USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1936-1940 > Part 12
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check back on these records to see the amount of "carry over" from the school experience into adult activities. Every teacher has access to these cards and they are re- ferred to frequently in educational and vocational guid- ance work.
VISUAL EDUCATION
It is with a real sense of satisfaction and gratitude that I report the acquisition of sound moving picture equip- ment for the auditorium. This excellent apparatus came to the high school as an anonymous gift last spring. The donor can rest assured that in no other way could an equal expenditure give more impetus to the entire educational program of the school.
While we have been convinced of the effectiveness of this teaching medium for several years, the actual results are exceeding our expectations. The monthly Ilva pro- grams have proved especially valuable as will be surmised from titles such as these: Story of the Polar Regions, Story of the Sea, The Land of Our Forefathers, Our Own Country, Story of Science and the Story of the Jungle. In connection with each program teachers are given a manual which gives a resume of the picture with suggestions for classroom integration in the different subjects. This new audio-visual equipment is also being used to augment our safety education. As accessories, we now have a micro- phone for announcements and public speaking practice, and a pick-up device for the amplification of records used in connection with music appreciation and assembly music.
In our general science, biology, hygiene and commer- cial geography classes we continue to use our silent mov- ing picture projector. The twenty-five titles used come to us as one of the Valley Wheel cooperative services.
In addition to the moving picture, our teachers make effective use of the stereopticon, film strip projector, maps, charts, diagrams, microscopes, models, apparatus, etc. All
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things considered, I feel that we have an unusually effica- cious offering in the field of visual education. It's pleasing to be able to make this statement because a strong visual program seems to assist greatly in informing and educating the many students who are not particularly book-minded.
FOLLOW-UP RECORDS
In bringing alumni records up to date, we discovered the following distribution of graduates in various activities :
Type of Activity
Year
Office
Workers
At Home
Factory
Workers
College
Students
Clerking
Doing
Housework
Voc.
School
Farming
Post
Grad.
Nursing
W. P. A.
Misc.
1937
13
21
6
8
10
3
4
3
5
0
0
1
1936
20
16
11
8
5
4
7
1
2
2
1
0
1935
15
5
16
9
11
8
4
1
0
2
2
0
1934
17
6
10
10
7
5
4
3
0
1
0
1
Total
65
48
43
35
33
20
19
8
7
5
3
2
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
One of the chief requisites of a successful school sys- tem is orderly conduct and a feeling of responsibility on the part of the individual student for the school's effective operation. I do not refer to a military type of discipline where so-called respect and subordination are instigated through fear and punishment, but rather to the cooperative, contributing attitude of mind nurtured by the compulsion of reasonableness, that is, to the compliance due to an un- derstanding and an appreciation of the factors involved.
My experience makes me believe that there are enough
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loyal, right-thinking boys and girls, who realize that only by taking a positive, active part in fostering a harmonious institution can their education be carried on to the best advantage. The majority of students are well aware that school rules and regulations are made not to irritate them and frustrate their best interests, but that they are really necessary for the promotion of the greatest amount of free- dom and benefit for everybody concerned. Unfortunately, as in every large group of people, we always have in our schools a few anti-social individuals who sometimes refuse to conform to basic school regulations designed for the gen- eral good, and thereby disrupt an otherwise harmonious school relationship. There are times when a mere handful of recalcitrant students make it necessary to curtail the freedom of the large majority, and in a way vitiate some of the group activities.
A good analogy is found in the dreaded disease infan- tile paralysis. Doctors tell us that this germ prefers to feed on nerve tissue which, of course, eventually affects one or more muscles. These few muscles failing to function in unison with the other body muscles throw the whole body into more or less confusion and paralysis. In other words, perhaps three affected muscles interfere with the normal functioning of scores of other muscles. The treatment is the same with the disease as with the school situation. The offending members must be assisted by one method or an- other to fulfil their obligations to their supporting institu- tions. It is my belief that in a first class high school pub- lic opinion and natural social pressure of the student body on the few malcontents and school offenders will, in most cases, bring about conformity or natural expulsion. If the school is a democratic institution let it function as one, and to a large extent keep itself in a healthy, virile condition.
Nearly a hundred years ago, Horace Mann, the father of the American common school, made the following obser- vation which bears out what I have been trying to express : "If man moves in harmony with the physical universe around him, it prospers and blesses all his works, lends
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him its resistless strength, endues him with its unerring skill, enriches him with its boundless wealth, and fills his body with strength, celerity, and joy. But woe to the peo- ple or the man who, through ignorance or defiance, con- tends against the visible mechanism or the invisible chem- istry of Nature's laws."
I have elaborated on this topic because I feel that students, parents and teachers should have a common un- derstanding of our philosophy on this very important mat- ter, and not because there is any particular disciplinary problems within the school. As a matter of fact, the high school has an enviable reputation in this regard.
TESTING PROGRAM
In October, members of the seventh grade were given the Henmon-Nelson Tests of Mental Ability (Form A). The results brought out the following data : Average score 107.5 (standard is 100) ; mental age range from 10 years 5 months to 17 years; 94 students rated 100 or above 100; 42 students rated below 100. These grades ranked higher throughout than the grades of the preceding seventh grade.
SAFETY EDUCATION
In past years, we have given instruction in different aspects of safety in household arts, chemistry, general science, biology, civics, physics and physical education classes. This year, for the first time, we are giving every member of the tenth grade a series of sixteen lessons in highway safety. Many of the students in this grade are keenly interested in preparing for a driving lesson so that the work has that natural impetus. The primary objective of this course is to develop intelligent and reliable attitudes in regard to safety on the highway. The instruction is closely integrated with the work in English and the assign- ments call for projects in composition, oral reports, read-
129
ing comprehension, writing a one-act play, a short story, and an essay. It would seem at this time that the out- comes are justifying the slight infringement on the sched- uled English time.
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS OF THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR
Hockey Games, Dec. 18 to Feb. 26-Won 3 Lost 4.
Basketball Games, Dec. 22 to Feb. 23-Won 9 Lost 6.
Valley Wheel One Act Play Contest, Jan. 22 at Mon- son-Agawam presented "The Warrior's Husband".
Sophomore Class Assembly, Jan. 28-Theme, Horace Mann.
Special Assembly Feb. 9-Mr. Frank P. Douglass lec- tured on Alaska.
Lincoln Assembly-Feb. 12.
Washington Assembly, Feb. 19-Mr. Milton R. Liebe, speaker.
Oratorical Contest, Feb. 25-Won by Domit Shaer and Elaine Thompson. Prizes given by the Wilson-Thompson Post of the American Legion.
Assembly speaker Mar. 11-Dr. H. W. Cross of Springfield College.
Assembly speaker Mar. 18-Mr. Gaylord W. Douglass.
Valley Wheel Oratorical Contest held in Agawam Mar. 19 (Won by South Hadley.)
Assembly speaker Mar. 22-Mr. Arthur Rudman.
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P. T. A. Meeting Mar. 24-Topic, "Problems of the Modern Family."
Senior Play April 2-"New Fires."
Freshman Class Assembly-April 8.
Special Assembly April 20-Mr. William Bale pre- sented "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
P. T. A. Meeting May 11-Topic, Safety Education.
Maytime Concert-May 12.
Assembly speaker May 20-Robert S. Illingworth of Clark University.
Baseball Games, April 30 to June 11-Won 6, Lost 7.
Junior Prom-May 21.
Memorial Assembly May 28-Mr. Walter Kerr, speaker.
Assembly speaker June 3-Mr B. J. Phelps, Superin- tendent of Schools.
Senior Class Assembly-June 14.
ยท
Class Night Program-June 15.
Final Examinations-June 15-22.
Graduation June 17-(75 graduates)-Mr. Ernest W. Butterfield, speaker.
Senior Banquet June 21-Hotel Kimball.
Last Assembly-June 25
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Opening Assembly-Sept. 8.
Assembly speaker Sept. 17-Mr. Clifford M. Granger, Chairman of School Committee.
Special Assembly Oct. 5-Mr. Ruroy Sibly presented, "Seeing the Universe."
Pro Merito Assembly Oct 7-(9 candidates) -Mr. W. C. Hill, speaker.
Columbus Assembly-Oct. 11.
Football Games-Sept. 24 to Nov. 13-Won 3, Lost 2, Tied 1.
Special Assembly November 5-"The Show Box." (marionettes).
Assembly speaker Nov. 8-Miss Imogene Warder.
Armistice Assembly speaker-Nov. 10-Mr. C. A. Williams.
American Education Week Nov. 8-12.
Junior Cabaret Nov. 12.
Thanksgiving Assembly Nov. 24. In charge of Speaker's Club.
One Act Play Assembly Dec. 3. In charge of Dra- matic Club.
Special Assembly Dec. 10-Mr. John E. Hines pre- sented "Christmas Carol."
Senior "Kid" Party Dec. 22.
Christmas Assembly Dec. 23. Pageant of the Holy Grail (Dramatic Club).
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RECOMMENDATIONS
I. An officer is needed to patrol the highway between the High School and Walnut Street when students come to school in the morning and when they leave school in the afternoon. This is a safety measure and an urgent one.
2. Our athletic field needs to be enlarged and the entire field should be given adequate fence pro- . tection. The present barrier is helpful but not entirely satisfactory.
3. Students over sixteen years of age who through lack of application are failing in two or more sub- jects should be required to forfeit their member- ship in the high school.
4. Proper provision should be made for the eighty to a hundred bicycles which are parked in the school building during the school day. At present our basement corridors are being misused for this pur- pose.
5. There is a need for advanced courses in dress- making, home management, child care, home nurs- ing, consumer economics, interior decorating, etc., for girls in Grades 10, 11 and 12, to augment our present excellent work in the household arts de- partment.
CONCLUSION
It has been observed that good pies have a great deal to do with the success of monogamy. Be that as it may, it does seem to be true that good teachers have a great deal to do with the success and continuance of our demo- cratic institutions. Each year I am more and more im- pressed with the fact that in Agawam you and the school
133
committee have seen to it that we have unusually good teachers, who have year after year continued to develop a reliable and capable citizenry. It is a privilege and an in- spiration to play a small part in such company, and to make my contribution in an institution which is so vital in the American scheme.
Respectfully submitted, F. EARL WILLIAMS, Principal
134
REPORT OF CASH ACCOUNT FOR THE AGAWAM JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1937 TO JANUARY 1, 1938
Acct.
Receipts
Payments
Balance
Agawam Mirror
$ 262.23
$ 178.07
$ 84.16
Agawam Camera Club
16.08
5.00
11.08
Agawam Tri-Hi
22.20
17.54
4.66
Athletic Association
728.15
691.32
36.83
Class of 1936
21.24
None
21.24
Class of 1937
79.52
66.40
13.12
Class of 1938
73.31
27.35
45.96
Class of 1939
156.21
55.92
100.29
Class of 1940
25.82
1.00
24.82
Commercial Contest Fund
86.26
37.70
48.56
Cash Short and Over
1.22
None
1.22
Current Events Club
7.50
3.00
4.50
Dramatic Club
30.86
15.73
15.13
Class of 1941
11.50
None
11.50
Moving Picture Fund
78.08
33.75
44.33
Student Council
1.19
None
1.19
Special Class
1.00
None
1.00
Student Activity Fund
362.21
31.84
330.37
Student Activity Tickets
778.47
525.00
253.47
The Speakers' Club
10.15
None
10.15
Sigma Delta Kappa
2.55
None
2.55
Special Assemblies
130.25
61.00
69.25
Grand Total of Balances $2,886.00 $1,750.62 $1,135.38
Proof : Checking Account Balance
at Springfield National Bank
$ 786.91
Savings Accounts
$ 329.02
Cash on Hand
$ 19.45
TOTAL CASH
$1,135.38
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REPORT OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
An old Spanish proverb reads, "To educate is not to give a trade for making one's living, but to temper the soul for life." To that end, our course in music edu- cation seeks to arouse in the children a love of music, and to make that love deeper and wiser.
Appreciation should be a by-product of every musical activitity all along the line, from the rhythm band in the kindergarten to the orchestra or a cappella choir in High School. You may ask, "What are some of the specific sources of enjoyment of music which we strive to teach"? Good tone, first of all. This is the foundation for the whole of it. We shut off the radio if a voice is raucous. Next comes rhythm. This is fundamental, primitive, and makes the emotional appeal. Then comes association and imagery, which is most helpful if we do not crowd out the music with the picture. We also teach a little form and structure to round out the beauty of the piece. All of these elements are taught through the medium of reading music, for I believe that the only lasting appreciation is the power each child can attain to create for himself the pleasure of performing or hearing music with understand- ing.
Radio offers to music education what is probably the greatest challenge in the history of the growth and development of school music-that is, the demands of pupils to be aided in hearing with understanding much good music which is far too difficult for their personal per- formance. We meet this challenge with victrola and radio lessons and special programs.
Since you, Mr. Phelps, have always been a most loyal supporter of and enthusiastic listener to all our performan-
136
ces, there is little need for me to list here the Spring Con- cert, given by the High School Chorus and Orchestra; the Song Fest of the Intermediate Grades; the participation of a large group of High School students in the Kiwanis Song Fest at the Eastern States Coliseum, and the numer- ous other assemblies and gatherings where the music de- partment has functioned.
May I take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to you, the principals, teachers, students, and townspeople, who, by their splendid attitude and coopera- tion make possible our program of music education.
People and music are a great cycle of creative pleas- ure. Just as music is made by people, so people are made by music. For music creates in those who hear it a "clean heart" and renews within them a "right spirit."
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH A. PERRY, Supervisor of Music.
137
REPORT OF THE ART DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The course of study in art in the Agawam schools attempts to offer to each boy and girl the opportunity to-
1. Develop an understanding and appreciation of the beautiful in nature and in man's achievements.
2. Experience the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from creating something according to one's native ability.
3. To learn more quickly and more thoroughly of the world about us through the graphic expression of others' and one's own ideas.
In the elementary schools art is correlated with almost all of the other subjects: drawing, color, and handwork becoming indispensable in the teaching of history, geog- raphy, nature study, health, and other activities of the pro- gressive school program.
In the junior high school projects in design, construc- tion, illustration, correlated with the other subjects of these grades, acquaint pupils with the many types of work in the business and industrial world today. Through poster making the attention of children is focused on many civic and personal needs. Health, safety, fire prevention, wild life and forest conservation, and civic improvement are treated this way.
In the high school the regular art course is adapted
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to pupil and school needs. It covers drawing, painting, and commercial art; preparing the individual pupil for a leisure time interest, or for a later occupation. Posters and decorative panels for permanent classroom decoration have been made and are gradually being placed in various rooms. A new cover and a new heading were designed for the "Agawam Mirror" publication. The twenty-two players in the recent "Christmas Pageant of the Holy Grail" were costumed by pupils of the art department in collaboration with the Dramatic Club.
The annual S. P. C. A. poster contest, which is always entered into with great enthusiasm by pupils of all grades, won for Agawam pupils last spring four first prize medals, four second prize medals, and eight honorable mentions. The Agawam Women's Club Art Prize was won this year by Avilda Goyette '37. This is awarded each year to a senior who has done outstanding work in Art throughout his or her high school career. The department grate- fully acknowledges this worthwhile encouragement gener- ously offered by the Agawam Women's Club.
Appreciation is also extended to the Springfield Mu- seum and City Library staffs for their especial help in arranging trips to their buildings, and for the loan of slides and pictures.
An exhibition of the elementary and high school art work was held in June.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. CROWLEY, Supervisor of Art.
139
REPORT OF THE GIRLS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In this age of speed there is an evident need for relaxa- tion, some outside interest that will allow freedom from every day cares. The Physical Education program today should teach girls some form of relaxation which will be enjoyable to them. Such individual sports as ten- nis, badminton, golf, horseback riding, archery and swim- ming are taught. Although Agawam has not the proper space and equipment for such a program, an effort to stim- ulate an interest for such relaxation is made through de- velopment of the following :
1. Sportsmanship.
2. A co-operative spirit.
3. Healthy living habits.
4. Muscular control in bodily movement.
5. Love of competition for competition's sake.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY R. HASTINGS,
Supervisor of Girls' Physical Education
140
REPORT OF THE BOYS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following is a resume of the work in Physical Education for the past year.
After a physical examination, all students were regis- tered for the required two hours per week unless excused by a doctor's certificate. The class program incorporated the idea of general recreation together with certain phases of formal gymnasium work in the hope of attaining some physical value for the future. The importance of developing a general proficiency in recreational game skills for possible adult use was tempered by the dicipline of routine gymna- sium work involving calisthenics, marching, and apparatus work (heavy and hand). However, this last was not given a more prominent place in the program than its value war- ranted. Out-of-doors the class work consisted of the fundamentals of the sports in season. Special features were the inter-room basket ball tournament for high school boys, and an excellent competitive inter-room program in the Junior High School for all sports in season. This was fostered and admirably supervised by hard working mem- bers of the Junior High School faculty. This department is fully cognizant of the value of their contribution to this phase of school activity.
Agawam was again well represented in the inter- scholastic sports world by capable football, basket ball, hockey, baseball, and track teams. The last named group
141
won the Western Massachusetts Class B Championship at Pratt Field last June.
Valuable assistance was given your football coach by Mr. Langlois of the High School faculty during the past season. The hockey and baseball teams also progressed very nicely under the direct supervision of Mr. Reynolds, and they now have a definite place on our school sports program.
Wherever athletics are being conducted, there is learn- ing of some nature through the physical. One of the aca- demic definitions of learning is that it is a change of con- duct due to experiences. The theory of the unit of learn- ing is that whenever physical adjustment is being made, there is likewise a corresponding mental adjustment. In the placing of athletics in our secondary school curriculum there is no doubt about its classification and value-it is definitely Physical Education.
Respectfully submitted,
HARMON A. SMITH, Supervisor of Boys' Physical Education.
142
REPORT OF THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following is a brief history of Industrial Arts.
The first courses in Industrial Arts were presented in Russia. The Russians used model joint exercises to give their engineering students some knowledge of the uses of such constructions. When the World's Fair was held in St. Louis, an exhibit of these exercises was displayed, and in a short time the schools of St. Louis began offering courses based upon this exhibit. About this time also the Sloyd movement, originating in Sweden-a system of exer- cises graduating from the simplest use of tools to the most difficult joinery-found disciples in this country.
For many years the only subject of this type offered to boys was woodworking with an occasional offering of mechanical drawing. At this time little thought was given to a finish for the simple projects, cheap stain was con- sidered adequate. Gradually the working of other mediums found place, and insights into other trades were added, giving the subject an exploratory aspect; and boys, by participating, were able to choose their life work more in- telligently. By the increase of leisure time for all workers during recent years, "hobby courses" have been added in keeping with the so-called "general shop" idea. So from a very humble beginning of one poorly presented subject with the status of a fad, Industrial Arts has progressed to a well diversified program of activities, with a place on the curricula of all public schools.
143
It has always been my policy to follow the generally accepted trends along this line, and to keep the department at Agawam as near up-to-date as possible.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK T. DACEY, Supervisor of Industrial Arts.
144
REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The Agricultural Department of the Agawam High School continues to maintain a high rating in the State. The annual enrollment remains constant. Participation in community service continues, with pruning and grafting of fruit trees and the testing of milk predominating. This department has received favorable publicity, especially through Mr. L. B. Boston and his associates in Hampden County.
Agawam has been represented by judging teams in poultry, live stock, milk, vegetables and fruit. At the State- wide contest last November all teams rated consistently high. Individual honors go to William Spear, who after three State-wide elimination contests in fruit judging was awarded the second prize offered by the Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association.
During the past year a definite program for the Agri- cultural Department was agreed upon. Principal Williams, our director, has provided copies for distribution. Briefly, the program sets forth the purposes of our high school Agricultural Course as follows :
1st. - To provide training for the boy who wants to enter practical farming (locally) but who can- not attend the agricultural college or Stock- bridge School.
145
2nd .- To provide training for the boy who wants to specialize in agriculture in the Stockbridge School two-year course. High school agricul- tural graduates of merit complete this course in one year.
3rd .- To prepare a boy for higher agricultural train- ing in the four-year (B.V.Ed.) course at Mass- achusetts State College. High school agricul- tural graduates of merit are admitted on certi- ficate.
4th .- To provide maximum agricultural entrance credits in agriculture for the regular B.S. de- gree at Massachusetts State College.
We shall continue to maintain our Agricultural Re- ference Library, and hope that it may be of use to local farmers.
To you and the members of the faculty, to our ad- visory committee and other interested citizens, I am greatly indebted and ask for continued support.
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