USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1926-1930 > Part 27
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receipts. A fence would help in making this policy a permanent one.
It has been said that a democracy needs a distinctive type of education, and that it is not advisable to appropriate the edu- cational procedures of countries unlike our own. For the past decade there has been a decided effort among our own educators to create a new program of living which will fulfil and fully utilize the potentialities of our super-civilization. The discrep- ancy between traditional educational ideals and the needs of our modern civilization is most apparent, and while we know that education is not primarily vocational nor primarily for leisure, the proper combination for producing the maximum of self- realization for each student is not yet known specifically. Many times educators have adopted innovations without sufficient skeptical appraisal, welcoming merely the changing of subject matter as the necessary nostrum for alleviating the growing pains of education. Too much change is not the answer to our problem-much of the old is good and essential, but rather a revamping and re-evaluation in the light of present day ten- dencies and sociological manifestations. In a small way, at least, I feel that we have paralleled our educational program with re- gard to the predominating social pressures, and that our grad- uates are tolerably well attuned to the clamorous symphony of our changing world. This business of "keeping up" with the times educationally is one of vast implications and one demanding most careful alignment with environmental modifications.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the many friends in Agawam who have in their several ways as- sisted me in my work, thereby changing it from the merely prosaic to the inspirational plane.
Respectfully submitted,
F. EARL WILLIAMS, Principal.
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ART
MR. BENJAMIN J. PHELPS, Superintendent of Schools,
Agawam, Mass.
DEAR SIR:
The art work in the Elementary schools of Agawam the past year has followed closely the various lines of interests and ac- tivities of child life, thereby fulfilling the threefold purpose of public school art: To discover and train the talents of the few, to develop appreciation and love for the beautiful in all, and to aid the teacher in enriching and correlating her various sub- jects. The making of history notebooks, geography sandtables, health and safety posters, scenery for holiday programs, shows a number of instances where the art work is a real aid to element- ary activities.
The Special Classes, one in North Agawam and the other in the High School have, I feel, done unusually fine work in art and handwork this year, under the very able and enthusiastic direction of their teachers.
Last spring the fifth and sixth grades entered the annual S. P. C. A. poster contest, and won five medals and four honor- able mentions at the Boston showing.
The Tercentenary Year in Massachusetts was observed in the High School by making posters of historic interest, and working out a special cover design and other cuts for the Tercentenary number of the "Agawam Mirror."
In observance of Agawam's 75th Anniversary a contest was held for a design to be used on the program cover commem- orating the event. The prize of five dollars offered by the Town Committee was awarded to Karl King, a sophomore.
The high school has shown a great increase in the number of pupils electing art, and a wide range of courses has been neces-
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sary. The advanced classes have done chiefly drawing and paint- ing in the various mediums, the eighth grades work almost wholly in applied design, and the seventh grades have a course in Art Appreciation.
Scenery and decorations were made for the various social and dramatic events of the school, the most outstanding being the work done for the Chinese Operetta given by the Music Department. Prizes were offered for the best posters for the presentation, Dorothy Smith winning the first and Marilyn Donaldson the second. The unusual amount of talent in this group of Agawam students, and the finished quality of their work give rise to the hope that some of them will be able to take up some branch of art as a career.
If the Junior and Senior High classes continue to increase, it may become necessary within the next few years to have the grade work of the Supervisor more strictly that of true supervision and less of actual teaching. The lessons in the grades can be done by the grade teacher, whereas only the art teacher herself can care for the needs of the pupils in the high school.
The annual exhibition of art and handwork done by the grades, auxiliary classes, and the high school was held in June.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. CROWLEY, Supervisor of Art.
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MUSIC
MR. BENJAMIN J. PHELPS, Superintendent of Schools,
Agawam, Mass.
DEAR SIR :
The primary aim of the Music Department of the Agawam Public Schools is to give pleasure to each child through music. Development of skills and abilities, discriminative listening, and experience in singing is guided with this end in view.
The work of the year has run smoothly and we feel that it has been very successful. This is due to the keen interest shown by the pupils and the excellent cooperation given by teachers and pupils alike.
The Supervisor's schedule was very similar to that followed in 1929. The elementary grades had a half hour visit every two weeks. During this visit the Supervisor conducted the class and introduced any new work assigned. At the beginning of the year the work of all grades was carefully outlined. In addition to this each teacher had a detailed outline every month with all songs and theory listed. Then there have been four Teachers' Meetings for discussion of new methods and materials useful for class work.
Perhaps the most outstanding event of the year was the participation of our High School Orchestra in the State Band and Orchestra Contest held at Waltham, May 17. There they won first prize in Class C. This entitled them to represent Massa- chusetts at the New England Contest in Pawtucket, R. I., where they ranked second in their class. Agawam may well be proud of the achievement, for the girls and boys not only proved their musical proficiency but earned practically all the money for the expense of both trips themselves. The results of the inspiration gained from participation in these contests is shown by the size
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and enthusiasm of the present orchestra. It is so worth while that we certainly hope that they may have the privilege of going again.
The usual recital for Commencement was furnished by the mixed chorus and the orchestra-the chorus singing the cantata "The Village Blacksmith" and the orchestra playing one of the prize winning numbers and the Intermezzo from L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Bizet.
Another big event for the Music Department was the Annual Musical Comedy. This year the production was "The China Shop," a very pretty and tuneful work. Due to excellent co- operation from the Art, Manual Training, and Girl's Physical Training Departments, the details were more carefully worked out then ever before.
Music need not be treated as an art in itself, for it can be woven into the different activities of the day. So we have tried to keep a close correlation with the other studies of the child's daily life. In the Junior-Senior High School this is most ef- fectively shown by the assistance given in assembly programs.
"I am Music.
Servant and Master am I; Servant of those dead, and Master of those living. Through me spirits immortal speak the message that makes the world weep, and laugh, and wonder and worship.
I am Music."
Sincerely yours,
RUTH A. PERRY, Supervisor of Music.
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REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Number of calls at the schools 520
Number of calls at homes for the schools 609
Number of calls in reference to employment certificates 30
Number of truants 37
Number of investigations for other cities and towns
12
Number of court cases 1
Number of boys in Hampden County Training School 1
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL O. CESAN.
108
TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS-1930
APPOINTMENTS
Name
Subject or Grade
School
Began Service
Gertrude M. Belyea
Commercial
Senior High
Sept., 1930
Elaine W. Mansfield
French
Senior High
Sept., 1930
Raymond E. Harris
Science
Junior High
Sept., 1930
Doris K. Kenney
Grade VI
Agawam Center
Sept., 1930
Mary F. Holmes
Grade IV
Agawam Center
Sept., 1930
Virginia Keeney
Grade I
Agawam Center
Sept., 1930
Ruth M. Mason
Grades V-VI
North Agawam
Sept., 1930
Alice E. Hannon
Grades III-IV
North Agawam
Sept., 1930
Nora C. Murphy
Special Class
North Agawam
Sept., 1930
Geraldine H. Parker Phyllis R. Gray
Grade VI
Springfield St.
Sept., 1930
Principal and Grade VI
Feeding Hills
Sept., 1930
Marguerite C. Kramer Madeline E. Townsend
Grades IV-V
Feeding Hills
Sept., 1930
Grades I-II
Feeding Hills
Jan., 1931
Ethel M. Wood
Grades I-II-III
Suffield St.
Sept., 1930
RESIGNATIONS
Service Ended
Commercial
Senior High
June, 1930
French
Senior High
June, 1930
Grade VI
Agawam Center
June, 1930
Grade IV
Agawam Center
June, 1930
Ida J. Hubbell
Grade II
Agawam Center
June, 1930
109
Elizabeth E. Baker Erika C. Jauch Gladys E. Goodwin Eleanor Sutcliffe
Name
Jessica Dickinson Grace M. Connell Anna M. Connors Phyllis B. Irwin Helyne D. Mousley Mary E. Spelman Geraldine Gosse
Subject or Grade
School
Service Ended
Grade I
Agawam Center
June, 1930
Grades V-VI
North Agawam
June, 1930
Grades III-IV
North Agawam
June, 1930
North Agawam
June, 1930
Special Class Principal and Grade VI
Feeding Hills
June, 1930
Grades IV-V
Feeding Hills
June, 1930
Grades I-II
Feeding Hills
Oct., 1930
TRANSFERS
Cecily C. Pratt
From Suffield St. School
To
Date
Agawam Center, Grade II
Sept., 1930
110
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT
DECEMBER 31, 1930
Subject or Grade
Education
Began Service in Agawam
SUPERINTENDENT Benjamin J. Phelps
Yale College, B. A. Teachers' College, M. A.
July, 1922
SUPERVISORS Mary M. Crowley Art
Mass. Normal Art School, B. S.
Sept., 1926
Ruth A. Perry Music
Keene Normal School
Sept., 1926
Montpelier Seminary
HIGH SCHOOL F. Earl Williams
Principal
Sept., 1927
Mrs. Hazel C. Aldrich Domestic Science
Mass. Agricultural College, B. S. Skidmore College of Arts Fitchburg Normal
Sept., 1922
Frederick T. Dacey
Manual Training
Sept., 1922
Marian A. Edgell
Physical Training and
Boston School of Physical Education Y. M. C. A. College
Sept., 1929
Harmon A. Smith
Physical Training and Coach of Boys' Athletics Agriculture
Sept., 1924
Louis H. Moseley
Sr. Commercial
Sept., 1930
Nellie I. Button
Sr. English
Mass. Agricultural College Nasson Institute Middlebury College M. A.
Sept., 1929
Gertrude M. Belyea
Coach of Girls' Athletics
Sept., 1922
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TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)
Subject or Grade
Began Service in Agawam
Allan M. Hadley
Sr. Science
Education Clark University, B. A.
Sept., 1927
Elaine W. Mansfield
Sr. French
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1930
Dorothy H. Lilly
Sr. English
Smith College, B. A. .
Sept., 1928
Clara L. McIntire
Sr. Commercial
Bay Path Institute
Northeastern Univ., B. A. Sept., 1922
Eleanor B. Miller
Sr. Latin and Math.
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1928
Katharine M. Phealan
Sr. Eng. and Hist.
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1927
John M. Quirk
Sr. Science
Middlebury College, B. A.
Jan., 1923
Eleanor H. Smith
Sr. Mathematics
Smith College, B. A.
Teachers' College, M. A.
Sept., 1922
Marjorie Ward
Sr. History
Smith College, B. A. Teachers' College, M. A.
Sept., 1922
Cora M. Barnes
Jr. History
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1922
Annette E. Deely
Jr. History
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1921
Mae P. Lynch
Jr. Mathematics
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1919
Raymond E. Harris Jr. Science
Fitchburg Normal
Sept., 1930
Emily M. McCormick
Jr. Mathematics
Westfield Normal
Bay Path Institute Farmington Normal
Sept., 1924
Hazelle J. Merrill Mrs. Viola W. Phillips
Jr. Social Science Jr. English
New Britain Normal Springfield Commercial
April, 1920
Catherine T. Powers Dorothy E. Smith
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1917
Mrs. Marion C. Smith
Jr. Social Science Jr. English Special Class
Wheaton College, B. A. Providence Normal
Sept., 1929
Sept., 1929 Sept., 1929
112
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)
Subject or Grade
Education
Began Service in Agarvamı
AGAWAM CENTER SCHOOL
Mary E. McDowell
Principal
Eastern State Normal
Sept., 1926
Doris K. Kenney
Grade VI
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1930
Jean Carman
V
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1929
Nora M. Chandler
Grades IV-V
Farmington Normal
Sept., 1927
Mary F. Holmes
Grade IV
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1930
A. Marion Loomis
III
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1929
Cecily C. Pratt
Grade II
Fitchburg Normal
Sept., 1928
Virginia Keeney
Grade I
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1930
NORTH AGAWAM SCHOOL
Katherine G. Danahy
Principal
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1899
Eleanor C. Daly
VI
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1923
Ruth M. Mason
Grades V-VI
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1930
Kathryn M. Roache
Grade V
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1922
Alice Mckeown
Grade IV
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1923
Alice E. Hannon
Grades III-IV
Lowell Normal
Sept., 1930 Sept., 1914
Olive A: Fox
Grade III
Westfield Normal
Alice B. Connolly
II
Fitchburg Normal
Dec., 1929
Julia A. O'Connell
Grade I
Spfld. Kindergarten
April, 1927
Jennie M. Lucas
Grade I
Southington Training
Sept., 1900
Nora C. Murphy
Special Class
Springfield Normal Training School
Sept., 1930
113
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)
Subject or Grade
Education
Began Service in Agawamı
SPRINGFIELD ST. SCHOOL
Faolin M. Peirce
Principal
Springfield Normal
Sept., 1909
Mrs. Mildred T. Clark
Grade I
Higgins Classical Inst.
April, 1922
Helen E. Talmadge II
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1929
Ruth M. Cassidy
III
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1929
Elizabeth C. McCormick
Grades III-IV
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1927
Cora Y. Desmarais
Grade IV
New Haven State Normal
Sept., 1927
Dorothy M. Emerson
Grade V
Univ. of Vermont
Sept., 1925
Geraldine H. Parker
Grade VI
Training Class Framingham Normal
Sept., 1930
FEEDING HILLS SCHOOL Phyllis R. Gray
Principal and
Portsmouth Training School
Sept., 1930
Grade VI
Marguerite C. Kramer
Grades IV-V
North Adams Normal
Sept., 1930
Ruth M. Ripley
Grades II-III
Castine Normal
Sept., 1925
Madeline E. Townsend
Grades I-II
North Adams Normal
Jan. 5, 1931
SOUTH SCHOOL
Merriam S. Weeks
Grades I-II-III Westfield Normal
Sept., 1926
SUFFIELD ST. SCHOOL
Ethel M. Wood
Grades I-II-III
Framingham Normal
Sept., 1930
WEST ST. SCHOOL Lora M. Bettinger
Grades I-II-III-IV Westfield Normal
Sept., 1928
114
Articles in Warrant
Articles in Warrant for Annual Town Meeting March 7, 1931
ARTICLE 1. To choose two or more Fence, Viewers and two or more Field Drivers.
ARTICLE 2. To hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers.
ARTICLE 3. To see what method the Town will adopt for the support of the poor for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day and provide for its expenditure.
ARTICLE 5. 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.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for liability insurance of its employees.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $400 to be expended by the Hampden County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture in accordance with the provision of the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ARTICLE 8. To see what action the Town will take regard- ing the appointment of a Town Director to represent the Town
115
as a member of the Directors for the Hampden County Improvement League and Trustees for County Aid to Agri- culture.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to build a sewer on any part of Suffield Street and appropriate money therefor or take any action concerning the same.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for permanent road work in Suffield Street.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $15,000 provided the State and County shall each appropriate a like amount for the purpose of continuing the construction of highway on Westfield Street, commenced during the past year.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will establish the number of voters to constitute a quorum at town meeting.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will instruct their Assess- ors to publish the valuation list for 1931.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for overdrafts of 1930, and also for bills contracted during 1930 not presented.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for construction of sidewalks in Town.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the care of North Cemetery.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the Old Age Pension Act.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the betterment of the water service in North Street, and any of its connecting streets, or take any action regarding the same.
116
ARTICLE 19. 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, 1931, in anticipa- tion of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the care of the Town burial lot in the Springfield Street Cemetery.
ARTICLE 21. To make the necessary appropriations for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 22. To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
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Index
Articles in Warrant
115
Accounting Officer's Report
35
Assessors' Report
66
Auditor's Report
71
Births
Deaths
Fire Engineers
Gypsy Moth Control
Library Trustees
Marriages
Police Chief
Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare and Board of Health
Sealer of Weights and Measures
School Attendance Officer
Art
Calendar
Committee
Financial Statement
Junior-Senior High
Nurse
Superintendent
Teachers' Appointments and Resignations
State Election
22
Statistical Report
34
Tax Collector
69
Town Clerk's Report
6
Officers
3
Meeting, Annual
9
Meetings, Special
16
Treasurer's Report
53
Trustees County Aid to Agriculture
72
Water Commissioner
74
26 32 64 77 75 29 61 58 76 108 104 82 79 86 100 97 87 109
119
PHELPS PUBLISHING COMPANY Springfield, Massachusetts
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