USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1936-1944 > Part 29
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
Following the resignation of Mrs. Godin, Mrs. Jennie Yarrows was appointed supervisor of the school lunch program. Mrs. Yarrows, who worked in close cooperation with Mrs. Godin during the past few years, is doing an excellent piece of work in maintaining the high quality of our school lunch program.
The following statistics concerning the operation of our school lunch program are submitted for examination :
Number of Days and Number of Meals Served
Month
No. Lunch Days
No. Meals Served
January
21
4680
February
18
4031
March
23
4841
April
13
2581
80
May
18
3466
June
7
1268
September
15
3352
October
20
4666
November
18
4303
December
16
3795
169 days
36,983 meals
Financial Summary
Expenditures :
Wages
$3,307.10
Food
4,135.11
Fuel
113.00
Ice
26.52
Telephone
1.00
Equipment
453.05
Miscellaneous Supplies
125.80
Total expenditures
$8,161.58
Income :
Receipts from sale of lunches
$4,890.24
Reimbursement from Common-
wealth
3,257.16
Total income
$8.147.40
Adult Education
The extension of school facilities and instruction to the adults of the town has now become a matter of com- monly accepted educational procedure.
No longer is the school program designed merely to accommodate the children; it is designed to accommodate the entire community without regard to age or present educational background.
For example, our agricultural department has an excellently equipped shop that has been planned to serve
81
the farm men of the community. This is the third year that evening courses in farm machinery repair have been offered to adults by this department of our local high school. Any man in the community, who has need of such a course, may enroll at any time by contacting Principal Clarence J. Larkin or Instructor Joseph Bart.
Some of the Hatfield women have taken advantage of the various evening courses offered by the vocational school in Northampton. Every adult, man or woman, is entitled to take short evening courses at the Northamp- ton Vocational School. Further information about such courses may be had from the superintendent of schools or from Philip Fox, Director of the Vocational School.
The Massachusetts Department of Education, Divi- sion of University Extension, offers numerous corre- spondence courses of various grades in mathematics, English, science, history, geography, aviation, blue print, making and others too numerous to mention in this space. Frequent notices about these courses are posted on the town-hall bulletin board and about our school buildings. There is a course to fit the needs of every adult in this community.
Miss Mary L. Guyton, Supervisor of Adult Civic Education, called recently upon your superintendent. Miss Guyton pointed out in the course of her visit that there are still many people in Hatfield who have not arrived at citizenship. This fact points toward the pos- sibility of the establishment of classes to help these people to become citizens. Your superintendent is inter- ested to know how many people in Hatfield would be in- terested in forming an adult class aimed at helping them to become citizens of the United States.
If enough persons are interested in the formation of such a class, the school committee would be glad to institute one. There are several members of our staff who are qualified to teach such courses.
82
Pupil Health
In line with the statements made in the 1943 town report, the Trustees of Smith Academy and the School Committee of Hatfield have continued their practice of bettering the existing lighting of school classrooms.
The trustees installed fluorescent lighting in the large north study-hall and their intention is to do like- wise in the south study hall before the opening of an- other school year. The home economics laboratory was similarly equipped.
The School Committee of Hatfield installed indus- trial fluorescent lighting units in the school shop and the same type of lighting will be supplied in all of the classrooms in the Center Elementary School.
The saving of the eyesight of our children, through this type of lighting, is inestimable.
Testing Vision
Last year I mentioned the necessity for equipment to conduct the approved Massachusetts Vision Test.
I am happy to report that we now own all of the materials necessary to conduct this important test, and that Nurse Holmes is making constant use of it.
The High School
Iowa Tests of Educational Development
In order to provide the principal of the high school and the superintendent of schools with objective informa- tion concerning the educational development of each pupil, the Iowa Tests of Educational Development were administered in the high school.
These particular tests provide information on each pupil and on the whole high school in such a manner that instruction and guidance may be better adapted to the peculiar needs and abilities of each individual pupil. The information furnished on the whole school provides valid bases on which to revise the curriculum.
83
The objectives measured by the Iowa Tests of Edu- cational Development are indicated by the following list of titles of the individual tests :
1. Test of Understanding of Basic Social Concepts.
2. Test of Background in the Natural Sciences.
3. Test of Correctness in Writing.
4. Test of Ability to Do Quantitative Thinking.
5. Test of Ability to Interpret Reading Materials in the Social Studies.
6. Test of Ability to Interpret Reading Materials in the Natural Sciences.
7. Test of Ability to Interpret Literary Materials.
8. Test of General Vocabulary
9. Test of Use of Sources of Information.
The norms on these tests are based on a sample of over 50,000 high-school students in 290 different schools, therefore, they represent an unusual statistical reli- ability.
Mr. Larkin and I plan to use the results of these tests in a long-term program to improve our curriculum offerings.
Extension of Art Instruction
Our program of art instruction in the elementary schools has met with an unusual degree of success. The art projects from grades one through eight are many and varied. Much pupil talent is discovered that other- wise would remain dormant and uncultured.
To be consistent with this worthwhile program, the offerings should not stop short of the secondary school level. We should continue to nuture talent in the high school because it is here that such skills, attitudes and appreciations become more firmly fixed in the individual pupil.
The school committee has decided to place such instruction on trial for the remainder of the school year.
84
The Elementary School
Professional Improvement of Teachers
All of our elementary school teachers pursued courses during the past school year.
The teachers of grades one through five accompanied the superintendent to Greenfield where a Harvard-Bos- ton University course was given in the improvement of reading instruction and study skills. The course was given by Professors Durrell, Chase, Sullivan, and Murphy of Boston University.
The teachers of grades six through eight accompan- ied Principal Jenness to Northampton where Dr. Elmer Ekblaw of Clark University gave a course in the "Fun- damentals of Geography."
ยท All of these teachers are to be greatly praised for their 100% turnout to these professional improvement sessions.
Elementary Science
In my report of last year, I noted the neglect of science instruction in our elementary school.
I am pleased to report that a beginning has been made in grade five with the introduction there of the Audubon Society's work in conservation and nature-lore.
By another year, this type of work should be ex- tended into the sixth grade, and exploratory courses in science should be opened in grades seven and eight.
Conclusion
At a time when other communities have lost valu- able members of their teaching staff, Hatfield has been fortunate in retaining a group of very superior teachers both in the elementary and high schools.
85
The services performed by these teachers cannot be estimated in terms of dollars and cents. They are indeed priceless.
Let us, as citizens, bend every effort to let these teachers know that we truly appreciate their unselfish efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
GILBERT D. BRISTOL,
Superintendent of Schools.
Principal of Center School
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee of Hatfield:
Sirs :
In submitting my second report I think it well to mention two pieces of old business.
Lunch program: The school lunch program is functioning at the same high rate of efficiency, with well planned hot meals available every school day. The chil- dren of the Center School care for their own traffic situa- tions and it is a pleasure to see the three eighth grade and one seventh grade children marshall the scholars to the lunchroom, check, and return the children to school grounds.
The traffic aides are: Patricia Mullins, Alvin Rejniak, Clifford Belden, Jr., and Leonard Klekot.
School Bus: Last year I reported that the in- terests of the pupils would be better served if we had the services of a second bus. The second bus has been promised but at the time of this writing has not mater- ialized. Let us hope that rationing and red tape will soon be a thing of the past.
The services of a second bus are particularly es- sential during the winter months.
More than two years ago the History Club under the guidance of Miss Jean Kempisty, began the weekly sale of stamps and bonds. This savings feature became a fixture in our program and the children and teachers add to their growing savings every Monday morning. The idea of saving a definite sum, however small, each week is a creditable procedure that we hope the pupils will con- tinue.
87
The children of the Center Schools have recently completed the collecting and drying of forty odd bags of milkweed pods. These pods are on their way to War Hemp Industries, Inc., Petoskey, Michigan, where the floss will be made into linings for aviators' combination packets and life preservers.
The subject of physical education in the elementary schools has been discussed at various times with the prospect of a continued physical education program in mind. As it now stands, only the boys and girls of grades seven and eight receive such instruction and this in- struction is limited because of instructor shortages. Next September we may be able to have other teachers available by combining two small classes in departmental work at a time when the Town Hall is not in use. The real solution is a gymnasium of our own. Such a room could also be used as a much needed auditorium.
It looks as if we were on our way to establishing science courses in the Center School. Under the guidance of Miss Boland, the Audubon Society's program of nature study is being carried on in grade five. Before another year is out we expect that classes in other forms of science work will be established in the higher grades.
Miss Marie Proulx, the teacher of grade one, left us in November to teach in Northampton. We will miss the services of Miss Proulx but as her new work is of her choosing and the position far more lucrative, we can only wish her the best of success. Mrs. Fitzgerald, who formerly taught the lower grades in Bradstreet and more lately served as special aid teacher in the center build- ing, is ably teaching our first grade.
Mrs. Raymond N. Jenness is employed on half time as special teacher.
At one time during the school year 100% of the teachers from both School Street and Center Schools
88
were taking courses in reading or geography. The staff is really going about improving itself professionally.
The geography was taught by Dr. W. E. Ekblaw from Clark University.
The reading by Dr. Durrell and others from Boston University.
Nearly all of the students who graduated last year have continued their studies. This is making the best use of grade school training.
My sincere thanks go to teachers, Mr. Brehm and the pupils who aided in the maintenance of our building during the first weeks of Mr. Smith's illness. This type of spirit prevails throughout the school system and for such cooperation I herewith extend my thanks, and to parents my appreciation for your support.
REYMOND N. JENNESS,
Principal Center Schools.
School Health Report
To the Superintendent and Members of the School Committee, Hatfield, Massachusetts.
It is of value to think of health as that condition of the individual that makes possible the highest enjoy- ment of life, the greatest constructive work that shows itself thru' services to the world and mankind. Health involves keeping the mind and body at the highest levels, living at one's best, under social, mental, physical and academic requirements. There is no doubt as to the seriousness of the situation facing young people at this time. The continual din by the public on the subject of "Juvenile Delinquency" may be well-meaning in its intent but problematical as to the effect and benefit on the minds of Youth.
The responsibility of home and school cannot be denied, but Youth must learn to cooperate thru' under- standing rather than coercion. In this fact lies the basis of our recreational program and health knowledge teach- ing program. The interest shown by the students and in- structors in the recreational and physical education pro- grams is of importance to the development of good physi- cal and mental attitudes on the part of all the student body taking part.
The thorough, careful physical examination of the pupils given by the school physicians, the splendid luncheon provided for the students, the Immunization Clinic, the X-ray Clinic, all factors prove the interest of the Community in the welfare of the young people. The general health of the pupils during the school year has been good. The few cases of communicable disease were mild and terminated without complications. The
90
physical examination of the Primary grade class entering school show well developed, healthy children.
The regular annual X-ray examination of the High School students and several adults related to the student was held during the spring term as follows:
High School X-rays, negative 62
Grammar School X-rays, negative
3
Primary School X-ray, negative
1
Adult X-rays, negative 7
Report of Physical Corrections-
Students having dental corrections 98
Visual corrections 16
Nose and throat corrections
12
Under supervision Orthopedic Clinic
6
Under Shriner's Hospital Supervision 2
Children attending Health Camp, four weeks 3
Health Teaching Report-
First Aid and Safety classes
Home Hygiene and Personal Hygiene classes
Child Care and Home Nursing classes
Science of Public Health and Disease Prevention classes
Elementary Physiology and Health Knowledge classes
To the school physicians, teachers, parents, Local and State departments assisting in the school health program, I extend my sincere appreciation for their help and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN HOLMES, R. N.
January 8, 1945.
Supervisor of Music
To the Superintendent of Schools and the
Members of the School Committee:
"Music is the smile of education smoothing out frowns, giving dimples in places of wrinkles and gets into the life of boys and girls and stays there into man- hood and womanhood."
Music is a great factor in education and no one subject contributes more to the cultural, moral and social life of the child and no subject is more attractive.
It is of untold value in developing mental alertness through thinking instantly of a syllable of word, of pitch and tone value; of self control through sight singing and individual work.
The cultural development of music includes Eng- lish in its classics set to melody, oral and written work for individual expression. It also includes mathematics in its time problems and rhythm. Health education in its breath control involving lung development and its in- fluence in temperament and poise.
It correlates with history and geography in folk songs of many lands.
Our plan of music education is to teach our chil- dren the proper use of the singing voice; to cure mono- tones as far as possible; to develop song singing and song repertory ; to give preparation and practice in the princi- ples of music and understanding of rhythmic principles and harmony which is developed through part singing.
It is safe to say that progress has been made in many of these phases.
I wish to express my deepest appreciation to our superintendent, members of the school board, principals and teachers for their sincere cooperation.
MAUDE E. BOYLE, Supervisor of Music.
Principal of Smith Academy
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee of Hatfield:
I hereby submit my fourth annual report as Princi- pal of Smith Academy.
The opening enrollment of one hundred and four this fall was exactly the same as that of last year, ex- cept that this year we have no post-graduate students in attendance. One of our present seniors enlisted in the Navy in December. We have also lost other boys who left to go to work. In this group some, no doubt, were influenced by the realization of their inevitable fate because they had not been maintaining their normal grade levels. It seems difficult to make some pupils real- ize, until it is too late, that they definitely will not re- ceive credit unless a certain degree of proficiency is at- tained. Our standards, although rigidly maintained, are not so high that we have yet found any student whose ability was not equal to it. All of our failures, except among freshmen, can be attributed to lack of proper ap- plication. Many pupils who failed to do good work as freshmen, have done excellent work as upper classmen.
The transition from grade school work to high school work is apt to be quite severe for many students. In high school the student is immediately faced with the responsibility of preparing his own home work on his own time. He may do some in school and some at home. At home, habits must be adjusted so that conditions will be suitable for proper study. This is an important matter that parents should consider seriously. The ideal place to study should be well lighted, comfortably heated, and
93
away from the ordinary disturbances of a busy family. In addition to his school responsibilities, the high school student is most probably faced with increased demand for his services in the home and on the farm. This, of course, has been aggravated because so many families have boys in the service. This condition must not be allowed to be used as an excuse for failure to our students to put forth their best efforts both in school and on the farm, so that they may justify their station in life in the face of the sacrifices that are being made by their older brothers in the service.
In the spring Mr. Gilbert Bristol resigned from our faculty to devote his full time to the superintendency. Mr. Joseph Bart of Northampton was elected to fill the vacancy in the Agriculture Department. Mr. Bart came to us after having taught three years at the Bristol County Agriculture School. He was graduated from Massachusetts State College in 1941. He has already proved himself an excellent teacher in all phases of the work in his department.
For the third successive winter the Agriculture De- partment is sponsoring a unit course in Farm Machinery Repair. Many pieces of machinery loaned by the federal government have been installed in the farm shop. Reg- ular classes are held on Monday and Thursday evenings and enrollment is open to anyone sixteen years of age or older.
Although courses are being revamped continually and more up-to-date texts are being introduced, the only real changes in our program this fall have been the re- turn of French III and the dropping of the course in aeronautics. These adjustments are made to meet the demands of our students. As other demands arise, changes will be made to meet them in so far as it is possible.
94
The new course in Office Practice, introduced last year and taught by Mrs. Margaret Pruzynski, has proved to be an excellent course. At the close of the last acad- emic year two federal agencies, the Civil Service Commis- sion and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, sent rep- resentatives to the school to give examinations in the commercial field. Three of the pupils in this course took the FBI examinations and the others took the Civil Service tests. Everyone received a certifying grade and was eligible for appointment to clerical positions with the federal government.
Our school program is based upon a seven-period day. During each period an opportunity for supervised study is afforded.
This is our present program:
Period 1
2
3
4
5
6 7
Teacher
Miss
English English
Ryan
IV A
I A
Study
English Free English English 3-4 B or Study III A II A
Mrs. Muller
Latin French French Free French Latin
Study
II
I
II or Study II
I
Mr. Jakobek
World General U. S.
Biology Study Hist'y Science History Study
Prob- lems of Dem'cy
Solid Geometry Plane Algebra Algebra
Mr. Larkin
Free
Chemistry
& Trig. Geom. I II
Short-
Busi- ness
Mrs. O'Neill
English Office Book- English Office
1 B
keeping 2 B
hand 1 Training
Mrs.
Typ- ing 2
Office
Typ- ing
Typ- ing
Short- Business hand
Arith- Study
Pruzynski
Practice 1
1
2
metic
95
Period
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Miss Connelly
Household Arts 2
Study
Household Arts 1
Mr.
Bart
Agriculture 3 & 4
Free
Agriculture 1 & 2
A feature of our extra-curricular work, the Senior Class play, has been revived after having been dormant for many years. During this past year two senior plays have been given. They were staged under the direction of Miss Mary Ryan, and both were excellent productions, well cast, and superbly done.
During Education Week in November open house was held on Thursday evening. This was of sufficient success to warrant its annual recurrence. I should like, however, to recommend that in another year the high school open session be held on some evening other than the one on which classes are held in the Center School. Frankly, the competition was a bit too strong for us, and many parents did not get to visit us until late in the evening.
The Household Arts quarters have been completely redecorated under the direction of Miss Margaret Con- nelly. The draperies and the slip covers were made by the girls in the department and much of the painting was done by them with the help of the boys from the Agri- culture Department.
The soccer team under Coach John Jakobek has won its second successive championship in the Hampshire County Soccer League.
The Smith Academy Board of Trustees has been maintaining a paternal interest in our physical welfare. Much new fluorescent lighting has been installed this past year. For this we wish to express our appreciation.
96
In June the following students were presented di- plomas by the President of the Board of Trustees Wil- liam H. Dickinson:
Henry P. Betsold
Janet Moskowicz
Laura S. Bielecki
Edward C. Paszek
Sophy A. Cackowski
Sophie S. Piankowski
Charles A. Drake
Helen A. Serowik
Edith N. Filipek
Verna M. Skorupski
Clara B. Toczydlowski
Helen M. Kochan *Mary B. Majeski Edward L. Malinowski
Albert S. Vachula
Irene A. Zelewicz
Vera M. Mielesko
Edward P. Zima
*Pro Merito
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE J. LARKIN,
Principal.
The Commonwealthof. Massachusetts Departmentof Certurationsand: Lasalun Devision of Acounts
Plate House, Boston.
February 12, 1945.
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Edward S. Prew, 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, 1944, 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 Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, THEODORE N. WADDELL,
Director of Accounts.
98
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, 1944, and submit the following report thereon:
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments collecting or disbursing money for the town, or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified.
The surety bonds of the town clerk, town treasurer, tax collector, and water collector, were examined and found to be in proper form.
The recorded receipts for licenses issued by the board of selectmen were checked with the records of li- censes granted, and the payments to the treasurer were verified. The surety bonds filed with the town by the in- dividuals to whom liquor licenses were issued were exam- ined and found to be in proper form.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checked in detail. The recorded re- ceipts were checked with the books of the departments collecting money for the town and with the treasurer's record of receipts, while the payments were compared with the approved treasury warrants and the treasurer's record of disbursements.
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.