USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town annual reports of the officers of the town of Agawam, for the year ending 1920 > Part 4
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Our third and greatest problem is that of a High School of our own. We might write at length upon the advantages to us, as we see them, in maintaining an Agawam High School. However, we refer you to the report of Mr. Waterhouse for an excellent discussion of this question. We endorse all that he says in regard to this matter and we urge your most care- ful consideration of this topic. The voters have instructed the Selectmen to take a site for a high school building and a bond issue of $250,000 has been authorized to raise the funds necessary for such a building. Building material has fallen
75
off in price, in some cases to pre-war prices, and labor seems to be more anxious to work for a reasonable wage. We have been waiting for a favorable opportunity to take this step forward in our school building program. To us it appears that the time has now arrived. Your school building com- mittee has established a competition to select plans for such a building. Six of the leading architects of this vicinity are planning to present designs for the consideration of the com- mittee. An expert in designing high school buildings has promised to come on from Boston to give whatever assistance and advice the committee may need in selecting the design best fitted for our purposes. Let's all get together and put through our High School project this year. Financial expediency de- mands it, educational efficiency makes it imperative, social advantages plead its importance, and civic pride urges it. Let's get busy on the job and do it NOW.
October 1, 1919 Dr. George B. Corcoran of West Spring- field assumed his duties as medical inspector in our schools. Dr. Corcoran has an extensive practice in this section and was for some time during the late war Naval Examiner for the United States government. We feel that we have been very fortunate in securing his services.
It was with great regret that we accepted the resignation of Mr. Ralph Waterhouse as Assistant Superintendent of our schools. All who came in contact with him were pleased with his never failing courtesy, his tactful handling of difficult situations, and his complete mastery of all school matters. Committee, teachers and towns people, we all unite in extend- ing to him our best wishes for his success in his new field of work. As his successor we have secured Mr. Joseph R. Bur- gess, principal of the Sawyer School, Gloucester, Massachu- setts. We hope you will take an early opportunity to meet Mr. Burgess and get acquainted with him. He has the "ear- marks of a comer."
76
In conclusion, we wish to thank parents and friends for their courtesy and support throughout the year just past and we hope for a continuance of the same during this coming 1921.
Respectfully submitted, J. ARSENE ROY, CLIFFORD M. GRANGER, PERCIVAL V. HASTINGS.
Financial Statement of Schools
GENERAL EXPENSE
J. A. Roy, salary $ 85.00
C. M. Granger, salary
75.00
P. V. Hastings, salary
150.00
W. E. Gushee, salary 979.98
R. H. Waterhouse, salary 965.00
W. S. Safford, attendance officer
20.00
Wm. DeForge, attendance officer 10.00
Jasper DeForge, attendance officer 20.00
C. F. Randall, expenses 11.16
S. Hussy Reed, expenses 9.72
Rhea M. Foisy, clerical work
5.40
W. E. Gushee, expenses, telephone, postage
77.35
C. M. Granger, express, telephone, post- age
8.61
Katherine G. Danahy, clerical work ..
104.00
R. H. Waterhouse, expenses, telephone, postage 37.16
P. V. Hastings, telephone, postage 2.11
Forbes & Wallace, supplies
13.80
Marion Scott, clerical work
4.00
Joseph R. Hastings, supplies
2.25
A. H. Bartlett, supplies
2.05
O. E. Harris and C. F. Hunt, supplies
16.50
Wright & Potter Printing Co.
4.07
$ 2,603.16
78
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
Lulu E. S. Freichler
$ 306.25
Helen Arnold
300.00
Alice Powers
300.00
Ruth Cook
300.00
Kate Adams
1,380.00
Viola W. Phillips
638.42
Anna Dresser
420.00
Dagma A. Fant
480.00
Lena Collis
1,020.00
Edith R. Barr
914.21
Elinor Gibney
920.00
Minnetta M. Jurgenson
420.00
Myrtle J. Moore
870.00
Gertrude C. Lawrence
420.00
Katherine G. Danahy
1,444.00
Mae Lynch
920.00
Catherine Powers
946.80
Olive A. Fox
963.21
Nellie T. Granfield
970.00
Mary J. Kelly
963.95
Lillian M. Kelliher 681.58
Jennie M. Lucas
1,053.16
Phoebe Hooper
420.00
Madrine L. Wood
1,380.00
Rhoda H. Bolton
920.00
Cora E. Halliday
1,020.00
Olive C. Duguid
970.00
Mabel D. Allen
795.26
Faolin M. Peirce
1,330.00
Harriet D. Pierce
793.68
Lucy E. Carver
870.00
Hazel M. Sullivan
1,004.23
Edna B. Harmon
920.00
Elizabeth M. Hammond 408.96
Lulu Ventrees 328.00
79
Mary Kerr
540.00
Leora Pease
240.00
Helen L. Ewald
450.00
Lillian Hayhurst
480.00
Sarah Wheaton
293.68
Mrs. Miller
12.70
Hope Williams
185.20
Mrs. Zifford Barcomb
322.08
Mrs. Dumas
52.50
$30,373.92
TEXT BOOKS
Edward E. Babb & Co.
437.66
Rand, McNally & Co.
85.27
American Book Co.
10.29
Silver Burdett Co.
109.64
Boston and Springfield Desp. express. .
1.53
D. C. Heath & Co.
202.85
Milton Bradley Co.
63.87
A. S. Barnes
5.95
Ginn & Co.
357.38
The John C. Winston Co.
22.63
Benj. H. Sanborn & Co.
55.13
Little Brown & Co. 92.80
G. Schirmer Inc.
3.58
Blodgett Music Store
1.31
C. C. Birchard & Co.
3.03
The Cable Co.
5.00
$ 1,457.92
SUPPLIES
Denoyer Geppert Co.
12.60
Milton Bradley
503.04
A. H. Bartlett
15.19
A. A. Meisner
3.36
80
Meekins, Packard & Wheat
9.00
Edward E. Babb & Co.
870.78
Ryan & Bucker 15.40
Iroquois Rub. Co. 11.04
Boston & Springfield Desp. Co.
78.61
Johnson's Bookstore
55.55
Joseph F. Ryan Inc.
80.28
Fred. H. Brown
22.44
G. H. Blackburn
1.06
Richards Map Co.
4.50
Kate Adams
1.35
J. T. Hammett Co.
123.12
The A. N. Palmer Co.
32.00
$ 1,840.39
EXPENSES OF OPERATING
Wm. Bagley, building fires and clean-
ing
47.25
Chas. H. Wyman, building fires 39.00
Chas. H. Wood, janitor
611.60
Jas. Jasmin, janitor
673.00
Karl Birk, janitor
557.00
D. J. Bloom, janitor
906.00
Gertrude C. Lawrence, care of room 16.00
Myrtle J. Moore, care of room 39.00
Elizabeth Hammond, care of room 16.00
W. A. Fairbank, building fires
22.00
Helen L. Ewald, care of room
23.00
Edna B. Harmon, care of room
23.00
Springfield Gas Light Co.
36.00
Agawam Electric Co.
34.18
Lee S. Jenks
96.00
Chas D. Farnsworth, Inc.
3,832.38
Amedi Jasmin
9.00
Randall Bros.
13.00
F. M. West Box Co.,
15.50
81
Masury Young Co. 53.23
E. A. Kellogg & Sons.
12.07
Chas. W. Hastings Co. 34.31
The Tuohey Co.
5.80
Haskell Electric Co. 15.00
C. W. Hedgeman
1.49
F. J. Pomeroy
10.00
Levi Rivers
48.00
Alfred F. Foote, commissioner
16.00
Otto Baab
5.91
Carlisle Hardware Co.
16.77
T. M. Walker Co.
6.24
Forbes & Wallace
52.58
Burden & Bryant Co.
1.75
Wm. E. Bent
2.33
H. W. Cowles
6.00
Jas. Jasmin
11.00
Sackett Bros. Co., Inc.
58.50
H. W. Carter Paper Co.
35.40
Amede Jasmin
4.50
John Griffin
4.50
Fred C. McLean
34.52
Jos. Borgatti
5.23
Mr. Finn
4.50
Karl Birk
2.00
Oliver & Howland
.17
Springfield Window Cleaning Co.
38.00
Alling Rubber Co.
.50
$ 7,495.21
MAINTENANCE
Geo. R. Estabrook $ 77.35
Bacon, Taplin Co.
25.47
T. M. Walker Co.
53.38
L. H. Scott Co.
268.99
Fred C. McLean 33.08
82
E. J. Demars
59.21
The Lincoln Co.
1,824.40
Herbert C. Hayward 2.50
P. & T. Corbin Lock Co. 1.96
O. C. Alderman
6.90
E. M. White
23.45
Stone, Underhill, Heating & Ventilat- ing Co.
43.20
Levi Rivers
26.00
Karl Birk .
4.00
Tuohey & Co.
6.25
J. A. Roy
16.91
Chas. H. Wood
17.50
Otto Babb
3.25
Sackett Bros. Co., Inc.
20.00
J. J. Cotter Co.
30.15
John Burke
141.21
Haskell Elec. Co.
5.53
Wm. T. Bagley
3.80
Geo. W. Hayden
210.98
B. D. Nims
18.92
Burden & Bryant
2.40
$ 2,973.79
HEALTH .
Joseph L. Cohn
$ 20.40
Dr. J. W. Hastings
100.00
$ 120.40
TRANSPORTATION
Wm. Bailey $ 75.00
Springfield St. R. R. Co.
3,058.45
R. Chamberlain
233.75
A. Grasso
330.00
Chas. Calabrese
140.25
83
Jas. Cleary
179.50
Lee Jenks
91.75
Anthony Mercadante 102.00
Louis DePalma
114.75
Everet Harlow
154.00
E. Statkum
139.75
Frank Chriscolo
200.00
Fred Dudley
135.00
$ 4,954.20
TUITION
City of Springfield
$ 3,483.00
West Springfield
7,023.11
$10,506.11
OUTLAYS
Meekins, Packard & Wheat $ 209.48
SUMMARY
General expense
$ 2,603.16
Expense of instruction
30,373.92
Text books
1,457.92
Supplies
1,840.39
Expense of operating
7,495.21
Maintenance
2,973.79
Health
120.40
Transportation
4,954.20
Tuition
4,954.20
Outlay
209.48
$62,534.58
AVAILABLE
Appropriation $61,000.00
Vocational school
68.50
City of Springfield, refund
10.00
W. E. Gushee
20.00
$62,098.50
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Superintendent's Report
School Committee of Agawam :
Gentlemen : The following is submitted as the report of the superintendent of schools for the year ending December 31, 1920, it being the 20th report since the duties of superin- tendent were assumed by the present encumbent, the thir- tieth since a supervision district was formed, the 18th since the present union with Ludlow, and the first in conjunction with an assistant superintendent.
During the period of 20 years just closed the population of Agawam has increased from 2536 to 5023, the school en- rollment from 415 to 1228, the number of teachers employed from 15 to 31.
The following table shows the enrollment in the schools of Agawam each year during the last 20 years, classified into three groups-Public grade schools, high school, and parochial school. It also shows totals for each year and increase from year to year.
GROWTH IN ENROLLMENT DURING 20 YEARS
Grades
High
Parochial
Total
Increase
1901
388
34
24
446
. .
1902
418
39
44
501
55
1903
415
34
47
49€
. .
1904
406
40
38
484
. .
1905
413
44
53
510
9
1906
419
48
81
548
38
85
1907
425
53
91
569
21
1908
426
47
101
574
5
1909
438
39
97
574
. .
1910
458
42
120
620
46
1911
463
47
78
588
. .
1912
510
57
127
684
64
1913
503
46
122
671
. .
1914
560
55
111
726
42
1915
630
75
121
826
100
1916
817
89
110
1016
190
1917
824
106
140
1070
54
1918
858
104
146
1108
38
1919
932
89
157
1178
70
1920
1008
95
125
1228
50
784
Average rate of growth during 20 years, 39 pupils per year.
Average rate of growth during last 10 years, 61 pupils per year.
Average rate of growth during last 5 years, 97 pupils per year.
The older we grow, the faster we grow.
TEACHERS
The following changes have been made in the teaching force since the last annual report.
Resignations
Phoebe Hooper, Supervisor of Music.
Hope Williams, North Agawam, Grade I.
Mary Kerr, Agawam Center, Grade VII.
Lillian Hayhurst, Agawam Center, Grades V, VI. Sarah Wheaton, Agawam Center, Grades I, II. Mrs. Zifford Barcom, Agawam Center, Grade I. Helen Ewald, Suffield Street, Grades I, II, III.
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY
Transfers SEP 1 1921
Edna B. Harmon from West Street School to Springfield Street School, Grades IV and V.
Appointments
Alice Powers, Supervisor of Music.
Lillian Kelliher, North Agawam, Principal's Assistant.
Dagna Fant, Agawam Center, Grades VI and VII. Anna W. Dresser, Agawam Center, Grades V and VII. Mirnetta Jurgenson, Agawam Center, Grades I and II.
Mrs. Viola Phillips, Agawam Center, Principal's Assistant.
Gertrude Lawrence, Suffield Street.
Elizabeth Hammond, West Street. .
Harriet D. Pierce, Springfield Street, Grade II.
Returned from leave of absence
Helen L. Arnold, Supervisor of Drawing.
ENROLLMENT
Pupils attending Public High Schools
West Springfield 59
Springfield Technical High 11
Springfield High School of Commerce 1
Springfield Central High 2
Chestnut Street Junior High 22
Total in public high schools 95
Attending public grade schools of town 1008
Attending Springfield Vocational School 6
Total in public schools 1109
Attending St. William's Parochial 125
'Total attending all schools 1234
Increase during year in Public grade schools 64
Increase during year in High School 6 ·
87
High School Enrollment by Precincts and by Classes
I II
III
IV
Total
Feeding Hills 15
2
8
3
28
Agawam Center 23
13
3
8
47
North Agawam 9
2
5
4
20
GRADUATION
The fifth annual graduation of the Grammar School pupils of the town of Agawam was held at the Town Hall, Agawam Center June 10, 1920. The program was in charge of Miss Kate Adams, Principal of Agawam Center School, assisted by Mrs. Treichler, Teacher of Elocution and Miss Hooper, Supervisor of Music. The program is printed below :
1 Processional, COMBINED ORCHESTRAS
2 Prayer, REV. JOHN G. DUTTON
3 March of the Spheres, Goldmark
COMBINED CHORUSES
4 Happy Days, Streletzki
Voice, EVELYN COUTURE
Violin, LAWRENCE HOULIHAN
5 The Twenty-Third Psalm, Mendelssohn
COMBINED CHORUSES
6 The Plate of Gold, James Buckham
DOUGLASS GLADDEN
7 Standard Airs of America, Asher
COMBINED ORCHESTRAS
8 (a) Integer Vitae (Ode from Horace) Flemming
(b) Bells of Seville COMBINED CHORUSES
Vaezie
9 Moonlight Schottische, Asher First Violins, ALFRED FOURNIER, ADRIENNE RISING Second Violin, NELSON TRAVELLION Drum, NORTON AUSTIN
88
Strauss
10 Beautiful Blue Danube, AGAWAM GRADUATES
12 The Secret of Success,
SIMPSON CLARK
13 The Heavens Resound, Beethoven
COMBINED CHORUSES
14 Awarding Diplomas, J.A. ROY, Chairman of School Committee
15 PAGEANT-The Golden Star
16 Benediction, REV. E. E. VENTRES
GRADUATES
AGAWAM CENTER
*M. Marjorie Bitgood
*Dorothy Eastman Bodurtha
*Mike Charvat
*Griffith R. Davies
*Vera B. Pomeroy
* Marjorie Louise Fay
*Paul A. Rudman
*Everett W. Ewig
*Marion Agnes Scannell
#Ruth M. Ferguson
*Marion M. Seaver Edith M. J. Smith
* Alfred Goldstharpe Douglas Washington Gladden
*Louise R. Hawley
#Frances Nowers Hinckley
*Samuel T. Johnson
*Frank Maspo
FEEDING HILLS
*Norton B. Austin
*Everett A. Kellogg
*Rosella T. Arnold
*Lawrence N. King
*Florence Blish
*Elise Blish
*Simpson W. Clark
*Elmer P. Cleary
*Mary K. Shea
* Elizabeth L. Tilden
*Nelson E. Trevallion
*Elna L. Hendrickson
*Medora Frances Wilson
Frederic N. Manley
*Marie Louise Newman
* Henrietta Elizabeth Otto Raymond W. Plouf
*Evelyn F. Ventres *Gladys Victoria Wells
* Alfred L. Fournier Mary Frankel
* Elizabeth M. Marsh Elizabeth J. Mercadante Cecil A. Potter
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MITTINEAGUE
*Raymond C. Costa
* Evelyn L. Couture Irene R. DeForge Dante J. Feriole
*Edmond A. Gosselin
*Lawrence M. Houlahan
#Helen C. Mclaughlin
*Caroline M. Novelli Gabrielle A. Poirier
* Alfred J. St. John
*Joseph P. Vincelette
*Roland A. Wilson John Yelinek, Jr.
These pupils entered high school last September.
90
SCHOOL DIRECTORY 1920
Name
School
Date of Appointment
Home Address
Walter E. Gushee
Superintendent of Schools
Dec. 1901
Joseph R. Burgess
Asst. Supt. of Schools
Jan.
1921
Alice Powers
Supervisor of Music
Sept.
1920
741 Union St., Springfield
Helen L Arnold
Supervisor of Drawing
Dec. 1921
Lulu Treichler
Teacher of Elocution
Sept.
1917
317 St. James Ave., Springfield
Katherine Danahy, Prin.
North Agawam, Grades VIII, IX
Sept.
1899
Mittineague
Mae P. Lynch
North Agawam, Grade VII
Sept.
1919
4 Gunn Sq., Springfield
Katherine Powers
North Agawam, Grades V, VI
Sept.
1917
Mittineague
Olive A. Fox
North Agawam,
Grades IV, V
Sept. 1914
18 Hampden St., Springfield
Nellie T. Granfield
North Agawam,
Grades III, IV
Sept.
1918
14 Genesee St., Springfield
Mary J. Kelly
North Agawam, Grade II
Sept.
1919
Lee
Jennie M. Lucas
North Agawam, Grade I
Sept.
1900
Plantsville, Conn.
Lillian Kelliher
North Agawam, Gr. I, Prin. Asst.
Sept.
1920
62 Narragansett St., Springfield
Kate Adams, Prin.
Agawam Center, Gr. VIII, IX
Sept.
1917
Concord, N. H., Route I
Dagna Fant
Agawam Center, Gr. VI, VII
Sept.
1920
Holden, Mass.
Anna W. Dresser
Agawam Center, Gr. V, VI
Sept.
1920
Agawam, Mass.
Lena E. Collins
Agawam Center, Gr. V
Jan.
1917
Central St., Palmer
Edith R. Barr
Agawam Center, Gr. IV
Sept.
1918
28 Winsor St., Springfield
Elinor E. Gibney
Agawam Center, Gr. II. III
Jan.
1920
Hillsboro, N. H.
Mirnetta M. Jurgenson
Agawam Center, Gr. I, Prin. Asst.
Apr.
1920
83 Belmont Ave., Springfield
Mrs. Viola Phillips
Suffield St. Gr. I-III
Sept.
1920
Gertrude Lawrence
South Street, Gr. I-111
Sept.
1919
"'The Edna" Arnold Circle Cambridge, Mass.
West Lebanon, N. H.
Madrine L. Wood, Prin.
Northfeld
Hattie Bolton
Feeding Hills, Gr. VI, VII
Sept.
1918
Cora A. Halladay
Feeding Hills, Gr. IV, V
Sept.
1915
Olive C. Duguid
Feeding Hills, Gr. I
Jan.
1919
248 No. Main St., Springfield
Mabel D. Allen
West Street, Gr 1-IV
Sept.
1920
Portsmouth, N. H.
Faolin M. Peirce, Prin.
Sept.
1909
20 Riverdale St., W. Springfield
Lucy E. Carver
Springfield Street, Gr. VI, VII
Sept. 1919
Ludlow, R. F. D.
Harriet D. Peirce
Springfield Street, Gr. II
Sept.
1920
20 Riverdale St., W. Springfield
Hazel M. Sullivan
Springfield Street, Gr. III, IV
Sept.
1914
11 Smith Ave., Mittineague
Edna B. Harmon
Springfield Street, Gr. IV, V
Sept.
1918
Great Barrington
Agawam Center, Gr. I, II
Sept. 1920
Great Barrington
Dalton, Mass.
Myrtle I. Moore
Feeding Hills, Gr. VIII, IX
Apr. 1918
Suffield, Conn.
Feeding Hills, Gr. II, III
Sept. 1918
Penacook, N. H.
Gertrude Hammond
Springfield Street, Gr. I
Ludlow
North Agawam
26 High St., Springfield
91
ENROLLMENT
By Schools and by Grades as of January, 1921.
AGAWAM CENTER
I
I
II
III
IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX
| Totals
Room A
14
14
Room 1
13
17
30
Room 2
8
30
40
40
Room 4
37 19
19
38
Room 6
13
24
37
Room 7
19
18
37
Suffield
12
12
8
32
South
20
8
5
33
Totals
I
59
45
43
I
40
56
32
24
1 19
18
336
NORTH AGAWAM
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
Totals
Office
20
20
Room 1
40
40
Room 2
39
39
Room 3
41
Room 4
41
Room 5
37
Room 6
25
Room 7
19
10
29
Totals
60
39
31
31
31
26
25
19
10
272
SPRINGFIELD STREET
| I
II
III
IV
-
VI
VII
VIII
IX
| Totals
Room 1
47
47
Room 2
35
35
Room 3
31
8
39
Room 4
26
16
42
Room 5
18
11
39
Totals
1
47
35
31 |
34
16
18
11
-
192
FEEDING HILLS
1
I
II
III
IV
1
V
-
VI
VII
| VIII |
IX
Totals
Room 1
37
37
Room 2
18
14
32
Room 3
47
Room 4
23
18
21
9
30
West Street
9
5
3
4
21
Totals
46
23
17
22
29
23
18
21
9
1 208
Grand Totals |
212
172
1
122
1 127
1 132
99
1
78
1 59
į 37
) 1.008
St. William's Parochial: Boys-70, Girls-55, Total, 125. Grand Total-1,033.
92
38
Room 3
37
Room 5
31
10
21
20
11
26
25
18
29
41
Room 5
1
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
School attendance and particularly school attendance in rural districts, is a problem that is occupying the minds of many of the leading educators of the day. Compulsory school attendance laws exist in all states of the union for the purpose of providing an educated citizenship for all, notwithstanding parental indifference. These laws vary in stringency in the different states and while we may possibly criticize the exist- ing laws as lacking stringency, we certainly can help condi- tions by enforcing strictly the attendance laws of the present.
The school attendance of the town of Agawam, while it most certainly is not the poorest of the state, is very likely not the highest. Even if it were, since the financial loss in Massa- chusetts is annually over six millions of dollars, we may as- sume there would still be room for improvement.
Nearly half of the money appropriated by the town of Agawam is for the school department. If we compare the population of this town with that of the state, we shall find that a loss of about $8,225.00 might be considered approx- imately the loss of Agawam for the past year, because of non-attendance in schools. The waste cannot be wholly elimi- nated, because a large part of the absence is due to illness and is excusable, but certainly can be lowered.
After investigating many cases of absence, it has been found that the majority of them are those in which the chil- dren are kept home by the parents in order that said children might assist at home. This is an infringement of the laws of Massachusetts and is punishable by fine. We have some pu- pils who are virtually truants and have "skipped school" but in most cases those absent seemed desirous of attending but are made to stay at home by the parents.
The best way to eradicate the evil would be to educate the parents, but this is not easily done in many cases. Many of these parents are of foreign extraction and very likely un- able to speak English. They have immigrated here from
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places where educational laws are not as strict and many of them were not even required to read and write in their own language. Is it policy to allow their children, American in the making, to grow up in an atmosphere of contempt of education and educational laws ? It would seem that if there was ever a time when this should not be, it is now.
Since it is not always possible to make every one see the advisibility of school attendance by education of a gentle sort, we should see that the laws of Massachusetts in fegard to attendance are strictly enforced. Without doubt there are cases of dire necessity for the non-attendance of pupils, be- cause of illness at home, etc., but we feel these are in the min- ority.
The attendance laws are not by any means rigidly enforced in this town. We feel that the teachers are of the best type and it seems unfortunate that the value of their services is so much handicapped because of poor attendance.
Therefore we recommend that a man of high type be en- gaged as attendance officer of this town and paid accordingly, as the wages now paid are not by any means adequate. It is very likely that the services of such a man on one day of each week might be sufficient. This would require more money than is now spent for attendance but anything that would prevent the tremendous waste of money and what is far worse -the loss in citizenship training to the individual seems very desirable.
SUPERVISION
Ralph H. Waterhouse began his duties as Assistant Super- intendant of Schools in the Agawam-Ludlow district January 1, 1920.
A committee of Agawam teachers under his direction re- vised the course in reading. The teachers working on this course with Mr. Waterhouse were; Miss Kerr, Miss Fox, Miss Faolin Peirce, and Miss Halladay. A good deal of thought was given to the preparation of this course and this committee
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is to be commended for their industry and zeal in carrying this work through. Typewritten copies of the course have been placed in the hands of all of the teachers.
We have appreciated very much the assistance given by Mr. Waterhouse in all departments of school work. During the last year it has been possible to make more frequent visits to all schools, and give more time to room supervision.
Mr. Waterhouse resigned his position here November 12, to accept a position as Director of Trade Extension schools in Akron, Ohio. All teachers and others who came in con- tact with him in their work recognize and appreciate his genial temperament, helpful attitude, and ability as a school 1 man.
An example of his faithfulness to his duty is shown in the submitting of a carefully written report to you, the school committee of Agawam and the school committee of Ludlow, concerning his work in the two towns respectively. This re- port was written while he was busy in his new field and two months after serving his connection with the Agawam-Ludlow district. It will take the place of any extended report from us.
Your attention is called to the attendance data which ac- companies this report, and to the revised teacher's directory.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. GUSHEE, JOSEPH R. BURGESS.
Agawam, February 8, 1921.
REPORT OF MR. WATERHOUSE
Agawam School Committee,
Agawam, Massachusetts.
Dear Sirs :
It is a great pleasure to respond to your request for a brief report of my observations during my term as assistant superintendent of your schools.
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What are the good points in your school system?
1. You have a fine corps of teachers-teachers of a very high type. On the whole, they are professionally alert and thoroughly interested in the schools. Their interest is mani- fested in their co-operation with the superintendents. Further- more, it is significant that in three centers and one rural school, involving eighteen teachers, there was not a single change in the teaching force at the beginning of the present school year.
2. There is a carefully graded course in reading. I believe that it is more important to have practically any method carefully supervised and well understood by the teachers than it is to adopt the policy, more or less popular, of selection of method by the teacher. This would of course result in the use of several methods in the entire system, even if centers were limited to one method. The results are obvious if the teacher has not had rather long experience in handling the method selected. There cannot be the same ex- pert supervision of many systems of reading. The transfer of pupils from one section of the town to another would in- volve a change in the method of studying reading and with a young child this is unfortunate. Moreover, it is hard enough indeed to get the beginner adjusted to one plan of procedure. And, finally, teachers themselves would be partial victims of this plan.
3. While you haven't had as much supervision of your schools as you may have wished, there is much compensation in the character of what you have received. You have had as the head of your schools for some time a man whose knowledge of class-room procedure is well known and whose judgment in the administration of the schools has indeed been a great advantage to the town of Agawam.
What are some of the shortcomings of your system?
1. There are cramped housing conditions in nearly every building.
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2. There is no junior or senior high school organization. Agawam is growing and will face very soon, because of its growth and the increased tuition that is being asked, a much larger tuition and transportation bill for its high school pupils. Also, it is not incumbent upon nearby cities to take Agawam high school pupils if their conditions do not warrant it. More- over, the town of Agawam can exercise no jurisdiction whatso- ever over the details and administration of the education its high school pupils get under the present plan.
b. Agawam is comprised of three quite separate centers. A central school building would help to build up unity in the 'town, by commencing with the young people. It is hard for unity to be realized when a town has so few excuses for getting to-gether as Agawam now has.
c. Moreover, everything seems to point to the necessity of a junior and senior high school plant-cramped conditions in the present buildings; real need of better opportunities for upper-grade pupils such as would result in a junior high school organization with its departmental teaching, manual and science work; and withal a wider range of school experi- ences at a time when the pupil has formerly been much limited or has had to get contact with and knowledge about occupa- tions outside of the school. This organization and opportunity should reduce pupil-leaving-school lists by keeping in school many who would otherwise find it dull and "booky."
d. This high school could very well provide a vocational agricultural department, specializing in the study of the products of the valley. There is reason to believe that a thoroughly vocational or practical course of this type would interest many in adjacent towns and cities to attend. It should be the recognized agricultural course in all that immediate territory.
3. There is no definite physical training given in the schools of Agawam. This should be provided as soon as pos- sible, probably through a part-time director at the beginning.
I have tried in this report to present only what seemed
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to me to be the outstanding features of the school situation in Agawam. There are of course other points for praise and also places for improvement.
I wish to conclude this report by saying again this I value highly the pleasant and profitable association that I had with you, Superintendent Gushee, teachers, and towns- people.
Very respectfully, R. H. WATERHOUSE
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Articles in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting
March 9, 1921.
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
Art. 2. To choose two or more Fence Viewers, and two or more Field Drivers.
Art. 3. To hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers.
Art. 4. To see what method the Town will adopt for the support of the Poor for the ensuing year.
Art. 5. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day; and provide for its expenditure.
Art. 6. To see if the Town will vote their School Committee any compensation for their services.
Art. 7. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the payment of a proper charge of an Insurance Company, for acting as surety on the official bond of its officers.
Art. 8. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for liability insurance of its employees.
Art. 9. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of constructing permanent pavement on Springfield Street, and authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow said sum or any por- tion of the same, or act in any way relating thereto.
Art. 10. To see if the Town will authorize its Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the current municipal year beginning January 1, 1921, in anticipation of the revenue for said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the Town.
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Art. 11. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $300, or any other sum, to be expended by the Trustees for county aid to agriculture of Hampden County, in ac- cordance with the provisions of Chapter 273, Acts of 1918, or take any other action thereon.
Art. 12. To hear the report of the Selectmen upon taking over the Cemetery on Southwick Street as a Town Cemetery and take any action thereon.
Art. 13. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $50 for the payment of a Fish and Game Warden.
Art. 14. To see if the Town will authorize the num- bering of houses upon certain streets of the Town and make an appropriation for the same.
Art. 15. To see if the Town will vote to change the hour of holding its annual Town meeting.
Art. 16. To see if the Town will appoint a committee to investigate the matter of limited representation at Town meetings.
Art. 17. To see if the Town will make an appropria- tion for the employment of a District Nurse.
Art. 18. To see if the Town will accept Tower Ter- race as a public street.
Art. 19. To see if the Town will instruct the Water Commissioners to install one or more hydrants on Tower Terrace.
Art. 20. To see if the Town will instruct the Water Commissioners to extend its water system on Cooper Street.
Art. 21. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $500 to install a kitchen in the store room of the North Agawam schoolhouse.
Art. 22. To see if the Town will vote to build a sewer on Suffield Street and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 23. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for repairing the Town Hall in Agawam.
Art. 24. To see if the Town will make an appropria- tion for establishing kitchens in either or both of the Town Halls for the purpose of serving hot lunches for school children.
Art. 25. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum 1 of $50 for the care of the North Cemetery in Agawam.
Art. 26. To see if the Town will vote to rescind their action passed at a special Town meeting May 26, 1920,
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naming Pliny Place, Central Street.
Art. 27. To see if the Town will authorize the pur- chase of an auto truck for use on highways and appropriate money therefor.
Art. 28. To see if the Town will adopt the provisions of Chapter 41, Acts of 1921, authorizing the appointment of Assistant Assessors.
Art. 29. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, or any part thereof, for the purpose of acquiring land and the construc- tion, furnishing and equipping of a High School building thereon.
Art. 30. To make all necessary appropriations for the ensuing year.
Art. 31. To transact any other business that may legally come before said meeting.
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY
SEP 1 1921
5
3 0112 098486811
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