USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1958-1963 > Part 9
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For a more detailed report about our elementary schools, your attention is directed to Mrs. Breor's princi- pal's report.
May I once again express my appreciation to the members of the school committee, town officials, my co- workers, both teaching and non-teaching, as well as many others who have been so helpful to me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN A. SKARZYNSKI Superintendent of Schools
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Bus Route
High School - 7:30
Morning-From the Hatfield Garage, to the Hatfield Post Office, to Bradstreet, to the main highway in North Hatfield, down main highway to West Hat- field, down Bridge, down Dwight, down Elm, down Main to high school.
Elementary
Run #1-8:05
From Hatfield Garage to Russell's Restaurant, turn around and back to Bridge Street, down Bridge, down Dwight, down Elm to Sunset Avenue, but not including Sunset Avenue, then to schools.
Run #2-8:20
From Sunset Avenue, down Elm, down Maple, down Main to schools.
Run #3-8:10
From Hatfield Garage to Highway Club, turn left on Pantry Road, to Edward Dickinson's, down to Wol- fram's Corner, down to main highway, down main highway to Chestnut Street, down Chestnut, down School Street to schools.
Run #4-8:10
From the high school, up School Street, up Chest- nut Street, up Prospect Street to the main highway at North Hatfield Club, to Whitcomb's corner, down to Bradstreet Cafe, down to schools.
NOTE: The afternoon trips are in reverse.
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Principal of Elementary School
To the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools :
I wish to submit this fourth annual report as princi- pal of the elementary schools of Hatfield.
November ninth through the thirteenth the schools throughout our nation observed Education Week.
For the first time the Hatfield Public Schools enjoyed the benefits of parent-teacher conferences, which were held during the afternoon session of each school day from one-thirty to three-thirty or four-thirty. Each confer- ence of fifteen minutes was scheduled by the teachers with the cooperation of the parents. The majority of the parents were represented at the conference periods.
Teachers, together with the parents, felt that these conferences were a great success. They gave the parents and the teachers the opportunity to become acquainted, to discuss privately the children's progress in school, and to become acquainted with the general scope of the chil- dren's program of studies so that the home and the school can work together more effectively with the pupils. These conferences were an attempt to plan constructively for the improvement of the child.
The parents were given an opportunity to see and discuss data in the child's cumulative record. Pupil's per- formance in recent tests were evaluated. Samples of the child's work were discussed and reviewed.
101
Both the parents and the teachers were grateful for the opportunities these conferences offered. These should certainly develop a more cooperative relationship be- tween the home and the school. It would be my recom- mendation that the parent-teacher conferences be con- tinued each year for a three day period in the fall and again in the spring.
Thursday evening of Education Week from six-thirty to eight o'clock the schools were opened to give the par- ents and interested citizens the opportunity to visit the schools. Conferences were not scheduled as it would have been impossible to accommodate all the parents dur- ing one evening.
During the school year the following tests were ad- ministered :
Henmon-Nelson Tests of Mental Ability - Grades 3, 5, 7,8.
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills - Grades 4, 6, and 8.
Stanford Achievement Tests - Grades 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7.
Scott, Foresman Reading Tests - Grades 1, 2, and 3.
Scott, Foresman Arithmetic Tests - Grades 5 and 6.
The tests of mental ability and achievement are us- ually given near the end of the school year. Reading tests are given whenever a group has completed a basic reader.
These test results are not used solely for grading or promoting individuals. These tests are just an indication of what a child's potential is and what progress the child is making. As the scores are based on national norms, they give the administrators and the teachers an oppor- tunity to compare our test results with these norms.
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The best judge of a pupil's work, progress, and abil- ity is the classroom teacher. By working constantly with the child every day of the school year, the teacher is cer- tainly in a position to know a child's work habits, strengths, and weaknesses. The test results aid the teach- er in making decisions about a child. Most of the time children who are making normal progress in their class- room work will achieve the same success on these stan- dard tests.
It is not our policy to divulge the numerical ratings of any child to any parent or child. There is a strong possibility that they would be misunderstood and mis- interpreted. At the parent-teacher conferences the in- dividual profile of each child was shown to the parents. From the profile the parents could easily see the child's strengths and weaknesses.
These tests may be used for certain diagnostic pur- poses. By studying the individual child's test, the teacher can discover where persistent errors were made and in what area the child shows a weakness. From these studies teachers can plan their classroom work so that these weaknesses can be overcome.
One may read about the pros and cons of tests in most of the national magazines today. Misused they do not serve a constructive purpose, but used wisely and correctly, they certainly aid the staff in planning their classroom work and in passing judgment on any child.
This past fall semester we did not have an art in- structor. With fourteen classrooms in three different buildings, it would be impossible for an art instructor to meet with each class in one day. Therefore, the art in- struction was the responsibility of the classroom teachers. These teachers did a commendable job, using a variety of mediums and many new creative ideas.
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The music supervisor, Mrs. Esther Norris, with the assistance of all teachers and administrators, held two musical programs for the enjoyment of the public, one in the spring and one at Christmas time. Each program had different pupils participating. It is our policy to give each child an opportunity to participate sometime during his school career.
Our penmanship supervisor, Mrs. Coos, from the Rinehart Writing System meets with each of the classes one day each month. Manuscript writing is taught in the first two grades and cursive writing is taught in the other grades. The results are exceptional. Most of the children are rated as excellent.
During the last few months of the school year, we were privileged to have five student teachers with us from the University of Massachusetts. This served a dual purpose. Our teachers were able to give these stu- dents the necessary teaching experience they needed and to help them with any problems that confronted them. They, in turn, having just completed four years of the best teaching and educational training program, were able to acquaint our teachers with some of the latest methods and materials used in education today. This program proved highly successful.
At the present time all children in the junior high are required to carry the same subject load, disregarding a child's capabilities and interests. If the school commit- tee and the superintendent approve of the six-three-three plan next year, it will give our children in junor high an opportunity to have the required basic subjects and elec- tives in some fields of endeavor in which they are particu- larly interested. There is no reason to assume that art, music, and penmanship should be a requirement for all these children. Children who have no interest and defi- nitely no talent in some of these arts should be guided into a field of endeavor which would develop their inter- ests and their talents.
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Principal of Center School
The new fifth grade classroom at the town hall opened in the fall. With new equipment, including seat- ing units, cabinets, files, tackboard, and portable black- board, it has proved to be one of our finest classrooms.
For the first time the Center School has a sound film projector of its own. Since the high school purchased a new projector, the projector that was shared by all has been sent to the Center School. Now we can plan to use it more extensively for our needs.
The Center School was fortunate this year in having the P. T. C. take an active interest in its needs. It has very generously provided us with bicycle racks and basketball hoops. To them we are deeply indebted.
The black-top behind Center School was resurfaced this fall. This was a necessity as the condition of the surface was very dangerous to the children at play.
All window sash in the classrooms and in the main hallways have been replaced. Previously, these windows were impossible to open. This adds greatly to the safety of our building in the case of fire.
Scripture Once to Every Man and Nation Welcome
The Changing Mood of America
Expanded Boundaries A Challenge to Democracy The Vision
America the Beautiful
Jeanne Zembiski Grades 6, 7, 8 Jane Kabat Mary Dickinson Frank Godek Barbara Yarrows Grades 6, 7, 8 Grades 6, 7, 8
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Presentation of Class Gift Beverly Michajluk
Presentation of Library Awards Mrs. Theresa Godin
Presentation of Penmanship Awards Miss Jean Kempisty
Address Superintendent John Skarzynski
Presentation of Diplomas Chairman Henry Kulesza, Hatfield School Committee
Class Song Star Spangled Banner
Stephen Bruscoe
William Byrne
Frank Godek
Roderick Kellogg
Edward Korza
Constance Betsold
Kathleen Curran
Edwina Deres
Mary Dickinson
Jane Kabat Arlene Karakula Beverly Korza
Grade 8 All Carl Osepowicz George Rogaleski James Smith Daniel Snook William Symanski Beverly Michajluk Sandra Nartowicz Carole Skorupski Ruth Thayer Margaret Wilkes Barbara Yarrows Jeanne Zembiski
Joanne Zembiski
To the school committee, superintendent, teaching staff, custodians, townspeople, P. T. C., and pupils, may I extend my sincere thanks for the assistance you have given me and for the interest you have shown in provid- ing our children with a fine educational program.
Respectfully submitted, MRS. DOROTHY M. BREOR Principal of Center School
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School Savings
Mrs. V. S. Connors, School Savings Director, has submitted the following report which I should like to in- clude in my report :
Tuesdays are school banking days in Center and School Street schools.
The School Savings program is sponsored by the three mutual savings banks: Florence Savings Bank, Nonotuck Savings Bank and Northampton Institution for Savings.
From September 1958 through June 1959, the total amount banked in the two schools was $7,763.48 - a de- crease of $741.98 from the previous year.
There are 281 accounts in Center School and 39 in School Street.
At intervals during the year, amounts are trans- ferred from School Savings accounts to regular interest- bearing bank accounts. The total transferred during last school year was $7,550.66
Total participation for the year was 58.9% - a 2.5% increase over 1958.
The three School Savings banks also sponsor a 50- week Club Plan in Smith Academy on Mondays. There are two clubs for the student to select - 50¢ and $1 week- ly.
Clubs may be opened at any time and at expiration may be cashed or transferred to regular bank accounts.
The Club Plan is a convenient method for high school students to accumulate funds for the many graduation activities and expenses; also for a starter on a future college career.
MRS. V. S. CONNORS School Savings Director
107
School Health
To the Superintendent and School Committee of Hatfield :
I herewith submit my eighth annual report as the School Nurse of Hatfield.
The basic purpose of the school health program is two-fold: to assure that each child achieves the most of which he is capable from his educational opportunity and to provide a healthy adult population for the future. To achieve this, the school must impress sound health habits; give factual health instruction; provide an environment that is safe, pleasant and emotionally understanding, and recognize and refer for treatment children with physical, emotional and social handicaps.
The attainment of these goals requires the active co- operation of many people. Parents, of course, have the primary responsibility, supported by the cooperative efforts of the family physician and dentist, school physi- cian, teacher, nurse and school administrator.
Health services which are rendered in our schools are as follows : thorough physical examination, measure- ment of height and weight, immunizations, screening tests for vision and hearing, First Aid and health coun- seling with parents and teachers.
Each child in the elmentary school, as well as the sophomores, seniors and athletes at the high school was given a thorough physical examination. During the ex- amination the pupil was given the opportunity to discuss his problem with the physician, was informed of his physical growth, and when necessary, was advised as to further treatment. Home visits were made to interpret the findings.
108
In the spring, three Booster Immunization clinics were held whereby the pupils received toxoid for the pre- vention of Whooping Cough, Tetanus and Diphtheria. At the March clinic 110 children were innoculated, in April, 133 and in May 94. In addition, 6 children who had never had this protection received the series of three injections.
The screening tests for Vision and Hearing have been completed with the results as follows :
Number of children tested by the
Massachusetts Vision Test 460
Number of children who failed the retest 34
Number of children seen by an eye specialist 28
Number of children who did not report 6
Number of children tested by the
pure tone Audiometer 461
Number of children who failed the retest 19
Number of children seen by an ear specialist 13
Number of children who did not report 2
Communicable diseases reported during the year were as follows :
Chicken Pox 32
Measles 4
Registration for entering first grade children was held in May. The number of children who were regis- tered was 42.
My sincere appreciation is extended to the school officials, physicians, teachers and parents for their co- operation and assistance in the school health program.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCILLE H. GODEK, R.N.
109
School Lunch
Many still think of lunch at school as consisting of the a la carte foods of their own school days - not realiz- ing that the emphasis has changed to a daily nutritious meal, complete with all the protective and other foods needed by growing children.
A large percentage of our students participate in our school lunch program. The program has served a meal of high quality for 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 of whole milk, 2 ounces of protein-rich foods (either meat, fish, cheese, egg, 1/2 cup beans or 4 tablespoons of peanut butter), 3/4 cup of two or more vegetables or fruit, at least one slice of enriched bread or its equivalent and 2 teaspoons of butter. No dessert is required, but we in- clude one with every hot lunch served. These desserts may be fruits or gelatines or various kinds of pudding, cakes, brownies, etc., all made in the school kitchen. Menus are planned to include Vitamin A at least twice a week and Vitamin C every day. All our meats, eggs, fresh vegetables and canned goods are top-quality, pur- chased from well-known wholesale houses. Certain gov- ernment inspected commodities are received monthly from the state and these help to keep the price of the school lunch at a minimum.
Our school cafeteria is presently staffed by six women, consisting of Mrs. Hazel Roberts, manager, Mrs. Irene Labbee, Mrs. Susan Zima, Mrs. Winifred Betsold, Mrs. Wanda Shea and Mrs. Helen Kugler. These women have
110
the youngsters in mind while preparing and serving the lunches, adding a little touch here and there to please them.
The hot lunch, as you know, is served for 25¢ and statistics show that a cold lunch of equal nutritional value cannot be packed at home for less than 38¢. Then again, is enough time and planning always put into the home packed lunch to have its food value equal to that of the type "A" lunch served in school? We feel that America's greatest bargain today is the school lunch.
Another important function of the hot lunch is its part in the education program of the school. It teaches the children to eat everything, or at least to eat some of everything. They learn to eat unfamiliar foods simply by observing their classmates, all having similar lunches. Many foods are strange to them because they are not served at home, where mothers naturally cater to their families' likes and dislikes. At school one meal is served to all alike and many youngsters have learned to like things never tried before.
The menus of the program are published in the daily newspapers and are also posted in the classrooms.
During the lunch period, the high school students are supervised by the high school teachers who have lunch at the cafeteria. The elementary pupils are supervised by their homeroom teacher, with overall supervision handled by the elementary principal, Mrs. Dorothy Breor.
I believe many mothers find that their children eat better at home since participating in the hot lunch pro- gram at school.
The main purpose of the program is not filling the empty stomach of the student but rather to provide him with 1/3 of his daily nutritional requirements and to teach the student to like health-giving foods.
111
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.
The following is an accounting of the number of lunches served during the past year.
Days Lunch Served
No. of Lunches Served
January
20
7,800
February
15
5,660
March
21
7,731
April
17
6,508
May
21
7,840
June
8
2,775
September
16
6,251
October
20
7,880
November
17
6,675
December
16
6,195
Total
171
65,315
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN A. SKARZYNSKI, Director, Hatfield School Lunch
HATFIELD SCHOOL ENROLLMENT October 1, 1959
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
1952
48
38
32
31
40
26
20
21
256
18
25
21
20
84
340
1953
54
44
29
38
31
35
25
21
277
20
16
26
19
81
358
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
47
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
==
112
Read horizontally
= ==
PREDICTED ENROLLMENT CHART Based on October 1, 1959 Census of in-school and pre-school children
Elementary Grades
Elem. Total
H. S. Total
Total All Grades
1958
46
53
47
54
38
52
25
355
37
25
11 33
19
114
469
1959
41
49
54
44
54
39
52
39
372
22
36
28
32
118
490
1960
36
41
49
54
44
54
39
52
369
39
22
36
28
125
494
==
1961
45
36
41
49
54
44
54
39
362
52
39
22 36
149
511
1962
55
45
36
41
49
54
44
54
379
39
52
39
22
152
531
1963
44
55
45
36
41
49
54
44
54
39
52
39
184
552
1964
40
44
55
45
36
41
49
54
364
44
54
39
52
189
553
==
Read horizontally
2
3
4
5
6
7 40
8
9
10
12
H. S. Grades
1
113
==
368
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1959
Regular Day School :
Appropriation for support $130,000.00
Transferred from Surplus Revenue 448.44
Total for support
130,448.44
Unexpended balance-returned to Surplus Revenue .20
Expenditure from appropriation and surplus cash 130,448.24
Expenditure from Public Law 874 2,533.87
Expenditure from Public Law 864
110.74
Total Expenditures $133,092.85
Credits : Reimbursements to Town of Hatfield from Commonwealth of Massachusetts
General School Fund
(Chap. 70) $ 22,027.50
Transportation (Chapter 71)
5,282.10
Total reimbursement for regular day school to Town of Hatfield from Commonwealth $ 27,309.60
Credits : Reimbursement to School Committee from Federal Government
Federal-Law-PL-874
$
3,423.00
Federal Law-PL-864
652.87
Total reimbursement to School Committee received from Federal Government $ 4,075.87
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Vocational Tuition and Transportation :
Appropriation for support $ 9,865.00 Unexpended balance-returned to surplus cash 1,624.22
Total support $ 8,240.78
Credits : Reimbursements to Town of Hatfield from Commonwealth of Massachusetts for Vocational Tuition and Transportation Vocational Tuition $ 2,167.97
Vocational Transportation 585.96
Total reimbursement for Vocational Tuition and Transportation to Town of Hatfield from Commonwealth $ 2,753.93
STAFF CONTRACTS
School Year 1959-1960
(As of October 1, 1959) Professional Staff
Amount
Number 1
$1,800.00
2
3,800.00
4
3,950.00
2
4,050.00
2
4,200.00
1
4,350.00
3
4,400.00
1
4,500.00
1
4,800.00
1
4,900.00
1
4,950.00
1
5,000.00
3
5,200.00
1
5,800.00
1
6,800.00
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Nurse
1
1,800.00
Custodians
1
3,300.00
1
3,100.00
Penmanship
1
500.00
On the Road Driver Education
Per hour
2.50
Substitute Teachers
12.00
Per hour
1.00
HATFIELD SCHOOL DEPARTMENT SCHOOL BUDGET ESTIMATE
1960
General Control
$ 4,025.00
Instruction
124,738.00
Operation
17,870.00
Maintenance and Repair
2,961.00
Capital Outlay 3,216.50
Other Agencies
12,690.00
Total 1960 Budget Estimate
$165,500.50
1960 Budget Estimate $ 2,500.00
Superintendent's Salary
Superintendent's Expense
400.00
Office Expense
175.00
Census
50.00
Work Certificates
300.00
Clerk
600.00
Total
$ 4,025.00
Per day
Clerk
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Salaries
Elementary salaries
$ 73,100.00
Secondary salaries
39,168.00
Instruction-Handicapped Children
800.00
Penmanship, Art, Music
2,900.00
Elementary, Instructional Supplies, Texts, etc.
Elementary-Instr. supplies 4,700.00
Elementary-Principal's expenses 50.00
Elementary-A. V. Aids
100.00
Elementary-Office expenses 50.00
Junior High-A. V. Aids
75.00
Secondary, Instructional Supplies, Texts, etc.
Secondary-instr. supplies
3,400.00
Secondary-Principal's expenses
60.00
Driver Education supplies
175.00
Secondary-A. V. Aids
100.00
Secondary-Office expenses
60.00
Total
$124,738.00
Elementary-Janitor's salary $ 2,000.00
Elementary-Janitor's salary
360.00
Junior High-Janitor's salary
3,400.00
Secondary-Janitor's salary
3,400.00
Elementary fuel
1,200.00
Junior High fuel
2,200.00
Secondary fuel
1,000.00
Misc. Operational-Elementary
2,000.00
Misc. Operational-Junior High
950.00
Misc. Operational-Secondary
700.00
Town Hall-Janitor's supplies
150.00
Telephone service-Elementary
75.00
118
Telephone service-Junior High
175.00
Telephone service-Secondary
260.00
Total
$ 17,870.00
Center School
$ 2,861.00
School Street School
100.00
Total
$
2,961.00
New Equipment
$ 3,101.50
Alterations
115.00
Total
$
3,216.50
Transportation
$ 8,200.00
Transportation-Athletic
850.00
Salary of Nurse
1,800.00
Nurse's Expenses
100.00
Health Supplies
75.00
School Library-Elementary
125.00
School Library-Junior High
75.00
School Library-Secondary
150.00
Physical Education
600.00
Athletic Insurance
420.00
Graduation
150.00
Insurance-Liability
45.00
Miscellaneous
100.00
Total
$ 12,690.00
Total Budget Estimate
$165,500.50
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SCHOOL CALENDAR 1959-1960
1959
Sept. 8 Staff Meeting-9.30 a.m.
Sept. 9 Schools open-full sessions.
Oct. 12
Columbus Day-no school.
Oct. 21 F. C. T. A. Convention.
Nov. 11 Veterans' Day-no school.
Nov. 25 Thanksgiving recess. Schools close at noon-no lunch.
Nov. 30 Schools reopen-full sessions
Dec. 23 Schools close at noon for Christmas recess. No lunch.
High School graduation dismissed with report
1960
Jan. 4 Schools reopen-full sessions.
Feb. 19 Schools close for winter vacation.
Feb. 29 Schools reopen-full sessions.
April 15 Good Friday-no school Schools close for spring vacation.
April 25 Schools reopen-full sessions.
May 30 Memorial Day.
June 15 Cafeteria serves last lunch. Elementary pupils not participating in Junior cards after full sessions.
June 16 All teachers report for closing details. All pupils participating in Junior High School graduation report to school.
June 17 High School closes.
Elementary School-179 days.
High School-180 days.
120
Director of Accounts
February 25, 1959
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Joseph J. Wendlowski, Jr., Chairman Hatfield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the tow nof Hatfield for the year ending December 31, 1958, made in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. William Schwartz, Assist- and Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
HERMAN B. DINE,
Director of Accounts
121
Mr. Herman B. Dine Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Hatfield for the fiscal year 1958, and report as follows thereon :
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing town funds or sending out bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by comparison with the town treas- urer's and the town accountant's records.
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