USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1931-1935 > Part 27
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There are a few classes in some of our Elementary schools that are too large and unwieldy for obtaining the best results. These classes number above 40 pupils. In a few cases there are classes of less than 29 pupils. These classes could not be enlarged without transporting prim- ary pupils from one end of the town to the other end and thereby creating an unsatisfactory condition in the homes of the children.
In the classification of school children in the various
98
precincts of the town, there is no method of making the classes number 35 children each, unless by chance such should happen to be the case. Very often there are over- flow grades and from this condition, at times, a smaller grade must evolve. It has been the policy of the school department to transport to North Agawam overflow pupils in the upper elementary grades, especially when such pu- pils move into the town after the opening of the school year. These pupils starting in a new school system can better adjust themselves to this transfer than those pupils who have become rooted in some section of the town.
On the whole, the classes of the town are very well graded both as to caliber of pupils and number of pupils. I can see but one opportunity to reduce the number of teachers. Our West Street School has an enrollment of 20 pupils in Grades I to IV. It would be possible to transfer these pupils to the Feeding Hills Center School and ab- sorb them in the group at that school without increasing- the number of teachers in that building.
EDUCATIONAL COSTS
TABLE I
MASSACHUSETTS STATE
Year
Expenditure per Pupil in Net Average Membership
Days in Year
Cost per Pupil per Day
1929
$ 100.50
183
.55
1930
100.82
182
.55
1931
100.38
180
.56
*1932
93.58
179
.52
1933
87.09
180
.48
1934
89.20
179
.49
99
TABLE II GROUP II-CONSISTING OF 83 CITIES AND TOWNS OF 5000 POPULATION AND OVER AND MAINTAINING HIGH SCHOOLS
Expenditure per Pupil in Net Average Membership
Days in Year
Cost per Pupil per Day
Rank in Group II Cities and Towns
Year
1929
$ 91.91
182
.50
1930
92.30
181
.51
1931
93.11
178
.52
*1932
86.25
178
.49
1933
82.20
179
.46
1934
83.47
178
.47
TABLE III-AGAWAM
1929
$ 87.64
181
.48
42
1930
85.90
179
.48
46
1931
87.64
176
.49
39
*1932
79.07
178
.44
46
1933
71.93
177
.40
46
1934
....
72.09
178
.40
59
*1932 Cost per pupil per day in U. S. A. 57 cents.
Data from the U. S. office of Education, Washington D. C.
The three tables giving the expenditures per pupil per year for the State of Massachusetts, for Group II Cities and Towns, and for Agawam are herewith presented. The period of time is 1929-1934 per fiscal years. The source of information is the Department of Education for the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts. The above data will serve to convey some important truths about comparative educa- tional expenditures during these depression years.
100
The costs of an educational program for any town have a direct relationship to the number of pupils enrolled, the distribution of the pupils, and the number of days in the school year. Obviously it should cost more to educate a larger number of pupils than a smaller number of pupils. To train high school pupils is more expensive than to edu- cate elementary school pupils. Notwithstanding these two factors, the costs per pupil per day in Agawam are eight cents less per pupil in 1934 than said costs were in 1929. At the same time our enrollment has increased fifty pupils.
A study of these tables also reveals the fact that the costs of education per pupil per day is much greater in Group II Cities and Towns, in the State as a whole, and in the United States than is the case in Agawam. For illustration consider the year 1932: The costs per pupil per day in the State was 52 cents ; in Group II Cities and Towns 49 cents ; in United States 57 cents; in Agawam 44 cents. In the year 1934 these costs were as follows: for the State 49 cents; for Group II Cities and Towns 47 cents; for Aga- wam 40 cents.
TABLE IV
GROUP II-83 CITIES AND TOWNS OF 5000 POPULATION AND OVER
Towns
Cost per Pupil in Net Average Membership December 31, 1934
Rank in Group II
West Springfield
$ 89.72
19
Greenfield
84.97
27
Adams
73.12
54
Palmer
75.34
48
Ludlow
76.12
44
Ware
71.80
60
Agawam
72.09
59
Amherst
93.97
14
Orange
76.33
43
.
.
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The above towns and cities are selected because they are ranked in Agawam's class and because they are in several cases located in the vicinity of Agawam. There are 83 towns and cities of over 5000 in population and supporting high schools grouped in this class. Agawam ranks 59th in this group in the amount per pupil spent on education ; that is, there are 58 towns in the group ranked above Aga- wam and 24 towns ranked below Agawam. In 1929 Aga- wam ranked 42nd in this group. During the depression we have dropped 16 places in the table. In 1929 the per pupil cost was $87.64: in 1935 the per pupil cost is $72.09. The cost per pupil has decreased $15.55 during the six year period.
TABLE V
EXPENDITURE PER PUPIL IN NET AVERAGE
MEMBERSHIP FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
July 1, 1934-June 30, 1935
Massachusetts State $ 90.23
Group II-83 Towns and Cities 85.09
Springfield 113.53
Chicopee 78.65
Westfield
88.24
West Springfield
89.69
Agawam
72.00
Table V is inserted at this point in order to give the expenditure per pupil up to the latest possible date ac- corded by the state statistics. These figures are for the school year July 1, 1934 to June 30, 1935. The table needs no interpretation ; the figures speak for themselves.
How was this large saving per pupil brought to pass? There is. but one answer to that question : The salaries of
102
the teachers and janitors were reduced 19 per cent. The number of teachers was decreased. Salary increments were dropped. New teachers in the system have been recruited for the most part directly from the normal college and have therefore come to us without experience, and of course they have received a beginner's salary.
Last September, 5 per cent of the decrease in salary was returned to the teachers. This leaves a decrease of 14 per cent still in force. The teachers understand that Agawam in common with all towns and cities has had a hard finan- cial struggle during the past five years. They have con- tributed beyond the limit of any teaching staff in this vicinity from their salaries to help make up the deficits. They were pleased and grateful to have a portion of their salaries returned to them and they hope that the financial status of the town will permit that more of the cut can be restored in the near future, or at least that the yearly increments of the salary schedule can be re-established.
BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT DURING THE DEPRESSION
Fortunately Agawam completed an addition to the Junior-Senior High School building just prior to the onset of the depression. This unit was so planned that it was possible to absorb the unexpected deluge of Junior-Senior High School pupils without overcrowding the building. Agawam is unique in that the high school pupils have not been herded into crannies and nooks and makeshift class- rooms. There have been no part-time classes or double school sessions during this period. Our high school accom- modations are adequate and efficient. It is because of this splendid organization that we are able to operate at lower per capita costs.
In the Elementary schools, with the exception of the school at Agawam Center, there has been no overcrowding.
103
The overcrowding at Agawam Center has been admini- strated by transporting pupils to North Agawam and by using the old library room as a makeshift classroom. The modernization of the Center School building has been dis- cussed during the present year. Expert opinion indicates that the cost of such a program is too great. Any plan of modernization for this building would not give the town the best type of building. It would seem that a new building should be constructed at Agawam Center, if not this year as soon as the town can afford to do so.
The same foresight that gave the town the High School addition in 1927 also made proper provision for equipment. No expense of any moment has been necessary for equip- ment, except for typewriters, since that time: no new tables, or chairs, or desks; no new machinery in the Man- ual Training department; no new tables or stoves in the Domestic Science department; and no new equipment for the Physical Training and Agricultural departments of any consequence. When consideration is given to the fact that our Junior-Senior High School enrollment has increased by nearly 300 pupils in the meantime, the above mentioned foresight seems most remarkable. For prolonging the life of tables, desks and chairs due credit must be given to the Manual Training department, but unstinted praise must be bestowed upon the teachers in charge of all departments for their assistance in conserving these school properties, and also upon the pupils for their cooperation.
CONCLUSION
In this annual School Report will be found reports from the various departments. It is hoped that these reports will be carefully read by the citizens of the town, and that the recommendations found therein will be given thought and consideration.
Before concluding this report, our gratitude to the
104
American Legion for giving us a new school flag for each classroom must find expression. We appreciate the in- terest and support given to the cause of education from this loyal band.
There is no single feature of town administration that is more important for the building of character and en- hancing the status of citizenship than the School Depart- ment. The first question asked by prospective residents is: What are the educational facilities which the town can offer? The citizens of Agawam have desired that these depression years should not destroy or weaken the effi- ciency of their schools. This spirit of cooperation on their part, plus the conscientious efforts of our teachers, and the loyalty of our pupils has produced and maintained a mod- ern, progressive school system in Agawam.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN J. PHELPS, Superintendent of Schools
105
ENROLLMENTS AND ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR September 4-December 20, 1935
Total Mem- bership
Average Mem- bership
Average Daily At- tendance
Per Cent At- tendance ness
Tardi-
High School
Senior High III
73
69.40
66.87
96.36
50
Senior High II
104
99.25
95.00
95.73
70
Senior High I
140
128.85
123.45
95.81
73
Junior High III
140
138.06
131.58
95.31
31
Junior High VIII-1
30
24.78
23.91
96.49
1
Junior High VIII-2
38
37.31
35.92
96.28
2
Junior High VIII-3 36
35.69
33.82
94.76
5
Junior High VIII-4
36
35.17
34.44
97.93
3
Junior High VII-1
39
38.23
37.37
97.75
0
Junior High VII-2
35
33.95
32.28
95.08
8
Junior High VII-3
34
31.56
29.71
94.12
1
Junior High VII-4
35
34.86
33.41
95.84
3
Junior High VII-5
36
33.96
32.64
96.11
0
Jr. High Spec. Class
22
21.23
19.39
91.33
6
North Agawam School
Grade VI
47
42.25
40.68
96.30
6
Grade VA
29
26.74
24.93
93.23
4
Grade VB
28
25.73
24.34
94.62
4
Grade IV
39
37.51
34.60
92.24
6
Grade III
36
35.78
33.35
93.20
5
Grade II
37
35.86
33.41
93.16
11
Grade I-II
27
25.95
23.72
91.44
3
Grade I
31
30.95
28.21
91.15
2
Spec. Class
19
15.69
14.53
92.58
4
106
Agawam Center School
Grade VI
63
56.81
53.89
94.86
15
Grade V
50
44.16
40.29
91.23
10
Grade IV
42
36.14
34.24
94.75
14
Grade III
48
40.43
37.12
91.81
16
Grade II
47
41.05
37.14
90.48
2
Grade I-II-III
35
33.75
32.15
95.26
4
Grade I
48
43.01
39.08
90.86
23
Springfield St. School
Grade VI
41
34.86
33.81
96.99
9
Grade V
41
40.74
38.90
95.48
5
Grade IV
38
37.74
36.64
97.09
2
Grade III
36
34.44
33.47
97.18
16
Grade II
34
31.88
30.11
94.45
16
Grade I
37
35.23
33.64
95.49
24
Feeding Hills School
Grade VI
28
23.00
21.91
95.26
4
Grade IV-V
35
35.00
34.06
97.31
8
Grade III-IV
30
27.68
26.55
95.92
1
Grade I-II
34
33.01
29.23
88.55
0
West St. School
Grades I-II-III-IV
22
19.92
19.55
98.14
24
Total Membership for Town
1800
Average Membership for Town
1687.61
Average Daily Attendance for Town
1599.34
Per Cent Attendance for Town
94.77
Total Tardiness for Town
491
The following home visits were made because of absence and tardiness:
On account of tardiness
25
1 Absent on account of sickness 145
Absent on account of lack of clothing
16
Needed at home by parents
26
Moved out of town
6
Kept at home by parents
28
Absent on account of suspension
10
Absent-Truants
24
Total number of home visits
280
107
REPORT ON MEDICAL INSPECTION
Dr. Wheeler's Medical Inspection found the following number of cases :
Tonsil and Adenoids 110
Defective Teeth 199
Slight Goiter
4
Orthopedic Cases
8
Glands
51
Poor Nutrition
57
Heart Disease
11
No. of Children Vaccinated
17
No. of Pupils found to be Physically Fit 275
No. of Pupils Examined in Fall Examinations 564
Report of School Nurse
No. of Schools Visited 6
No. of Visits to Schools 318
No. of Visits to Homes 230
No. of First Aid Treatments in Schools 640
No. of Inspections for Pediculosis
270
No. of Pupils taken to Physicians and Oculists
14
No. of Pupils Weighed and Measured in Elementary Schools 185
No. of Pupils taken to hospital for Tonsil and
Adenoid Operations
8
No. of Cases of Scarlet Fever
2
No. of Cases of Scabies
15
No. of Cases of Ringworm
2
No. of Cases of Pediculosis
22
No. of Cases of Impetigo 20
No. of Cases of Mumps 246
10
The Clinic for the prevention of Diphtheria was held October 2nd, October 9th and October 16th with the re- sult that 249 children were immunized.
The following is the report of the Chest Clinic given in December by the Hampden County Tuberculosis Associa- tion for the pupils of the 7th, 9th, and 11th grades.
No. of Children Tuberculin Tested 239
No. Reacting to the Test 39
No. Children X-Rayed 47
No. Children Examined 4
Respectfully submitted,
VERA POMEROY KELLOGG,
School Nurse
109
REPORT OF THE DOMESTIC SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following report is a resume of the activities in the Cooking and Sewing classes for the past year.
About seventy-five girls were enrolled in the cooking classes. Unfortunately, the number of periods per week had to be decreased from two to one thus leaving time for very little theory work. There should be time for this be- cause knowing the "why" of things is as useful as know- ing the "how". Since only one hour is allotted for each cooking class, the work consists of preparing and cooking foods and the necessary cleaning involved.
The course aims to teach care and equipment of the kit- chen, habits of cleanliness and order, accuracy of meas- urements, preparation and serving of common foods, uses of food in the body and something of the correct food combinations.
After experimenting in the cooking laboratory, the girls have a chance to examine and taste the results. The effect of this, I have learned, has been helpful to some extent in their homes. It has also encouraged some girls to eat cer- tain nourishing foods which they had previously refused.
In June an exhibition of cooked foods was placed in the Domestic Science room.
110
. /
During the past year, girls in the seventh grades have had two periods a week in first year sewing. They have been taught the fundamental stitches with application of each in the construction of simple projects. With making of their cooking aprons, came instructions on the use of the sewing machine. Many of the girls did so well that they also made dresses.
Girls taking the second year sewing course made very complete note books including samples of all seams, bind- ings, facings, plackets, bound buttonholes, etc., which they might find in any pattern. After that a few lessons were planned to point out "The Essentials of Good Dressing". Before purchasing a pattern, some instruction was given concerning commercial patterns. With the background lessons of Sewing Technique, Costume Design and Pattern Study, the girls planned and made articles suitable for themselves.
The Sewing exhibit in June proved to be larger than ever.
111
CAFETERIA REPORT
The following table gives the financial status of the Cafeteria from September, 1934 to June, 1935.
Receipts
Stock on hand June, 1934 $ 34.10
Cash on hand June, 1934 11.12
Receipts from September, 1934 to June, 1935 4,130.02
Total
$4,175.24
Expenses
Salaries from September, 1934 to June, 1935 $1,171.00
Food from September, 1934 to June, 1935 2,909.41
Supplies from September, 1934 to June, 1935 49.10
Stock on hand June, 1935 30.67
Cash on hand June, 1935
15.06
Total
$4,175.24
Since only about one half of the total number of pupils enrolled purchase anything in the lunch room the net profit is very small.
The aim of the lunch room is to give good service and nourishing food at the lowest possible price.
Suggestions or criticisms are invited at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
HAZEL C. ALDRICH, Domestic Science Supervisor
112
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To Mr. B. J. Phelps, Superintendent of Schools :
This is my ninth annual report on the Agawam Junior- Senior High School.
GENERAL COMMENT
Society has alway been faced with urgent problems of various kinds. The race between civilization and degenera- tion is doubtless without end, but during these difficult years of rapid transition it sometimes appears that our evolutionary processes have faltered and that there are definite signs of retrogression in some of our humanities. Many of our old established concepts have apparently out- lived their usefulness, and replacements are in a state of flux and contradiction. High schools are very much in- volved in these changes and are grappling with their new and increasing responsibilities, bending every effort to pre- pare young people to face a changing, interdependent world. (Certainly the school needs to assume only partial respon- sibility for the orientation of young people in as much as out of the 8,760 hours in a year, but about 1300 hours are spent in the school.)
Personally it seems deplorable that some school pro- grams, yes, and some home programs, have been so thoroughly softened in behalf of the inevitable "50%" and that some educators and some parents have gone so far in attempting to make education a painless and casual process. Education by its very nature must always be a difficult, arduous process. Charles Kingsley has aptly ex- pressed the idea in this way. "Thank God you have some- thing to do that must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance, self-control, diligence, strength of will,
113
content and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know." I am happy to state that in this school our re- action to these changing conditions has been less fantas- tic than some, and that we have continued to function on a reasonably high scholastic level. We have tried to adapt our offerings without forfeiting the fundamental objectives, and at the same time we have introduced a few new sub- jects of a general, cultural value. Subjects such as world history, physiology, psychology, comparative study of civilizations, sociology, problems of internationalism, economics from a consumer's standpoint, geology and meteorology, will, very likely, increase in popularity in our high schools and more and more time will be devoted to music, art, industrial arts and literature. We are particu- larly concerned with such outcomes as these: a basic phil- osophy of life ; a rational evaluation of our democracy ; the ability to meet changing conditions with an open but criti- cal mind ; willingness to accept social obligations ; a coopera- tive attitude with a sincere desire and ability to be an effective citizen.
While the achievement in the various departments of the school continues on a high level, we feel that there is always need for constant concern on the part of each teacher in regard to bringing about a maximum integra- tion between the various phases of school work. It would seem that each teacher, regardless of subject taught, must place increasing emphasis on such things as better spoken and written English, all phases of character training (such as good citizenship, good manners and courtesy, accept- ance of responsibilities), educational and vocational guid- ance and vocational competence. We are realizing more and more that a teacher must function primarily as a stimu- lating guide for developing personalities-subject matter being simply a means to that all important end. So far as character training is concerned, the work of the teacher would seem to be successful to the extent that the student, in proportion to his capacity, actively works for class and school betterment ; is considerate and thoughtful of others ; makes a whole-hearted effort in all activities; shows power
114
for developing suggestions with originality; shows neat habits in work and dress; can be depended upon to carry out assignments without continuous supervision ; shows poise and self-control, and keeps his body in good work- ing order by the carrying out of good health habits.
STUDENT ACTIVITY TICKETS
Because of steadily decreasing revenue during the past few years for the maintenance of our extra-curricula activi- ties, it became necessary this year to adopt a more efficient method of operation. Beginning this past September, we have offered students a composite membership ticket which for the nominal sum of $2.00 entitles them to admission to all home athletic contests (17 games), the "Agawam Mirror", the One Act Play, and a series of six special assembly programs. The retail value of this offering is $6.55 so that the student ticket represents a substantial sav- ing for each owner. At the same time, by selling a few more than 500 tickets we have built up an adequate budget for carrying on our very valuable extra-curricula program. I am especially pleased to report that not only is our athletic department on a sounder financial basis, but we are now able to publish the "Agawam Mirror" again as a quality magazine, and that we have been able to inaugurate a series of special assembly programs which include such talent as Dr. George Romment who gives a marvelous demonstration with his microprojector in showing tiny liv- ing plants and animals on the screen; Professor Glenn Morris who gives popularized electrical demonstrations and Mischa Tulin, an outstanding artist with the Theremin and electric cello. The apportionment of this budget is made with the assistance of an advisory board which is composed of the class presidents, the president of the Stu- dent Council, and the faculty adviser. While this plan has been in operation for only about four months, the out- comes have been most satisfactory and to all appearances the plan will become an established practice in the years to come.
115
In addition to our special assemblies we were favored by the following speakers : Professor R. S. Illingsworth, Clark University ; Mr. Lawrence H. Hart, Washington imperson- ator; Mr. Pitt Parker, crayon artist; Professor B. B. Farns- worth, Springfield College; Mr. Gaylord Douglas, lecturer on world peace; Professor H. N. Glick, Massachusetts State College; Mr. L. R. Talbot, bird expert; Lieut. A. T. Hayes, State police officer; Mr. Gifford Fogg, Memorial Day speaker; Mr. B. J. Phelps, superintendent of schools ; the Rev. Thomas Foxall, Worcester pastor; Mr. N. P. Ames Carter, lecturer; Mr. James Kirby, Armistice Day speaker; Professor L. K. Hall, Springfield College; Cap- tain Sidney Osborne, lecturer; and others.
TESTING PROGRAM
This fall we have administered two standardized tests. The Clapp-Young Self-Marking Test was given to the five sections of the seventh grade, and the New Stanford Achievement Test was given to the four sections of the eighth grade. Both tests proved to be valuable diagnos- tically and prognostically. This tabulation shows the out- comes for the ten sections of the New Stanford Achieve- ment Test.
8th Grade Av. General Av .*
1. Paragraph meaning
93
83
2. Word meaning
89
82.3
3. Dictation
89
77.5
4. Language Usage
87
75.6
5. Literature
84
76.4
6. History and Civics
86
75
7. Physiology and Hygiene
103
79.6
8. Geography
94
76.2
9. Arithmetic Reasoning
86
80.4
10. Arithmetic Computation
100
82.2
Average
91.1
78.8
*Scores upon which the reliability co-efficients were based.
116
The eighth grade averages and the comparison tabula- tion indicate a very healthy scholastic condition in this department.
The Clapp-Young Test reveals easily the mental age and the intelligent quotient of students. Such information is helpful in classifying pupils and carrying out remedial pro- grams. The intelligence quotients were found to range all the way from 66 to 136, with 76 students out of the 166 ranging above an intelligence quotient of 100.
PRINCIPALS' ROUND TABLE PROJECT
Under the sponsorship of the twenty principals of this professional organization, an educational moving picture called "Glimpses of Secondary Education in Western Mass- achusetts" has been created under the technical manage- ment of Mr. Allan M. Hadley and under the general direc- tion of myself. The four reels present in an interesting, comprehensive manner the different phases of secondary education as practised in our modern high schools. This. picture will be shown to interested groups throughout the state and should prove to be of considerable value in in- forming the general public of our modern educational methods and activities.
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