USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1958-1963 > Part 18
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For a more detailed report about our elementary and junior high schools, your attention is directed to Mrs. Breor's principal's report.
I wish to thank the school committee, school person- nel and citizens of the town for their co-operation and as- sistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN A. SKARZYNSKI
Superintendent of Schools
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Bus Route
Junior and Senior High School
Run #1
From High School to Bradstreet, to Main Highway in North Hatfield, left on Main Highway, left to go down Prospect Street, down Chestnut Street to schools.
Run #2
From High School, up School Street, up Chestnut Street, right on Main Highway, to Wolfram's Corner, left to Dickinson's, left down Pantry Road, down Main Highway, left at State Police Barracks, down Elm, left on Dwight, turn around at the end of Dwight Street, back down Dwight, left on Elm, down Elm, down Maple, down Main to schools.
Elementary
Run #1
From High School, up Bridge Street, left on Dwight Street, right on Elm Street, turn around at town line, down Elm, down Maple, down Main to Elementary School.
Run #2
From Northampton, down Main Highway, turn left on Linseed Road, proceed to Stoddard residence on top of hill, turn around, down Linseed Road to Main High- way, turn left, go down Main Highway to Harubin's Service Station, turn around, right at Wolfram's Ga- rage to Edward Dickinson's, left down Pantry Road, down Main Highway, left down Chestnut Street, down School Street, down Main Street to Elementary School.
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Run #3
From High School, up School Street, up Chestnut Street, up Prospect Street, to Main Highway, to Whitcomb's Corner, to Bradstreet Cafe, left to town line, turn around, down Pine Nook, down Main Street to Elementary School.
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Principal of the Elementary and Junior High Schools
To the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools :
I wish to submit this sixth annual report as principal of the Center School and the Hatfield Elementary School.
Many new changes in organization and in curriculum were effected in the junior high school this past year :
1. The Center School organization now includes grades seven, eight, and nine. This is the first time that the ninth grade has been enrolled in the junior high.
2. Although the ninth grade students have been of- fered the same courses of study as that of previous years, conversational French has been included in the college course. This is available to students twice a week under the direction of Mrs. Muller from the language depart- ment at Smith Academy. Although the students do not receive an academic credit for this course, it provides them with a good basic oral vocabulary which should aid them in their continued study of French grammar and composition in high school.
3. To help the ninth grade students in the secretarial course to become more proficient in reading, a course in this area of study was offered. This is taught five times a week with emphasis on the individual student increas- ing his own basic skills in readin. The Science Research Laboratory was used very successfully for part of this
89
course. Each student competed with his own record and charted his own progress. Enthusiasm and interest in this reading program were high because the reading labo- ratory materials were definitely suited to the needs of this particular group.
4. On an experimental basis, conversational French was offered to a group of seventh grade students. These classes were held five time a week with Mrs. Muller, the instructor. Since this was the first opportunity these children had to study a foreign language, interest in the course was prevalent. Before these pupils study French grammar and composition, they will have a good command of the spoken word. Evidence of this was heard at the Christmas Festival when these seventh grade students presented "Silent Night" in French. There is no written work or homework in this course; therefore, no academic credit is given, although the scholastic record of each child for this course is entered on the permanent record card.
5. The time schedule at the junior high is the same as the high school. There is a seven-period day, each of forty-five minutes. The first six periods include the major areas of study and the seventh period includes all minor subjects such as music, art, spelling and penmanship. The ninth grade students are not compelled to participate in these subjects, but many have taken advantage of the art classes, doing special projects of interest to them.
6. , Every Friday the last forty-five minutes are de- voted to extra-curricular activities. Each student has the opportunity to participate in at least one activity or club, which includes a science club, mathematics club, library club, school paper, glee club, and art club. These are di- rected and supervised by staff members who are especial- ly interested in these activities.
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7. A school library has been organized in a room on the second floor of the building. Here the students have the opportunity to study, to read, and to do research work. All reference books, fiction and non-fiction books, have been taken from the individual classrooms to this library center. Tables and chairs have been borrowed from the classrooms and from the high school. These facilities are constantly used by the students and teachers, proving that this is a necessary and welcomed addition to our school program. Next year it is hoped that a few more tables and chairs can be added to accommodate the stu- dents.
8. Mr. Skarzynski, the superintendent of schools, very generously made available to the junior high the assembly hall at Smith Academy so that various types of assembly programs could be held during the school year.
9. Since there are no facilities for teaching home economics at the junior high, these students must receive this instruction at Smith Academy under the direction of Mrs. Spakowski, the home economics teacher.
10. All the physical educational classes under the di- rection of Mr. Symancyk are held at the town hall during the winter months. During the spring and fall terms, the Center School field is used. Every boy and girl is required to participate unless he has been excused from physical activity by a physician.
11. This past year the junior high report card was revised to coincide with the curriculum changes. The re- port now includes a scholastic rating, progress report on a student's personal growth and development, and a list- ing of his extra-curricular activities. The seventh and eighth grade students receive the same type of card, and the ninth graders receive the same card as the high school. The marking system, which includes the use of letters
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A, B, C, D, and F, is the same from grades one through twelve.
12. Only two teachers are used on a part-time basis in the junior high from the high school - Mrs. Muller, teaching the conversational French, and Mr. Symancyk, teaching world history and general science. All other subjects are taught by the regular junior high staff.
13. A continued study and re-evaluation of the in- structional materials and the curriculum is constantly being made. Next year we anticipate enriching our mathematics program so that the eighth grade students might have an orientation course in algebra the last semester of the year.
At the elementary school and the junior high the science programs have been strengthened from the first grade through the ninth grade. Much needed science equipment was purchased for both schools. These include basic materials for scientific experimentation.
Our increased use of sound films made it mandatory that we purchase a projector for the junior high. Al- though films are not purchased by the School Department, membership in the Film Co-operative at the University of Massachusetts, free films from industrial firms and other agencies, and rentals provide a wide selection of sound films for use on the elementary and secondary levels.
All filmstrips, which are a vital visual aid to instruc- tion, are purchased by the School Department. Each year those requested by the staff are secured for the filmstrip library in both schools.
The elementary school was very fortunate to be chosen as one of the schools that participated in an ex- perimental pilot program for the Follett Publishing Com- pany. After using their pilot units in the language arts
92
area for six weeks, an evaluation of these new materials was sent to them. The experimental program was an en- riching and rewarding experience for both the children and teachers.
The all-purpose room at the elementary school saw continuous and increased use this past year. More than 90% of the elementary school children were served lunch here every day. Every afternoon was reserved for the physical educational program for the pupils of grades one through six. Music instruction, assembly programs, and drama productions were usually held before lunch hour. The junior high basketball team used the facilities after school hours. The dramatic club used it for its play re- hearsals, and the members of this group entertained both the elementary and junior high students with its produc- tion, "Keep Your Halo Straight," by Anne Martens.
This auditorium has been furnished with new dra- peries and a velure stage curtain. The front of the stage has been fitted with protective mats to prevent accidents during any physical activity. The back wall also has a large mat attached to it for the protection of youngsters during play periods. Without back-drop curtains or any sound-proof materials on the stage, the acoustics in the auditorium could be improved, but this problem can be resolved in the future.
On March eighth the elementary school closed at one-thirty so that the teachers could attend a reading workshop at the Hatfield Elementary School with Miss Frances Barrett, Educational Consultant for the Scott, Foresman Co.
The first hour of the workshop gave the teachers an overview of the reading materials and their specific usage in the classroom. She discussed the various aspects of a lesson plan and its execution.
93
The last hour was devoted to reading problems and their solution. She spent a great deal of time reviewing the actual teaching of basic reading skills that involve per- ception, interpretation, phonetics, and structural analysis.
The workshop helped the teachers to understand the Scott, Foresman reading program and its basic materials.
During the school year the following tests were given :
Primary Stanford Achievement Grades 1-3
Intermediate Stanford Achievement Grades 4-6
Advanced Stanford Achievement Grades 7-8
Scott, Foresman Reading Grades 1-3
Otis Mental Ability - Alpha Grades 1-3
Otis Mental Ability - Beta Grades 4-8
Again, I must state that these tests are an indication of a child's ability and achievement. Since these tests are based on national norms, they make it possible to compare our test results with those of other schools which use the same tests. A complete study of test results aid the staff and administration in evaluating our curriculum, instruc- tional materials, and methods of instruction. Understand- ing the basic strengths and weaknesses of all children helps us to meet their needs more effectively.
The parent-teacher conferences were scheduled in the fall. Most of the parents and guardians availed them- selves of the opportunity to discuss their children's prog- ress with the staff. The fifteen-minute conferences, to- gether with the report card that is issued five times a year, keep the parents well-informed about their chil- dren's growth and development. Many times I have stated that the school cannot work alone with the child. It needs the continued co-operation and support of the parents and home to insure the continuous growth and development of each child.
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This year the elementary school was fortunate to have six practice teachers from the University of Massa- chusetts School of Education. These student teachers had the advantage of working with experienced teachers, and the staff, in turn, gained many new ideas from the students who had completed three and a half years of fine training in the School of Education. Dr. Robert L. Byrne of the University was their supervisor.
A large majority of the elementary and junior high teachers have taken advantage of the courses offered by educational institutions in the area. The combination of excellent basic instructional materials and an informed teaching staff provides us with a school program that compares favorably with others.
In closing, may I thank you - the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, the staff, the custodians, the pupils, and the public for your continued interest in our educational program and for the co-operation I have received from all of you.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY BREOR
Principal
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School Savings
The three mutual savings banks: Florence Savings Bank, Nonotuck Savings Bank and Northampton Institu- tion for Savings sponsor a School Savings program in Center and Elementary schools in Hatfield.
Tuesdays are Bank Days.
The total amount banked in the Hatfield schools for the past school year - September 1960 - June 1961 - was $8,191.27.
School Savings deposits are transferred to regular interest-bearing bank accounts five times yearly. The first transfer must be at least $3 in order to draw interest and to open a bank book.
Second and subsequent transfers may be $1 or $2, or as much more as accumulated up to transfer time.
After a student has been issued a book from the bank, transfer slips are given to the students each time a trans- fer takes place. Shown on the transfer slip are: date of transfer, amount transferred, and the number of the School Savings book from which the transfer has been made to the number of the bank book on which the credit has been applied.
In Smith Academy the banks sponsor a 50-week Club Plan. There are two clubs for the students to select: 50¢ and $1 weekly - in the bank of their choice.
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The clubs, called "High School Savings Clubs," may be opened at any time and cashed or transferred to a regu- lar bank account upon expiration. The 50¢ club amounts to $25 and the $1 club $50.
The Club Plan is a very convenient method for high school students to accumulate funds for the many gradua- tion activities.
Respectfully submitted, (MRS.) V. S. CONNORS School Savings Director
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School Health
To the Superintendent and School Committee of Hatfield:
I herewith submit my annual report, the 10th, as the school nurse of Hatfield.
The realization of the goals of optimum health for the school age child and a healthy adult population of the future depend upon the integration of family, community and school resources to meet the needs of each child. The school depends upon the family and community health services to assure that each child enters school in a state of physical, emotional and social well-being, and needs the co-operation of these groups to keep the child healthy dur- ing the school years.
Community resources available to the incoming school child are: Well-Child Clinic, Polio and Immuniza- tion clinics. The results of these clinics are recorded and kept with each child's permanent school record. A sur- vey was conducted in the fall to determine the number of first graders who have been vaccinated, immunized against Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus and have protection against Polio. This survey was conduct- ed throughout the state. Of the 50 pupils in our first grade, all had been vaccinated and had received immuniza- tions. There are two pupils who have not had any Polio injections.
Health services which are rendered in the schools are: complete physical examinations ; screening tests for vision and hearing; measurement of height and weight;
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First Aid; and health counseling with parents and teach- ers.
Physical examinations have been completed. Any de- fects found were brought to the attention of the parents. As a result of the findings, three children underwent ton- sillectomies, two had hernia operations and two reported for X-ray of the spine. There is a great increase in the number of children who are receiving dental care, only a small percentage who are in need of care. At the time of examination each child is informed of his physical growth. There are 83 students out of 512 who are con- siderably overweight, the excess weight ranging from 15 to 93 pounds. It appears that lack of exercise and faulty eating habits are the contributing causes. Recommenda- tions were made to these youngsters and their parents.
The screening tests for Vision and Hearing have been completed with the results as follows :
Number of children who had the Vision Test 491
Number of children who failed the retest 47
Number of children seen by an eye specialist 38
Number of children who did not report for care 9
Number of children who had the Hearing Test 493
Number of children who failed the retest 27
Number of children seen by an ear specialist
23
Number of children who did not report for care 4
Three Immunization clinics were held in the spring whereby pupils received Booster injections for the pre- vention of Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus. At the March clinic, 202 were inoculated; April, 85; and in May, 77, for a total of 364. This year Booster doses were given to the Senior class, with 20 members receiving them.
Dr. Byrne and Dr. Kaiser conducted the clinics.
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As a preventative measure, Flu Vaccine was given to the members of the faculty. The required two doses were given to 26 teachers.
An up-to-date census was completed in October of all pre-school and school children under 16 years of age, as required by law.
Registration for entering first grade children was held in May. The number of children who were registered was 48.
A census of physically handicapped children was com- pleted in November and the report was sent to the State Department of Education.
Communicable diseases reported during the school year are as follows :
German Measles 3
Chicken Pox 6
Mumps 10
Scarlet Fever
5
Your nurse attended 2 eight-week courses on Mental Health which were held at the Northampton State Hos- pital. The topics discussed were "Emotional Problems of School Children."
My sincere appreciation is extended to the school offi- cials, the physicians, teachers and parents for their co- operation and assistance in the school health program.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCILLE H. GODEK, R.N.
100
School Lunch
President Kennedy, in a recent nationwide address, requested an increased effort to improve the physical fit- ness of the youth of our nation, and good health is neces- sary in order to be physically fit. Food, of course, is one of the most important factors influencing health and therefore good nutrition is the foundation of physical fit- ness. A wise selection of food for health is most impor- tant. One aim of the School Lunch program is to accom- plish this. The School Lunch program also furnishes re- peated experiences with desirable food practices when food habits are most easily influenced.
The benefits derived from School Lunch are many- fold. A well nourished child will be mentally alert, have physical vigor and emotional stability. He will have good posture and well developed muscles. He will be able to take part in vigorous physical exercises and in doing so will form wholesome habits and desirable food attitudes for a lifetime. An alert mind in a strong body is the com- bination most desired and most valuable for effective edu- cation. Neither mental alertness nor bodily strength is possible unless the child is provided with the right kinds and amounts of food.
The purpose of our "Hot Lunch" program is to:
1. Provide for one third of the child's daily nutri- tional needs.
2. To teach the child to eat "New to Him" foods. All parents tend to feed children foods we know they like and will eat. Seeing his neighbor in
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school eating a different food encourages him to try it too.
3. To teach the child to eat away from home. We are under state supervision and must comply with their regulations. For a parent to provide a nutritionally similar meal would cost much more than the school price of 25¢, which in- cludes a complete meal with milk and dessert.
Our school cafeterias are presently staffed by six women. Mrs. Winifred Betsold is the manager and Mrs. Hazel Roberts, the assistant manager, and they are as- sisted by Mrs. Susan Zima, Mrs. Irene Labbee, Mrs. Wanda Shea and Mrs. Helen Kugler.
The friendly attitude of the school lunch staff with the students is undoubtedly one of the major reasons why lunch participation has grown. The staff knows a great many of the students by name. From their close relations with the students, Mrs. Betsold and her staff plan the meals and prepare foods according to the pupil's appetite preferences - all the while following the required Type A meal pattern.
Student lunch participation has increased steadily and a large percentage of our students participate in our school lunch program. The lunches served meet minimum nutritional requirements on the basis of tested nutritional research and all at a reasonable cost. Adequate Type A lunches are the first aim of our school cafeteria. Each lunch served must contain, as a minimum, 1/2 pint fluid whole milk served as a beverage, 2 ounces of protein-rich foods (cooked or canned lean meat, poultry, or fish; or 2 ounces of cheese; or 1 egg; or 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans or peas; or 4 tablespoons of peanut butter; or an equiva- lent quantity of any combination of these foods served in the main dish or in the main dish and one other menu item), 3/4 cup serving of 2 or more vegetables or fruits, or
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both in raw or cooked form, one slice of whole-grain or enriched bread, or a serving of cornbread, rolls, muffins, etc., 2 teaspoons of butter or fortified margarine used as a spread on bread or in the preparation of other foods in the lunch. No dessert is required, but we include one with every hot lunch served. These desserts may be fruits or gelatins or various kinds of pudding, cakes, brownies, etc., all made in the school kitchen. Menus are planned to in- clude Vitamin A at least twice a week and Vitamin C every day. All our meats, eggs, fresh vegetables and canned goods are top quality, purchased from well-known wholesale houses. Certain government inspected com- modities are received monthly from the state and these help to keep the price of the school lunch at a minimum.
The women on our school lunch staff are keenly in- terested in the lunch program and their enthusiasm is never ending. They attended a school lunch conference held in the Longmeadow schools, sponsored by the state, and returned to our cafeterias with new ideas and greater knowledge of sound practices.
New and replaced equipment has been purchased for both kitchens and also for the cafeteria at the town hall.
The menus of the school lunch program are published in the daily newspapers and are also posted in the class- rooms. The hot lunch is served for 25¢ and the amount of food value received for this price is the best bargain one can get. The elementary and junior high pupils are supervised by the home-room teachers, with over-all supervision by the principal, Mrs. Dorothy Breor. The high school students are supervised by the high school teachers with over-all supervision by the high school prin- cipal, Mr. John Skarzynski.
The financial account of the lunch program can be found in the town accountant's report, which appears in another section of this town report.
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The following is an accounting of the number of lunches served during the past year :
Days Lunch Served
No. of Lunches Served
January
19
7,226
February
17
6,522
March
20
7,563
April
15
5,692
May
22
8,089
June
12
3,607
September
18
7,661
October
20
8,515
November
19
8,120
December
15
6,326
177
69,321
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN A. SKARZYNSKI Director, Hatfield School Lunch
HATFIELD SCHOOL ENROLLMENT October 1, 1961
Elementary Grades
Elem. Total
H. S. Grades
H. S. Total
Total All Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1954
38
54
42
32 38
34
38
26
302
21
20
16
23
80
382
1955
49
33
51
41
29
37 32 36
308
24
21
18
15
78
386
1956
42
53
33
54
41
28
39
32
322
32
23
20
17
92
414
1957
48
17
56
37
51
40
28
40
347
29
34
20
19
102
449
1958
46
53
47
54
38
52
40
25
355
37
25
33
19
114
469
1959
41
49
54
44
54
39
52
39
372
22 36
28
32
118
490
1960
38
41
49
54
44
54
40
56
371
38 22 37
28
125
496
Read horizontally
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PREDICTED ENROLLMENT CHART
Based on October 1, 1961 Census of in-school and pre-school children
Total
Total
Total
Elementary Grades
Elem. Jr. Hi. Grades Jr. Hi.
1960
38
41
49
54
44
54
280
7 40
8 51
38
129
22
11 37
28
87
496
1961
49
39
44
50
54
46
282
57 37
46
140
37
21
35
93
515
1962
57
49
39
44
50
54
293
46
57 37
140
46
37 21
104
537
1963
45
57
49
39
44
50
284
54
46
57
157
37
46
37
120
561
1964
44
45
57
49
39
44
278
50
54
46
150
57 37
46
140
568
1965
42
44
45
57
49
39
276
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