USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1936-1944 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
JOSEPH F. CHANDLER, CLIFFORD L. BELDEN, PATRICK W. MULLINS.
40
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee and Citizens of Hatfield :
It is my privilege to present my sixth annual report as superintendent of the Hatfield schools.
Personnel Changes
In 1936 there were but three changes in the teaching force of the town and one of them was in the Academy faculty, of which change Mr. Burke will report. Mr. Raymond Jenness was appointed to succeed Mr. Ford and was elected as supervising principal of the elementary schools at the Center. Mr. Jenness has a degree from the four year course at Bridgewater and is enrolled as a student in the graduate school at Massachusetts State College. He was serving his sixth year as principal of the Murrayfield School in Huntington when elected to your local position. Miss Vera M. Lynch resigned at the end of the fourth week of the fall term after having taught very acceptably in the upper grades at North Hat- field and the Center School. Miss Eileen M. Larkin of Holyoke who has a degree from Our Lady of the Elms and a degree from Westfield Teachers College and taught last year in New York state received the appointment. Each appointment was made and the election approved upon the basis of previous experience.
Pupil Placement
The following chart shows the present enrollment as the pupils are distributed among the several classrooms of Hatfield. At the extreme right is given the building totals for 1936 to show the actual picture of the decrease in enrollment since the report of last year.
41
Totals for
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
1937
1936
N. Hatfield
6
5
7
6
6
6
6
7
49
51
Bradstreet
8
3
4
6
2
11
-
34
39
Hill
12
13
10
8
43
47
School St.
17
18
35
40
Center
-
21
24
39
37
47
45
213
229
-
43
39
42
44
47
54
53
52
374
406
Smith
Academy
138
145
Total Pupil Enrollment
512
551
Transportation Data
The following diagram shows the number of pupils who receive transportation, the section of the town from which they get bus service as well as the grade in which the transported pupils are members.
Elm Street
W. Hatfield
N. Hatfield
Bradstreet
Senior
2
2
4
5
Junior
0
4
4
2
Sophomore
1
3
6
4
Freshman
2
0
7
7
VIII
4
8
0
7
VII
5
1
0
7
VI
5
1
0
0
V
4
3
0
0
IV
1
0
0
0
III
0
5
0
0
II
0
2
0
0
I
0
1
0
0
Area Total
24
30
21
32
Total
107
Academy Group
53 out of 138 or 38%
Elementary Group
54 out of 374 or 15%
At the present contract rate of $9.50 per day the per capita daily transportation expense is $.88 and a half of this amount is reimbursed from the Commonwealth as a part of Part II of the General School Fund.
42
Possible Changes
Inasmuch as the probable enrollment in all of the elementary schools will decrease apparently a little more during the next few years as viewed from the town clerk's vital records, it would seem as though more elementary consolidation could be effected toward greater educational efficiency. The closing of a school which must accompany consolidation brings out distinct lines of argument ; gen- eral favor from those families who are in no way affected and welcome a decrease in municipal outgo, as general opposition from those families within the school area abetted by the teachers who may be involved in the re- alignment of teaching positions. In your present situa- tion I believe that all of the pupils now housed in the two rooms at the Hill School could be housed in the elementary rooms at the Center, and with little additional transpor- tation expense. Structurally the School Street building may not be in as good condition as the Hill School. On the other hand the playground is safer and I think the heating and ventilation system is better in the School Street building.
Then it is not wholly visionary to think about the consolidation of the elementary pupils of the North Hat- field and Bradstreet areas for the first six grades and send the two upper grades from North Hatfield into the Center as is now done from Bradstreet. The entire upper six years of schooling would be uniform and centralized. Be- cause of the traffic hazards which the small children face each day in going to the North Hatfield building I would effect the consolidation at the Bradstreet building and use three rooms-two grades in each room. The desks are there. I would recommend that a teacher ride with the smaller children between North Hatfield and Bradstreet.
The two possible changes just mentioned would bring certain results.
Salaries of three fewer teachers.
43
Elimination of two heating plants with janitor and lighting expense.
Some increase in janitor duties at Bradstreet.
Some additional bus accommodations and expense. Transportation within a town is half reimbursed under Part II of General School Fund.
Music and Penmanship supervisors would go to Brad- street every week rather than twice a month as at present.
Salary Matters
The committee has voted to restore some of the pre- vious salary rate reductions. This restoration was made by groups where there was a similarity of service as in the grades and individually where the position involved specific subjects and assigned duties. Many towns have voted to restore all of the rate reductions and naturally a superintendent is pleased when conditions permit sim- ilar action in his own district. However, since your creditable salary scale was originally adopted, changes have taken place in the graduation requirements from the state teachers' colleges and I believe recognition of this fact should be made in completely restoring present re- ductions. New teachers who may be elected into future vacancies should have nothing less than four years of col- lege education and I prefer a years experience to better · gauge the type of position into which I may recommend a candidate to be a member of your teaching force. I be- lieve that there should be just one salary scale for all teachers with four years of college background, regardless of whether the teacher may be elected to teach grade I or English in Smith Academy. I would further recommend that full salary restoration be contingent first upon the completion of additional study in some one of several recognized methods. Any teacher who completes the re- quirements for a degree or an advanced degree should be given a salary raise to show the added scholastic back- ground is recognized. Frankly I would rather see a
44
moderate salary scale maintained through a series of years with a concurrent steadiness in school interests than to experience the unpleasant circumstances which accompanies the revision of salary rates to match fluctu- ating municipal receipts dependent upon economic condi- tions within the valley area. Along with the maintenance of a steady moderate salary schedule I would like to see the restoration of part of the sick leave. Teachers who may be afflicted with colds but try to continue classroom efforts rather than lose pay for a substitute really con- stitute a health menace and the pupils who contract colds do lose attendance. To me the health issue is more im- portant than the purely financial issue.
Budget Discussion
Your entire school appropriation is voted by the cit- izens in attendance at the annual town meeting, subse- quent to study and probable recommendation by the Fi- nance Committee. However the total amount so appro- priated does not come from local assessment and I give herewith the amounts and the specified sources of reim- bursement.
The total amount of school expenditures for 1936 was
$44,877.02
The following amounts came into the town treasury from the specified state and Federal funds :
General School Fund-Part I.
$7,476.48
General School Fund-Part II,
4,900.85
Acct. Supt of Schools, 939.57
Vocational Accts.,
2,133.34
Federal Fund,
308.82
State Wards,
88.16
City Ward,
7.20
$15,854.42
Total from local assessment,
$29,022.60
45
In other words in 1936 less than 65 per cent or under two-thirds of the school expenditures came from local sources. For the financial summary forecast presented herewith I would expect a similar receipt.
Forecast for 1937
General Administration, $3,550.00
Instruction-includes Vocational, 31,675.00
Books and Supplies, 2,900.00
Transportation, 2,000.00
Janitor Service,
2,750.00
Heat, Light, Power,
3,000.00
Maintenance-Repairs,
800.00
Miscellaneous, 75.00
$46,750.00
These estimates were based on the salary scale as printed on the last page of the school reports. I think the estimates for transportation, fuel and janitor service are too low unless absorbed through the closing of rooms.
At Random
It is now many weeks since the waters of the Connec- ticut were coursing through your houses, streets and fields with resultant damage. The total school damage was not extensive and at the Center area some of the prevention can be ascribed to the faithful work of the janitors before and following the rage of the waters. As superintendent I am grateful also for the work of those teachers who worked with the extra groups at the Hill School and the group temporarily housed at West Hatfield for those days when it was better for pupils to be under cover than to be roaming around in the slime. This work could not be the equivalent of regular school work for all of the pupils within the flooded area could not be given equal opportuni- ty. Valuable reviews were available to the capacity of bus and school desks.
46
Onion setting time is always a busy time in this par- ticular section of the state. Owing to different soil com- positions and daily climatic viariations it is next to im- possible to fit a schedule now for conditions two months in the future. I shall attempt to adjust the April vaca- tion from school to school to match the greatest number of planting areas in further conjunction with a bus schedule. Single sessions for a few days may be useful but from a health standpoint is too long a day for those pupils in the lower grades. The essential fact is that the legal place for children of school age is in school when schools are in session.
The general progress of all pupils from grade one through the secondary classes seems satisfactory. Mr. Jenness and his associate teachers in the elementary grades are revising courses of study in the several key subjects which is a worthwhile activity. It should unify classroom procedure to the help of pupils.
In conclusion I appreciate the loyalty of the commit- tee, teachers and townspeople, as well as the friendship of the pupils in all grades.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. HEBARD,
Superintendent of Schools, Hadley and Hatfield.
47
Principal of Smith Academy
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Commit- tee of Hatfield :
I hereby submit my seventh annual report as Prin- cipal of Smith Academy.
The opening registration was 146. The present en- rollment is 138-79 girls and 59 boys.
The graduation class of 1936 numbered 19. Of this number one entered Smith College; two entered North- eastern University; three entered Commercial College; one entered preparatory school and one returned for post graduate work.
Recent graduates of the school are now enrolled in the following schools; State Teachers' colleges : Bridge- water 2, North Adams 1, Westfield 1, Framingham 1, Massachusetts State College 4, Hartford Hospital Train- ing School for Nursing 2, Cooley-Dickinson Hospital Training School for Nursing 1.
The school maintains a Class A rating by the State department of education and enjoys the New England College Entrance Certificate privilege.
The curriculum lists the following courses : Classical, Scientific, Commercial, Household Arts and Agricultural. These courses are functioning successfully.
In September ,Commissioner of Education James G. Reardon, approved the re-establishment of the Household Arts Department as a State-aided Vocational department and recommended reimbursement to Hatfield to the ex- tent of one-half the net maintenance cost, including in- structor's salary, of this vocational department.
The faculty experienced one change during the year.
48
Miss Frances Annis, instructor in modern languages and director of Girls' athletics resigned at the close of school year in June. During her term of service here, her work was carried on with enthusiasm and sympathetic under- standing of pupils and their problems. Miss Annis's marriage to Mr. Wilbur C. Irving of Somerville, Mass. took place June 20, 1936. Miss Pauline Lyons of Methuen, Mass., alumna of New Rochelle College, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Previous to her coming to Smith Acad- emy, Miss Lyons taught in the evening high school in Lawrence.
A successful program for team atheltics for boys has been carried out. In the Hampshire League the basket- ball team started off auspiciously by winning the first three games. Injuries and illness appeared in the mid- dle of the season and caused the team to lose much of its playing power. However, the team played good basket- ball but lost several close games and finished in fifth posi- tion in the league standing.
Flood damage to the athletic field prevented any base- ball games at home. An abbreviated schedule of three games was played, two with Hopkins Academy and one with Williamsburg High. The team won from Williams- burg and lost to Hopkins.
This fall Smith Academy again placed a clean play- ing, well-coached Soccer team on the field. Playing some of the best teams in the valley, the season's record of eight wins, two losses and one tie game is a most creditable one.
The program for girls' athletics shows a great im- provement over that presented some few years ago. The girls' basketball team enjoyed a most successfull season, with twelve victories and two defeats. The team tied for first place in the Hampshire League. Regular classes in physical education for girls were conducted during the winter and spring months by Miss Annis and Miss Allaire, with excellent results. This plan will continue this year under the supervision of Miss Lyons and Miss Allaire.
49
Student health is carefully guarded by school physi- cian, Robert Byrne, M. D. and school nurse, Marion D. Holmes, R. N. A physical examination of every student is held at the opening of school in the fall. As in past years, no student is allowed to participate in any form of athletics without the sanction of our medical authorities.
The general appearance of the school interior was greatly improved during the year. Under the supervision of Trustee Arthur C. Bardwell, class rooms and hallways were brightly painted, desk tops refinished, woodwork varnished-all of which not only add to the attractiveness of the building, but also makes conditions more conducive to study on the part of the pupils. Students and faculty alike appreciate the generosity of the Board of Trustees of the Academy in bringing about these improvements.
Perhaps the only unprecedent event of the year 1936 was the cessation of school work for three weeks, caused by the March flood. Fortunately, little real damage was done to the building other than that caused by the foot of water that covered the ground floor. By persistant endeavor on the part of Janitors' Frank Brehm and Adam Smith, the building was soon in excellent condition for the reopening of school. The result of their painstaking work was evident, and both students and teachers appre- ciated it. Surely the students are to be commended for the fine cooperative spirit they showed upon returning to their scholasitc endeavors. School work progressed as in normal times and by the end of the school year, all the prescribed work was completed.
I wish to thank the faculty for their loyal support in everything concerning the welfare of the school.
May I express my appreciation of the cooperation of the Superintendent, members of the School Committee, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD J. BURKE,
Principal.
50
School Health Report
HATFIELD, 1936
To the Superintendent and Members of the School Committee-
"The tragedy of Education is that any child is allowed to fail." Dr. M. M. Parks.
That good health is the surest basis for both hap- piness and efficiency is an accepted fact in the 20th cen- tury. That the health of the child determined, largely, the health of the man or woman; that a sick child cannot be taught successfully ; and that a child suffering from an uncorrected physical defect is seriously handicaped. Therefore, the first obligation of all persons concerned, beginning with the home, is to see to it that every child is given a fair start.
Parents are urged to make use of the opportunities near at hand for the benefit of the child. The Red Cross Dental Clinic operating at a minimum cost is open to all children not under the care of a private dentist.
The Hampshire County Public Health Association is ready to advise, examine or X-ray any child referred to the clinic by the family physician.
The State and County health boards in cooperation with the local board of health operating directly in the school will test and X-ray any child referred by the phy- sician and any child under suspicion of contact with tuber- culosis.
51
The skilled surgeons connected with the Cooley-Dick- inson Hospital give freely of their time and ability in correcting Nose and Throat defects.
The splendid work of the Shriner's Hospital in Springfield need no comment as the contribution toward helping crippled children is well known in the community.
The Child Guidance clinic is ready to help any child and give to the parents any advice toward clearing away emotional instability.
The diphtheria prevention clinic sponsored by the local board of health offers, free of charge, to the parents an opportunity to protect their child against the dread disease of diphtheria.
The Well-child pre-school clinic sponsored by the state offers an excellent opportunity to all parents of small children not under the supervision of the school, to con- sult and talk over matters of interest to the health of the young child. Why should any child be handicapped ?
The school through practical and theoretical teaching of good health habits and personal hygiene endeavors to build up in the mind of the child an intelligent responsi- bility for his or her ow nhealth. The class in physical training and recreation beginning in the 7th grade is a splendid feature in health training and mental alertness.
Classes in First Aid and Safety include all 8th grades and special pupils from the other grades. This part of the health education program is an effort to prepare chil- dren in accident prevention and to teach them how to meet and be helpful in emergencies of any sort. The classes in Hygiene and Home Hygiene, grades 9 and 10 are both practical and educational along the lines of healthful liv- ing.
48 pupils did good work in First Aid. 41 receiving Red Cross certificates. The class in Home Hygiene was a small group last year, nevertheless, the work was excel- lent and 7 of the 11 pupils received the cherished certifi-
52
cate. The 4 remaining members lost so much time be- cause of home conditions they could not complete the work.
The Health Service of the school submits the follow- ing list of corrections and examinations-
Chadwick Clinic X-ray and examination,
5 improved
County Clinic Von-Pirquet test, 65
County Clinic X-ray, 25
Special X-ray and examination, Westfield, 8
Dental defects corrected, Dental Clinic, 113
Dental defects corrected, private dentist, 32
Nose and Throat defects corrected,
14
Vision defects corrected or improved by lenses, 16
Nutrition defects improved,
22
The school health department is very grateful to the physicians that have been so helpful in our school health work, and to the Hampshire County Public Health Asso- ciation for the care and interest shown to the two boys sent to Camp Hodgkins during the month of July, and to the Red Cross for helping us to correct defective vision, also our own town for the many benefits offered and sup- plied toward the good health of the school child.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION HOLMES, R. N.
.
53
SALARY SCHEDULE IN EFFECT JANUARY 1, 1937
Smith Academy, . Vocational
E. J. Burke, Holyoke $2,800.00
Dorothy Allaire, Hatfield 1,100.00
John H. Kalloch, Hatfield 1,750.00
Clarence J. Larkin, Haydenville
1,650.00
Mary E. Ryan, Hatfield
1,450.00
Elizabeth F. Baker, Lynn
1,200.00
Pauline R. Lyons, Methuen 1,050.00
Margaret E. Stoddard, Hatfield
900.00*
Elementary, Center
Raymond N. Jenness, Hatfield
1,500.00
Margaret A. Ryan, Hatfield
1,100.00
Grace W. Bardwell, Hatfield
1,100.00
Sarah V. Kiley, Hatfield
1,100.00
Mary E. Ahearn, Northampton
1,100.00
Catherine T. Shea, Holyoke
1,100.00
Katherine I. Hayes, Hatfield
1,100.00
Eileen M. Larkin, Holyoke
950 00
Peter G. Staszko, Agawam
950.00
School Street
Anna Osley, Hatfield
1,100.00
Marie A. Proulx, Hatfield
1,100.00
Hill
Constance B. Mullany, Hatfield
1,100.00
Eleanor Whalen, Hatfield
1,100.00
Mary D. Donelson, Hatfield
1,100.00
North Hatfield
Susan Petcen, Hatfield
1,025.00
Bradstreet
Lena Fitzgerald, Hatfield
1,100.00
Helen F. Boyle, Hatfield 950.00
Music
Maude E. Boyle, Hatfield,
750.00+
Nurse and Health Education
Marian Holmes, Northampton 850.00+
* Afternoons in the elementary schools as supervisor of penmanship. ¡An equal amount of time is given to Hadley with equal salary.
Academic
54
HENRY F. LONG COMMISSIONER
THEODORE N. WADDELL DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTS
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation Division of Arrounts State house, Boston
January 27, 1937
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Luther A. Belden, Chairman Hatfield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Hatfield for the year ending December 31, 1936, made in accordance with the provis- ions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report submitted to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assist- ant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, Theodore N. Waddell,
Director of Accounts.
55
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Hatfield for the year ending December 31, 1936, and submit the following report there- on :
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified.
The receipts for licenses issued by the board of select- men were checked with the record of licenses granted. The payments to the treasurer were verified by a compari- son with the treasurer's record of receipts and the cash on hand December 31, 1936, was counted.
The surety bonds filed with the town by individuals to whom liquor licenses were issued were examined and checked with the record of licenses granted.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were checked with the records of the departments collect- ing money for the town and with the treasurer's cash book, while the payments were compared with the select- men's warrants. The ledger entries of departmental charges committed for collection were checked with the records of the departments in which the transactions originated, and the appropriation ledger accounts were checked with the town clerk's record of town meetings.
The ledger was analyzed, the necessary adjustment and closing entries were made, a trial balance was taken
56
off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1936.
It was noted that paid bills, pay-rolls, and warrants on file lacked the approval of the selectmen as required by Section 56, Chapter 41, General Laws, which reads as follows :
"The selectmen and all boards, committees, heads of departments and officers authorized to expend money shall approve and transmit to the town accountant as often as once each month all bills, drafts, and orders chargeable to the respec- tive appropriations of which they have the ex- penditure. The town accountant shall examine all such bills, drafts or orders, and, if found cor- rect and approved as herein provided, shall draw a warrant upon the treasurer for the payment of same, and the treasurer shall pay no money from the treasury except upon such warrant approved by the selectmen."
The accountant's ledger was not complete on the audit date and contained numerous errors which required con- siderable time to locate and adjust.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were checked with the records of the departments collect- ing money for the town or sending out bills for collection and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were compared with the selectmen's treasury warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds. The cash book addi- tions were verfied and the cash balance on December 31, 1936, was verified by a reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement received from the bank of deposit and by actual count of the cash in the office.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.