USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1936-1944 > Part 25
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Our attempts to adhere to the government's insistence upon physical training have met with slight frustration. One difficulty arises from our inability to use our facilities for all the students at one time. Periods have been short- ened and one successive period a day has been skipped so that a gym period might be provided at the end of the day. While one group is åt gym the others are taking a course in Art, supervised at present by Mr. Bristol. Until December two periods a week were also available for choral work by those not in gym. At that time through an arrangement between the Superintendent, Mr. Bristol, and the Supervisor of Music, Miss Boyle, music was temporarily eliminated from the curriculum. It is hoped that the proper adjustments can soon be made and that this phase of our school work will not be permanently eradicated.
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A course in Farm Machinery Repair for adults, fos- tered and subsidized by the federal government, was con- ducted evenings last winter under the direction of Mr. Bristol of our Agricultural Department. The instructor was Mr. Michael McKeon of Smith's Agricultural School. The shop is equipped with many fine tools and offers an excellent opportunity for farmers to complete necessary winter repairs and to learn many little tricks of the trade. A similar course is being conducted this winter.
In the fall a Victory Garden exhibit was held in the Memorial Town Hall. Students in the Agricultural De- partment displayed products raised as part of their home projects. The girls from the Household Arts Department exhibited samples of their canning and handiwork. Prizes were furnished by the State Department of Agriculture. The advantages gained from this event make it most de- sirable that it be incorporated as a part of our regular vocational program.
This past year the homemaking rooms were redeco- rated, much of the work being done by the girls.
Through the accomplishment of Miss Rita Godin, a sophomore, a distinctive honor was won for our school last spring. As our representative she was declared winner of the American Legion Oratorical Contest held at Turners Falls in competition with nine other schools from the Con- necticut Valley. In recognition of this achievement she was presented a suitable medal by the Hampshire-Franklin District of the American Legion.
Our soccer team, coached by Mr. John Jakobek, won for Smith Academy its first championship in four or five years, winning the Hampshire League Title.
Mr. William E. Hebard's vacating the position of superintendent and the ensuing appointment of Mr. Gilbert Bristol have brought about a major change in the super- visory set-up at the academy. Mr. Hebard had been with
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us for twelve years and left the system manned by an ex- tremely well qualified group of teachers. There is no ques- tion in the mind of any of us that Mr. Bristol is capable of fulfilling the duties of superintendent. He has our con- fidence, our good wishes, and our pledge of cooperation.
The following pupils received diplomas in June :
*Helen Kasinski
* Anna Burda
*Stacia Slovikoski Richard Belden Alexander Ciszewski
Mary Cybulski
Paul Dickinson
Luana Eberlein
Irene Harubin Henry Kugler
Dorothy Majesky
Julia Niewinski
Frank Osciak
Edward Remiszewski
Robert Sawiski
Francis Skoczylas
Leonard Toczko
Jean Wickles
Phyllis Zembiski
Francis Skoczylas enlisted in the navy before gradua- tion. Since graduation, Richard Belden and Paul Dickin- son have joined the navy.
*Honor students.
Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE J. LARKIN, Principal.
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Principal of Center School
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Commit- tee of Hatfield.
Sirs :
Herewith is the first report which it is my privilege to submit as principal of the Center Schools.
More than seven years have lapsed since I came to Hatfield as your Center School principal. In that period of time the school population has decreased to the point where seven elementary school rooms have been closed and the entire school population transported to the Center Schools.
Having the entire school population of grades one through eight within one limited sphere of influence has made several important changes possible. The first and greatest of these is a course of study for all the subjects taught in all the elementary and grammar grades. We have such a course of study.
Secondly, because the pupils could easily be assembled at one point in a short time, hot lunches were made avail- able. Since the lunch program has been in effect we have had no pupil in the elementary grades seriously ill from stomach disorders. This speaks well for such a program.
The third change made by consolidation is evident. Transportation of elementary school children is not always a happy experience. Several of the younger pupils leave
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home on winter mornings before the sun is up and others are forced to wait until the bus is free before they can receive transportation to their homes in the afternoon. The elementary children have the bus by themselves on most trips but on one afternoon trip they share the bus with the academy scholars.
It is my belief that a better system of transporta- tion for the school children could be worked out if we had the use of a second bus.
Grades one through six are taught as individual classes by competent teachers. This allows time for individual instruction and relieves the teacher of the burden of pre- paring lessons for more than one grade.
Grades seven and eight are departmentalized and ad-' ministered as a junior high school. The major subjects : history, geography, English and mathematics are taught as departmental subjects. Basic work: spelling, reading and penmanship, is taught by the home room teachers. I believe the instructors of these department to be doing effective work.
We are fortunate in being able to retain music and art departments at a time when some schools are forced to drop them. No new subjects were introduced during the past year but shop work for the eighth grade boys re- ceived a decided push upward when Mr. Bristol offered the Farm shop as a meeting place. Miss Connelly's sewing class has produced many well made articles. The group also presented a creditable tea in December.
Last June, thirty-five pupils received certificates at commencement. Thirty-three of these pupils are now en- gaged in furthering their education. This is a good sign as great emphasis will be placed upon education at the termination of the present world conflict and the time to prepare is now.
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I believe your elementary and grammar grades to be in the hands of competent teachers working under a plan that attempts to administer to the individual needs of each child.
In conclusion, may I express my appreciation to the superintendent of schools, school committee, parents and friends. To the teachers and pupils my gratitude for loyalty and service.
RAYMOND N. JENNESS, Principal Center Schools.
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School Health Report
To the Superintendent and Members of the School Commit- tee, Hatfield, Massachusetts :
Topic-
'The school's responsibility for the health of its pupils'
When the state claims the child as a future citizen through compulsory education laws, the school becomes a public trust. That good health is the surest basis for both happiness and efficiency is an accepted fact in this the twentieth century. The child suffering from uncorrected physical defects, malnutrition, or improper home environ- ment is seriously handicapped in all school work as well as retarded in physical and social development.
Therefore the first obligation of the state, school and home is to see to it that every child is given an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.
Health Inspection and Sueprvision of school children was started to 'curb the waves of contagious diseases that repeatedly swept through the ranks of children leaving tragedy in its wake'. This concept of child health has expanded to include preventive and corrective health through special clinic service as the Dental-X-ray-Immu- nization-Child Guidance, Surgical, etc. Probably the out- standing disease prevention measure is the Immunization against diphtheria. The importance of immunizing young children against this disease is the fact that 85 per cent of all cases of diphtheria occur in children under five years of age. This disease is now well under control through cooperation of the State and Local Health Boards, never-
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theless, too much complacency on the part of the parents may destroy this splendid record of the State as it stands now.
The X-ray examination of teen age or contact pupils has detected unsuspected cases of incipient tuberculosis and through immediate attention of the Health Boards young people have been rescued from this treacherous enemy of health.
Regular health inspection of young children by the family physician is the key note and responsibility of the home and as far as the Town of Hatfield is concerned this responsibility is carried out favorably, as the entering first grade group of active, alert, well cared for children can testify. The thorough physical examination given by the school physicians carry on from there.
The school health department is appreciative of the loan of the Vision Testing apparatus and the prompt re- sponse of the parents in providing corrective lenses for visual defects. I hope to have the machine again the com- ing year to complete the work in the High School and Pri- mary school. The use of the Audiometer for hearing test supplied by the Red Cross is a marked contribution to the school health program.
The check up on diphtheria immunization show 95 per cent of the Primary and the Grammar school pupils and 85 per cent of the High School students are protected by immunization. The Town of Hatfield should be proud of the provisions made for the health of the school group, noting the excellent noon school lunch, the sanitary drink- ing bubblers, wash basins, showers and toilets, play grounds, ventilated class rooms and bus transportation, all this including the physical examination by school physi- cians, teachers and pupils interest in maintaining a high standard of physical fitness, the school physical program, the cooperation of the home and the personal interest of
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all concerned tend toward a goal of definite good health. The following is a report on the various clinics con- cerned with the School Health program :
Report of X-ray examinations-
High School 69
Primary and Grammar (contacts) 9
Receiving special physicalexamination 18
Report of Immunization Clinic and private innocula-
tions-
School 21
Pre-school
13
Private innoculation, Pre-school
24
Pupils receiving dental corrections
158
Visual correction
16
Nose and Throat
6
Special Clinic Supervision
10
General health improvement
32
Health Teaching Program include-
First Aid and Safety.
Home Hygiene and Child Care.
Personal Hygiene and Sanitation.
Elementary Physiology.
Through the Hampshire County Public Health Seal Sale program, four children from Hatfield attended Camp Hodgkins for a period of four weeks.
The school health department appreciates the coopera- tion of State, Community and County departments in the health work of the school and to the teachers, parents, superintendent and members of the school committee, I extend my appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION HOLMES, R. N.
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Report of Supervisor of Music
To the Superintendent of Schools and the Members of the Hatfield School Committee:
Music can really contribute greatly to the cultural and moral development of the child as well as being a source of great joy and happiness.
The study of Music includes: English, in poems set to music ; mathematics, in the disposition of true problems and rhythm; Health Education in its development of breathing, poise, posture and influence upon temperament. It correlates history and geography in the folk and national songs ; and nature, in songs of homeland, mountain, stream and forest.
We endeavor to teach the boys and girls to read music, notes and words fluently, to sing musically and to listen intelligently. Thus we develop mental alertness and con- centration through thinking instantly of a syllable, pitch and tone value.
These points we strive to instill in our pupils and al- though we cannot definitely measure the progress made we feel that something has been accomplished along these lines.
In closing I wish to thank most sincerely our Super- intendent, School Committee and those principals, teachers and pupils who have so faithfully cooperated druing the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
MAUDE E. BOYLE,
Supervisor of Music.
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Report of Supervisor of Art
Mr. Gilbert D. Bristol Acting Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as Supervisor of art in the Hatfield School during 1943.
The study of art follows a definite outline which re- mains fairly constant. Varied and new ideas and projects are readily inserted into this study to keep up with the changes in everyday life, and to foster interest in the pupil.
Before we can appreciate and enjoy art in our daily living, we must understand what it is. Doing and ex- perimenting creatively, helps us to understand. In this study we follow three dimensions: Length, Breadth, and Depth.
Length deals with thousands of years of art history in the past. Breadth means the parallel growth of all the forms of art, and the interrelationship of fine arts to music, poetry, the dance, drama, and literature. Depth deals with the absorption of art into all man's activities and how it helps to mold each civilization.
Thus, through our class projects, nature, holiday drawings, and art appreciation studies, we hope to develop a high standard of esthetic sense in our pupils.
I wish to thank you at this time, Mr. Bristol, for your fine cooperation; and also to thank all other sponsors of this work, and the teachers in the classrooms for their fine assistance in carrying through the assigned art lessons.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. MANIATTY, Art Supervisor.
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HENRY F. LONG COMMISSIONER
- THEODORE N. WADDELL DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTS
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation Division of Arrounta State house, Boston
February 4, 1944
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. George J. Zgrodnik, 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, 1943, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Di- rector of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
Theodore N. Waddell,
Director of Accounts.
102
Mr. Theorore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Hatfield for the year ending December 31, 1943, and submit the fol- lowing report thereon:
The records of financial transactions of the depart- ments collecting or disbursing money for the town or com- mitting bills for collections were examined, checked, and verified.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checkeed in detail. The ledger accounts were analyzed. The appropriation ledger accounts were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting proceedings, the recorded receipts were compared with the records of the departments collecting money for the town, the payments as recorded were checked with the treasury warrants, and a balance sheet showing the financial condi- tion of the town on December 31, 1943, was prepared and is appended to this report.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were an- alyzed and checked with the records of the departments making payments to the treasurer and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treas- ury. The expenditures were compared with the treasury warrants approved by the board of selectmen, and the cash balance on January 12, 1944, was proved by reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement received from the bank and by actual count of the cash in the office.
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The securities, including savings bank books, repre- senting the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, the income being proved and the withdrawals being verified.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked in detail. The tax accounts outstand- ing at the time of the previous audit and all subsequent commitment lists were audited and proved with the war- rants of the board of assessors committing taxes for col- lection. The recorded collections were checked to the com- mitment lists, the payments to the treasurer were verified, the recorded abatements were compared with the asses- sors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger.
Verification of the outstanding tax accounts was ob- tained by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The tax collector's cash on hand on January 12, 1944, was provved by actual count.
It is urged that propr steps be taken at once to bring about a complete settlement of prior years' taxes dating back to 1937.
The recorded receipts from dog and sporting licenses and from gasoline storage permit renewals issued by the town clerk were checked with the record of licenses and permits issued. The payments to the State and town treasurers were verified and the cash on hand January 12, 1944, was proved by actual count.
The surety bonds filed with the town by the town clerk, treasurer, tax and water collectors were examined and found to be in proper form.
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The recorded receipts from licenses issued by the board of selectmen were checked with the record of licenses granted and the payments to the treasurer were verified. The surety bonds filed with the town by individuals to whom liquor licenses were issued were examined and found to be in proper form.
The recorded receipts from rental of the town hall were checked and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The recorded receipts of the sealer of weights and measures were checked with the record of fees charged and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The records of accounts receivable of the highway, public welfare, military aid, and school departments were examined. The charges were added and compared with the accountant's record of commitments, the recorded col- lections and abatements were checked, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger.
The recorded receipts of the school department for school lunches served were checked, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the cash on hand on January 28, 1944, was proved by actual count.
The receipts of the librarian from fines, etc., collected were checked, the payments to the treasurer being verified and the cash on hand on January 26, 1944 being counted.
The books and accounts of the water department were examined. The charges for the sale of water and for water services were added and compared with the commit- ments reported to the accountant. The recorded collec- tions were checked with the commitment list, the pay- ments to the treasurer were verified, the recorded abate- ments were checked, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger.
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The water collector's cash on hand on January 12, 1944, was proved by actual count.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, summaries of the tax and departmental accounts, as well as tables showing the transactions and condition of the trust funds.
For the cooperation received from all town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
Herman B. Dine,
Assistant Director of Accounts.
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RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Balance January 1, 1943, per previous audit $34,352.34
Receipts 1943 :
Per cash book $165,541.03
Omitted from cash book:
Income tax
513.44
Corporation tax
1,937.32
Reimbursement loan
10.73
Federal withholding tax
1,562.80
169,565.32
$203,917.66
Payments 1943 :
Per warrants $139,671.77
Without warrant:
State tax
2,250.00
State parks and reservation tax
67.05
Municipal audit of accounts
126.71
Penalty to make returns
7.00
Interest
10.73
Federal withholding tax
1,562.80
$143,696.06
Balance December 31, 1943
60,221.60
$203,917.66
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Balance January 1, 1944
$60,221.60
Receipts January 1 to 12, 1944
4,687.04
$64,908.64
Payments January 1 to 12, 1944 $670.60
Balance January 12, 1944:
Cash in office verified $8,586.97
Northampton National Bank 55,651.07
64,238.04
$64,908.64
Northampton National Bank
Balance January 12, 1944, per
statement $58,184.38
Balance January 12, 1944, per check book $55,651.07
Outstanding checks January 12, 1944, per list 2,533.31
$58,184.38
RECONCILIATION OF COLLECTOR'S CASH
Cash balances January 12, 1944, per tables :
Taxes 1941 $48.34
Taxes 1942. 27.10
Taxes 1943 8.40
Motor vehicle excise
taxes 1943 13.56
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Interest and costs on taxes 11.55
$108.95 .05
Excess cash January 12, 1944
$109.00
Cash on hand January 12, 1944, verified
$109.00
TAXES-1937
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per previous audit $32.76
Payments to treasurer 1943 $6.76
Outstanding December 31, 1943,
January 12, 1944, per list 26.00
$32.76
TAXES-1938
Outstanding January 1, 1943,
per previous audit $259.84
Audit adjustment :
Interest on taxes reported as taxes 1938 .80
$260.64
Payments to treasurer 1943
$157.95
Abatements 1943
19.89
Audit adjustment:
Abatement of taxes 1938
reported as taxes 1943 46.80
Outstanding December 31, 1943,
and January 12, 1944, per list 36.00
$260.64
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TAXES-1939
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per previous audit $764.03
Payments to treasurer 1943
$617.02
Abatements 1943
9.57
Outstanding December 31, 1943
137.44
$764.03
Outstanding January 1, 1944 $137.44
Payments to treasurer January 1 to 12, 1944 Outstanding January 12, 1944, per list 132.00
$5.44
$137.44
TAXES-1940
Outstanding January 1, 1943,
per previous audit $2,991.92
Payments to treasurer 1943
$2,748.80
Abatements 1943
41.12
Outstanding December 31, 1943,
and January 12, 1944, per list 202.00
$2,991.92
TAXES-1941
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per previous audit $7,976.25
Payments to treasurer 1943 $6,974.13
Abatements 1943 17.66
Outstanding December 31, 1943
984.46
$7,976.25
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Outstanding January 1, 1944 $984.46
Payments to treasurer January 1 to 12, 1944 $269.18
Outstanding January 12, 1944, per list 666.94
Cash balance January 12, 1944 48.34
$984.46
TAXES-1942
Outstanding January 1, 1943,
per previous audit
$24,270.17
Abatement after payment per
previous audit, to be refunded
2.00
$24,272.17
Payments to treasurer 1943
$21,004.09
Abatements 1943 39.92
Outstanding December 31, 1943
3,228.16
$24,272.17
Outstanding January 1, 1944 $3,228.16
Payments to treasurer January 1 to 12, 1944 $149.95
Outstanding January 12, 1944, per list 3,051.11
Cash balance January 12, 1944 27.10
$3,228.16
TAXES-1943
Commitment per warrant
$77,562.58
Additional commitment
8.00
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Audit adjustment : Abatement of taxes 1938 reported as taxes 1943 46.80
$77,617.38
Payments to treasurer 1943
$63,180.52
Abatements 1943
919.22
Transfers to tax titles 1943
89.60
Outstanding December 31, 1943
13,428.04
$77,617.38
Outstanding January 1, 1944
$13,428.04
Payments to treasurer January 1, to 12, 1944 $1,666.14
Outstanding January 12, 1944, per list
11,753.50
Cash balance January 12, 1944 8.40
$13,428.04
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1937
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per previous audit $70.11
Payments to treasurer 1943
$2.00
Outstanding December 31, 1943,
and January 12, 1944, per list
68.11
$70.11
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1938
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per
previous audit $2.00
Outstanding December 31, 1943,
and January 12, 1944, per list
57.81
$59.81
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MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1939
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per previous audit
$12.00
Payments to treasurer 1943 $12.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1940
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per
previous audit $26.00
Payments to treasurer 1943
$6.00
Outstanding December 31, 1943,
and January 12, 1944, per list
20.00
$26.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1941
Outstanding January 1, 1943, per previous audit $363.90
Payments to treasurer 1943
$207.53
Outstanding December 31, 1943,
and January 12, 1944, per list
156.37
$363.90
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1942
Outstanding January 1, 1943,
per previous audit $755.89
Additional commitment 1943 45.55
$801.44
Payments to treasurer 1943 $625.99
Abatement 1943 .25
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