USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1951-1957 > Part 10
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 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
State House
Children welcomed by Secretary of State Cronin. Guided tour of Governor's office and council chambers.
91
Museum of Natural History
Exhibit of original Leonardo de Vinci inventions. Snake and porcupine exhibit. Models of chemical plants. Atomic display.
U. S. Constitution-Guided tour of the ship.
Bunker Hill Monument-Climbed to summit and en- Joyed the view.
Museum of Fine Arts-Exhibits of famous painters and sculptors. Displays of ancient civilizations.
Another Boston trip is planned for this year with a change of itinerary. Such a school project truly comes within the category of social science.
The position of school nurse is now being filled on a full school-time basis, with the new health center estab- lished on the second floor of the Center School. This service, along with our hot lunch program, tends to point up the fifth cardinal principle of education, "To conserve, advance and establish the physical and mental health of each pupil.
Twenty-six students received certificates at our class day in June. As of September, all twenty-six po- ple were continuing their schooling. This in itself speaks well for the associations between school, home, parent and pupil.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND N. JENNESS,
Principal, Center Schools.
92
School Nurse
To the Superintendent and the School Committee:
School Health Education is a vital part of the whole educational process by which each child is guided and helped in his efforts to achieve his maximum development. The three large-scale operations in a school health pro- gram are: provision for health instruction, provision of health and medical service, the providing of conditions con- ducive to healthful living in school.
In the field of health instruction belong the functions concerned with the acquirement by the child of the knowl- edge, understanding, habits, skills, and attitudes which are necessary for the appreciation of, desire for, and state of, good health. The school health services include the determination of the child's health by the school physi- cian and measures taken for the prevention or correction of adverse physical conditions; the daily health inspec- tions by the classroom teachers for signs of communica- ble disease and physical defects which arise between med- ical examinations; and the handling of emergency illness and accidents. School health is concerned with healthful living conditions including the physical, mental and emo- tional environment of the child while in school.
Recent physical examinations revealed that the gen- eral health of each child was good. Parents were noti- fied of the physical defects and arrangements were made for corrections. Conferences were held with the teach- ers for further observations of children with the defects.
93
A dental clinic was held in the spring. Many chil- dren attended this clinic and had dental work done. Mem- bers of the Parent-Teachers Council assisted with the clerical work during this clinic.
The only communicable diseases reported during the school year were measles and whooping cough. Several children who were exposed to the measles received the anti-measles globulin injection from their family physi- cians.
Four girls and three boys enjoyed a four-weeks' stay at Camp Hodgkins this summer. A report from the camp staff revealed that each child was X-rayed and the findings were negative.
In May, 47 children were registered for the first grade. At this time parents submitted information in re- gard to the past health of the child and any condition at that time that would warrant attention during the school year.
A course in Home Nursing, Child Care, and Person- al Hygiene was started for freshman girls at the high school.
During my term as your school nurse, I attended two conferences for school nurses at the Northampton high school on the new school health law. Discussions relative to the law included the following recommendations:
1. Vision and auditory testing of each child in the first grade and every second year thereafter.
2. Child's height and weight to be measured annual- ly.
3. Stress was given to the importance of the pres- ence of a parent during physical examinations; these ex- aminations to be done during the first year of entrance and at intervals of 3 or 4 years thereafter.
94
Part of the health program now nearing completion is the individual testing of the pupil's eyes. This is done with the Massachusetts Vision Test, a highly accurate de- vice for screening school children's eyes. Those students that pass the test are not handicapped as far as vision is concerned. Those individuals that fail to pass the test are rechecked. Any one failing the second examination is advised to see their eye specialist. As with the physical examination, parents are invited to discuss the results of these tests with the school authorities.
Hearing testing will follow some time during the be- ginning of the year. Plans are being made to conduct a Tuberculin Test and X-ray clinic in the near future.
My sincere appreciation is extended to the teachers, parents, superintendent and school committee for the in- terest and cooperation given to me. To Dr. Robert Byrne and Dr. Alfred Kaiser, I express my gratefulness for their interest, advice and support in the successful inauguration of all these desirable health activities.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCILLE H. GODEK, R. N.
95
Visiting Nurse
To the Citizens of Hatfield:
It is with pleasure that we submit to you, our spon- sors, the following report of the Visiting Nurse Associa- tion.
The total number of visits made by Mrs. Godek were 178, which are classified as follows:
Chronic Medical
278
Acute Medical
44
Surgical 58
New Born
17
Child Welfare
36
Public Health
45
Total
478
In addition to the above work, two Well Child Clinics were held in the community room. In May, Dr. Claire Manwell of Northampton examined 46 children and in Oc- tober, Dr. Stephen Brown, also of Northampton, exam- ined 46 children. Mrs. Rose Schoonmaker of Amherst was nutritionist at both clinics.
Our expenses and receipts for 1952 were :
Balance as of Jan. 1, 1952 $680.39
96
Receipts from : Visiting Nurse Town
$347.00
1,000.00
Total Receipts
$1,347.00
Total Cash
$2,027.39
Expenses :
Nurse's Salary
$1,300.00
Mileage
97.43
Telephone
21.00
Printing of checks
2.25
Social Security
18.84
Bank Charge
1.23
Total Expense $1,440.75
Balance as of Jan. 1, 1953
$586.64
Respectfully submitted,
ETHEL I. BYRNE,
Chairman, Nursing Advisory Committee.
97
Vocational Agricultural Department
To the Superintendent of Schools and School Committee of Hatfield :
It is a pleasure for me to submit my second report concerning the Hatfield Vocational Agricultural program.
In my opinion, farming is no longer a trade in which skill is the only desirable teaching objective. What is needed today and tomorrow is a trained mind and a broad understanding of the fundamentals of agriculture and enough vocational training so that the beginner will know enough about farming procedures to make a creditable start.
Because of this fact, the University of Massachusetts and the State Department of Vocational Education make it possible for superior students of agriculture to be con- sidered for admission to a four-year college training lead- ing to the degree of Bachelor of Vocational Education. These students may study in the fields of floriculture, poultry, animal husbandry, olericulture, pomology and dairying.
Our courses in your high school are as practical as we can make them, including farm work and real voca- tional experiences such as arc welding, woodworking, ma- chine maintenance, etc., with enough academic work to understand, but not defeat, a practical training for farm- ing.
Our program for the year 1951-1952 included the fol- lowing activities and outstanding results :
98
1. 90% participation in ownership projects and other supervised farm work.
2. Cooperation in school and commuity with apple spray program, soil testing, milk testing, and treatment of poultry flocks for coccidiosis control. Installation of F.F.A. chapter officers for Smith Agricultural school. Care and maintenance of athletic field for the year.
3. Leadership in state and national contests:
1st place Eastern States egg judging contest-win- ning team and two highest individuals in the state,
State team for NEPPCO egg judging contest, Har- risburg, Pa., finishing third in 13 states.
Highest scoring boy in the state at the Interscholas- tic poultry judging at the University of Massachusetts and fourth place as a team, fifth place as a team in the Interscholastic vegetable judging contest,
First place exhibit to represent state of Massachu- setts at National FFA convention, Kansas City, Mo.
In concluding my report I would like to once again thank all those who have helped to make the agricultural program work and improve its objectives to set the stage for our children's benefit.
GEORGE C. FEIKER,
Instructor.
99
School Savings Representative
To the Superintendent of Schools and the Members of the Hatfield School Committee:
May I take this opportunity to again report on your School Savings Program in the Hatfield schools.
As has been stated before, this program is conducted by the three mutual savings banks-Florence Savings Bank, Nonotuck Savings Bank and Northampton Inst tu- tion for Savings.
Banking has been conducted each Tuesday since the first bank day in Hatfield, May 23, 1950, with the excep- tion of the Tuesdays set aside for the transferring of money to regular savings accounts.
There are now 250 accounts in Hatfield. This in- cludes Center school and a few in the freshman and scpho- more classes in Smith Academy. School Street starts banking each year some time in January.
The sum banked by school children last year-from September, 1951, to June, 1952-was $3,230.05. The amount transferred to regular savings accounts for the same period was $3,156.35. These figures show an in- crease over the previous year; however, the percentage of participation is a little lower, 40.8%.
We should like again to express our appreciation to Mr. Jenness for his splendid cooperation. So much de- pends upon Mr. Jenness' enthusiasm and assistance.
100
May we also thank the teachers for their cooperation and help in impressing upon the children the importance of opening school savings accounts.
We hope that the children will realize more and more the value of thrift in their daily lives and form the habit of saving something, no matter how little, each week.
VIOLETTE S. CONNORS, School Savings Director.
O
101
Physical Director
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Com- mittee of Hatfield:
I hereby submit my annual report as Director of Physical Education in the public schools of Hatfield.
The school year was marked by the usual organiza- tion and development of the physical education program along practically the same lines of activities as in the past-with a few noticeable changes in the curriculum. However, in the main, the pattern of construction of the daily activities was divided into the three phases, namely, Fall Activities, Winter Activities and Spring Activities.
Again, we can report that the year was a very suc- cessful one. Every phase of the diversified activities' program proved very popular and worthwhile among the students. Through observations made during the physi- cal education periods, the writer has often diagnosed the reasons for behavior patterns, for instance, and in a good many cases directed the student's needs by prescribing an activity or diverting his interests to overcoming his difficulties. In some instances certain activities have had their shortcomings; these will have to be corrected as time and facilities provide.
However, it is hoped that the needs, desires, and the interests of each individual child have been met to a cer- tain degree, especially in the lower grades, where the physical education program is of paramount importance. It is apparent at this particular stage of a child's life that
102
every activity is a challenge, and if met successfully, re- sults in complete enjoyment and satisfaction. In the case of the boy, he acquires the basic skills necessary to at- tempt many other types of newer and more complex en- deavors. Complete co-ordination of mind and body is the end result. As for a girl, she, too, develops poise and grace of movement through proper body mechanics.
As will be noted, no attempt has been made to build a complete curriculum in physical education, due to the ex- istence of certain changes that go on during the course of the program. The writer has been interested in applying the techniques of a modified curriculum construction to a given situation, e. g., limiting himself for the most part to the so-called Junior High School grades. In other words, it is my strong conviction that instruction should cover a broader number of activities, so that the students in these grammar grades may find their interests and devel- op new ones as they are introduced to them. Eventually, it is hoped that mastery of these various skills, as above mentioned, would then be secured over a period of years. Above all, the primary aim of all education is to develop in a child those physical, social, emotional, and mental qualities so essential to a well-adjusted life later on.
Curriculum Change
In an attempt to further broaden our physical educa- tion program and, at the same time take full advantage of modern methods of teaching in physical education, Mr. Getchell secured the services of Mr. Ellis Ring, of Spring- field College, to do some practice teaching under the di- rect supervision of the writer. As a result, both the high school and junior high school "phys-ed" spring sched- ules had to be revised for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
103
Values and Contributions of Physical Education
It has been my experience in teaching physical educa- tion that the keynote of this curriculum construction is, and always will be, variety in the activities presented to the individual students; that a program of this nature ought to be broad enough to interest everyone who de- sires to enter into it. Just because a student sees a new thing does not necessarily make it good or bad; the oppo- site might prove to be true. However, these things should not be retained or rejected from the program sole- ly on the basis of "traditionally old-fashioned," as some students have demonstrated time and again. We must all learn to evaluate and to accept only those things which seem to be of the most value to us in the light of the evidence presented. Therefore, in view of this evidence, our philosophies can more or less be thought of as chang- ing from day to day, as new knowledge is presented. This attribute of "openmindedness" on the part of the student teaches him something; he learns to develop a fuller and more meaningful life later on.
JOHN SYMANCYK, Director of Physical Education.
104
Supervisor of Music
To the Superintendent of Schools and the Members of the School Board of Hatfield:
I hereby submit my annual report of the music pro- gram in our schools.
All normal children enjoy music in some of its many forms. They enter school with various musical experi- ences and ability, some can sing sweetly with true pitch, some can scarcely sing at all, some respond easily to the rhythmic sway of music, while others are apparently un- moved. Practically all, however, enjoy music of some form or other and introducing music into each day's pro- gram helps greatly in making school a happy place.
Our first experience in building our school music pro- gram is instilling a love and understanding of music in each child. After listening to songs led by the more nat- urally musical children, all want to sing the attractive songs which they have heard.
It is most interesting to hear and know that so many children develop pitch, rhythm, and ability to read music intelligently with increasing difficulty grade by grade.
May I insert here a plea to parents and older members of the family that you never use, especially before the child, the expression, "This child cannot sing. He is like 'some member of the family.'" Every child wants to sing and this is most unkind and has been known to shake the child's self-confidence, not only in musical ability but in many phases in the child's life. We must encourage
105
confidence and pride in doing things well in the life of the child.
We strive for perfection in this great field for "Ex- pect perfection and get something, expect little and you get much less." Therefore, we strive for the best in our course of music; namely, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, read- ing and listening intelligently.
Music also reviews many subjects taught in school as physical education-posture, breathing-as well as clear enunciation, history, geography, reading, writing, drawing, arithmetic, English, and many other subjects.
We strive for a good understanding and presentation in pitch, rhythm, phrasing, and tone quality. To cover all this field we need more time in the upper grades.
The choral club in Smith Academy has increased in membership this year. We would like more boys to join so as to strengthen the bass and tenor sections. More time has been allotted to us this year in the high school and we hope to show better results.
The music programs presented in various public af- fairs were along the usual lines.
The choral clubs from the Center School Junior High and Smith Academy prepared programs faithfully and presented them at the Western Massachusetts Music Festival held in Athol in May. We had the splendid sup- port of all the school officials.
I feel that the time and effort spent in preparing these programs and the participation in the Festival was a most valuable and helpful experience and we feel that it was a job well done. As in past years the conduct of the entire group was in itself wonderful.
106
However, it is not pleasing to the Festival committee that some of the choral groups are not in uniform or some very individual form of dress. To be sure, this could be overcome with good coo-peration.
However, we do know that these two groups did very fine singing and after all, that should be the goal.
My sincerest appreciation and thanks to our super- intendent and members of the school board. I make spe- cial mention also of the fine co-operation in preparing the program and in accompanying the group to Athol of Mrs. Breor, Miss Kiley, and Miss Kempisty ; also, all principals, teachers, and the student body of Hatfield for their fine attitude and efforts which makes teaching music in Hat- fleld a great pleasure.
MAUDE E. BOYLE,
Supervisor of Music.
107
School Lunch
To the Superintendent and the School Committee of Hatfield :
Through careful planning by the school lunch staff, plus additional allotments of meat by the federal school lunch program, it was again possible for the school chil- dren to be served wholesome, nutritious meals without the necessity of increasing the charge for each meal served.
Mrs. Minnie Brennan, who had headed our kitchen staff, resigned in October upon reaching the retirement age. Mrs. Anna Mullins assumed the position of school lunch supervisor and Mrs. Irene Labbee moved to a full time worker. Mrs. Labbee has been a substitute for our food handling staff for several years.
The following information gives a numerical picture of our school lunch activity :
Month
No. of Lunch Days
No. of Meals Served
January
22
5228
February
18
4044
March
21
4529
April
16
3657
May
21
4866
June
7
1256
September
20
5449
October
21
5281
November
17
4164
December
17
4371
Total
180
43025
108
The 43,025 meals, served to children in the year 1952, if compared with the 40,746 served the previous year, show an increase of 2,279 meals served over the previous year.
School Lunch
Receipts :
Balance on hand January 1, 1952
(Coll.)
$6,946.83
Collections during 1952
7,190.12
Total (Collection a/c)
$14,136.95
Payments :
From Collection a/c
Wages
$2,497.50
Food
4,098.41
Fuel
99.60
Miscellaneous Supplies
180.85
Total Payments from Collections
$6,876.36
Balance January 1, 1953 (Collection a/c)
$7,260.59
Commodity Distribution Fund
Receipts :
Receipts, 1952
$3,824.29
Payments :
Wages
$1,410.00
Food
2,374.79
Fuel
7.50
Miscellaneous Supplies
27.00
Repairs to Equipment
5.00
Total Payments
$3,824.29
RAYMOND N. JENNESS, Director, Hatfield School Lunch.
109
CORPS OF TEACHERS 1952-1953
Smith Academy
Yrs. of Exp. in Exp. Hatfield
Russell Bastin, A.B., M.A., (St. Anselm's
College), Basketball Coach, U. S. His- tory, English, Business Training, World History, Guidance 3 2
George C. Feiker, B.S., (Univ. of Mass.), Agriculture . 4 3
Florence Muller, A.B. (Wheaton College), Coach, French I, II, III, Plane Geome- try, Algebra I, II 18 10
Margaret Pruzynski, (McCarthy Business College), Typing, Shorthand, Book- keeping, Secretarial Practice 17 17
Mary E. Ryan, A.B. (Smith College), Eng- lish, Dramatics 33 32
Mary A. Spakowski, B.S. (Univ. of Mass.) Biology, Home Economics 5
5
John Symancyk, B.S., Ass't Prin., Coach, Phys. Ed., Problems of Democracy, General Science, General Mathematics 7 7
Center School
Raymond N. Jenness, B.S. Ed., M.S. Ed., (Bridgewater Teachers, U. of M.) Principal, General Science 22 17
Martha Boyle (North Adams Normal)
Grade 2
22
13
110
Dorothy B. Breor, B.S. Ed. (Bridgewater
Teachers College), English, Grade 6, 7, 8 12 12 Mary D. Donelson (Framingham Normal), Grade 3 37 35
Hilda C. Fortsch (Framingham Normal), Grade 4 11 11
Jean T. Kempisty, B.S., Ed. (Westfield
Teachers College, Math., Grade 6, 7, 8 14 14
Sarah V. Kiley (Westfield Normal), Histo- ry, Geography, Grade 6, 7, 8 45 44
Constance B. Mullany (Smith Academy),
Grade 5 36 36
School Street School
Sophie Filipkowski (North Adams Teachers College), Grade 1 10 5
Lena P. Fitzgerald (North Adams Normal),
Grade 1 38 38
Superintendent of Schools and High School Principal
John C. Jakobek, A.B., M.A., (University of Mass., West State, Union) 10 9
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF HATFIELD
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1953
Printed by Gazette Printing Co., Inc. Northampton, Mass.
The Athenian Dath
We will never bring disgrace to this our city, by any act of dishonesty or cowardice, nor ever desert our suffering comrades in the ranks; we will fight for the ideals and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many; we will revere and obey the citys' laws and do our best to incite a like respect in those above us who are prone to annul or set them at naught; we will strive unceasingly to quicken the public's sense of civic duty, thus in all these ways we will transmit this city not only less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.
Town Officers for 1953
SELECTMEN John Cernak, Chairman George W. Rogalewski John J. Fortsch
MODERATOR Gordon A. Wodward
TOWN CLERK
Peter S. Rogaleski
TOWN TREASURER
Peter S. Rogaleski
BOARD OF ASSESSORS Mitchell W. Kempisty, Chairman Daniel Omasta, Jr. John W. Mullins, Jr.
TAX COLLECTOR Thomas L. Mullany
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Edward S. Kowalski, Chairman Zygmunt S. Jaworski John Osley, Jr.
WATER COMMISSIONERS Henry F. Kulesza, Chairman
Rupert Harubin Michael Yanginski
4
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Luther A. Belden, Chairman
Henry W. Wolfram
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Sarah V. Kiley, Chairman
Jean Kempisty Frank T. Woodward
ELECTOR UNDER THE WILL OF OLIVER SMITH
Frank T. Woodward
TREE WARDEN
Francis Godin
HATFIELD HOUSING AUTHORITY
Joseph V. Porada, Chairman Frank T. Woodward George W. Rogalewski Edward Korza Stanley J. Filipek
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Joseph V. Porada, Chairman
Luther A. Belden William E. Boyle
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Joseph Pelc
Howard B. Abbott, Chairman Peter S. Rogaleski Edward T. Kostek
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Gertrude B. Rogaleski
5
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS Francis Godin
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND SLAUGHTER William J. Sheehan
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Ralph Pickett
SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS Charles J. Eberlein, Jr.
COLLECTOR WATER RENTS
Stanley J. Filipek
WELFARE AGENT
Lucille Godek
DIRECTOR OF VETERANS' SERVICES
Thomas Mullins
WOOD SURVEYORS
John Wentzel
Henry Donnis
FENCE VIEWERS AND FIELD DRIVERS
Michael M. Majeskey Charles J. Eberlein, Jr.
CHIEF OF POLICE
James E. McGrath
6
DOG OFFICER James E. McGrath
CONSTABLES
James E. McGrath Peter Kubosiak Joseph S. Wilkes
Thomas Shea Stanley J. Filipek Mitchell Kempisty
POLICE OFFICERS
Francis Godin Henry Kosakowski
Anthony Malinowski
Edward Dugal
William Podmayer
John Brennan
Simeon M. Bourdon
George Omasta Waclaw Yanucik Peter Malinowski Edward Breor Stanley Prucnal Kenneth Carpenter
FIRE CHIEF
Michael J. Yarrows
FIREFIGHTERS
Arthur Brassord, Asst. Chief
Francis McGrath, Capt. Arthur Smith, Lieut. Edward Breor
Thomas Mullany Herbert Smith
Raymond Balise
William Boyle John Cernak Marcus Boyle Joseph Wendlowski Henry Kosakowski Peter Kubosiak Alfred Proulx
Francis Godin Mitchell Kempisty Joseph Krawczyk Martin Brassord William Betsold Frank Romanowski Edward Skarpetowski John Fortsch George W. Rogalewski John Gizienski Frank Zawacki Thomas Sheehan Raymond Jenness Marcus Mullins
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.