USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1945-1950 > Part 30
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Electives - * Shop, *Home Economics, Music.
+Civics - 2 times a week *Shop - 3 times a week for boys *Home Economics - 3 times a week for girls
SOPHOMORES
College Course Required - English IIA, Biology.
Commercial Course Required - English IIB, Biology, Business Training, Typing I.
Vocational Course Required - English IIB, Biology, Agri- culture.
Electives - Plain Geometry, French I, Latin II, Typing I, Home Economics, Music.
JUNIORS
College Course Required - English IIIA, U. S. History. Commercial Course Required - English IIIB, U. S. His- tory, Shorthand I, Typing II.
Vocational Course Required - English IIIB, U. S. His- tory, Agriculture.
Electives - Chemistry, French II, Algebra II, Typing I, II, Latin II, Home Economics, Music.
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SENIORS
College Course Required - English IVA, Problems of Dem.
Commercial Course Required - English IVB, Problems of Dem., Shorthand II, Secretarial Practice, Book- keeping.
Vocational Course Required - English IVB, Problems of Dem., Agriculture.
Electives - Chemistry, French II, III, Algebra II, Typing I, II, Plane Geometry, Home Economics, Music. All students must take guidance.
SMITH ACADEMY GRADUATION - 1950
PROGRAM
Processional
The National Anthem
Secondary Education Today
Preparation For Higher Learning Mary Belden
Vocational Education Phyllis Pelis
Commercial Education Helen Backiel
Extra-curricular Activities Joyce Cantwell
Successful Practices in Secondary Schools
Bernard Saydlowski
The Beautiful Blue Danube
Strauss
You'll Never Walk Alone
Rodgers
Girls and Boys Glee Club
Presentation of Class Gift
John Barrett
Presentation of Awards
Principal John Jakobek
The Lost Chord
Sullivan
Girls and Boys Glee Club
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Presentation of Diplomas
William H. Dickinson
President of Smith Academy Board of Trustees School Song
Recessional
AWARDS
Pro Merito Pins - Mary Belden, Bernard Saydlowski Sons of the American Revolution - Dorothy Goodwin Becker College Scholarship Key - Phyllis Pelis St. Casimir's Society Honorarium - Bernard Saydlowski, Mary Belden, Joyce Cantwell
Rensselaer Polytechnic Award - Bernard Saydlowski D.A.R. Award - Carol Levitre
The Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Awards - Mary Belden, John Barrett
Hatfield Book Club Award - Margaret Englehardt Woman's Endeavor Society Award - Mary Belden M. Larkin Proulx Shield - John Barrett
Emily Post Good Manners Award - Mary Belden
GRADUATES
Helen L. Backiel John A. Barrett
*Mary L. Belden
Joyce M. Cantwell
Ann M. Kennedy Carol A. Levitre John M. Moriarty Antoinette Neilson Phyllis A. Pelis
George T. Coor
Dorothea M. Fortsch *Bernard K. Saydlowski
Francis Holhut Janet L. Vollinger
Robert C. Widelo
*Pro Merito
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Principal of Center School
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Com- mittee of Hatfield:
Sirs :
Parents having children enrolled in grades one through eight realize that we have installed a new system of report cards. These cards have a marking system that is vastly different from the percentage type of mark that we have used. The older type of grading was a grade rank rather than a rank for the individual.
Our present knowledge of the way children learn emphasizes the fact that no rigid standard should be set for children. If adults can be patient, they will find that by the time a child leaves a good elementary school, he will have adequate command of the fundamental skills. However, few of us have the patience to wait and let children grow at their own pace.
Adults would be spared much anxiety if they looked upon academic growth the same way they consider phys- ical growth. Each is a gradual process, which goes on at different rates for different children. Therefore, all ranks are intended for given individuals based on the individual's progress compared with his ability.
We wish all parents would make it a point to examine the card each time the child brings it home.
In bringing this phase of this report to a close, I should like to copy the second paragraph of the last page of the report card. "We believe that children make the
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greatest intellectual and habit forming growth when par- ents and teachers work together understandingly and sympathetically. We invite you to visit the school often. The teacher will gladly confer with you regarding your child's progress.
We have used the motion picture and the microscope more this past school year than ever before. The latter to acquaint us with material and objects at hand. The former to bring us information not found in texts or cur- rent reading matter.
A rich background of information is essential to com- prehension whether it be the spoken or written word. This factor of background of experience is a potent factor in reading ability at all age levels. There are few laymen who can "read" a technical article on vision or aerody- namics even though he can pronounce all the words.
Educational films, sponsored by many of the larger concerns i.e. railroads, stock exchange or General Motors, clearly portray by eye, ear, and association of ideas, ma- terial that otherwise would not be understood. This type of experience is a factor of paramount importance to stu- dents of all levels. Other available films help to bring us experiences in social graces that we are unable to other- wise present.
The pupils of the English classes have enjoyed using our new wire recorder. It is an enlightening experience to have your own voice speaking to you.
Last year a majority of the elementary school teach- ers completed a course in the development of reading for classroom teachers. This year the same teachers are studying Russian-American Relations. The course last year was of a technical nature. This year's study is en- tirely informative. Teachers believe that when a child
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asks a question relative to the present world crises, the child should receive an intelligent reply.
Pupils who have moved to other towns within the year have entered their classes to find themselves well prepared to do the work of the grade. This indicates that your elementary schools are on a sound basis. Parents working with the school department have made this fact possible.
In conclusion I wish to reiterate, "We invite you to visit the schools often."
RAYMOND N. JENNESS,
Principal of Center School.
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CENTER ELEMENTARY GRADUATION - 1950 PROGRAM
Scripture Song of the Saber
Joan Kalentek Gr. 6, 7, 8 Gr. 6, 7, 8
Whispering Hope Welcome
Bernard Goclowski
Man of and for the People
The Light That Did Not Fail
Man of Courage
Patricia Doppman Patricia Novak Robert Kowalski Gr. 6, 7, 8 Gr. 6, 7, 8 Gr. 6, 7, 8
An April Girl A Quiet Night
There's Music in the Air
Presentation of Liberty Awards
Mrs. Theresa Godin
Presentation of Penmanship Awards Principal Raymond Jenness
Presentation of Diplomas Superintendent Gordon Getchell
Class Song Star Spangled Banner
Class of '50 All
GRADUATES
Backiel, Pauline
Backiel, Peter
Balise, Janet
Baye, Robert
Brassord, Theresa Chandler, Margaret Doppman, Patricia
Gallant, Wallace
Goclowski, Bernard
Godzina, Joseph Gore, Gene Havlir, David
Jandzinski, Eugene Kalentek, Joan Kowalski, Robert
Kuzmeskas, Winifred Novak, Patricia Parmeter, Ann Smith, Charles Sheehan, Ann Toczko, Sally Vollinger, Richard Vollinger, Rita Wells, Judith Widelo, Thomas Wilkes, William Williams, Marion Yarrows, Bruce Zehelski, James Ziezulewicz, Joan
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Penmanship Supervisor
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Com- mittee of Hatfield :
I am pleased to submit the following report on the operation of the handwriting program in the Hatfield Schools for the school year of 1949-1950.
In the initial handwriting tests administered to your pupils in November 1946, 15.3% received a grade of "A" (Excellent) ; 22.9% received a grade of "B" (Good) ; and 61.7% scored less than "B". In the tests administered in June 1950, 96% of your pupils received a grade of "A"; 4% received a grade of "B"; and no pupils scored less than "B". Handwriting certificates were awarded to 100% of your graduates.
During the school year we graded approximately 2,250 formal and 6,750 informal handwriting samples for your pupils. A formal test was administered monthly and a report was furnished each teacher giving a careful diag- nosis of the handwriting of each pupil in her room.
We furnished the following instructional materials : monthly teachers' outlines, pupil folder outlines, room motivation certificates, handedness tests, individual hand- writing certificates for pupils who qualified, monthly and term envelopes, seals, etc.
My supervisors join with me in expressing our ap- preciation for the splendid cooperation we have received from you and your teachers at all times. We are very pleased with the results obtained in your schools.
W. L. RINEHART, Penmanship Supervisor.
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School Savings Representative
To the Superintendent of Schools and the Members of the Hatfield School Committee:
I am pleased to submit this information regarding your School Banking program in Hatfield.
This program is conducted by the three Savings Banks: Northampton Institution for Savings, Nonotuck Savings Bank, and the Florence Savings Bank.
The first bank day was May 23, 1950. There were two banking days, May 23 and May 31, and one transfer day before schools closed for the summer. On September 12 banking was resumed and has been performed every Tuesday from thereon.
There are 183 accounts in Hatfield. This includes Hatfield Center School, also the freshman class in the Academy. The percentage of participation from the be- ginning of banking until December 31, 1950 was 49%.
From the first banking day, May 23, to the end of December, 1950, the total deposits amounted to $1,655.43. Of this amount there was $1,181.00 transferred from the School Savings Pass Books to regular Savings Bank Books.
May I say in closing, that we have greatly appreciated the interest and cooperation Mr. Jenness has shown in our banking program, and wish to thank him and the teachers for their enthusiasm and great help in teaching the children the value of thrift by urging them to start School Savings accounts and to save a little each and every week.
VIOLETTE S. CONNORS,
School Savings Representative.
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School Nurse
To the Superintendent and School Committee, Hatfield, Mass .:
In regard to the study of normal health, it is im- portant to emphasize the fact that the problems of hy- gienic living touch the whole of life. An ideal of health as a quality of life renders the individual fit to live most and serve best.
For both old and young, such an ideal of social re- sponsibility may have real meaning and the Science of Health Education should be a prominent part of Modern Education of Youth. In every high school in the nation today boys and girls are looking forward to the day they can take their place in the ranks of those who are actively serving their country in peace or war. National morale and physical fitness depend largely upon individual good health. Outdoor sports and adequate rest help to achieve physical fitness. A healthy body with muscles that are well trained is of first importance in avoiding injury in sports and games that demand physical exertion. In any health-building program care must be taken not to at- tribute to exercise more than belongs to it.
There are many pupils who live physically active lives, but are lacking in vitality and vigor. There must also be appreciated in this connection the influence of mental status on physical health, and mental reactions to important factors in Health Education.
Mental and emotional reactions are so closely asso- ciated with the physical health that the modern school realizes the need of activities that are divertive. Music,
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drama, drawing, etc., keep the attention of the pupils of all grades interested in social attitudes of education.
The practice and teaching of disease prevention are fundamental in the Health Program. By means of the Immunization and X-ray Clinics the most serious infec- tions are under control to a considerable degree.
The Immunization Clinic will be held this spring; the date will be noted later. The X-ray Clinic for high school students, members of the faculty and employees connected with the school are included in the Clinic to be held Janu- ary 23.
The Dental Clinic has been of great value in maintain- ing the dental care of the teeth.
Pupils receiving dental corrections 68
Pupils receiving dental treatments 270
Private dental service 21
Tonsillectomy
6
Visual correction 12
Ten pupils attended a four-weeks vacation at Camp Hodgkins during the summer and enjoyed the splendid recreation and rest provided by the Camp facilities and splendid directors.
The Health Teaching Program at Smith Academy is as follows: First Aid and Safety Classes, Personal Hy- giene Classes, Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick in the Home Classes.
My sincere appreciation is extended to school officials, school physicians, teachers and parents for their coopera- tion in the School Health Program. May 1951 be as free from disturbing factors as 1950.
MARIAN HOLMES, R.N.
School Nurse.
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Director of Audio-Visual Aids
To the Superintendent of Schools and Members of the School Committee of Hatfield:
First of all what are these things called AUDIO- VISUAL AIDS? They are all those aids to teaching which appeal to the eye and ear of the student. They spread over all subject fields and grade levels. For speci- fic names of the aids they include: sound films, strip film, wire recording, maps, charts, slides, opaque projectors. The modern educator believes that when properly inte- grated into any course a real benefit can be derived by all the students through proper use of these aids.
With this thought in mind, our school board in Sep- tember of 1949, established a separate department to handle the ordering, distribution, running and planning for audio-visual aids. During that year we used forty- two films, film strips and slides, and set the program in running order.
At the end of the last school year each teacher was provided with a list of aids from which she could choose films, records, slides, etc., for the following year. These were ordered and scheduled for showing during this year.
We more than tripled the number of aids for use this year as well as adding a new 16 mm. sound projector and an opaque projector to our stock of equipment.
The suppliers of our materials include the University Extension Service, Western Mass. School Film Coopera- tive and several independent companies. The largest portion of our material comes from the Extension Service, free but for the transportation costs.
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When a piece of equipment arrives, the teacher is notified and plans are made for its preview, after which a schedule of showings is arranged. Student operators, without whom we could not operate efficiently, do the big- gest part of the projecting and running of the equipment. There is a two-fold reason for the use of student operators - one being the fact that by so doing a young man has a chance to learn about the wide range of equipment and develop a certain amount of responsibility for his actions and a second, the fact that the teacher of the class in which the aid is being used does not have to divide her time between the instrument and the class.
What equipment is available to the students in Hat- field in the line of audio-visual aids ?
We have at our disposal one new 16 mm. sound pro- jector, one wire recorder, two 35 mm. combination slide and film strip projectors, two movie screens, one public address system and a quantity of slides and strip films covering the various subject fields.
The audio-visual aids department has not done won- ders by any means, but it is a good, strong, healthy, grow- ing condition where it can be of some use to the school and community.
Our plans for the future are to continue the program already started, improving it in light of the experience we gain, to reach every grade so that the whole system has at its constant disposal all the best means of audio- visual aids that it is possible for our budget to provide.
EDWARD R. CASSIDY,
Audio-Visual Aids Director.
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Physical Director
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Com- mittee of Hatfield :
I hereby submit my annual report as Supervisor of Physical Education in the Public Schools of Hatfield.
Before enlarging upon the major part of this re- port, may I re-emphasize what I had stated in previous reports concerning the general aim of physical education. The latter is interested in providing through various play activities the oportunity for the child and youth to de- velop a healthful, integrated personality, to live life to the fullest - both in the present and in the future. Whereas, educating the youth for adult life is essential, the child, ultimately, must be taught to live happily as he goes about the task of preparing for adult living. Thus is established the hope that those participating in this physical education program of ours will have ac- quired a vast number of social knowledges and proper at- titudes essential to proper living. At the same time proper mental attitudes of the pupils will have been stimu- lated through physical activity and will result in such outcomes as, initiative, perserverance, co-operation, self- control, courage, courtesy, sympathy, and loyalty.
CENTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL Classification of Activities
1. At the beginning of school last September the Phys- ical Education program was broadened to include Grade 5 (boys and girls) so that at this writing ar- rangements have been made to accommodate Grades
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5, 6, 7, and 8 as an integral unit in the Center Gram- mar School.
The following groupings of activities satisfies our needs and our purposes :
1. Games of low organization - dodge ball, Indian hit-pin, prisoner's base, Newcomb, long-base, Captain ball.
2. Team games - softball, basketball, touch foot- ball, soccer, volleyball.
3. Relays and contests - basketball dribbling, goal throwing relay, shuttle relays, caterpillar relays.
4. Gymnastics - free exercises, calisthenics, tumb- ling (elementary), marching, pyramids.
5. Defense activities - boxing (shadow), Indian wrestling.
6. Rhythmical - social dancing.
THE HIGH SCHOOL
A decided change for the better has been worked out this year in the High School involving those boys who are participating in the three major interschool compe- titive sports, namely : basketball, baseball, and soccer.
Since these boys are practicing every afternoon throughout most of the school year, it has been deemed advisable by the administration to excuse them from "gym" classes. At the same time, all seniors (boys and girls) have likewise been given the same permission. Un- der this change, more emphasis by the physical director toward the lower grade levels has been applied with the result that Grade 5 has been included in our physical edu- cation curriculum. It is the hope of the administration and the Physical Education Department that Grade 4 will also be included in the general plan.
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Classification of Activities
1. Team games - softball, basketball, soccer, touch football, speedball, volleyball.
2. Individual games - badminton, handball.
3. Gymnastics - free exercises, calisthenics, tumbling, pyramids.
4. Track and Field games - cross-country running, high jump, broad jump, hurdles.
5. Rhythmical - social dancing.
Tournament Play
As usual, a badminton tournament for the Senior High School girls has been conducted, followed by a bas- ketball tournament for both the High School and Center Grammar School. These two tournaments were very popular with the pupils and a great demand for the con- tinuation of such an event has been requested by the majority of those who participated in previous tourna- ments. This occasion is the turning point in our winter schedule, as a great deal of enthusiasm is manifested on the part of those participating.
JOHN F. SYMANCYK,
Physical Director.
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Supervisor of Music
To the Superintendent and the School Committee of Hat- field :
"Music is the smile of education smoothing out frowns, giving dimples in place of wrinkles, and when rightly developed in the children, stays with them and enriches their lives."
In reviewing our work in music during the past year, I will list the public appearances, knowing that you will realize the intensive training leading up to these events.
For Memorial Day the children of the first four grades sang "America" by Ernest Bloch ; the Junior High Chorus sang "Lift Thine Eyes" by Mendelssohn and the Smith Academy Choral Club presented "The Vision" a Netherlands Air. The Junior High School Chorus also prepared quite an extensive program for the Eighth Grade Graduation.
Elective Music in Smith Academy continues to be most satisfactory. The Girls and Boys Glee Club and the Choral Club have been very active during the past year. The usual programs for school events were presented at the school play, prize speaking, Memorial Day and Gradu-
The Woman's Endeavor expressed a very kindly in- terest in our young people by inviting these groups to sing at one of their meetings. Another high-light in our school year was the active part which our students took in the Western Massachusetts Music Festival held in May at Northampton.
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The clubs and our soloist Bernard Saydlowski, '50, prepared a program to sing before a board of judges. They rceeived a very gratifying rating, being marked on appearance, attention, tonality, pitch and quality, inter- pretation, rhythm, musicianship and posture, also con- duct.
Our clubs and soloist by their musical work and con- duct at all of these occasions were a very great credit to themselves, their parents, their school and their town. We are very proud of them all.
They also took an active part in the choral assembly of nearly two thousand voices held at the John M. Greene Hall and marched in the thrilling parade to the High School Field where the band assembly took place.
We hope to take part in this May Festival which will be held in Palmer. We also hope to enter our Junior High School Chorus. This is a very valuable experience in the school life of our students.
The co-operation of our Superintendent, Mr. Getchell, the members of the School Board, the principals, teachers, students, and parents is a great inspiration and I wish to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one.
MAUDE E. BOYLE,
Supervisor of Music.
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Art Supervisor
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Com- mittee of Hatfield :
I am pleased to submit my fourth annual report con- cerning the art program in the Hatfield schools. In my report a year ago I listed five factors that appeared to be important as a foundation for our program and I am pleased to report that a great deal of attention is being given to a further building of the program on this founda- tion.
Since I became your supervisor one of the impedi- ments for the development of such a program has been differences of opinion between teaching staff and super- visor as to the best way to present the subject content of art to the children. Such differences can best be resolved only by constant interchange of ideas concerning the methods of teaching art and during the past three years these differences have largely been resolved. As a result a fundamental philosophy, with which we are all in gen- eral agreement, is being evolved. Basically, it recognizes that under proper conditions children are capable of ex- pressing themselves in a personal and creative manner and toward this end children are being encouraged to pre- sent in visual form their reactions to the everyday hap- penings in their lives.
Last Spring an invitation was extended to me to speak at one of the meetings of the Hatfield Parent-Teach- er Council. The topic designated was the place of art in the Hatfield Schools and I was grateful for the oppor-
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tunity to discuss with some of the parents many of the aspects of our art program.
The most interesting work is being done in the field of painting and the recent addition of pre-mixed poster paint of a good quality will aid in furthering the em- phasis along these lines. However, attention is being given to work in other media; new techniques are being introduced yearly; new concepts and new ways of seeing are being suggested in an attempt to keep the program well rounded.
Much of the credit for the continued development of the art program belongs to the classroom teachers for it is largely through their own initiative during the inter- vening days between my visits that the work planned is carried through.
RICHARD E. GABEL,
Supervisor of Art.
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CORPS OF TEACHERS 1950 - 1951
Smith Academy
Yrs. of Exp. in Exp. Hatfield
John Jakobek, A.B., M.A. (U. of M., West Texas State, Union), Principal, Chem- istry, Algebra II
8 7
Edward Cassidy, A.B. (St. Anselm, U. of M., Boston University), Coach, Dir. of Visual Aids, English, Bookkeeping, U. S. History, Business Training
2 2
George C. Feiker, B.S. (Univ. of Mass.), Agriculture, Shop
2 2
Florence Muller, A.B. (Wheaton College), Coach, World Hist., Algebra I, French I, Plane Geometry, Latin II 16
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