USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1891-1900 > Part 21
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· 1,818.90
E. M. Wright, collector, 1896,
1,266.97
Amos Gosselin, collector, 1896,
·
1,412.31
West Springfield, bridge account, .
31.78
Russell, care of poor,
· 5.50
Southwick, care of poor, .
II3.50
Hatfield, care of poor, .
40.70
Northampton, care of poor,
6.00
State, care of poor,
28.33
State, cattle inspection,
70.61
State and military aid,
.
252.00
Sinking Fund, .
2,702.29
Sewer Assessments,
57.83
Value of town farm and supplies,
1,800.00 ·
Value of road machines and tools,
200.00
Estimated value of school property for sale,
· 1,500.00
$11,377.00
Excess of liabilites over assets,
$30,272.45
HENRY E. BODURTHA, EDWIN LEONARD, 2D, R. MATHER TAYLOR,
Selectmen.
Agawam, March 10, 1897.
.
.
Report of the Public Library Trustees.
During the early part of the year, the number of books borrowed, somewhat decreased, as few new books had been purchased for some time; but after the additions were made, the circulation increased in all parts of the town.
The removal of the library at Mittineague to the new school building has greatly increased its usefulness. The coming year it is hoped to add books of reference and a reliable encyclopedia, which will make it a valuable aid to the schools.
Johnson's Cyclopedia has been placed in the Center library this year, and the Cyclopedia Britannica was placed in the Feeding Hills library the year previous.
An excellent Historical Encyclopedia is also at the Center library and the people are invited to make all the use possible of these books of reference.
New purchases will be made early in the year, and more shelf room is needed in each part of the town, as well as some new fur- nishing for the accommodation of the public.
Amount of Money Available.
Amount in the treasury, March, 1896. . $225.64
Appropriation, dog fund, 215.52
Income, Mary A. Phelon fund, .
20.20
$461.36
Amount Expended.
Goodenough & Woglom Co., books, . $73.73 Chas. Scribners' Sons, toward Cyclopedia Britannica, . 37.50
D. Appleton & Co., Johnson's Cyclopedia, 50.00
57
A. L. Tower, books,
$5.00
W. F. Adams Co., books,
3.60
Henry S. Johnson, books,
107.09
C. W. Hastings, book-covers,
3.50
$280.42
Amount in the treasury, March 1, 1897, . $180.94
Books.
Number of books in the library, March, 1896,
$1,509
Added by purchase,
255
Sent by the State,
8
Number in the library, March 1, 1897, .
1,772
·
Number of Book Borrowers.
Agawam, .
$164
Feeding Hills,
.
I26
Mittineague,
. .
60
Circulation.
Agawam,
$1,735
Feeding Hills,
1,156
Mittineague,
398
Respectfully submitted,
·
.
HENRY L. TOWER, CAROLINE LEONARD HAYWARD, S. NEWELL SMITH.
Trustees.
REPORT OF
Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
To the Selectmen of Agawam :
GENTLEMEN :- During the past year I have made one general inspection, involving the examination of nearly sixteen hundred (1600) neat cattle and 450 swine. Have taken measurements ofall stables where cattle are kept, noted the sanitary conditions, sources of water supply, with possibilities of contamination, and have re- ported the same to State Cattle Commissioners.
Nineteen (19) animals have been quarantined, condemned, and destroyed, all being found, upon autopsy, to be diseased.
I have attended one hundred and forty-five (145) slaughterings, at which were killed 273 veal calves, 9 beeves and II swine.
Two (2) beeves have been condemned at slaughter houses, being found tuberculous.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN LEONARD,
Inspector.
Articles in the Warrant for Town Meeting,
APRIL 5, 1897.
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ARTICLE 2. To choose by ballot for the ensuing year, a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, three Selectmen, three Assessors, three Overseers of Poor, a Board of Health of three members, three Collectors of Taxes, two Auditors, three Surveyors of Highways, ten Constables, one mem- ber of the School Committee for three years, one Library Trustee for three years, one Sinking Fund Commissioner for three years, one Trustee of " Whiting Street Fund" for two years and one for one year to fill a vacancy, also to vote on the same ballot upon the question " Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town."
ARTICLE 3. To choose all necessary town officers not provided for in the foregoing article.
ARTICLE 4. To hear and act upon the reports of town officers.
ARTICLE 5. To see what method the Town will adopt for the sup- port of the poor for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow temporarily, in anticipation of the taxes of the present municipal year, a sum not to exceed five thousand dollars, as the same may be from time to time required, and to give a note or notes of the Town, for money so borrowed, and that he be also authorized to pay such loans from said taxes.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of fifty dollars, for the observance of Memorial Day.
ARTICLE 8. . To see if the Town will make an appropriation for the building of a sewer in Mittineague, according to plans in the hands of the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the town will vote a discount on taxes.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the town will charge interest on taxes.
60
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to accept a " Trust Fund" under the will of Mary E. Phelon which provides that said Fund shall be invested and managed by the Treasurer of the Town of Agawam as Trustee, the income to be used annually under the supervision of the Agawam Town School Committee, solely for the benefit of the schools in Feeding Hills parish.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the town will accept a private way as laid out by the Selectmen over land of Edward M. and Jennie E. Wright.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will take any action in regard to building a new bridge over the Agawam river.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to place fire extinguishers in the town buildings.
ARTICLE 15. To make the necessary appropriations for the ensuing year, and to vote to raise by tax such sums of money as may be required for the same.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will accept the following list of jurors : Charles W. Hastings, Willis C. Campbell, John Wright. Joseph C. McVeigh, Monroe Hayward, Frank J. Pomeroy, James T. Brady, Samuel S. Bodurtha, Ralph Perry, Jr., John Reilly, Edmund N. Powers, Henry L. Tower, Herbert Knox, Woodman Pillsbury, Amos Gosselin, Daniel O'Brien, Wilson J. Warriner, James F. Barry, Charles L Brown, Samuel N. Smith, William H. Granger, George E. Howe, Albert H. Brown, Edward M. Wright, Oscar A. Parks, James J. Othick, William L. Meacham.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will appoint a committee to gather historical facts with a view of celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the town.
ARTICLE 18. To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
SCHOOL REPORTS.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Your Committee again present their annual report.
During the year just closed, the schools have been in session thirty-five (35) weeks.
At the beginning of the fall term, five schools were opened in the new building at Mittineague, making it possible to carry out a better system of grading, than could be done in the four schools in the old building.
In the early part of the winter, some trouble was experienced at the new building in regard to the operation of the heating and ventilating system, owing in part, to the inexperience of the janitor, and to thoughtlessness on the part of teachers in opening the cold air flues when the rooms became too warm, and leaving them open until the rooms became thoroughly cooled and the pupils complained of being cold. The boys also have carried on a system of mis- chievous actions, in meddling with the furnace and ventilators whenever they have been allowed in the basement, and it is neces- sary that a suitable partition should be placed to keep them entirely separate from everything but the closet.
Some of the blackboards are already in a very bad condition and need re-painting, and the clean white walls of the building have been very much disfigured by pencil marks.
Adequate shelf accommodations are very much needed in the supply room.
The West street school-house in Agawam has been standing in a pond of water this spring and something must be done to change the condition of things there. The attention of the town has been called to the lack of filling about this building every year since it was erected, and nothing has been done. In its present condition, it is a menace to the health of teacher and pupils.
64
The South school-house in Agawam needs some internal repairs.
The out- houses at Feeding Hills Center must be attended to and a complete separation is desired and recommended, with necessary fence and screens.
During the winter term the attendance at school has been con- siderably affected by contagious diseases-which have appeared at various times -- stormy days and bad roads, but one of the most serious problems those engaged in school work have to face, is the indifference of parents as to whether their children go to school or not ; and if they do go, they have no regard for regularity and promptness.
The teaching of vocal music was commenced at the beginning of the school year, and half hour lessons have been given every week in all the schools, with exercises in physical culture, proper breathing and enunciation, and the improvement in most of the schools has been quite marked.
EDWIN LEONARD, HENRY L. TOWER, CAROLINE LEONARD HAYWARD,
School Committee.
Financial Statement.
Expenditures.
FOR TUITION AT WEST SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL FOR
Earle Bodurtha,
$30.00
Irving Bodurtha,
30.00
Laura Clark,
30.00
Katie Danahy,
30.00
Clarence Duclos,
21.00
Frances Ely, .
30.00
Ocie Kenyon,
30.00
Maud Miller, .
30.00
Nettie Osborn,
30.00
James J. O'Brien,
30.00
Fred Paro,
21.00
Julia Pomroy,
30.00
Sadie Reilly, .
30 00
Bertha Roberts,
9.00
Ida Roy,
30 00
Mary Sullivan,
30.00
Mabel Todd, .
30.00
Laura Worden,
30.00
Jennie Worthington,
9.00
Harry W. Hastings,
21 00
Clara McVeigh,
21 00
Lora T. Smith,
12.00
$564.00
Appropriation,
$800.00 .
FOR SUPERINTENDENT AND SUPPLIES.
Fairfield Whitney, Superintendent,
$500.00
Fairfield Whitney, expenses,
7.59
Holden Book Cover Co., paper,
6.00
Springfield Printing Co., printing,
3.10
66
H. Rude, paper and ink,
$7.00
Springfield News Co., supplies,
17 51
J. L. Hammett, supplies, 86.81
Lee & Shepard, books,
14 50
Perry, Mason & Co., books,
20.16
Morgan Envelope Co., envelopes,
2.75
Ginn & Co., books,
117.84
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn, books,
36 38
Silver, Burdett & Co., books,
49 80
Edward E. Babb & Co., books,
3.24
Werner School Book Co., books,
44.04
H. L. Tower, express and freight,
6.24
King, Richardson Publishing Co., music system, 32.40
Belle W. Corwin, music teacher, .
120.00
$1,076.26
AGAWAM SCHOOLS.
Edward B. Jones, teaching 11 weeks,
$132 00
Edward B. Jones, care of room,
11.00
Marie West, teaching 35 weeks, .
315 00
Jennie S. Thomson, teaching 35 weeks,
280.00
George B. Whitney, teaching 24 weeks,
288.00
George B. Whitney, care of room,
1.00
Hulda U. Gates, teaching 35 weeks,
280.00
Hulda U. Gates, care of room,
17.50
Grace Cushman, teaching 10 weeks,
70.00
Grace Cushman, care of room,
5.00
Mrs. Edith Havens, teaching 24 weeks,
168 00
Mrs. Edith Havens, care of room,
12.00
J. V. Wolcott, repairs,
25.61
John Van Slyke, cleaning, .
7.05
C. W. Hastings, supplies, .
3.95
C. E. Hitchcock, lumber,
7.34
Stockwell & Farnsworth, coal,
11.00
W. F. Cook, coal,
135.59
O. L. King, wood,
20.00
L. L. Thomson, care of rooms,
23.00
George Havens, cleaning,
1.00
Whitcomb Stove Co., repairs,
2.00
W. C. Campbell, cleaning and wood,
2 45
Monroe Haywood, repairs and cleaning,
3.75
W. B. Rice, carrying teachers,
3.50
W. C. Campbell, janitor,
56.00
L. W. Dickinson, use of well,
5.00
$1,886.74
67
FEEDING HILLS SCHOOLS.
Alice E. Powers, teaching 11 weeks,
$143 00
Sarah A. Graves, teaching 35 weeks,
309 50
Emma M. Bolton, teaching 24 weeks, 288.00
L. May Huntley. teaching 35 weeks,
280 00
L. May Huntley, care of room,
17.50
Mary Taylor, care of rooms,
16.00
O. D. Case & Co., blackboards,
8.16
A. K. Fuller, wood, .
10.50
James F. Barry, wood,
5.50
Stockwell & Farnsworth, coal,
5 75
W. F. Cook, coal,
96 00
Arthur Moran, sawing wood.
1.50
W. W. Houghton, repairs on table,
1.00
Edwin Leonard, repairs and supplies,
9 77
George R. Estabrook, grate,
1.80
A. K. Fuller, supplies,
.90
A. E. Fuller, janitor,
53.05
$1,247.93
MITTINEAGUE SCHOOLS.
Bessie F. Leonard, teaching 11 weeks,
$99.00
Josie M. Danahy, teaching 11 weeks,
99.00
Jennie E. Alderman, teaching 35 weeks,
315.00
Hattie J. Strong, teaching 11 weeks,
132 00
M. C. Connors, teaching 24 weeks,
216 00
Agnes I. Tubbs, teaching 24 weeks,
216.00
Nellie O'Keefe, teaching 24 weeks,
216.00
Earnest A. Sweet, teaching 24 weeks,
288.00
Frank R. Ross, janitor,
33.00
W. H. Tower, janitor,
96.00
Jerre Roberts, labor,
47.75
W. H. Tower, labor,
6.00
Wilfred Duclos, repairs,
10.75
Homer Foot & Co., supplies,
1.10
Meekins, Packard & Wheat, supplies,
31.90
Chandler Chair and Desk Co., ink wells, .
4.00
Springfield Sash Co., glass,
5.26
68
H. Letellier & Son, team, $1.00
H. L. Tower, moving furniture, 4.20
Stockwell & Farnsworth, coal and wood,
20.00
W. F. Cook, coal,
183.71
$2,025.67
Total expended,.
.$6,236.60
Amount available :
Appropriation,
.$5,500.00
Income Mass. School Fund, . 208.39
State Treas. for Superintendent,
416.66
$6,125.05
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF AGAWAM :
This is my third annual report and the sixth in the series of Su- perintendent's reports.
In the past year I have made one hundred ninety-three school visits and held five local teachers' meetings in each section of the town. A part of the program at several of these has been the discussion of the "Course of Studies for Elementary Schools" which teachers have been following since the opening of the fall term. The order of work in this differs but little from the outlines hitherto used, but it gives more time to language and reading in the early years and less to geography. It is necessary to have some such guide and this seems best for us at present because a copy for each school is furnished gratis by the State, the new teachers are more likely to be familiar with this than with one that is used in only a few towns, and the order of work and methods suggested have the approval of our highest authority.
Three general meetings have been held. At Mittineague, Thursday afternoon, April 23, Mr. James Hall gave the teachers a lesson on drawing in connection with nature study. Saturday fore- noon, September 5, Mr. J. S. Cooley explained the pecul- iarities of vertical writing at Agawam. Mr. A. W. Edson visited the Mittineague schools September 28. December II, he visited the Agawam and Feeding Hills schools. That evening he held a con- ference with the teachers upon mistakes he had seen in their work, and afterwards addressed the people.
Teachers.
There have been eighteen different teachers in the schools during the year. Some of these are graduates of a normal or training school, and three others have attended such an institution.
70
The selection and retention of good teachers is one of the most serious problems that confront the school officials of the smaller towns. The public has a very good idea of the qualities a teacher should possess. We can all see that character, energy, education, culture, adaptation to the work, and professional training are desir- able. How can we be sure to secure these ?
It is worth while to look at the other side and consider some of the characteristics which, aside from location, give a community a good reputation among teachers who are seeking situations.
I. A long school year. A good teacher prefers this, not only because her salary is larger, but also because she can do more work with her pupils and better fit herself for a first-class situation.
2. Plenty of supplies. Without these good work is much more difficult, and she has no opportunity to become familiar with the " tools of the trade."
3. Suitable buildings, clean, warm, well ventilated, equipped with plenty of blackboards and other conveniences, and having wholesome and attractive surroundings.
4. Opportunities for improvement, a chance to visit other schools, time and means to attend teachers' meetings and institutes.
5. Prompt and intelligent support by the school officials in the serious perplexities of instruction and management.
6. A cordial and helpful spirit in the community. A good boarding place, pleasant greetings and frequent visits to the school sometimes count for more than money.
Is there not danger that, under the town system of management, citizens may lose the feeling of personal responsibility for their schools ?
The above conditions are all within the control of citizens, all contribute to efficient schools in other ways besides in securing and retaining skilled teachers, and none of them involve expendi- ture at all commensurate with the results secured.
7I
Reading.
In the past few years some care has been taken to lead children to read the best books. The course of study particularizes four ways of doing this :
I. Story telling and reading by the teacher.
2. Reading in the class.
3. Memorizing selections.
4. Leading children to read books from the prepared list. I have made some investigation, hoping to answerapproximately such questions as these :
How many of the children read but few books ?
What books do the children choose ?
How much influence do the schools exert?
Pupils in fifth grade and above were asked to make lists of the six best books each ever read. I intended to include fourth grade but only one school was found where children had done reading enough to warrant this.
Number of pupils, I73
Number who reported less than six books, 22
Number of votes 979
Votes for American history and biography, 78
Votes for geography and natural science, 93
Votes for reading material used in school, I60
Votes for standard books, 586
Votes for apparently objectionable books, .
5
The books receiving the highest number of votes in order of popularity are : " Uncle Tom's Cabin," " Black Beauty," " Seven Little Sisters," " Robinson Crusoe." The second and third are used as readers in our schools.
An examination of the papers is suggestive and reveals the influence of the home, the teacher, the Public Library and the school libraries.
I am satisfied that more than half the choicest reading of the children is due directly to school influence, and that more than one- fourth of the material is furnished by the schools.
4
72
We should make it impossible for a child to complete the gram- mar school course without becoming familiar with half a dozen of the best books in the English language.
Music and Penmanship.
Music is the only thing yet introduced into school work that is not required by law. Miss Corwin's report will show what she has attempted. Her work has been faithful and enthusiastic, and she has carried out her program in full, except in one week, when she was prevented by illness.
Music has come to be a part of regular work in all well-equipped schools. " It adds to school life a means of culture, lifts the thoughts above evil things to those which are good, true and beauti- ful, and is thus a strong element in the moral training of the pupils, making stronger and better men and women of those who are brought under its influence."
The practice of singing at opening exercises as heretofore carried on has some value but it cannot take the place of drill on the rudi- ments of music. This teaches the pupil to do the " right thing at the right time." Singing schools are out of date and the public school is the only place where the average boy and girl will ever receive any instruction.
Few things that the child learns will oftener be put to practical use in after life.
It is a source of enjoyment at social gatherings and a recognized means of divine worship. Granted that it is "Only a substantive contribution to the enjoyment of life," one duty of the public school is to teach children how to properly enjoy themselves. Unless they learn to do this in ways that are refining and elevating they will seek means that are degrading and debasing.
Vertical writing was introduced into the four lowest grades at the beginning of the fall term. Its advantages were so evident that its use has been gradually extended until about all the instruction now given is in this style. No child who could write in a creditable manner has been required to change.
We have made no experiment at the expense of the children. " Vertical penmanship is no 'fad.' It is a genuine new-comer and
73
will abide as long as it reforms penmanship as fast as it has in the past two years." The simple form, large size, and upright position of the letters enable beginners to acquire a legible hand in a very short time, and it is possible to keep in proper position at all times those who are using it. Teachers have been pleased with the change and the improvement in their work is no less noticeable than in that of the pupils.
Equipment and Attendance.
The surroundings of the Mittineague children have been revolu- tionized. They have shown their appreciation by better attend- ance. The per cent for the fall and winter terms in the five schools was ninety-five.
In 1893, ten age certificates were given there to children between fourteen and sixteen years of age ; in 1894, eleven ; in 1895, thir- teen ; in 1896, six. The Agawam Grammar school has had an unusually large membership this winter, but when sections are com- pared, about all the increase for the year has been at Mittineague.
Schools have a good stock of text books and supplies. The ex- changes advocated in last year's report have all been made. These mean better books and money saved. No books are introduced that are not good enough to stay until worn out.
Maps and reference books are needed. Twenty-five per cent of the income of the school fund can and should be used in this way.
There were nineteen Agawam pupils in the West Springfield High school in the spring, twenty in the fall, and seventeen in the winter. Our enrollment there next year is likely to be less than twenty-five. The tuition will be raised to thirty-five dollars the coming year and probably forty the year following. The school is thoroughly equipped and our students are doing excellent work. We cannot hope to offer such opportunities in a school of our own for any- thing like the amount we should pay there.
In conclusion, I wish to thank, in behalf of the children, every one who has aided in the effort to secure efficient schools in our town.
Respectfully submitted,
FAIRFIELD WHITNEY.
MUSIC.
Within the past year music in the public schools has been a sub- ject of much discussion. It has been and is my desire to spare no efforts in making each lesson profitable to schools and scholars in- dividually and collectively.
I have the schools of Mittineague, Agawam and Feeding Hills, including thirteen rooms. I visit each room once a week and am allowed a half hour. The work is often exacting and especially among the higher grades I usually extend over the time.
From the beginning my intention has been to teach singing in a way that is beneficial physically and mentally.
The steps we have taken are breathing, singing vowels and ex- ercises, intervals, staff and position of notes, singing songs intelli- gently. The words of each song are studied before using them vocally.
Sight reading (singing quickly and accurately at sight) is pursued in the grammar rooms with good results, although in only one room are there books.
The ability I find satisfying, the progress I can truthfully say has been good, in some rooms excellent. Of course the voices of the older children are capable of more pronounced work, especially in reading music and singing songs in two parts, but the most faithful and enthusiastic pupils I find among younger ones from seven to twelve years of age.
I often compare the schools of this territory with those of larger places and I feel assured, despite the difficulties, that the time has been wisely occupied.
Respectfully submitted,
BELLE W. CORWIN.
Laws Relating to School Attendance.
Each child is required to be vaccinated before attending school, unless a regular physician certifies that he is an unfit subject for vaccination.
All children between eight and fourteen must attend school thirty weeks per year.
No child under thirteen years of age shall be employed in any in-door work performed for wages or other compensation during the hours when the public schools are in session, or in any manner during such hours unless during the year next preceding such employment he has attended school for at least thirty weeks.
EXTRACTS FROM RULES AND REGULATIONS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Full time for all sessions shall be twenty-seven hours per week ex- clusive of recesses.
Teachers shall punctually observe the hours of opening and closing school, but they may detain a pupil for a reasonable length of time, after the close of the afternoon session, for cause.
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