USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1916-1920 > Part 25
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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 regard 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 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 Gushec, 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.
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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 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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