USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1936-1940 > Part 23
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This project started at a point on Suffield St. about 750 ft. north of Cooper St. and was constructed to Cooper St., then westerly through Cooper St. to Mill St., a total distance of 5,575 ft.
All pipe for this project excepting 6 in. clay pipe for leads to residences on Cooper St. was purchased by the Federal government. Brick and manhole covers were also furnished by the Federal government.
This project was begun Aug. 28, 1939 and should be completed to Franklin St. on Mill St. before June 1, 1940.
In some sections of Suffield, Cooper, and Mill Sts. it was necessary to lay pipe at a very flat grade to allow a future extension of this sewer to Feeding Hills Center. In the sections where these flat grades were required, 13 foot lengths of asbestos cement pipe was used to lessen friction and increase the rate of flow in this sewer to meet the approval of the Mass. Dept. of Public Health.
Federal labor expenditures till Jan. 1, 1940-$17,987.95.
Federal material-$3,418.06. Sponsor's cost-$4,979.05.
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Geodetic Survey
This project for a complete accurate survey of town, street, and boundary lines was begun March 28, 1938 and was temporarily discontinued Oct. 12, 1939 till method of procedure for this work is revised to conform with stand- ard practices of all towns throughout the State.
Federal labor cost 1939-$7,637.63
Town Cost 1939-$536.24
Federal
Town
W. P. A. Appropriations During 1939 Completed Projects ....
$ 68,917.56
$ 18,521.09
W. P. A. Expenditures During 1939 Completed Projects ....
58,581.00
18,489.01
Balance
$ 10,336.55
$ 32.08
W. P. A. Appropriations During 1939 Incomplete Projects ....
$109,488.88
$ 20,733.73
W. P. A. Expenditures During 1939 Incomplete Projects ....
45,639.73
8,932.23
Balance
........
$ 63,849.15
$ 11,801.50
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. MALLEY,
W. P. A. Co-ordinator
82
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The following is the report of work performed for the year ending December 31, 1939 :
Adjusted
Sealed
Con- demned
Platform Scales-over 10,000
0
0
0
Platform Scales 5,000 to 10,000
1
1
0
Platform Scales 100 to 5,000
6
11
0
Counter Scales-100 to 5,000
0
0
0
Counter Scales under 100
0
6
0
Beams 100 to 5,000
0
2
0
Beams under 100
0
1
0
Spring 100 to 5,000
0
8
3
Spring under 100
10
22
8
Computing 100 to 500
0
0
0
Computing under 100
4
17
1
Person Weighing (Slot)
0
2
0
Prescription Scales
0
0
0
Avoirdupois Weights
0
19
0
Apothecary Weights
0
0
0
Metric Weights
0
0
Liquid Measure
0
20
0 0
Oil Jars
0
0
0
Fuel Baskets
0
0
0
Gasoline
10
54
2
Stop on Pumps
0
15
5
Oil Pumps
0
0
0
83
Kerosene Pumps
1
6
1
Grease Measuring Device
0
8
1
Yard Sticks
0
1
0
Tape
0
0
0
Cloth Measuring Devices
0
3
0
32
189
21
1
Trial Weighings on Measurement of Commodities Sold or Put Up For Sale
Total No. Number Tested Correct
Incorrect Under
Over
Beans
5
1
1
3
Bread
45
15
18
12
Butter
25
20
3
2
Charcoal (in paper bags)
0
0
0
0
Coal (in paper bags)
0
0
0
0
Coal in transit
1
0
0
1
Coke in paper bags
0
0
0
0
Confectionery
0
0
0
0
Dry Commodities
0
0
0
0
Dry Goods
0
0
0
0
Flour
5
5
0
0
Fruit and Vegetables
0
0
0
0
Grain and Feed
0
0
0
0
Hay
0
0
0
0
Ice
0
0
0
0
Kindling wood in paper bags
0
0
0
0
Lard
0
0
0
0
Liquid Commodities
0
0
0
0
Meat and Provisions
4
4
0
0
Potatoes
42
14
20
8
Wood Cord
0
0
0
0
Wood Kindling
0
0
0
0
Onion
16
0
16
0
Sugar
18
14
1
3
161
73
59
29
.
84
P P
1
0
1
Summary of Inspections and Tests
Paper or fibre cartons
0
Peddlers Licenses
3
Milk Jars
0
Coal Certificates
1
Marking of Bread
45
Marking of Food Packages
0
Marking of Coal in Bags ...
0
Marking of Charcoal in Bags
0
Wholesale Milk Cans
0
Transient Vendors
0
Clinical Thermometers
0
Peddlers' Scales
3
Ice Scales
8
Oil Jars
0
U. S. Standard Barrels
0
Mass. Standard Boxes
0
Retests of Gasoline Devices
0
Other Inspections
27
Health Scales for Town Schools
0
Sealing Fees, 1939 $49.53
Court Cases, 1939 None
It is fitting at this time in starting the new year, that our Citizens be reminded that the proper supervision of weights and measures in the sale of the necessities of life, and other commodities is just as vital to their best interests as police and fire protection.
In order to obtain a full measure of protection, it is the duty of all persons to report any deficiencies noted so that this department may determine whether this is a result of carelessness or willful intent. As most short weights in the sale of foodstuffs are directly traceable to natural shrinkage through evaporation, constant inspec- tions and tests are necessary.
85
The work of this department has always been on a part time basis with barely enough compensation to pro- vide only for the annual sealing of weighing and measur- ing equipment in common use, but our Citizens may rest assured that this office will, as long as possible, officiate to the full extent of its capabilities in maintaining equity in every instance.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK DRAGHETTI, Sealer of Weights and Measures
86
ANNUAL REPORTS of the
School Committee and the
Superintendent of Schools of the Town of AGAWAM, MASS.
OF
AC
IN
0
15.1855.
RATE
For the Year Ending December 31
1939
Agawam Public Schools
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL BOARD
Clifford M. Granger, Chairman, Term expires 1941
Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Leslie C. Miller Term expires 1941
Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Sidney F. Atwood, Secretary
Term expires 1942
Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Edson A. Ferrell Term expires 1942 Post Office Address, North Agawam
Mrs. Grace B. Reed Term expires 1940 Post Office Address, Agawam
Warren C. Bodurtha Term expires 1940
Post Office Address, Agawam
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Benjamin J. Phelps Telephone : 4-2831
OFFICE HOURS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT High School Building-School Days, 8.30-9.30 A. M. and by appointment
SECRETARY Emma Mellor Telephone : 4-1630
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SCHOOL CALENDAR-1940 Winter Term-January 2 to February 21 Spring Term-March 4 to April 26
Summer Term-May 6 to June 14, Elementary Schools Summer Term-May 6 to June 21, Junior-Senior High Fall Term-September 4 to December 20
HOURS OF SESSIONS Elementary Schools 9.00-12.00 a. m. 1.00-3.30 p. m.
Junior High School 9.00-12.00 a. m. 12.30-3.00 p. m.
Senior High School 9.00 a. m .- 12.30 p. m. 1.00-3.00 p. m.
90
REPORT OF THE School Committee
To the Citizens of Agawam :
The year 1939 having passed into oblivion we are once more standing on the threshold of a new year, and so it behooves us, as a Committee, to make our annual tradi- tional report to the Agawam taxpayers.
On May 8, 1938, the taxpayers, by a unanimous vote, appropriated $145,000 for the erection of a new school house at Agawam Center, substantially in accordance with the plans presented by the special committee on school house needs. On July 25, 1938, the Town voted the sum of $4000 for the purpose of purchasing a certain tract of land adjacent to the Center School ground to be used for school purposes. Having received a P. W. A. allotment of approximately $80,000, the Town was able to get a $185,000 school building for a little over $100,000. The new school was ready for use when school opened in Sep- tember, with an initial enrollment of nearly 30 more pupils than were registered the preceding year. This school is without a doubt the most modern and the most efficiently equipped of any school in this section. We have felt for some years that if Agawam Center had the proper school facilities, it would attract many newcomers to that part of our Town. The number of new homes being built in ยท that section seems to bear out our prediction.
The new Suffield High School having been opened, we, of course, lost the revenue obtained from their tuition. It
91
might be of interest to note in passing that our High School set-up was pretty thoroughly gone over by their Building Committee and their Superintendent. Whether they incorporated any Agawam features in their school we are unable to say, but we do know that they took from our faculty George Reynolds to head their Wood Working Department. We shall miss Mr. Reynolds but we all join in wishing him all kinds of luck in his new position.
Our last school budget was cut $2000. By dropping one teacher at North Agawam and by the practice of strict economy along all lines we were able to keep within the sum allotted to us. However, we will have to have a larger appropriation for 1940 if we are to maintain the present standard of efficiency in our schools .. There are certain items in our budget that are fixed, such as fuel and insurance, while others may vary from time to time, like tuition. The matter of tuition is going to be a real problem for your Committee this coming year. With the opening of the new Trade School in Springfield we ex- pect there will be a large number of pupils from Agawam who will wish to go there, and it is possible that bill may amount to $4000. At the present time we have no way of checking on that. We could probably retain many of them in our school system by setting up a course in House- hold Arts. It would not be very expensive to the Town, as we would receive a large part of the teacher's salary back from the State. We are sure that there are many girls in our High School, not preparing for college, who would welome such a course.
Our blanket policy of insurance seems to be working out very well and the new building at Agawam Center has been included in the plan. We now have far more adequate coverage than under the old "hit or miss" scheme, and we know how much it will cost us from year to year. .
In our last report we spoke of the desirability of a closer relation between parents and teachers. During the
92
past year we have heard of many conferences between parents and teachers. When teachers and parents get to- gether and talk over a pupil's attitude and marks in a friendly, tactful way all concerned must benefit thereby.
We would like to speak once more of the need of more land adjoining our High School property for use in play- ground and athletic activities. There have been several narrow escapes from serious injury in football games when a player was tackled and thrown into the bleachers. A strip 10 or 15 feet wide, if more could not be obtained, along one side of the present property would permit the moving of the seats back from the field of play. In case some one was seriously injured, it would raise a question as to who was responsible.
At our High School the women teachers have a rest room, and it would seem to be only fair to the men on the faculty that a room be provided for their use also. We feel that this matter should be taken care of at the earliest possible moment.
We wish to thank parents, pupils and teachers for their loyal support in the past and we hope for a continu- ance of the same in 1940.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD M. GRANGER, Chairman SIDNEY F. ATWOOD MRS. GRACE B. REED WARREN C. BODURTHA LESLIE C. MILLER EDSON A. FERRELL
93
Financial Statement
DECEMBER 31, 1939
Town Appropriation
$ 145,000.00
Smith-Hughes Funds (Federal Funds
for Agriculture)
311.55
$ 145,311.55
EXPENDITURES
General Expense
$ 6,796.45
Salaries of Teachers, Supervisors
and Principals
89,710.90
Text Books
1,510.46
Stationery and Supplies
4,614.90
Wages of Janitors
10,002.66
Fuel
6,749.53
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses
3,052.51
Repairs and Replacements
2,416.81
School Libraries
70.10
Health
2,050.25
Transportation
10,922.02
Tuition
1,720.46
Insurance on Buildings and Equipment
1,530.13
Miscellaneous Expenses
320.83
Outlay-Buildings and Equipment
947.17
Agriculture
2,894.57
Total
$ 145,309.75
Unexpended Balance
1.80
$ 145,311.55
94
1
COST OF SCHOOLS TO THE TOWN
Total Expenditures $ 145,309.75
Returns to the Town on account of Schools, but not returnable to the School Department :
From the State :
On account of Teachers' Salaries $ 14,450.00
For Agricultural Instruction
1,607.62
On account of Trade School Tuition
1,024.97
Tuition and Transportation of
State Wards 351.90
Tuition of High School Pupils from other Towns
1,716.00
From Manual Training
Department
173.68
From Rental of School
Buildings
126.00
Miscellaneous Receipts
12.68
$ 19,462.85
Paid to the School Department :
Smith-Hughes Funds (Federal for Agriculture) 311.55 $
19,774.40
Amount paid for Schools from Local Taxation
$125,535.35
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Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and the Citizens of Agawam:
I hereby submit the annual report of the Superinten- dent of Schools.
My report will consist of the following main topics :- A picture of school enrollments over a period of years: The effects of enrollment changes on the costs of schools ; on the curriculum of schools; and on the problem of guidance.
ENROLLMENTS
CHART I Chart of Pupils in Grades 1-6 and 7-12
Year
Number of Pupils Grade 1-6
Per Cent Grade 1-6
Number of Pupils Grade 7-12
Per Cent Grade 7-12
Total
1926
1035
69.7
450
30.3
1485
1927
1060
67.6
507
32.4
1567
1928
1044
65.5 .
551
34.5
1595
1929
1065
65.4
562
34.6
1627
1930
1069
65.3
565
34.7
1634
1931
1073
62.6
642
37.4
1715
1932
1041
60.9
670
39.1
1711
1933
1053
58.5
747
41.5
1800
1934
986
55.8
755
44.2
1741
1935
938
55.3
756
44.7
1694
1936
916
55.0
750
45.0
1666
1937
882
54.2
748
45.8
1630
1938
846
52.8
755
47.2
1601
1939
836
52.0
760
48.0
1596
1940
829
51.0
782
49.0
1611
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Chart I presents the enrollments of the twelve grades in the Agawam schools over a period of fifteen vers. For purposes of organization the twelve grades are divided into two types of schools, namely: The Elementary School comprises Grades I-VI; the Junior-Senior High School, otherwise known as the Secondary School, comprises Grades VII-XII.
In 1926 there were 1035 pupils in the Elementary School and 450 pupils in the Secondary School. In 1940 we find 829 pupils in the Elementary School and 782 pupils in the Secondary School. A study of the chart shows also that there has been a steady increase in enrollments in the Secondary School since 1926 and that there has been a steady decrease in Elementary School enrollments since 1933. It will be noted also that in 1933 there were 1800 pupils in our total enrollment, and that 747 of these pupils were enrolled in the Secondary School. In 1940 there is a total enrollment of 1611 pupils with 782 of these pupils enrolled in the Secondary School. In other words, we have today a larger Junior-Senior High School from a total school enrollment of 1611 than was the case in 1933 when our total enrollment was 1800.
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The following graph presents this situation in more vivid form.
Registration of Pupils in Elementary Schools Compared with Registration in Junior - Senior High Schools
Reservoir no I
Reservoir no. I
.1926
Pupil Level
1940 Pupil Level
1940 Pupil Level
-OMIn
NOON
. 1926 Papil Level
TIDO
Elementary Schools
Grades I - II
Junior - Senior High School Grades XI - XII
...... . . ............
(Graph drawn by Gerald Hackett, Agawam High School '42)
98
You have two reservoirs. Reservoir No. 1 feeds into Reservoir No. 2. In Reservoir No. 1 the pupil level was very high, reaching 1035 in 1926. In Reservoir No. 2 in 1926 the pupil level was rather low, registering at 450. In 1940 the level of Reservoir No. 1 has dropped 206 points and now stands at 829; while the level of Reservoir No. 2 has gone up 332 and now registers 782. At a glance, it will be noted that the present registration levels of the two reservoirs are nearly equal. This fact has signi- ficant implications relative to the costs of education, the curriculum in the secondary school, and the problem of guidance.
COSTS OF EDUCATION
The upkeep of Reservoir No. 1 and its contents is much less than the upkeep of Reservoir No. 2 and its con- tents. Over the fifteen-year period the average cost per pupil unit in Reservoir No. 1 has been $68. During the same period the average cost per pupil unit in Reservoir No. 2 has been $98. Stated from another viewpoint, we find that there has been a decrease of 20% in the Elemen- tary School enrollments over the fifteen-year period; dur- ing the same time there has been an increase of 74% in the number of Secondary School pupils. This greater number of Secondary School pupils maintained at such a greater expense per pupil has kept the costs of education from declining (although there has been a decrease in total enrollments) as much as might have been expected. There has been, however, a decrease in the costs of education, especially since 1931. In that year there were 1073 pupils in the Elementary School and the total number of teachers under employment in the entire school system was 65. The school budget for that year was $156,450. In 1939 there were 836 pupils in the Elementary School and the total number of pupils in the entire school system was 1596. There were 58 teachers under employment for this year. The school budget for 1939 was $145,000. The $11,450 difference between these two budgets is accounted for in the main by the fact that seven fewer teachers are employed in the Elementary School in 1939. (Mention
99
should be made, however, that the High School teachers in most cases are working for less salary.) There has been no change in the number of teachers employed in the Secondary School over the nine-year period, although there has been an increase of 140 pupils in the enrollment of that school.
We have noted that the upkeep of Reservoir No. 1 is much less than is the case in the upkeep of Reservoir No. 2. Someone may ask for the reason of this condition. The answer is the same in all towns and cities of the United States: the caretakers, that is the teachers of Reservoir No. 2, receive higher wages than is the case with the caretakers of Reservoir No. 1. There are more compartments in Reservoir No. 2, such as :- Gymnasium, Household Arts Room, Auditorium, Industrial Arts Shops, Chemical and Physics Laboratories, etc., all of which are more costly to equip and service.
The question may be asked, will the level of Reservoir No. 2 continue to rise? It is probable that the maximum height has been reached in Reservoir No. 2. This Reser- voir is fed from Reservoir No. 1, and the supply feeding No. 1 has been decreasing for the past fifteen years and has now become somewhat stabilized. The flow to Reser- voir No. 2 will remain about the same, unless some move- ment unforeseen should divert some of the contents of Reservoir No. 1 into other channels.
CURRICULUM
This 74% increase of pupils has brought to pass grave questions in regard to the curriculum of the high school. This curriculum, from times traditional, has been deter- mined in a large degree by the college entrance require- ments. Whenever a new subject was proposed for the high school the pertinent question was: Will the colleges accept this work for entrance credit? This attitude has kept many new subjects from taking root in the high school program. The time when pupus could take the traditional prescilved onerings of the high school, or if displeased
100
1
with them leave school, has passed into history. Pupils cannot leave school now if they so desire. Where could they go? They are with us to stay until they are 18 or 19 years of age. In place of the selected group of 1926 we now have the total mass of pupils of secondary school age, in which body there are all degrees and shades of aptitudes and abilities. We must provide a curriculum adapted to this unselected group ..
In Agawam, we have recognized this changing candi- tion and have added a course here and there, now and then, to meet this problem in some measure. General Mathematics, new courses in the Social Studies, a course in Agriculture, and new courses in Art have come into the curriculum since 1926. There is need of more such courses, and at this time a course in Household Arts for girls is recommended. Such a course would be vocational in nature and would meet the needs of a significant group of our girls.
Five years ago we revised the curriculum of our ele- mentary schools and there is need now of another re- vision. During the winter term of 1940 we propose to take up that job. We hope that we have reached the point of progress where we no longer regard the curriculum as so much adamant upon which the pupils must dance with awkward and faltering steps, but as a living force in which the boys and girls can live and move and have their be- ing. As a basis for building the curriculum we are asking ourselves this question, what would we like to make of these boys and girls? This question is too often lost sight of in the humdrum of every day procedure in schoolroom teaching. We must no longer shout, my subject ! my sub- ject ! my subject !- nothing else avails; but we must insist the pupil! the pupil! the pupil !- he must prevail.
As a sort of preamble to our course of study we are restating the fundamental objectives of education, which were formulated about twenty years ago and as yet have not been improved upon by the additions and subtractions of many learned educators. In brief, our preamble is as follows :
101
(1) We would like our pupils to be healthy in body and mind and to be mindful also that the events of every- day challenge their safety.
(2) We wish them to master the fundamental sub- jects, viz., Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Spelling, etc., in so far as each pupil is capable of so doing. And we hold that most of our pupils can achieve that mastery providing we present such subjects in their proper setting, and providing also we use the proper amount of sensible drill.
(3) We wish them to prepare themselves for citizenship in our democracy by making them aware of the responsibilities of such an office, and of giving them the opportunity of practicing said responsibilities while they are in our midst.
(4) We desire that the school shall contribute to the peace and happiness of the home, and wherever possible we will plan to bring the school and the home together for mutual help to achieve worthy home and school mem- bership.
(5) We wish them to be sound in character and pleasing in manner, and we will endeavor to create a school atmosphere which will foster the growth of char- acter and strengthen the personality of our charges.
(6) We realize that in these days of so much leisure time there is great need of encouraging and directing the recreational aspirations of our pupils, in the hope that they will be more alert and interested in life because of their increased powers of appreciation.
(7) And finally, we would wish them to realize the
value of work and the need of definite preparation for a vocation.
We hope to keep these guiding objectives in mind, not only as we prepare our curriculum but also on each day as we meet our pupils in our classrooms.
102
GUIDANCE
The great increase in the number of pupils in our secondary schools has brought to the front the important problem of guidance. When there were other outlets for pupils besides the high school, this problem in so far as the school was concerned was somewhat in the back- ground. Secondary education is not properly orientated to the larger portion of these boys and girls; no more so is the country at large properly orientated to them as re- gards placements in jobs. This problem must be met and solved and it is apparent that our Federal government is about to take the problem in hand. There are some general principles of guidance which we may consider valuable for all times and should be reflected in all curriculums.
When guidance is mentioned, at once we think of high school pupils and the job. Important as guidance is in that school, it is far more important in the elementary school. It is in the elementary school that habits are formed and temperaments matured which carry on through life. There is no magic in guidance. The waving of a wand will not dissipate the mistakes of past years. What principles of guidance should we take note of at this time?
1. The more pupils have done for them, beyond a certain point, the less they can do for themselves.
2. No one can do just what he wants to do in life. Unpleasant tasks are a prominent part of life. For pupils to do something that they dislike to do, and do it well, is very valuable training in guidance. (a) It trains initia- tive (b) It increases confidence (c) It gives real satisfac- tion.
3. Pupils should be taught that they cannot play their way through life.
4. Home work is valuable. Pupils cannot idle their way through life.
103
5. Gifted children should be encouraged to develop their natural talents, but not at the expense of other fun- damental educational objectives.
6. There are no short cuts in gaining an education ; in school,-patience, practice and persistence are the by- words. Drill is necessary. The teacher should make drills interesting rather than dull.
7. In character building, honesty is the keystone. Teachers should stress its importance and its many rami- fications in a guidance program. .
8. Self-control is the foundation of a good personality. Self-control is conditioned on :- plenty of sleep; sufficient exercise ; proper food habits; and cultivation of hobbies.
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