USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1951-1957 > Part 28
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2. However, during the existing emergency only, and for a period ending not later than July 1, 1957, it is be- lieved that State Building Inspector James Lane will ap- prove use of the room for classes of not more than 25 pupils.
(Signed)
David C. Milne
DAVID C. MILNE,
State Building Inspector.
DCM:AML C.C .: Greenfield office Chief of Inspections
During the fall an inspection of the timbers in the Center School attic was made and it was found that a con- siderable amount of tying and bracing was necessary. During December Mr. Thomas Wickles carried out the
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necessary repairs to the timbers. At the same time eight badly worn stair treads leading to the boys' base- ment were replaced by him.
During the summer the Trustees of Smith Academy authorized and carried out a large maintenance program at the Academy. The floors of the first and second class- room stories were completely sanded, sealed, and var- nished. The stair treads leading all the way from the ground floor to the second classroom story were torn out and replaced with new oak stair treads. These were also sealed and finished.
The second large improvement in the building was provided when the language room on the upper floor was enlarged to twice its size by the removal of a partition which had formed a book storage closet. New flooring for the room and new walls and ceiling were installed. The room has been painted a smoke rose hue with white ceilings. The increased area provided by this improve- ment has proved most valuable to the teachers and pupils.
In December the Academy stoker was badly damaged through a mechanical failure and the Trustees authorized and have installed a new oil burning unit which is replac- ing the damaged coal stoker.
All of the improvements made to the Smith Academy building have been made and financed by the Academy Trustees without cost to the Town.
It is my belief that a vote of appreciation by the com- munity should be extended to the Trustees for their gen- erous cooperation, interest and desire to provide and im- prove the facilities of Smith Academy.
From the Smith Academy pupils, staff, and myself, I would like to extend to the Trustees our sincere thanks and appreciation for the many things you have done for us during this past year.
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The 1957 School Budget is submitted in a form which is in keeping with the financial accounting methods used by the State Department of Education, the State Depart- ment of Corporations and Taxation, Division of Accounts and the Hatfield Town Accountant. The budget as item- ized during previous years by the School Department was not in keeping with the itemizations of any other office charged with the responsibility of accounting for school expenditures. In the inter-actions of the school and other offices in regard to accounting, several transitions were necessary so that a mutual understanding could be ar- rived at. The school itemizations and those of the other offices could not be easily compared as the itemizations in some cases were not identical.
At the end of July of each year a State Department of Education report is required from the local School De- partment and because of the standardized method of ac- counting used by them it was necessary for the School Department to re-itemize a good many expenditures from its ledger.
The change of itemizations should lead to a clearer understanding between the offices responsible for school accounting. It should further make the job of keeping accounts and reporting them by the School Department a great deal easier. A definite comparison between the School Deparment accounting in the main categories, and that of other offices will now be possible as the categories will be identical.
The transportation routes and schedules have re- mained quite constant over the past year. Some change in the route covering the "State Road" or "West St." and Dickenson's Corner was made to correct the hazard of picking up and leaving children on the main highway. It was found that several of the children involved were re- quired to walk some distance on the main highway in
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order to get to the previous bus stop or to return to their homes from it.
At the end of June we were able to discontinue our program of home instruction for both in-town children who had received it during the 1955-56 school year. At present there is only one child receiving instruction of this type at a hospital school.
The following times are set aside each week so that pupils may benefit from religious instruction in denomina- tions of their own choosing:
Wednesday 10:45-11:30 High School pupils
Wednesday 1:00- 1:50 Pupils of grades 3, 4, 5
Wednesday 1:55- 2:45 Pupils of grades 6, 7, 8
It is a school policy that no interference is made in regard to released time. The time is provided for reli- gious instruction and beyond that point it is a matter to be handled between the home and the church.
To clear up any misunderstanding which may have developed from my statement in the 1955 town report in regard to the entrance age of pupils I submit the follow- ing:
Any child who attains the age of six during the year in which entrance to the first grade is sought may attend school beginning in Septem- ber of that year. As an example: a child hav- ing his sixth birthday on any day including or between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1957 may enroll and attend school beginning Septem- ber 4, 1957.
Some new equipment was purchased during the past year. Most equipment purchased was to satisfy the in- creased enrollments and to equip the additional classroom.
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The list of the major items of new equipment fol- lows :
29 pupil desks
29 pupil chairs
2 steel office desks (former desks in classrooms) Elem. Prin. and High School Office
1 office chair-High School Office
2 pupil typing tables-High School Commercial De- partment
2 typewriters-High School Commercial Depart- ment
1 classroom wall clock-Elementary
1 tape recorder-for all schools
2 vacuum cleaners-
1 for Center School custodian
1 to be used for Home Economics instruction and by the High School custodian
Charts concerning past enrollments and predicted fu- ture enrollments are to be found elsewhere in this school report and I respectfully call your attention to them. Al- though the figures used for predicting future enrollments may vary somewhat, I am confident that they are reliable and are a good indication of the enrollments that can be expected. In the 1955 School Report I stated that I felt the predicted enrollment estimate was conservative. If the ensuing years repeat the inaccuracy of the September 1957 predicted enrollments for the elementary grades of the 1955 Town Report then the prediction for 1960 should be nearer 375 in this year's report.
The community has not grown in the phenomenal manner that some have but there has been and is a steady increase in both the total population and the school popu- lation. The steady build-up of the pupil population has taxed the existing facilities and will continue to do so in the ensuing years. When school facilities are crowded
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beyond their capacity to hold pupils, something must give and the only breakable commodity is the quality or quan- tity of education which can be given by the schools.
This community, in order to maintain or expand both the quantity and quality of its educational opportunities, should continue to seek a way in which facilities of the proper kind and amount can be provided.
The personnel of the Hatfield Schools has continued to render very fine educational service to the Community through their cooperation with the townspeople and ad- ministration but most notably through their attention and devotion to the work of instructing the pupils en- trusted to them.
The professional staff has continued as in previous years to invest in and seek self-improvement by taking professional courses offered by institutes of high learn- ing in the area. Through this self-improvement up-to- date methods, materials, and ideas continue to be brought to the pupils of the schools in the community as a whole.
It is a pleasure to be associated with both the profes- sional and service staffs of the schools.
I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the townspeople, the staffs of the schools, pupils, the School Committee and others who have assisted me during this past year. The co-operation which has been extended me by the townspeople is most gratifying.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR G. SCOTT, JR.
Superintendent of Schools.
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Principal of Center School
To the School Committee of Hatfield :
As the acting-principal of the elementary schools of Hatfield, I wish to submit this annual report.
I wish to take this time to thank you for placing such confidence in me by electing me to the position vacated by Mr. Jenness, who gave so many years of commendable service. With the co-operation of the administration, teaching staff, parents, and children, I shall strive to carry out the high ideals and objectives of education to- day.
Our critical shortage of engineers and trained sci- entists has recently directed nation-wide attention to the science program in the schools. The school staff and ad- ministration have been aware of the importance of this problem.
This year for the first time a science program has been introduced into the first grade and extends through the eighth grade. This program seeks to capitalize on the interests of the children so that as they acquire new knowledge of the fascinating things about them, they are also developing capacities essential to the educated per- son. Such capacities would include habits of careful ob- servation, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, basing conclusions on available evidence and being willing to re- examine conclusions in the light of new evidence. While science has no monopoly in the development of such char- acteristics, it can be an excellent vehicle for their attain- ment.
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The staff believes that the understanding of our en- vironment is one of the great areas of human knowledge, essential to a balanced education. It is in this spirit that it is being taught.
Periodical reliable measurement of the child's achievement and development of certain skills is essential for effective supervision of instruction and individualiza- tion of teaching. To enable teachers and school admin- istrators to become acquainted with the educational ac- complishments and abilities of each pupil, a wide range of tests are used throughout the elementary and junior high grades. This past year the following tests were used:
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills-Grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 7. California Achievement Tests-Grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 7.
Hennon-Nelson Tests of Mental Ability-Grades 3, 5, 7.
Scott, Foresman Basic Reading Tests-Grade 2.
Differential Aptitude Test-Grade 8.
These tests enable the teaching staff to provide in- struction and guidance adapted to the individual's needs, interests, and abilities. The test results help the admin- istration identify those areas of the instructional pro- gram most in need of greater emphasis or of curriculum reorganization.
The results of these tests indicate that our pupils rated on a par or better with national scholastic averages.
During the week of November 12th through the 16th the Hatfield Schools, together with schools throughout the nation, observed National Education Week. A high- light of that week was Open House Thursday evening, November 15, from seven to eight-thirty. One hundred seventy-nine interested parents visited the classrooms that evening to see the work that their children had done and to discuss individual problems with the teachers.
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Such a large turnout of parents, particularly fathers, made the staff and administrators feel that you, the par- ents, are interested in the schools and the education pro- vided your children. It is only by visiting the schools and discussing problems with the staff that understand- ing of the basic philosophy and policies of modern educa- tion can be assured.
Our school lunch program has become an integral part of our educational program. The teachers of the elementary and junior high classes have capitalized on the school lunch to provide a variety of learning experiences for children in nutrition, social behavior, and proper handling of food. Table manners and group behavior are important to the social development of each child. By sit- ting with their classes, the teachers are able to give guid- ance to the pupils. A typical day will find both teachers and pupils sharing in the responsibilities of the lunch room.
In these last few years greater emphasis than ever has been placed on the importance of audio-visual aids to instruction. They are designed to aid in the presentation of materials-knowledge, concepts, and ideas-in every field of instruction so that these learnings are more clear- ly understood and appreciated.
With this in mind, the teachers are attempting to make much wider use of audio-visual aids in the class- room to supplement their instruction. Our materials at the school are limited, but with the filmstrips and films offered by eductional institutions and business establish- ments, a good deal of material is available for classroom use.
A few of the eighth grade boys have been trained to run the various projectors so that they might assist a teacher in her presentation of films, filmstrips, etc.
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New social studies texts are used in the third, fourth, and fifth grades to unify our social studies program and to have continuity in the teaching of social studies in the elementary grades. This program begins in the first grade with the study of home, neighborhood, and school relationships and expands throughout the grades to in- clude an intensive study of our country and other coun- tries so that children come to understand the interdepend- ence of people everywhere.
Miss Jean Kempisty and Mrs. Dorothy Breor once again accompanied the sixth grade and the eighth grade on their educational trips to Boston and New York City. We all realize the tremendous educational value of such trips because many children have never had the oppor- tunity to visit the historical and educational sights in these great cities. To all the people who supported the magazine drive and who assisted us in delivering the Annual Reports, we extend our thanks for making these educational trips possible.
In conclusion, may I say these past few months have been challenging ones to me. May I express my sincere gratitude to the School Committee, faculty, parents, cus- todians, pupils, and especially Mr. Scott, the superintend- ent, for the assistance they have given me and for the consideration they have shown me.
Respectfully submitted, DOROTHY M. BREOR.
Acting-Principal of Center School.
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CENTER SCHOOL GRADUATION PROGRAM-1956
Scripture Finlandia Welcome
Wings for Words
Savers of Lives
Leader of His Race
Now Thank Me Our God
Ezekiel Saw the Wheel
Once to Every Man and Nation
Edward Malinowski Grades 6, 7, 8 James Majesky Barbara Goclowski Kenneth Kulesza Barbara Filipek Grades 6, 7, 8 Grade 8 Grades 6, 7, 8
Presentation of Class Gift Sanford Belden
Presentation of Library Awards Mrs. Theresa Godin
Presentation of Penmanship Awards
Principal Raymond Jenness
Presentation of the Class of '54 Shield Principal Raymond Jenness
Presentation of Diplomas
Superintendent Arthur G. Scott, Jr.
Class Song Star Spangled Banner
Class of '56
All
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Graduates
Boys : Sanford Belden
Russell Brown
Theodore Celatka
Robert Dulaski
Paul Labbee James Majesky
Edward Malinowski
Robert Novak
Richard O'Dea
Thomas Petcen
John Rogaleski Richard Sadoski
John Hoffman Joseph Kalentek Robert Kovalski Kenneth Kulesza
Fred Snook James Southard Anthony Symanski John Walania Ronald Widelo Michael Yanginski Richard Zagrodnik Dennis Sullivan
Zigmund Kusekoski
Girls : Nancy Baceski
Barbara Filipek
Barbara Goclowski
Celia Godzina
Sandra Jablonski
Cynthia Karakula
Renée Magnin Barbara Novak Merle Omasta
Frances Pelis Kathryn Rudy Betty Stempel
Shirleyanne Widelo
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School Nurse
To the Superintendent and School Committee of Hatfield:
Each day new worlds are being opened for our chil- dren in school, worlds that they are meeting usually with excitement and interest, unless they are handicapped in some way from responding. If our children are not in top physical condition they simply cannot do their best work in school. A health program is essential and the program, to be effective, involves the cooperation of the doctors, teachers and administrators, as well as the par- ents.
One of the basic points in the school health program is school health services. These services are procedures established to appraise the health status of pupils; to counsel pupils and parents concerning the appraisal find- ings; to encourage the correction of remedial defects; to help prevent and control disease; and to provide emer- gency care for injury or acute illness. Other services of- fered are the screening tests for vision and hearing diffi- culties, dental examinations and immunizations. School health services supplement, but are no substitute for, the health care parents should provide for their children. These services are designed to encourage parents to de- vote attention to child health, to acquaint them with health problems of which they are unaware, and to en- courage them to utilize the services of their own physi- cian and dentist.
The following is a complete report of the health serv- ices that are offered to the school children:
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Physical examinations were given to children in all grades, with added attention given to athletes. Again this year, parents of children of grades one and four were invited to be present at the time of their child's examina- tion. Several parents availed themselves of this oppor- tunity, which enabled them to discuss their child's health and welfare with the examining physician. A home visit was made to parents of those found with defects. As a result of the examinations, 4 students underwent tonsillec- tomies, 2 underwent corrective surgery and 3 were re- ferred to the Cardiac Clinic in Springfield for consulta- tion.
Three Polio Clinics were held during the year. In February, polio vaccine, which was made available through the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, was given to 63 children of grades two and three. These children had received their first injection in May of the previous year. Vaccine was then made available through the Board of Health, for all children under 15 years of age. First injections were given to 218 children in April. A clinic for second injections was held in July with 209 school children attending.
A Dental Clinic was held in the spring under the di- rection of Dr. Glade Hall. Three hundred and two chil- dren were examined. Of this number, 208 were referred for treatment. At the school clinic, 56 referrals were completed for a total of 176 operations.
Registration of pre-school children was held in May. Forty-four children were enrolled for entrance into the first grade.
Communicable diseases reported during the school year are as follows :
Measles
12
Chicken Pox
4
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The Vision Testing program has been completed. There were 388 children tested, with 34 failing the re- test. Of this number, 16 received glasses, 11 received new lenses, while 7 did not report for further treatment.
The following is a report of the Hearing Testing pro- gram: There were 386 pupils who were tested. Notices were sent to the parents of the six who had failed the re- test. Three students were seen by an ear specialist, who confirmed a hearing loss. The remaining 3 did not report.
Projects planned for 1957 are:
Polio Clinic-Booster doses will be given to those who have already received two injections.
Polio Clinic-For the 15-20 age group who will be re- ceiving their first injection.
Immunization Clinic-Series of injections will be given to those children who have not had any injections of the Diphtheria-Tetanus-Whooping Cough toxoid. Boost- er doses will be given to those who have had the series. It is recommended that each child receive a booster in- jection every two years up to high school age.
3 My sincere appreciation is extended to the school offi- cials, teachers, parents and physicians for their coopera- tion in the School Health program.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCILLE H. GODEK, R.N.
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Visiting Nurse
Members of the Board of Directors of the H. V. N. A. are as follows :
President, Mrs. Henry S. Labbee; Vice President, Mrs. William Sheehan; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. John Cantwell.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance: Mr. Gordon Woodward, Chairman; Mrs. Henry Kugler, Mrs. Charles A. Labbee.
Nursing Advisory : Mrs. Robert C. Byrne, Chairman ; Mrs. Arthur Fitzgerald, Mrs. Edna Beattie.
Publicity : Miss Margaret Ryan, Chairman ; Mrs. Wil- liam Podmayer.
Volunteer: Mrs. Kenneth Jackimczyk, Chairman; Mrs. Thomas Wickles, Mrs. William F. Englehart.
Medical Advisory: Dr. R. C. Byrne, Dr. Alfred Kai- ser, Joseph Wendolowski, Jr.
Caring for the sick, and furthering health in the home, the position of the Visiting Nurse has always been one of vital importance. Now, however, with shortages of hospital beds, and the modern medical practice of send- ing patients home early from the hospital, the need for her services is greater than ever.
She visits young mothers who return home with babies only a few days old and provides care and advice that will help the healthiest mother and baby. She
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gives essential care to patients with long term illness, en- abling them to go home earlier and thus releasing hospital beds for acutely ill patients. At home, with public health nursing care, these patients often show great improve- ment. Elderly people used to be relegated to chimney corners, but now they have become problems in geriatrics -problems that your public health nurse knows a great deal about.
In addition to these expanded duties, your Visiting Nurse carries out an increasing number of community- wide services to protect and improve the health of all. She explains the need for immunization, X-ray examina- tion, proper nutrition, child care, adequate sanitation, and other health measures. She assists the private physi- cian by helping his patients carry out his instructions for regaining health.
Mrs. Lucille Godek, the Visiting Nurse, made 444 visits to homes this year, giving approximately 55 hours of nursing service, much of which is devoted to bedside nursing. Some of these calls were on recipients of pub- lic assistance, and from these 89 calls, no reimbursement was received. · Two Polio Clinics were held, one in April, at which 93 pre-school children received vaccine, and one in August at which 109 pre-school children were treated. The vaccine is provided free to the children by the Board of Health. A Well Child Clinic was held May 8 and 9, at which time 50 children were examined by Dr. Fredrika P. Smith. Mrs. N. James Schoonmaker was nutritionist.
EXPENSES AND RECEIPTS FOR 1956
Receipts :
Balance as of Jan. 1, 1956
$
225.43
181.00
Visiting Nurse Receipts Town
1,250.00
Total Receipts
$1,656.43
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Expenses :
Nurse's Salary
$1,300.00
Social Security
26.00
Mileage Clerical
106.04
25.00
Telephone
8.91
Total Expenses 1,467.86
Balance as of January 1, 1957
$ 188.57
Respectfully submitted, ELOISE M. LABBEE, Pres., Hatfield Visiting Nursing Assn.
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School Lunch
To the School Committee of Hatfield:
During the past year the School Lunch program has continued to serve the pupils of the schools with a high quality hot noon lunch at a very reasonable cost.
It has been the purpose of the program during the past year to make improvements in the service of the pro- gram by offering varied and more appetizing menus to the children.
During the year, due to increased costs, it was neces- sary to raise the per lunch cost to twenty cents. It is well to note that although our per lunch costs increased, this program is still charging about five cents per lunch less than practically all the lunch programs which are in operation.
During the year the policy of publishing the menus of the program in the daily papers was established. The menus for the following week can usually be found in either the Saturday or Monday daily paper. The menus are also posted in the classrooms at the beginning of each week.
The procedure of shared responsibility by pupils for some of the lunchroom activities has proven quite suc- cessful and is a valuable learning experience for the chil- dren.
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At the time of the leave of absence granted Mr. Jen- ness from the Hatfield Schools, Mrs. Marie P. Sheehan was appointed Authorized Agent for the lunch program and in this capacity is responsible for the accounting and records system of the program. The over-all directorship of the program was turned over to the Superintendent of Schools, with Mrs. Hazel Roberts retaining her duties, re- sponsibilities and title previously held by her of Super- visor.
The financial account of the lunch program can be found in the Town Accountant's reports, which appear in another section of this Town Report.
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