- cal, Scientific, General, Commercial, Household Arts and Agricultural. This program of course seems broad enough to furnish equality of educational opportunity for all the pupils, which does not mean exactly the same kind of schooling for every pupil but means rather the pursuance of the course that holds promise for the pupils best development.
Athletics continue to play an important part in our health program. With the excellent facilities of the Memorial Town Hall available, a broader athletic program, for boys and girls, non members of any athletic team, deserves serious considera- tion. Interclass basketball games for boys and girls will soon be inaugurated.
57
Notwithstanding an expenditure of $100 last year for equipping the basketball court and the lowering of the student athletic tax from $2 to $1. the financial status of the Athletic Association is in a satisfactory condition. This condition is made possible by two appropriations: one from the school budget to help defray expenses for equipment, referees and transportation. the second from the Board of Trustees of Smith Academy sufficient in amount to pay the rent of hall for basketball games. Basketball. for several years. has proved to be the only sport showing a profit and this profit was used in paying soccer and baseball expenses. The Student Athletic Association greatly appreciates these financial aids to their treasury.
I wish to thank the Faculty and Supervisors of Smith Academy for their helpful attitude and hearty cooperation in all activities connected with the school.
I am grateful to Messrs. James Donlin and Frank Brehm for their splendid assistance in carrying on the assemblies, dances, card parties and other extra curricular activities of the school program.
We must all regret exceedingly the passing of Superin- tendent O. A. Morton who died on September 12, 1931. For 41 years he was employed in some department of public service. He was called by the people from one position to another, his influence becoming constantly greater, his ability keeping step with his opportunity. His death ends a career of considerable interest to the friends of general and vocational education. "Thus passes a genial pioneer, a man with vision beyond his day."
Finally, 1 wish to express my appreciation of the loyal support and cooperation of the Superintendent, members of the School Committee and Board of Trustees of Smith Acad- emy.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD J. BURKE, Principal.
58
Report of Music Supervisor
The method of teaching music in our public schools is based on the fact that the real value of music education lies in developing the feeling of response to the singing or hearing of beautiful music.
The earliest years are devoted to forming the singing habit by imitation. The second stage is the "bridging-over period" during which the children learn notation while their song singing is still taught by imitation. Therefore through these grades the various phases of work undergo a natural and gradual development. The third stage is a period of adjust- ment, technical facts and their relationship to note represen- tations are developed into sight-singing.
We hope by this procedure to develope a greater mental and musical maturity and to instil into the pupil a feeling of independence and ease in any musical activity.
In June, practically all of the children of the grades under the direction of their teachers presented a varied program in the Town Hall. The enthusiasm, interest and hard work which the teachers and children put into this big undertaking was an inspiration never to be forgotten. Each individual did his or her utmost to make this affair the success that it was. We wish to thank the parents for their splendid co-operation also Mr. D. P. Sheehan and Mr. Stanley Kacinski of Bradstreet for transporting the children to the center for rehearsals and per- formance. The proceeds were $124, expenses $44.00, leaving a balance of $80.00 which was given to the piano fund for the Town Hall Auditorium.
The other musical activities in the grades and Smith Academy consisted of the usual holiday programs, music for
59
school plays, prize speaking, Memorial Day and Commence- ment week.
Much of the credit for whatever we have accomplished during the school year is due to the school officials and teachers for their co-operation and interest and I wish to thank them most sincerely.
MAUDE E. BOYLE.
60
Report of the Supervisor of Penmanship and Drawing
The penmanship aims for the year were the same as in previous years, namely; to teach children to write a style which embodies legibility, rapidity, ease and endurance. By the time a pupil reaches the third grade, the fundamentals have been mastered. We then, try to make these fundamentals automatic.
It is one problem to teach handwriting well during the formal writing period but quite another to make it an auto- matic process. Handwriting is a skill that must be developed by daily practice and by consistent practice in the right direc- tion. There can be no deviation from the right way without a set back and loss of valuable time. Writing taught only during the formal writing period and then pigeonholed is a waste of time. With this in mind, we have stressed these two points. 1. Formal writing lesson should never be neglected-espec- ially in grades 1-7.
2. The movement, position and form used in the formal writing should be required in the regular written work.
Each year we take a specimen of the pupils best writing in September and again in June. We compare the two, to note the improvement made and many times the pupils will scarcely believe the September specimen their own.
Mrs. Griffin, visiting instructor from A. N. Palmer Co., stopped here last June. I showed her many specimens of the handwriting done in our schools, particularly English and spelling papers. She said the work was of a very high standard and asked if she might have the specimens to use in lecture work.
61
.
The teaching of writing in any grade is a veritable joy, but the response from the primary grades is particularly gratifying and inspiring. It is there that the progress made is most evident and the pupils show the greatest interest.
The work for awards was optional on the part of the pupil and the results are as follows:
Business Certificates 34
Final Certificates 53
Improvement Certificates 17
Progress Pins 5
Palmer Pins 9
Teacher's Certificate. 1
It is certainly a pleasure to teach art to children. They like it so, are so responsive and appreciative of their handwork and the handwork of others. It is surprising the growth they make in a very short space of time. They learn to be critical of their own work and generally know if something is wrong and very often what it is. I feel we have made great strides in the past year in many respects.
Our drawing exhibit was given in connection with the children's entertainment. We also, exhibited drawing work with the handicraft club.
"Every child with a growing art knowledge from his primary school year through his finishing years of schooling, will have his eyes and mind and hand attuned and receptive to the thousand and one beauties which nature displays every- where, often hidden for those only who have had their eyes opened. To such, life becomes more full, more satisfying, bring- ing a contentment open to poor and rich alike, a pleasure that riches cannot buy, an insight that poverty cannot shut out."
I wish to express my appreciation and gratitude for the co- operation and support afforded me in the work of the past year.
BERNICE B. ORMOND.
62
Supervisor of Health Education
January 1931-January 1932
. The school health work of the year followed the regular routine of Health Service, Health Teaching and Physical Education.
The aim of the health work is to make the school child physically and mentally fit as circumstances will allow, keeping in mind the ultimate objective, namely; educating the child to be responsible for his or her own well-being; helping all children to interpret, understandingly, and relate to them- selves, general laws regarding health responsibility to each other, including the laws of safety.
This year has been exceptionally free from infectious diseases, excepting a mild outbreak of sore throat in the Brad- street section, in particular, early in the year. The attendance at school has been good, minor ailments that did arise were promptly controlled through the co-operation of the home and school. Individual accidents and illness were cared for at home by the family physician.
The two children attending the Health Camp Hodgkins enjoyed the month and improved in general health. One boy was sent to the Westfield Hospital for children in order to com- plete the treatment begun at the camp. I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Hampshire County Public Health Association for the service given, not only for the sum- mer term, but for the attention shown to the children brought to the office. To know one may have, gratuitously, the last word on problems relating to malnutrition is a strong line of defense against an insidious disease. Locating and treating children in the early stage of tuberculosis ensures for the child a 90% chance to grow up a healthy individual.
63
Defects found among school children vary, largely, accord- ing to the interest on the part of the parent as well as on the availability of health service.
HEALTH SERVICE
The regular physical examination was given by the school physicians, special attention to the High School group en- gaged in athletics, defects noted and program of corrective work carried out rather extensively.
18 pupils had diseased tonsils removed.
10 pupils had defective vision corrected.
6 children were examined at the chest clinic, Northampton, 2 under special observation, one sent to the Westfield Hospital, doing well.
8 showing symptoms of malnutrition have improved in weight and energy. Milk is served at each school six months of the year to any child that needs it. The children pay for the milk at a very reasonable rate. The bringing of fruit to school for recess lunch, especially apples, is encouraged and the number of apples devoured mount up to the hundreds.
The sale of candy in school is not approved. Malnutrition is not our problem, except in individual cases. The High School group show a larger percentage of underweight students than the Elementary or Grammar grades. Rapid growth and more strenuous activities tend to keep the High School pupil below rather than on a level with the scale of weight as laid down for the school population. Except when the normal development and energy of the student is retarded the weight is not con- sidered a defect.
Dental defects are outstanding. The problem is to have the parents realize the importance of identifying the first perman- ent molar tooth. This tooth comes early and is considered, un- fortunately, a temporary tooth until decay is extended beyond the advisability of repair and extraction becomes necessary. The extraction of permanent teeth is to be deplored, and by no means a minor incident in the dental program. Neglect of the teeth is an offense to good health.
64
Through the co-operation of the American Red Cross, Hampshire County, a dental service was made possible for the benefit of all school citizens.
October 28-December 18, 1931-the Red Cross clinic gave dental service to 235 students as follows: Complete correct. 151
Partial correct
84
Fillings 485
Prophs. 96 Extractions 151
Operations 732
In addition to the clinic service 38 children had dental work done by private dentists making a total of 815 dental correc- tions during the year.
80% of the corrections were on Grammar. school pupils. 5% on Elementary school pupils. 15% High School students.
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