USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1958-1963 > Part 28
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Respectfully submitted,
HENRY F. KULESZA ETHEL I. BYRNE JOSEPH J. WENDLOWSKI, JR.
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Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and Citizens of the Town of Hatfield :
I hereby submit my fifth annual report as Superin- tendent of Schools of Hatfield.
The year 1963 has been marked with continued, con- certed focus on education in Hatfield as well as in the rest of the country. Education in the field of experimentation is bringing focus on mass education as well as recognizing individual differences in students and exercising a frantic effort to provide suitable classroom space for a bulging school population.
Taxpayers are seeking relief from costs of supporting public education. In ten years the cost per pupil has risen from under $200 to approximately $340 and this has cre- ated a burden on the real estate owner. Costs of books, supplies, materials and salaries have also increased about 75% and there is no indicated end in sight for reducing these costs. If people want education, they must pay for it
Hatfield can point with pride to classrooms which are well equipped with modern textbooks, materials, aids, and various other educational tools. Our classrooms are staffed by experienced teachers who are dedicated to their pro- fession. The basic guide in our program of studies is the
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textbook. Despite attempts to replace this media with other devices, the value of printed communication cannot be underestimated in the transmission and review of facts, ideas and concepts in the total learning situation.
Your staff is working tirelessly not only to provide the educational needs of the children, their physical well- being, emotional stability, and social consciousness, but also, over and above their regularly assigned duties, are working on evaluating and re-evaluating committees. The staff is continually taking graduate courses in many diver- sified subjects to improve their professional background and teaching ability. Most important, there exists a strong team spirit and a personal pride among the staff concerning the worth of the Hatfield schools and the chil- dren they serve.
The following areas are and have been studied:
a. Modern mathematics is being evaluated with some experimentation.
b. Re-evaluation of our English, social studies and science programs.
c. Updating of textbooks and reference books on all levels.
d. Physical fitness tests have been administered to students in the junior and senior high schools.
e. The report card was revised on all levels.
f. The addition of its own driver education car - donated by Labbee Chevrolet, Inc.
g. Addition of screen and projection table - donated by Parent-Teacher Council.
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h. Reassignment of coaching staff in boys' ath- letics.
It is worth noting that over 58% of our graduating seniors went on to further schooling with 48% attending 4-year colleges and 24% attending 2-year schools where graduates were placed in their fields of endeavor. This is an excellent record in any year and speaks well for the dedication and competency of the school staff.
Good education reflects the accomplishments of the student body. The standardized test scores indicate that our pupils consistently score well. The record our stu- dents achieve in furthering their education bears out the fact that they have been well prepared in the Hatfield schools. Tests taken this past year by the students are the Stanford Achievement and Henmon-Nelson Mental Ability tests. Also taken were College Board tests, Pre- liminay Scholastic Aptitude tests, National Merit Exami- nation and vocational tests administered by the Massachu- setts Division of Employment Security. Teachers also gave achievement tests in their individual classes. The results of these tests are available to all parents.
The rule regarding the entrance age of pupils is as follows: 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 September of that year. For example: a child having his sixth birthday on any day, in- cluding or between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 1964, may enroll and attend school beginning September 1964.
It is the policy of the Hatfield School Department to hold regular sessions when it is practicable to operate the school buses. Parents are asked to use their own discre-
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tion as to the wisdom of sending their children to school on stormy mornings. In the event that it becomes neces- sary to cancel school sessions, the "No School Signal" will be broadcast over radio station WHMP starting at 6 a.m. and continuing through 8:30 a.m. The authorities of WHMP request that parents not call the radio station for this information, but listen for the announcements.
National Education Week was observed from Novem- ber 12-15, 1963. Special times were set aside through the week for private parent-teacher conferences. The schools held open house on Thursday evening of that week. The large number of parents who scheduled conferences and visited the schools was heart-warming and once again it showed that interest in the children and schools is high. Education Week was concluded with the showing of the senior high school play entitled "The Skeleton Walks," un- der the direction of Mr. John Naumowicz of the Smith Academy faculty.
The bus routes were revised in September and the routes will be adhered to for the remainder of the year. A copy of the present routes follows this report.
Released time for religious instruction was offered again this year. The following times are set aside each week so that pupils may benefit from religious instruction in denominations of their own choosing. Released time started on September 18, 1963, and will end on May 13, 1964.
Wednesday 10:45 - 11:30 Smith Academy students
Wednesday 12:45 - 1:30 Grades 6, 7, 8, and 9
Wednesday 1:50 - 2:40 Grades 2, 3, 4, and 5
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I wish to express appreciation to the Lions Club and the Parent-Teacher Council for their gifts to the schools, and to the Class of 1963 for its donation of a piano seat and shrubbery.
Like most communities, Hatfield's school population continues to grow at a steady pace. Charts in the School Department report indicate present and predicted enroll- ments over the next five years, based on census figures as of October 1, 1963. Anticipated move-ins are not in- cluded.
Unfortunately, the space requirements in the high school are such that an acute housing shortage is upon us. The likelihood that additional facilities will be needed to house the increased number of high school students is evident. All available classroom space is now occupied. It is hoped that in the very near future, additional space will be available, centralizing our entire staff, to get a maximum amount of efficiency with a minimum of effort. The report of the School Building Needs Committee, with its recommendation, should be given careful thought and consideration. Without additional facilities, the possi- bility of double sessions could be a reality in the near future.
Smith Academy was evaluated by a visiting commit- tee representing the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools on May 1, 2, and 3, 1963. Their report was turned in to the Standing Committee on Pub- lic Secondary Schools and this committee voted to recom- mend Smith Academy for continued membership. On December 16, 1963, at the 78th annual meeting of the as- sociation, Smith Academy was elected to continued mem- bership in the association. It was the hope of the visiting committee that real progress can be made in providing
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more adequate facilities for the educational program. Many of the recommendations of the visiting committee depend on the provision of additional facilities and the fol- lowing suggestions were made - an addition to the pres- ent building or a new independent plot, or regionalizing with another community. For anyone interested, the full report is on file in the superintendent's office and can be read upon request.
An open-door policy is a vital part of our community- centered schools. Our teachers are an integral part of the open-door policy and are willing to help any parent. Par- ents are invited to visit us and see what and how their children learn in the classroom, but are requested to check through the principal's office first.
For a more detailed report about our elementary and junior high schools, your attention is directed to Mrs. Breor's principal's report.
In conclusion, may I express again my sincere appre- ciation to the members of the school committee, school building needs committee, all school personnel, town offi- cials, town departments and the parents and citizens of Hatfield for their loyalty and support during 1963. I am sure the students also appreciate the educational oppor- tunities provided them if they could express themselves as potential citizens in the world of tomorrow.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN A. SKARZYNSKI
Superintendent of Schools
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Bus Route
Junior and Senior High School
Run #1
The bus leaves the Bridge Street station to Brad- street, left at Bradstreet Cafe to main highway, left down Prospect Street, down Chestnut Street, down School Street to high school.
Run #2
From Bridge Street station, down Bridge Street, up Prospect Street, up Chestnut Street, right on main highway to Wolfram's Garage, left to Dickinson's, left down Pantry Road, down main highway, left at State Police barracks, down Elm Street, left on Dwight Street, turn around at end of Dwight Street, back down Dwight Street, left down Elm Street, down Maple Street, down Main Street to High School.
Elementary
Run #1
The bus leaves the high school, up School Street, down Prospect Street, up Bridge Street, left on Dwight Street, right on Elm Street, turn around at town line, back down Elm Street, down Maple Street, down Main Street to Elementary School.
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Run #2
Bus leaves the Bridge Street station, up Dwight Street, up Elm Street, down main highway to make first pick up, left on Linseed Road to Stoddard resi- dence, turn around, back down Linseed Road to main highway, left down main highway to Harubin's Serv- ice Station. Bus turns around here, takes right at Wolfram's Garage to Dickinson's, left down Pantry Road, down to main highway, left down Chestnut Street; down School Street, down Main Street to Elementary School.
Run #3
Bus leaves the high school to Bradstreet, to Whately town line, turn around, back down River Road, right at Bradstreet Cafe, to main highway, left down Pros- pect Street, down Chestnut Street, down School 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 eighth annual report as prin- cipal of the Center Junior High School and the Hatfield Elementary School.
The greatest change has been the installation of the language laboratory in the junior high for the primary purpose of teaching French, one of the major universal languages today, in grades seven through twelve. The students who are introduced to the study of a modern foreign language are taught the skills of listening and speaking the language before they are introduced to the skills of reading and writing. The laboratory is invalu- able for developing aural comprehension and oral skills. In the laboratory the instructors have access to numer- ous tapes and recordings, which supplement the textbook. It provides direct communication between the teacher and the pupils as a group or individually. Because there are twenty-four booths, the instructors can group the stu- dents according to their particular needs. At one time a teacher may have two or three groups of students, each working on a different area. It provides the most modern device that enables us to have a comprehensive program in the study of a modern foreign language with particular emphasis on the skills of communication.
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Additional audio-visual equipment has been received at both schools. The P.T.C. very generously contributed a new screen and a projection table for the junior high school. An overhead projector, short-wave radio, tape re- corders, sound film projector, filmstrips, and recordings will be used throughout the junior high and elementary schools in every area of study to assure us of maximum usage.
It was necessary to reorganize the junior high library in a basement room to provide room for the language laboratory on the first floor. The library club assumed much of the responsibility for the transition. Many new volumes were added to the shelves. The pupils, teachers, and administrators had a voice in the selections made. Thus, we were assured that these reference materials were essential additions and supplements to the textbooks used. Mr. Harry Blauvelt, always interested in the edu- cation of the youth of the community, made it possible for the junior high to receive the New York Times. The Misses Marion and Louisa Billings added the National Geo- graphic Magazine to the shelves of the junior high library. To all we are deeply indebted and very grateful.
Spelling, as a minor area of study in grades seven and eight, had to be eliminated from the schedule. Instead, Conversational French became a major required area of study for all seventh grade students. Now all pupils in the junior high will be exposed to a modern foreign lan- guage for at least a year. This is the first time both divi- sions of the seventh grade were required to study French. At the present time 103 junior high students are studying this language.
A school safety patrol was formed at the junior high and the elementary schools with the assistance of an in-
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spector from the Registry of Motor Vehicles, who spoke to both the students and the bus drivers and showed a film about the organization and the duties of the patrol. The patrol leaders are responsible for all students crossing the street during the school day. They are used on the ele- mentary buses to assist in loading and unloading, to lead children across the street from the buses safely, and to assist the bus driver with the children on the bus. They assume responsibility for the conduct of these students.
A science exhibit was held at the elementary school auditorium with grades one through twelve participating. The exhibit introduced the parents and interested citizens to the various units of work that are studied at the differ- ent levels of instruction. Much new science equipment was also displayed. A panel of staff members, represent- ing every level of instruction from the primary grades through the senior high school, discussed the science pro- gram offered in the Hatfield Public Schools.
A committee of teachers and the principal met sev- eral times during the year to study a variety of permanent record cards and to compile a new record card for the ele- mentary grades. This permanent record card was used for the first time this September. The card correlates with the report card for the scholastic record and includes more detailed data about each child. This is the first time the record card has been revised in many years.
Every teacher of the elementary school has learned to operate and to use all the projectors and audio-visual equipment available. This will mean that maximum use will be made of available audio-visual equipment.
"Education Strengthens the Nation" was the theme of American Education Week, which was observed in the
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schools from November tenth through the sixteenth. Dur- ing the week the usual parent-teacher conferences were held with great success. More than 90% of the scheduled conferences were held, proving that the family members are interested in the individual pupils and their progress. Thursday evening Open House was held at each of the schools. A new feature this year was the Book Fair held in the auditorium at the elementary school. Over fifteen hundred books on different subjects were on display so that interested students and parents could purchase books for their own use and pleasure. It was a tremendous suc- cess. One important purpose of the fair was to acquaint the parents with the many new books that are published and are available today.
The junior high activities program has enrolled every student in some section of its program. The program is offered every Friday during the fourth period. The activi- ties include the school paper staff, Library Club, Science Club, Math Club, French Club, Glee Club, Student Council, School Safety Patrol, and Office Club. The boys in grades seven and eight also have organized soccer, baseball, and basketball teams, which play a regular schedule of games with other junior highs in the area. We point with pride to the junior high basketball team which had an undefeat- ed season. All ninth grade boys and girls have the oppor- tunity of participating in organized sports at the high school.
. During the year student teachers from the Univer- sity of Massachusetts did their practice teaching in both the junior high and the elementary schools. Miss Vir- ginia Klaes, one of these students, returned to teach in one of the fifth grades.
The classes in both schools enjoyed field trips to aug- ment their classroom work. Historic Boston, New York
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City, the Springfield Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Kentfield Dairy, State Fish Hatchery, North- ampton Public Library, and other places of interest were visited throughout the year. The school bus provided transportation for all trips except the New York trip, which was made via Peter Pan Bus. This is a two-day guided tour of the city with the two eighth grades taking the trip. The students in this grade earn the money with the magazine sales campaign that is held in the fall each year. The students and the staff certainly appreciate the cooperation and support the community gives to these students during this important endeavor.
During the school year the following tests were used: Stanford Achievement-Primary Grades 1
Stanford Achievement-Elementary Grades 3
Stanford Achievement-Intermediate Grades 6
Pupils Record of Education Progress Grades 8
Scott, Foresman Reading Tests Grades 1-6
Otis Alpha Grades 1, 3
Otis Beta Grades 6
Tests are usually administered in the spring and to individual students when test data can be valuable in de- termining the progress a child is making. It is our policy to test all new students who transfer from another school system. These tests can be used for diagnostic purposes.
There is a constant observation of our school pro- gram and an evaluation made of the materials used to obtainour educational goals. No change has ever been made in the program or in the educational materials used unless a careful study determines that such a move is ad-
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vantageous and necessary. Parents are urged to visit the schools to observe the classes in action. Children do their best work when they know that their parents are inter- ested.
In closing I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the school committee, superintendent of schools, teaching staff, parents, pupils, P.T.C., custodians, bus drivers, and other interested citizens who helped to make this year one of the most rewarding. Your assistance has been greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY BREOR,
Principal
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School Savings
TUESDAYS are bank days in the Hatfield Elemen- tary and Junior High Schools.
The School Savings program is sponsored by the three mutual savings banks - Florence Savings Bank, Nonotuck Savings Bank and Northampton Institution for Savings.
Any amount from 5¢ up may be banked each week. It is the hope of the sponsors that children will make an effort to become savings-minded and to save consistently each Tuesday.
Last school year - September 1962 through June 1963 - the total amount deposited in the Hatfield schools was $11,633.
When money is transferred to interest-bearing ac- counts, the first transfer must be at least $3 to draw in- terest and to open a regular bank account. Second and subsequent transfers may be $1 or $2, or as much more as has accumulated at transfer time. When these trans- fers are processed, a transfer slip is issued to the student at school showing the date and the amount of the transfer.
MONDAYS are club bank days for Smith Academy students.
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For club accounts, students are permitted to select their bank and to pay either 50¢ or $1 weekly. The 50¢ club amounts to $25, and the $1 club, $50, when the club expires.
High School Savings Clubs may be opened at any time and cashed or transferred to a regular bank account immediately upon expiration.
Funds for graduation, activities, initial college ex- penses - tuition, books, etc. - may be accumulated pain- lessly via a High School Savings Club.
School banking is also available to teachers, either club or regular. All money deposited on Tuesday at school will be promptly banked at the bank of their choice, saving them a hurried trip to the bank.
Your School Savings banks are providing an easy and convenient program for all in the schools of Hatfield.
Respectfully submitted,
(MRS.) V. S. CONNORS
School Savings Director
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School Health
To the Superintendent and School Committee of Hatfield:
I wish to present my 12th annual report as the school nurse of Hatfield.
School health services include a variety of functions designed to assist in protecting or improving student health and to secure information needed to assist in adapt- ing school programs to the mental and physical abilities and needs of particular students. These functions are de- signed to serve the following purposes : 1-to appraise the health status; 2-to counsel students, parents, and staff personnel in health matters; 3-to encourage the correc- tion of remediable defects; 4-to identify handicapped students; 5-to help prevent or control the spread of com- municable diseases; 6-to provide emergency care for the sick and injured.
Physical examinations have been completed and all major findings were reported to the parents with recom- mendations for the correction of the defects.
The screening tests for Vision and Hearing have been completed with the following results: The vision test was given to 545 students with 37 failing the retest. Of this number, 24 were seen by an eye specialist and 13 failed to report. The hearing test was given to 548 students
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with 21 failing the retest. There were 15 who reported to an ear specialist and 6 who failed to report.
Several Sabin Oral Polio clinics were held. Two make- up clinics for Types I and III were offered to those who could not participate the previous year as well as a gen- eral clinic for Type II which was offered for the first time. In January 57 children received Type I; in March 619 re- ceived Type II; and in May 66 received Type III.
Three booster clinics for the prevention of Whooping Cough-Diphtheria-Tetanus were held in the spring. Three school children who had never had the protection received the series of three injections. In March 136 children at- tended; in April 148; and in May 134. In addition, Adult type boosters were given to 19 seniors.
In compliance with the State Health Laws, all per- sonnel having contact with school children are required to be X-rayed every three years. All personnel reported for X-ray and received negative reports.
Communicable diseases reported during the school year are as follows: measles, 62; mumps, 30; German measles, 18; chicken pox, 1; scarlet fever, 2.
Registration for incoming first grade pupils was held in May. There were 47 children and parents who re- ported.
A census of physically handicapped children was com- pleted and a report was sent to the State Department of Education. The annual census ofall children under 16 years of age was completed and a report made to the superintendent.
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As a prophylactic health measure, Flu vaccine was again offered to the faculty. Thirty-two members re- ceived the injection.
Regarding in-service education, your nurse attended a series of lectures on Mental Health in the spring and a Tuberculosis seminar in the fall.
Our sincerest appreciation is extended to the Hatfield Lions Club, who have so generously donated the new Tit- mus Vision machine to our schools. It is presently being used, and although the testing is not completed for this school year, the results have been very rewarding.
My sincerest appreciation is extended to the school physicians, school officials, teachers and parents for their cooperation and assistance in the school health program. A special word of appreciation is extended to Mrs. William Boyle, Mrs. John A. Skarzynski, and Mrs. Samuel Osley, who so willingly gave their time to render assistance at the many clinics held during the school years.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCILLE H. GODEK, R.N.
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School Lunch
If all the educators of 25 years ago could behold the development of the school lunch program of today, no doubt they would be pleased at the strides in this program which is dedicated to the improvement of the health of school children.
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