USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1926-1930 > Part 5
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Each of the four upper classes has its officers and committees, while the lower classes are organized by rooms. A new unit of the four upper classes is the Student Council, which was organized
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this year. The council seeks to take some responsibility for the proper conduct of the school, and to preserve the wholesome un- derstanding which now exists between the students and the teachers.
One of our outstanding features is the daiy chapel or assem- bly. It partakes of various natures at different times. Basically devotional and inspirational, there are sometimes outside speakers and entertainers, and special programs presented by pupils. The time is occasionally devoted to training in mass cheering and singing.
We issue a magazine, "The Agawam Mirror," four times a year. All literary and news items are contributed by students. It is made self-supporting, through a small subscription price and the generous patronage of advertisers. Its standing among other school publications is evinced by its rating by the Inter-Scholastic- Press Association, which conducts the largest and most efficient contest of its kind in the country. The Agawam Mirror received in 1926 a higher rating than that given to any other magazine submitted by a public high school having less than 300 pupils.
There are several social events which are gradually becoming institutions with us. The Junior Prom is held in May and is the big dance of the year. Last winter under the supervision of the Dean of Girls a dancing instructor was engaged to come to the building once a week to give instruction and practice in dancing. Pupils showed a great interest in this and maintained an average attendance of 50 pupils throughout the season. A Hallowe'en Party was given by the Sophomores to the Freshmen. A general initiation was provided with plenty of entertainment of a musical and dramatic nature. A very successful "Kids" Christmas Party was held by the Senior and Junior classes combined.
The musical and dramatic phases of school life are well patronized. The largest crowd to be present in the auditorium since the dedication of the building, saw a splendid presentation of an operetta last November. The orchestra and Girls' Glee Club are continuing their good work of previous years.
The athletics which have held an important place for the last three years are now developed so Agawam is able to compete on an even basis with the best schools in Western Massachusetts. At present, we have school or "varsity" teams in football, basket- ball, and baseball for boys; field hockey and basketball for girls. In spite of the strong teams which we put forth, the pupils who are not members of the first squads are in no way neglected. They receive as much attention as would be the case if we did not have
92
the all-school teams, and they enter into the exercises and games with a much stronger spirit. Every boy and girl who is physically able takes part in gymnasium exercises. Basket shooting is possi- ble before school and during the noon recess in the winter. Group or class teams in the various seasons have strenuous games, and a Junior-High Basketball team played a limited schedule last win- ter. Field hockey for girls was introduced last fall and one game with an outside team was played.
Other activities group themselves around athletics. The Athletic Council, composed of students, meet with the faculty man- ager, and participate both in deliberation of policies and adminis- tration of the details of management. Cheer leaders are selected by the council. Appropriate advertising posters are made by the students of art, when possible.
In the junior section, organizing around group interests is encouraged by a period set apart each day which is free from class recitations. The Leaders' Club has been in operation for nearly two years and is an essential part of the administration of the many details which are necessary in the smooth-running of a build- ing with 425 pupils. Membership is gained by a pupil's doing three worth-while acts for his school. The following is a list of the clubs and their respective memberships: Current Events, 60; Geography, 15; Arithmetic, 28; Stamp, 12; Story hour, 25; Fancy work, 13. Admittance depends on high marks in the subject to which the club is related. The meeting is usually divided into an organizing and business session; a period for committee reports and a discussion of subject studied; and time for entertainment and game. Club matters do not infringe upon class room studies either in matters of time or of interest, but on the contrary, serve as an opportunity to apply certain studies and produce an incentive to learn more of theory and history which may be put into practice.
In college preparation we are meeting the requirements of the various institutions. Last May the girls were entertained at a "college tea" to which several alumni and representatives of va- rious colleges were invited.
Our graduates are making good scholastic records in college. Although there have been but three graduating classes, they are representing the school in the following colleges and professional schools: Amherst, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Fordham, Mas- sachusetts Agricultural College, Mount Holyoke, Northeastern University, Smith, Springfield Junior College, Worcester Poly- technic Institute, Pratt Institute, Bay Path Institute, Westfield
93
Normal, and Fitchburg Normal. No pupil who has prepared for college here has been obliged to drop his work and most of them are doing exceptionally well. One has received honorable mention in the department of Mathematics at Amherst College and anoth- er is now studying in France on a scholarship award for excellence in French.
Respectfully submitted,
E. F. DAVENPORT Principal.
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ART
Mr. Benjamin J. Phelps,
Supt. of Schools, Agawam, Mass.
Dear Sir :
The work in the schools of Agawam this year has been planned to cover the most fundamental fields of art activity in the life of the child, namely, nature and object drawing, design and decoration, illustration, construction, and appreciation.
The nature and object drawings were made in pencil, crayon, and water-color, directly from the specimen or object; the aim be- ing to develop keener observation, to record shapes, growth, and proportions, and to appreciate line, color, and texture in nature and common objects.
Color in its various hues and harmonies was then studied, which led to greater appreciation of its use in nature and art, and developed ability to create beautiful color combinations in practical school and home problems.
In design, simple borders and units were made, applying the previously studied color principles, the upper grades producing some very interesting textile patterns.
Illustration, or picture-making, involved the study of land- scapes, figure or pose drawing, animal drawing, posters for various needs, holiday activities in the schools, and was correlated often with history, geography, and language. This type of work stim- ulates the imagination, gives expression to ideas, and gives the teacher the opportunity of correcting any faulty conceptions in the child's mind.
Lettering was also brought into the program of the year, and it is needless to state here the many practical uses of good- looking rapid lettering.
Construction, the actual making of objects such as boxes, baskets, toys, lamp shades, etc., has its value in the training it
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affords the hands in the use of scissors, compasses, materials, and tools. Paper construction and sand table work were the vehicle used in the lower grades, while in the grammar grades we worked out problems in the various crafts and holiday projects.
In January a Safety First poster contest was held in the sixth grades of the town.
Posters, stage settings, and costumes were designed and made for the different musical presentations given during the year.
The High School work has presented the rather difficult problem of working out a course which in very limited time will still cover a wide enough range of subjects to prepare a few for art school, and give the others a cultural knowledge of beauty and good taste to serve them in everyday life. A very broad course in applied design was given, supplemented by trips to the city museums, department stores, and private homes where collec- tions were seen and studied. Two cuts were also designed by the class for the Mirror. It is hoped that the finances of the high school paper may soon permit more work along this line.
It has been my chief aim this year to establish a definite art course in the schools which will bring the desired results in a smooth-running, efficient way. To further this end each grade and district school teacher is given a typewritten outline of the work of each month, its aims and specific lesson plans. In addi- tion to this, a set of the finished model lessons, patterns and sug- gestions are placed in each building for the teachers' reference.
As the majority of American people are not producers or creators, but consumers of art, it is the object of this course not to develop individual artists or create works of art, but to develop through the study and application of art principles, discrimina- tion and good taste, with a love of the beautiful to enrich every- day life, and to raise the artistic standard of our American products.
Much of the success of the art work this year is due to the initiative and interest of the Agawam teachers, with whom it has been a great pleasure to work.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. CROWLEY, Supervisor of Art.
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MUSIC
Agawam, Mass., January 21, 1927
Mr. Benjamin J. Phelps, Superintendent of Schools, Agawam, Mass.
Dear Sir :
I hereby submit my report as Supervisor of Music in the Public Schools of Agawam.
Since September, 1926, when I began my duties here, we have been emphasizing the following points:
1. Music Fundamentals and Music Reading.
This point has been especially stressed as it is the basis upon which we develop the other aims in music. Reading by syllable is begun in the first grade and carried on until Junior High School. Here they begin to read songs at sight with the words. Rhythms, dynamics, part-singing, and other technical difficulties are taught grade by grade according to Mr. Ralph L. Baldwin's course of study.
2. Voice Training and Interpretation.
This is begun in the very first grade by the use of Rote Songs and matching tones, and is continued by song-singing through the grades reaching its culmination in the work of the Glee Club.
3. Appreciation.
One of the best forms of appreciation is that in which the pupils themselves take part. Thus, in giving them good songs to learn, we are leading them to appreciate better music. It is true that work with victrola records can give a broader scope than when
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the pupils hear only their own songs. To this end, we are giving a little time to listening lessons. In the Junior High School we are taking up instruments of the orchestra in order that the pupils may be able to recognize the various instruments when they see or hear them.
4. Instrumental Work.
In keeping with the advance of instrumental music into an important place in the curricula of our modern schools, we have given prominence to orchestral work. The orchestra at Agawam Center practices regularly. The orchestra at North Agawam is doing well, also. They have played for Assembly at the High School and for the Christmas Tree Celebration at North Agawam. The High School Orchestra has had several evening rehearsals in addition to their regular class hour. They have played in Assem- bly, at the Woman's Club Play, the High School Musical Com- edy, and the Operetta at Agawam Center. At present they are working on music to be given at a combined Glee Club and Or- chestra Concert in May.
Another interesting development is the band, which has re- cently been started. All the boys in it are beginners and take their lessons in class at small expense. This is one organization which I hope will grow from a small beginning to a size worthy of its purpose.
In addition to those already named, the following public per- formances have been given:
On November 19, a selected group from the High School pre- sented the Musical Comedy, "The Windmills of Holland." Both the cast and chorus did excellent work and displayed dramatic as well as musical ability.
On December 15 ,the children from the Agawam Center School presented the Operetta, "Storyland," under the efficient coaching of Mrs. Marion King. The other teachers, the mothers of the children, and all the children cooperated to make this a suc- cess, musically and financially.
On December 22, the boys and girls at Feeding Hills cele- brated Christmas by giving "Christmas with the Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe."
All of the schools sang Christmas Carols, but perhaps the most noteworthy group was at North Agawam, where the men of the Community had charge of the affair.
In submitting this report, I wish to convey my pleasure at
98
finding so much talent among the girls and boys. Without this natural ability we would not be able to accomplish so much or have such a splendid interest as is now shown.
In closing, I wish to thank the Superintendent, Principals and Teachers for the hearty cooperation which they have given me. It has been a strong factor in helping Agawam children enjoy their heritage of music.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH A. PERRY.
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DOMESTIC SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Benjamin J. Phelps, Superintendent of Schools, Agawam, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit to you my report of the work of the Domes- tic Science Department during the past year.
The course in cooking aims to teach care and equipment of the kitchen, habits of cleanliness and order, preparation and serving of foods, correct food combinations and amounts needed daily to supply the required number of calories.
Elementary work in cooking is given to about sixty-six girls in the eighth grade. The lessons include inexpensive but whole- some foods necessary for daily living. In planning this work the five classes of foods are considered ; also their uses in the body.
Since best results can only be obtained by accurate measure- ments, the girls are taught how to measure correctly and how to multiply or divide a recipe by using the tables of equivalents and abbreviations. These facts, of course, are helpful when planning for or buying for a meal at home. No special text book is used by the children, but notes, taken from different reference books, are copied into a loose-leaf note book by each girl.
For each class a housekeeper is appointed, whose duty it is to care for supplies, clean the refrigerator and sinks, dust, sweep, and be responsible for the general appearance of the room.
A smaller group of twenty-two girls make up a class of second year cookery. This course deals with Fancy Cookery and Invalid Cookery. The former requires more skill in the arrangement of foods for serving. In the study of the latter, diets for some of the common diseases are considered.
The equipment for work in cooking is a credit to the town. A longer period for this work would be beneficial to the students.
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SEWING
Work in sewing, which starts in the seventh grade, aims to teach the girls all of the common stitches needed in making and mending a garment. After accomplishing these satisfactorily, the use of the sewing machine and its parts is studied. The projects then made by machine are cooking apron, cap, and hot dish holder. Patterns are used in making the cooking set, thus teaching the girls how to use them.
Advanced sewing classes include more intricate patterns for underwear and dresses. Different phases of fancy work enter into the work also, most of which is done by Juniors and Seniors who have already taken the former work.
The increase in the size of the classes point toward the need of more than two sewing machines, which make up the present equipment along that line.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. HAZEL C. ALDRICH.
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MANUAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT
Mr. Benjamin J. Phelps, Superintendent of Schools, Agawam, Mass.
Dear Mr. Phelps :
I present herewith this, the annual report of the Manual Training Department.
The Junior High and Freshman work this year has continued much the same as last year. My policy in regard to these classes has been to personally choose a useful project which, in my esti- mation, is simple enough for the groups at their different stages of progression to construct, and yet so designed that it be of the most possible educational value. In this way, they learn the different tool processes and have a useful article at the conclusion. The election of the subject is compulsory in these classes.
The High School students, beyond the first year, are permit- ted to design, construct, and finish articles of their own choice. In addition, most of the work for the school department is done by these classes.
One of the High School problems this year has been the build- ing of six sand tables for use in the primary grades. It was neces- sary that a sheet metal lining be put into them; and in connection with this problem I was able to demonstrate, as well as possible with improvised tools, the elementary steps of sheet metal work. I would recommend that some sheet metal equipment be installed so that this work could be carried further.
During the year sand tables, book cases, and a bench were constructed for the primary grades. Bulletin boards, book cases, stage scenery, apparatus, benches, seats for the gymnasium, and many other articles were made for the High School.
I would recommend that the High School classes be given
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more class periods per week if such be possible under the present curriculum.
An exhibition of work completed during the school year was held at Commencement time.
Very respectfully,
FREDERICK T. DACEY, Supervisor of Manual Training.
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PHYSICAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit for your consideration the annual report of the Department of Physical Education.
All classes in Physical Education in the Junior and the Senior High School come under the direct supervision and leadership of the Director. With the gradual establishment of the department the character of the work has changed to allow some specialization and natural progress in certain directions.
The regular class routine in the Spring and Fall was adjusted so as to allow conducting of classes in the out-of-doors as often as possible. The accessibility of the athletic field was an important aid in this phase of the work.
The girls' class activity was confined chiefly to calisthenics, hand apparatus drills, baseball (soft ball), field hockey, soccer, and a variety of common field games conducive for mass play in the open air.
With the boys, at this period, the sports in season were fea- tured. In the Spring, classes were formed into baseball leagues, with records kept, fostering a keener spirit of competition. Soccer and "touch football," ideal activities for Fall sports, found many boys getting the fundamentals of these "red-blooded games."
As Winter came on the classes retreated indoors and the reg- ular class organization came about. A brief resume of this work finds emphasis on Marching, Calisthenics, Apparatus (head and hand), Games, Folk-dancing, and, in general, "athletics for all." Related to this policy of "athletics for all" an interesting side light is that at the present time there are organized and supervised in the High Schools some 30 boys' basketball teams involving some 175 boys, or about 90% of the boys enrolled. In further contin- uing this policy, large squads are held out for the season of the specialized seasonal sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. These representative teams are amongst the sectional leaders, and
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the 1926 boys' basketball team had the nice distinction of being delegated to the New England Championship Tournament at Boston as a representative of Western Massachusetts.
The annual gymnastic exhibition was successfully presented and depicted thoroughly the work of the department.
The work has been alleviated from time to time thru the co-operation of other departments in the school, especially so by the Music, Art, and Manual Training Departments.
The Physical Department Program, in my judgment, is effective, clean, and wholesome, and our athletics are not over emphasized.
Respectfully submitted,
HARMON A. SMITH, Director of Physical Education.
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TABLE SHOWING GROWTH OF AGAWAM SCHOOLS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
Year
Enrollment
Increase
January 1, 1922
1,245
January 1, 1923
1,349
104
January 1, 1924
1,433
84
January 1, 1925
1,499
66
January 1, 1926
1,572
73
January 1, 1927
1,631
59
386
The enrollment January 1, 1927, is twenty-four per cent greater than on January 1, 1922. In other words, there are 386 more pupils in our schools today than there were at the time when we opened the new High School. Such a phenomenal increase in pupil enrollment is hardly paralleled in our state. The largest growth has been in the Plains section and in North Agawam. We are able, at present, to seat all of our pupils, but many of our class rooms are filled to the point of overflowing.
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PROMOTION TABLE
School
No. of Pupils on Roll June, 1926
No. of Pupils not Promoted June, 1926
North Agawam
300
48
Springfield St.
291
30
Agawam Center
239
20
Feeding Hills
168
7
West St.
34
2
Suffield St.
25
4
South St.
33
4
Junior High
198
8
Senior High
151
11
Totals
1,439
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Per cent of pupils not promoted-all schools-9.3. Per cent of pupils in elementary schools not promoted-9.4.
It is difficult to get data of similar nature from other towns, because many school officials fail to make this survey. The per cent of non-promotion in the elementary schools of Philadelphia, for the school year 1925, was 12.7%.
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PERCENTAGES OF FAILURES IN DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECTS
Subjects
6,141 Pupils in N. Y. and N. J. High Schools June, 1925
160 Pupils in Agawam High School June, 1926
Latin
18.7
10
Mathematics
16
17
French
11.5
11.5
History
9.8
15
Science
8.2
8
English
8.2
8.7
Commercial
8
7.6
Local and temporary conditions may operate to cause more failures or fewer failures in a given subject. On the whole, the failures in Agawam High parallel closely the number of failures among the 6,141 pupils. The large number of failures in History was due to the transfer to high school of several boys who were not well prepared for high school work. It seemed best, however, to give them a tryout in high school.
108
ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR SEPTEMBER 7-DECEMBER 31
Total Mem- bership
Average Mem- bership
Average Daily Attendance
Per Cent Attendance
Tardi- ness
SENIOR HIGH
Grade XIII
20
19.78
18.17
91.86
24
Grade XII
48
46.52
44.59
95.85
24
Grade XI
35
34.25
32.77
95.68
42
Grade X
65
60.85
57.22
94.03
22
JUNIOR HIGH
Grade IX-1
41
39.59
38.15
96.66
7
Grade IX-2
41
39.36
36.96
93.90
33
Grade VIII-1
41
39.37
36.70
93.21
25
Grade VIII-2
41
37.76
35.94
95.18
3
Grade VIII-3
40
39.11
37.92
96.96
6
Grade VII-1
26
24.94
24.17
96.91
2
Grade VII-2
26
25.56
24.94
97.57
14
AGAWAM CENTER
Grade VI
52
50.16
46.67
93.04
42
Grade V
38
36.16
34.31
94.88
12
Grade V-IV
29
27.95
26.93
96.35
34
Grade IV
34
32.04
30.39
94.85
17
Grade III
35
31.47
29.86
94.85
50
Grade II
29
26.10
24.77
94.90
32
Grade I
40
29.65
24.92
84.04
25
109
1
NORTH AGAWAM
Grade VII
37
32.06
31.76
99.06
5
Grade VI
45
43.31
42.65
98.48
14
Grade V
47
44.16
42.95
97.26
17
Grade IV
41
39.46
38.26
96.96
12
Grades IV-III
33
31.96
30.85
96.54
21
Grade III
37
34.83
34.07
97.81
8
Grade II
37
35.88
35.17
98.02
11
Grades II-I
29
28.22
27.55
97.62
8
Grade I
36
34.84
33.77
96.92
9
SPRINGFIELD STREET
Grade VII
35
30.96
29.62
95.67
12
Grade VI
40
36.40
34.46
94.67
10
Grade V
43
40.97
38.32
93.49
68
Grade IV
42
41.13
39.20
95.30
15
Grade III
43
37.90
35.90
94.72
31
Grade II
42
41.22
39.26
95.25
30
Grades II-I
36
33.85
31.41
92.80
26
Grade 1
38
36.74
34.28
93.30
36
Grade 1
18
17.19
16.22
94.31
15
FEEDING HILLS
Grade VII
25
23.14
22.27
96.24
3
Grades VI-V
45
41.90
+0.05
95.58
+
Grades V-IV
42
38.77
37.93
97.83
8
Grades III-II
44
40.63
38.68
95.20
17
Grade I
30
27.31
25.93
94.87
2
SOUTH SCHOOL
29
28.02
25.67
91.62
27
SUFFIELD STREET 31
30.19
27.52
91.15
36
WEST STREET
25
23.44
22.43
95.69
15
Total Membership for Town
1,631
Average Membership for Town
1,535.10
Average Daily Attendance for Town
1,461.56
Per Cent Attendance for Town
95.2
Tardiness for Town
874
Total Membership January 1, 1926
1,572
Increase over last year
59
110
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DOCTOR AND SCHOOL NURSE FROM JANUARY, 1926, TO JANUARY, 1927
Number of Schools Visited 8
Number of Visits to Schools
940
Number of Visits to Homes
677
Number of Treatments
443
Pupils inspected
4,244
Number of Pupils taken to Oculist
11
Number of Pupils taken to T. B. Clinic
52
Number of Cases of Scarlet Fever
5
Number of Cases of Whooping Cough
25
Number of Cases of Measles
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