USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1925-1935 > Part 8
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By examining the financial statement, it is shown that the department had a balance at the close of the year of $1,760.55. This was possible because of the mild weather which reduces the consumption of coal, the minimum amount of alterations and repairs, and small savings in other departments.
While the total budget for the schools seems large, the main- tenance cost per pupil, which is the only fair basis of computa- tion, is low. According to the last State Report available, the cost per pupil attending the schools was $64.80. The cost in Hadley on the same basis was $63.28; Sunderland, $71.36; South Hadley, $73,34; Williamsburg, $81.28; Deerfield, $91.41; Amherst, $97.67; Pelham, $112.02.
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICK W. MULLINS, CORA KING GRAVES, JOSEPH F. CHANDLER.
50
Financial Statement
December 31, 1927
RESOURCES
Town Appropriation
$53,400.00
Smith-Hughes Fund. 371.71
$53,771.71
EXPENDITURES
School Committee
$235.00
Census and other expenses .
44.00
Supt. of Schools and Attendance Officer
2,511.62
Supervisors of Music, Drawing and Pen- manship, and Health Education
2,779.13
Teachers-Academy
11,246.14
Teachers-Elementary
21,185.75
Books and Supplies .
3,583.26
Janitors and Supplies
3,192.75
Fuel
3,872.77
Repairs
1,289.85
Miscellaneous
453.59
Transportation-Academy
1,047.00
Transportation-Elementary
570.30
$52,011.16
$1,760.55
ESTIMATED FINANCIAL BUDGET FOR 1928
School Committee.
$200.00
Superintendent of Schools and Atten- dance Officer
2,500.00
Supervisors of Music, Drawing and Pen- manship, and Health Education 2,800.00
Teachers-Academy
11,400.00
Teachers-Elementary 21,400.00
Books and Supplies . 3,500.00
51
Janitors and Supplies
$3,250.00
Fuel.
4,500.00
Repairs.
1,500.00
Miscellaneous 500.00
Transportation-Academy
1,000.00
Transportation-Elementary
700.00
$53,250.00
Smith-Hughes Fund
350.00
Total Budget for 1928
$52,900.00
From this amount is deducted State Reimbursements, tuition and funds from Smith Academy Trustees. The balance is raised by the town. These amounts for 1927 were: Income Tax, $14,931.31; Tuition, $317.07; Smith Academy Trustees $500.00; State Reimbursement for Vocational Education $2,616.39.
52
Report of Supt. of Schools
To the School Committee of Hatfleld:
In 1922, it was voted by the Joint Committee of this Union to issue one report in December which should cover the financial transactions and other data for the fiscal year and that the superintendent of schools should issue in June for both towns a report covering the activities of the schools from Septem- ber to June. This plan was changed last June and this report combines the two ideas. It covers the financial year-January to December of 1927, and the report for the school year -- September 1926 to June 1927. It contains only the data for the town in which the report is issued with the exception of a few items of general interest to both towns.
WHAT IS THE AIM OF EDUCATION?
By M. M. Parks Milledgeville, Ga.
What is the aim of Education?
The Scholar says Knowledge.
The Preacher says Character.
The Minister says Service.
The Philosopher says Truth.
The Artist says Beauty.
The Epicurean says Happiness.
The Stoic says Self-Control.
The Christian says Self-Denial.
The Democrat says Self-Government.
The Statesman says Co-operation.
The Ruler says Loyalty.
The Sage says Wisdom.
The Youth says Achievement.
The Soldier says Courage.
The Editor says Success.
The Manufacturer says Efficiency.
The Banker says Thrift.
The Dreamer says Vision.
The Child says Play.
53
The Man says Work.
The Friend says Comradeship.
The Pedagogue says Personality.
The Physician says Health.
The Biologist says Growth. The Psychologist says Development.
The Sociologist says Adjustment.
Education is all of these and more.
Prof. Thomas H. Briggs of Columbia in an address before a body of educators defined the aim of education in a very comprehensive and sensible way when he said that the aim of education in our schools should be to train the pupils to do better the things that they are going to do anyway and at the same time to broaden and enrich their interests.
This is a very rapid and complex age. The demands upon youth while in school and when they go out from school are much more perplexing and strenuous than ever before. For these reasons, the more mature should set up by their own con- duct the best standards possible. They should provide through the schools the very best opportunities for a varied yet efficient system of training and then they should be patient and helpful in assisting the boys and girls in their effort to make right adjustments in the home, in the community, in the avocations and in the vocations of life.
The education of youth is the most important and the biggest business in which each community is engaged. Just as soon as business conditions warrant, some very important readjustments should be made in our system of education that it may be kept up to date and serve the boys and girls as fully and efficiently as they are served in any other community. These changes will demand a better adjustment to the needs of those who develop more slowly than the average, to those who develop much more rapidly than the average and to those who need a greater variety of opportunities to test and check up their natural aptitudes that they may know without waste of time and effort the line of procedure in which they are most likely to succeed.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The writer believes that the teachers during the year have succeeded in making the schools just a little more like ideal
54
homes. The general atmosphere of the schools is being made more and more conductive to the development of a friendly and thoughtful spirit toward those with whom the children associate. The aim is to have the children happy, comfortable, interested, industrious and co-operative in all the activities of the school.
Tests of different types have been given from time to time to check up the progress of the individuals and classes that the weak places might be discovered early and strengthened. Among others the test in arithmetic prepared under the direc- tion of Professor Wilson of Boston University for all New England was given and results compared. The results by grades were as follows: Grades 5, for New England, the score was 41.2 points; for Massachusetts, 41.6; for this Union, 41.4: Grades 6, New England score, 43.1; Massachusetts, 43.5; this Union, 45.3; Grades 7, New England, 43.8; Massachusetts, 46.3; this Union, 44.1 points.
As these tests were not compulsory, the probabilities are that only those towns and cities that felt that the work in arithmetic was fairly creditable gave the tests. If this were true, these averages represent the work in the best educatioanl centers.
While the results were more or less unsatisfactory, it was scmewhat gratifying to see that our schools as a whole measured up to the best achievements in other towns and cities. Effort is now being made to strengthen the weak places and we trust that another similar test will show even better results.
As stated in the last report, the weakest place in the whole curriculum seems to be the work in history. All the teachers are giving this branch careful attention and the results are being improved steadily but rather slowly.
HEALTH
One of the most important subjects in the course of study, in my opinion, is health education. The aim is to develop in the child the right attitude toward personal, home and com- munity hygiene, and the correct habits of life so that he will be able to care for himself scientifically when not in school. Miss Marian Holmes, the supervisor of health education, has sel- ected an excellent series of text-books, established in co-operation
55
with the school physicians, a most efficient system of inspection, standards of achievement, personal instruction through con -ยท ferences with individuals, class instruction and school clinics.
In her report, Miss Holmes says, "During the school year and usually at the beginning of school, every child receives a good physical examination by the school physician and a report is sent home if anything serious is detected. The de- tailed medical inspection by the nurse and the ear and eye test given by the teacher completes the routine. However, during the whole school year individual children are being cared for by teacher and nurse, and the school physician also gives freely of his time whenever called upon for consultation. In all this work the objective of the school program of health teaching is to impress upon the child the importance of keeping well rather than being cured.
"The health rating of the child is classified as 'excellent' or 'good' and a report card given to that effect. To pass the 'minimum requirements' the child must possess permanent, (normal or corrected), teeth, healthy tonsils, normal breathing, normal average weight or its equivalent, clean skin, good vision, (normal or corrected) good hearing, good posture and a clean general appearance. Every child has a right to possess this start in life, but the data given below shows that there is much work to be done before these standards are reached.
"The record for the Hatfield schools for the minimum health requirement test is as follows:
Name of School
Passed
Failed
Heart
Vision
Center
190
89
2
5
School St.
49
20
0
1
Bradstreet
65
22
2
2
North Hatfield
41
29
1
4
West Hatfield .
47
14
2
3
Hill
42
18
3
1
"There were 14 cases of thyroid enlargement noted in the Center School. This condition merits a careful investigation.
"A Mental Hygiene clinic under the direction of State specialists was conducted during the year and 35 children received careful examination. The object of this clinic is to assist the superintendent and teacher to better understand and
56
adjust children who are slow in mental development. The full reports have not yet been submitted.
"The Dental clinic under the direction of the Hampshire County Red Cross will be in operation sometime during the winter of 1928.
"The hot cocoa lunch prepared for the children at the Center School during the cold weather is a splendid feature and all concerned in the work deserve much credit.
"No particular mention has been made of the health of the High School pupils, but the same physical examination has been given as in the lower grades, and a finer assembly of young people would be hard to find. Their interest and success in athletics and their general appearance is all that is needed to classify their health status as excellent.
"I wish to express my appreciation of the courtesy re- ceived from the parents when visiting the homes. It has been a pleasure to meet them and my only regret is that I have not had time to visit all the homes. It has also been a pleasure to work with teachers who are so interested in health education and to them as well as to the Superintendent, School Physicians and Committee I heartily express my appreciation of the splend- did co-operation during the school year."
PENMANSHIP AND DRAWING
In the report on these subjects, Mrs. Bernice Bradley Ormond says, "The aim of penmanship instruction should be to teach pupils to write easily and well and to establish good . penmanship habits.
"Unless the pupil carries over the principles taught in the writing period, the time spent in drill is lost. All written work should be checked up, and where teachers are doing this, the work has been most satisfactory.
"The awards received this year in the Union are as follows: 180 Primary pins; 47 Progressive pins; 21 Improvement Certi- ficates; 45 Final Certificates; 2 Business Certificates.
"Free expression or illustration is the subject we are trying to develop in our art courses. The child must use his imagination and draw from his own store of knowledge in this work. In every way possible individuality should be en- couraged and the child's point of view taken. Games, nursery rhymes and stories lend themselves to this type of work.
57
"Some very interesting travel posters were made by child- ren in grades 6, 7 and 8 during the Spring term. The poster problem is always a profitable one.
"I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Morton for his support and co-operation, and the principals and teachers for their sincere efforts in the work of the year."
MUSIC
Miss Maude E. Boyle in her report says, "The most desirable way to teach music is that which develops in our children an appreciation of rhythm, melody and harmony, the three fundamentals of music. We give them that foundation, the ultimate aim of which is, to discover and to develop the talent which is theirs. Should no special talent be discoverable, we aim to make clear to them the beauty that is in music, and to enable them to discriminate between the false and the real.
"One of the most important activities in our music course is the singing of worthy songs intelligently. To accomplish this, we must give attention to melody, harmony, phrasing, rhythm, tonality and enunciation.
"Other important phases are individual and sight singing both with notes and words. Much more stress is put on word reading at sight than formerly. We now introduce it in the fourth grade and find that it is working out very satisfactorily.
"The entire body of students furnished music at Field Day exercises in June. The children of all the schools including the Smith Academy chorus also furnished music at the Mem- orial Day exercises.
"The musical organizations of Smith Academy, the Girls Glee Club, the Boys Glee Club, the Chorus and Orchestra have furnished music for various school activities, namely, the senior play, prize speaking, class day and graduation.
"The Academy Orchestra assisted by the Boys Glee Club gave a concert on April 20th. The object of this concert was to give the parents and friends an opportunity to hear what these young people are doing and also to raise funds for another instrument. This orchestra gave a half hour's concert at Laurel Park Chatauqua last July.
"The Smith Academy students receive one point credit for music. The credit for the year is forfeited if the student
58
is not present to take part at any public appearance required, unless a satisfactory excuse is presented.
"I feel justified in saying that this has been one of the most successful years in music. The young people have entered into the work with a finer spirit and more enthusiasm than ever before and the result has been 'music for the love of music'. If the feeling continues and we sincerely trust that it will, we hope to do better things during the coming year.
"These public appearances mean much strenuous work on the part of the teachers and pupils. The success of these under- takings has depended to a great extent on the above mentioned, therefore I take this opportunity to thank the school officials, the principals and the grade teachers for their splendid support and hearty co-operation."
ATTENDANCE
At the close of this report will be found the total enrol- ment, average membership, average attendance and percent of attendance for the school year-Sept. 1926 to June 1927. The percent is one less than the previous year. In 1926, it was 94%. In 1927, it is 93%. Shields were offered both years to the three schools in the Union having the highest percent of attendance. They were won in 1926 by the West Street School, Hadley; North Hadley Intermediate, and North Hadley Grammar. In 1927, the West Street School of Hadley, grades 1 and 2, Violet Woiczinlenas, teacher, again won First Prize with a score of 98.23%. The Second Prize was won again by the North Hadley Intermediate, grades 3, 4, 5, Helena A. White, teacher, with a score of 97.71%. The Third Prize was won by grade 1 of the Center School, Hatfield, Lena F. Fitzgerald, teacher, with a score of 97.02%.
The following schools in Hatfield merit special mention : Bradstreet, Catherine B. Harris, teacher, 95.93%; Center, Mary E. Fenton, teacher, 95.75%; Center, Hilda V. Corman, teacher, 95.73%; Bradstreet, Kathleen Connelly, teacher, 95.63%; Bradstreet, Ellen M. O'Hara, teacher, 95.45%.
Many parents do not yet realize the loss imposed upon their children by absence from school. The loss is also a class, school and community loss. If there could be co-operation of all the factors of the environment for the prevention of un-
59
necessary absences, school efficiency would greatly increase. The causes for which a child may be legally absent from school are extremely limited.
In connection with the subject of attendance, I wish to call your particular attention to Mr. Gifford's report. He shows in a very convincing way the tremendous handicap under which the Academy is forced to do its work because of the irregularity of attendance of a certain group of pupils.
We urge the teachers, parents and children to make an extra effort to raise the percent of attendance to the highest point possible as every absence causes a waste of opportunity and public money.
CONCLUSION
This has been a very pleasant and profitable school year. Excellent work has been accomplished and a fine spirit main- tained. May we work together during the coming year in the same spirit as last to advance the highest and best interests of the schools and communities.
In closing this report, I wish to express my appreciation of the loyal support and the co-operation of the School Com- mittee, principals, teachers, parents and pupils in the work of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ORION A. MORTON, Superintendent of Schools.
60
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF SMITH ACADEMY
This is a day of specialization in which the "Jack of all trades and master of none" is at a distinct disadvantage. Realizing this, more and more young people throughout the country are completing their high school courses and are con- tinuing their education along special lines. Thus a high school education is coming to be a greater factor in the preparation for life, and in many cases a prerequisite for specialization.
Through our courses in Smith Academy we aim to develop interests and some skill which will be of benefit to the pupil and to the community. Besides the scholastic work and the work . of the two vocational departments there is an opportunity to participate in athletics, dramatics, musical organizations, a dancing class, and other school activities. This program is as complete as seems advisable to offer at present.
A large proportion of the boys participate in one or more forms of athletics, and there is a considerable interest among the girls in basketball. For our athletic program we need money for equipment, transportation, and referees. Our source of income has been limited to gate receipts from basket- ball games and to dues collected from pupils. The latter is a common but questionable source, and the former is insufficient. Since athletics is an important phase of school activity I would like to see it placed on a firmer financial basis. This could be done by a small appropriation for athletic supplies.
During the year 1926-27 we enrolled eighty-three pupils and graduated sixteen. Three of the latter went directly to college, one each to Dartmouth, M. A. C., and the University of Vermont. Two entered normal schools, and a number of others have continued their education elsewhere. Of the class of 1926 four entered normal schools and eight commercial schools. During the present school year we have enrolled ninety-four pupils, forty-seven boys and forty-seven girls. Thirty-two have been transported by the B. & M. Transpor- tation Company, fourteen from West Hatfield, twelve from North Hatfield, and six from Bradstreet.
61
I wish to call your attention to the seriousness of our at- tendance record. The average attendance in Massachusetts high schools is about 95% for forty weeks, while ours is about 90% for thirty-eight weeks. It is thus apparent that the average pupil here is getting four weeks less school than the average in the state. It should be evident also that this ren- ders more difficult the process of education.
The excuse for the absence is principally "work at home," and in very few cases "illness." I am not unmindful, however, of the agricultural situation in Hatfield which requires help from many pupils during several very short periods, but I do believe that a better attendance record is most desirable and quite possible.
FLAVEL M. GIFFORD.
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TEACHERS AND ENROLLMENT, OCTOBER 1927
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS
Home Address
Salary
1 |2|3 |4 |5 |6 |7 |8 |9 |10|11|12
Smith Academy
Flavel M. Gifford
Hatfield
$2600
66
Harry E. Rollins
Hatfield
1900
66
Edward J. Burke
Holyoke
2600*
36 33 10 11 90
Mary E. Ryan
Hatfield
1400
Alice M. Brockway
South Hadley
1300
Maxine E. Blanchard
Springfield
1400
Center School
Clarence J. Larkin
Haydenville
1800
32
32
Lucelia Kelton
Gardner
1000
Margaret A. Ryan
Hatfield
1000
37
37
66
Sarah V. Kiley
Hatfield
1000
46
46
66
Mrs. Grace W. Bardwell
Hatfield
1000
38
38
Catherine T. Shea
Holyoke
900
35
Margaret O'Donnell
Holyoke
1000
33
33
Anna M. O'Neil
Northampton
900
40
40
Mary E. Fenton
Lawrence
1000
36
36
Hilda V. Corman
Cochituate
1000
34
34
Mrs. Lena P. Fitzgerald
Hatfield
1000
34
34
Constance B. Mullany
Hatfield
1000
12 28
40
Eleanor R. Whalen
Hatfield
1000
23 12
35
Harold L. Ford
West Hatfield
1200
10 3 6 7
26
Margaret B. Schimitter
Northampton
1000
8 7 6 8
29
North Hatfield
Mary C. Kelly
Holyoke
1000
10
9 7 7
4
37
Mrs. Mary D. Donelson
13
9|12
8|11|
6
25
Ellen O'Hara
Greenfield
1000
13
16
29
Kathleen Connelly
North Hatfield
1000
13 13
9
35
Supervisor of Music
Maude E. Boyle
Hatfield
900
Supr. of Drawing & Pen.
Mrs. Bernice B. Ormond
Northampton
850
Supr. Health Education
Marian Holmes
Northampton
1000
Total
91 87 91 104 108 64 61 49 36 33 |10 |11 |745
*Salary includes travelling expenses.
63
66
Hill School
West Hatfield
North Hatfield
1000
34
Bradstreet School
Catherine B. Harris
Bradstreet
1100
35
66
66
Pupils by Grades
HATFIELD SCHOOLS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1926-1927
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS
Grade I
Grade II
Grade III
Grade IV
Grade V
Grade VI
Grade VII
Grade VIII
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Total
Membership
Membership
Attendance
Per Cent
Attendance
Smith Academy
Flavel M. Gifford
43
12 12 16
83
76
68
90
66
John S. Lacey
66
66
Harry E. Rollins
66
Edward J. Burke
Mary E. Ryan
Mae E. Toole
Maxine E. Blanchard
33
33
30
28
94
Center School
66
Mrs. Mary B. Powers
40
40
39
35
91
66
66
Sarah J. Kiley
46
46
42
93
66
66
43
43
43
40
94
66
66
Theresa C. Kondrat
40
40
37
94
66
66
Catherine T. Shea.
33
33
31
93
Mary E. Fenton
36
35
34
96
66
Hilda Corman
38
36
35
97
Mrs. Lena P. Fitzgerald
31
30
28
93
Hill School
31
29
27
93
West Grammar
Harold L. Ford
10 4 0
9
32
29
26
92
West Primary
39
37
35
92
North Grammar
33
32
29
90
North Primary
Mrs. Mary D. Donelson
11 12 10
10 13
5
2
30
28
27
96
Bradstreet. Intermediate
Ellen O'Hara
12
20
32
31
29
95
17|14
31
29
28
96
Bradstreet Primary
Kathleen Connelly
Supervisor of Music
Maude E. Boyle
Mrs. Bernice B. Ormand
Supervisor of Drawing & Pen.
Supervisor of Health Eeducation
Marian Holmes
107 97 99 110 83 74 58 51 43 12 12 16 762
733
682
93
47
47
46
42
91
66
Mis.' Grace W. Bardwell
46
Margaret O'Donnell
28|12
Mrs. Constance B. Mullany
35
35
34
96
36
38
Margaret M. Nolan
31
Eleanor R. Whalen
31
8| 6|7|
8
29
29
27
93
Margaret B. Schmitter
Mary C. Kelly
10 7 8 6
8
Bradstreet Grammar
Mrs. Catherine B. Harris
33 35
66
Clarence J. Larkin
Margaret A. Ryan
64
66
66
Average
Average
ANNUAL REPORT of the
TOWN OFFICERS of the
TOWN OF HATFIELD
for the
Year Ending December 31, 1928
HATFIELD
1670
INDUSTRY
PROSPERITY
Metcalf Printing & Publishing Company, Northampton, Massachusetts
Selectmen's Warrant For Town Meeting, February 4, 1929
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Hampshire, ss.
To A. R. Breor, one of the Constables of the Town of Hat- field in said County, Greetings :-
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Hatfield qualified to vote in elections and town affairs to meet in Smith Academy Building in said Hatfield, on Mon- day, the 4th day of February, next at ten o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, to wit :-
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year: Moderator, Town Clerk, Three Selectmen, One Assessor for 3 years and One Assessor for 2 years, One Water Commissioner for 3 years, One member of the School Committee for 3 years, Town Treasurer, One Trustee of the Public Library for 3 years, Auditor, Tree Warden, Elector under the Will of Oliver Smith, Tax Collector, Farm Bureau Director, Six Con- stables. All the foregoing to be voted for on one ballot.
The Polls will be open at ten o'clock in the forenoon and be kept open at least four hours, and for such longer time as the majority of voters present shall direct but in no case will they be kept open after the hour of eight o'clock in the evening.
Article 3. To take any action which might expedite the conduct of this assemblage.
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