Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1941-1945, Part 24

Author: Agawam (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1941
Publisher: Agawam (Mass. : Town)
Number of Pages: 872


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1941-1945 > Part 24


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I gratefully acknowledge the splendid cooperation re- ceived, throughout the five months I have been school nurse, from teachers, parents, and the different departments with which I have come in contact.


Respectfully submitted,


MARY E. O'BRIEN, School Nurse.


145


REPORT OF THE ART DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


During the year of 1943 the Art Department continued with various types of work that harmonized with our country's war effort.


The subject matter presented in the grades, however, was correlated mainly with the seasons and holidays to achieve a relief from the pressure of war which naturally reacts on the lives of our children. Yet, whenever an oppor- tunity arose in which the pupils could participate in activities for our service men and toward our "Victory Aims," they were enthusiastic workers because they are proud of any of their achievements directed toward helping for VICTORY.


They completed a Christmas project for the American Red Cross in association with Mrs. Marion C. Hibert, Direc- tor of the Junior Red Cross, Springfield. This unit included the making of five hundred Christmas cards, Christmas tree table and bulletin board decorations, wall decorations of candles and angels, and "Merry Christmas" signs. These materials were shipped overseas early so that they would reach their destinations in time.


In high school the students decorated the auditorium's stage for the "Stage Door Canteen" which was conducted to further the sale of war bonds and stamps. The decora- tions were repeated when "Stage Door Canteen" was pre- sented in an auditorium in the Exposition Grounds for the pleasure of the soldiers.


On the whole we have tried to conserve materials in cooperation with our country's desire to use labor for the making of war supplies rather than to refill ordinary short- ages. Therefore, the decorations and settings for any of our affairs seek doublefold usage. Some have been sent to hos- pitals; others, to the Red Cross; and they are sometimes used again at the high school. They can be a success through new arrangements and ideas combined with artistic touches so that they are not recognized as what was used before.


146


For example, an office background painted for the Henry Aldrich play "What a Life" was used again for the Christmas play, but as a background for a living room scene.


The "Junior Cabaret" was also designed through utiliz- ing "left-over" materials. The donkey from last year's Nativity scene served again by drawing a wagon filled with the fruit made in the art classes last fall. The flowers de- signed for the "Soph Hop" were made from colored scraps and they were used again for this dance. Awning effects were created by draping crepe paper streamers saved from previous dances. Iron wrought fences were made on card- board from discarded supply boxes. Decorative panels of flowers made from paper in our "scrap box" also added to the setting of the "Mardi Gras."


Even during these troubled times, the art in our schools has given the students an outlet from morbid war worries. For they have "helped" joyously in their simple ways and they have received great pleasure through their displays of cre- ative thinking and doing.


Respectfully submitted, AUDREY M. BLAKE, Supervisor of Art.


147


REPORT OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


Another interesting year has gone, during which some of the plans mentioned in my last year's report have been accomplished.


We now have an adequate upright piano in the music room. Although it has been in use only four months, it has proved its worth many times by making it possible to carry on music classes and rehearsals in the music room when the auditorium was in use.


In October, Mr. Kenneth Gale, a prominent band leader, who came to us highly recommended, took over the leader- ship of the band. He also teaches band instruments to sev- eral students from the Intermediate and Junior High grades. The girls and boys are getting a splendid foundation in instru- mental playing, and the prospect for building a good band seems excellent.


In November, we started a class in violin at the Junior High School under the direction of Miss Elizabeth Moody. She did some very satisfactory work at the Agawam Center School once before, so we were very glad to get her for this class.


This is the first year that we have not had a Junior High School teacher to take some of the work in regular music classes and assembly programs. Your Supervisor has had to take over all of the Seventh Grade classes. She has en- joyed getting in closer touch with the girls and boys at this period of their development. Now if we could only get in the other period or two per week recommended by the State Department, our Junior High School music program would carry on what is started so well in the lower gardes.


The cooperation and hard work of the teachers and principals in the Elementary Schools has kept our program up to its usual level. The annual Songfest which had brought our Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades together each year was canceled on account of wartime difficulties. In its place we held a small music festival in each building-supplementing


148


the children's songs with selections by the High School Band, Orchestra, or Junior High Orchestra.


In addition to this routine work, your Supervisor was the presiding officer at the Hampden County Teachers Conven- tion in October. This position carried with it plenty of wor- ries and responsibilities but was amply rewarding in a broader understanding of teachers' problems and by association with keen minds and interesting people.


There is no substitute for good music. It is a refreshing, vital force whch the children need. May we always give them the very best. -


Respectfully submitted,


RUTH A. PERRY, Supervisor of Music.


149


REPORT OF THE HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


The government is putting nation-wide emphasis on the care and repair of clothing and household furnishings to extend their use, thereby lessening competition for the avail- able civilian supply of new materials. Also national em- phasis is placed on the greatest possible use of available foods, with careful consideration given to the abundant foods and alternates for scarce food.


. Never has homemaking education had a stronger chal- lenge to contribute effectively to the well-being of the people of America. Many adjustments have had to be made in home living with complicated new problems confronting the family. Girls must not only be told that it is an imperative necessity for them to Save, Serve, and Conserve, but must be provided with experiences in saving, in serving, and in conserving.


America's war aims have been promoted through various means in our Junior and Senior High School classes of Foods and Clothing. Girls have talked of their personal and home problems, leading me to believe that some at least are putting into actual practice the knowledge gained from their work in the Home Economics Kitchen and Sewing Room. I have endeavored to teach the fundamentals of cookery and some of the common problems associated with the use of the needle and sewing machine, aiming at all times to help pupils serve themselves and others in their everyday living.


Because of food shortages it was deemed advisable to omit the exhibit which is usually held in the foods laboratory but a display of hand and machine-made articles was placed in the sewing room at the close of school in June.


150


CAFETERIA REPORT


September 1942-June 1943


Receipts


Stock on hand June 1942 $ 403.50


Cash and Bank Balance, June 1942.


352.31


Receipts from Sept. 1942 to June 1943


8,398.69


Total Receipts.


$9,154.50


Expenses


Salaries


$1,060.80


Cost of Food Used


6,204.27


Supplies.


155.34


Total Expenses.


$7,420.41


Stock on hand June 1943.


739.74


Cash and Bank Balance June 1943.


994.35


Total Expenses and Inventory.


$9,154.50


Respectfully submitted,


HAZEL C. ALDRICH,


Home Economics Supervisor.


151


REPORT OF THE VOCATIONAL HOUSEHOLD ARTS DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


The Vocational Household Arts course is one with elastic characteristics. Because of this, it can and has been guided, as well as possible, in the direction of the needs of each girl of the community.


During this past year stress has been put on the care and Preparation of Foods, Renovation and Care of Clothing, Child Care, Nutrition, Home Nursing, Consumer Buying, Household Mechanics, Family Relations, Laundry, Color and Design, Home Decoration and Handcraft. Work has also been done for the Red Cross.


Because of the limited time in school the girls have been given the privilege of doing Home Project work for which they are given credit in school. This work has been super- vised by the Vocational Household Arts teacher.


At the exhibition that was held at the close of school last year, we displayed dresses, skirts, blouses, aprons, lun- cheon sets, correct and incorrect washing and ironing of linens, correct and incorrect table settings, notebooks on Child Care, Home Decoration, Foods, the weaving of hats and other practical home needs. Because of the conserving of food, the food exhibition was omitted.


Respectfully submitted, HELEN M. KRONE. Household Arts Instructor.


152


REPORT OF THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


The Industrial Arts Department has endeavored to be of service in the war effort and also maintain a high standard of training in the use of tools and machines.


One of the major projects of the department this year was the construction of thirty different scale model aeroplanes for the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. This project required skill and patience and was handled by fifteen faithful boys who received certificates from the Navy for their effort. Much of the work was done evenings, taking about three hundred working hours to complete this project.


The following boys completed three or more scale models which gave them the honorary rank of Ensign-Duane Patch, Roy Webler, Jack McQuesten, Paul Coppi, and Richard Rescia. The remainder of the group received the honorary rank of Cadet Aircraftman for completing one or two models-Orlo Powell, David Hunt, Jack Blodgett, Ernest Provost, Gerald Moore, Albert Tessicini, David Pal- mer, Everett Pinder and Alfred Racicot.


I am most grateful to Mr. John McQuesten who acted as chairman in inspecting these planes and his able assistant Mr. Francis Webler. The planes have been sent to a navy air field. The school has been awarded a fine certificate in recognition of this work.


The Junior Red Cross headed by Miss Potter in our school has asked our department to make ash trays, ash stands, lap boards, writing boards, games and table lamps for the service men now disabled in hospitals. The boys are eager to assist in any project which might help in the war ef- fort or brighten a service man's heart. Through this work he continues to develop technical skills, information and attitudes so necessary to the boy when he goes to the factory or is inducted into the Armed Service.


153


The new drill press and grinder which have been added to our fine equipment have greatly helped in carrying on our training.


I have turned $252.82 in to the town treasurer this year, which were receipts from the department.


Respectfully submitted,


RAYMOND E. HARRIS, Supervisor of Industrial Arts.


154


REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


While the enrollment in this department has not in- creased to the extent which we believed it would, there are strong indications of increasing enrollment and of increasing service. Our attempted assistance on war gardens and farm-labor has opened up new avenues for service. Over fifty pupils from our schools were placed on farm jobs last spring and many more secured such jobs on their own initia- tive. These pupils did a commendable job in' spite of their youth and inexperience. That our schools achieved such a remarkable record was possible only through the patient effort of all teachers, especially those in the seventh and eighth grades, and the principals in all our schools who with your help listed the volunteers, adjusted classes and excused pupils with the minimum loss of school time. During the summer I continued this pupil-labor service.


This year I am classifying pupil workers according to a tabulation of the skills acquired, in order to place them more efficiently and to eliminate the tendency of shifting jobs. A most needed service is the teaching of more farm skills, so that the farmer will not have to spend so much time training inex- perienced help. If experienced labor can be distributed among all groups, workers may learn from one another. Our agricultural department is ready to teach all farm skills practiced locally on poultry, dairy, fruit and vegetable farms, excepting nursery-plant-propagation and the incubation and sexing of chicks, both of which are highly specialized enter- prises.


The Agricultural Advisory Board are alert for better service by our agricultural department and they suggest that we offer unit courses, whereby some general-course pupils who may be interested in part-time farming may en- roll for short courses and obtain credits in their general course. This is possible, and our activity period is now available for the classroom work attending such a program.


An evening course in home gardennig for adults and out- of-school youth is now being organized. Similar courses on


155


any phase of local agriculture can be arranged and the agri- cultural laboratory is available at all times by appointment for milk-testing, soil-testing, or for reference work. Field demonstration and instruction in pruning, grafting, caponiz- ing and the prevention and treatment of plant and animal pests and diseases have previously been important items in our program. Today they should be more important and such service will be continued and extended.


The agricultural department is proud of the sixty former members listed on the Honor Roll and deeply saddened by the loss of Robert Miller.


In closing I am mindful of the cooperation extended by all. The agricultural boys who painted the classroom de- serve mention.


Respectfully submitted, L. H. MOSELEY, Agricultural Instructor.


156


REPORT OF THE GIRLS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


"Ill-health, of body or of mind, is defeat-Health alone, is victory. Let all men, if they can manage it, contrive to be healthy."-Thomas Carlyle.


The mixed-up affairs in the world today have placed a responsibility on the Physical Education Departments, which is to make the American youth physically fit for active duty on the home front or elsewhere.


In endeavoring to accept this challenge the program for girls in the Agawam Junior-Senior High School has taken the following goals:


1. Health with optimal youth development


2. Command of common integrating knowledges and skills


3. Good citizenship


4. Alertness


5. Courageous dependability


6. Good sportsmanship


7. Physical vigor


8. Emotional stability


Achievement of these aims was attempted through the stimulation of team play, the formation of health habits, and strenuous and vigorous activities.


Respectfully submitted, DOROTHY R. HASTINGS,


Supervisor of Girls' Physical Education.


157


REPORT OF THE BOYS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


The following is a resumé of the work done in Physical Education during the past year.


World War II has destroyed the normal existence of every family in our nation. Most of our boys are gone: our meth- ods of transporation are unhinged; what we eat and the things we wear are rationed as necessities-every family and every individual is a part of the change. It is only nat- ural then that because of this condition fundamental changes were also made in our school program. The constant stress- ing and emphasis of the importance of "physical fitness" for men and boys, regardless of age, by all agencies involved in the war effort presented a definite challenge to health educators and brought changes in program and personnel.


With the aid of a part-time assistant and several cadet teachers the number of required periods for all pupils was increased in the High School from two periods per week to a minimum of three and a maximum of five periods per week per pupil. When this was accomplished, the emphasis was then placed on calisthenics and apparatus work almost en- tirely for body building purposes, rather than on gymnasium games and stunts for purely recreational values. The calis- thenic drills, for the most part, followed the pattern set by the army and navy physical directors. The apparatus work was chiefly on poles, rings, parallel bars, horse and buck, and also featured tumbling and tiger leaping. The results were most gratifying and convincing.


We did not overlook the great all-round values to be found in competitive sports. In the fall and spring the pro- gram was carried on out-of-doors on the so-called athletic field under close. supervision. Here, as always, seasonal sports were featured with attention given to fundamentals and with an eye out for future Agawam "greats". The Junior High School, with the cooperation of several faculty members, carried on the usual inter-room competition in these same seasonal sports.


158


In spite of the inroads made in our athletic man power by enlistments, the draft board, and the lure of big money in the working field, Agawam was capably represented in inter- scholastic competition. We fielded teams in football, basket- ball and track. Hockey and baseball were wartime casual- ties, but only because of the lack of playing facilities and transportation rather than a lack of interest or material.


These lads thus competing may not as yet have received any medals, ribbons, or citations for their hard work, but just the same a monument is being erected for their efforts-a monument soon to be fighting on the battle fronts all over the world.


Respectfully submitted,


HARMON A. SMITH,


Supervisor of Boys' Physical Education.


159


TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS -1943 APPOINTMENTS


Name


School


Subject or Grade Began Service


Mrs. Flory C. Grover


Junior-Senior High


History and Com. Geography


Helen M. Krone


Junior-Senior High


Household Arts


Mrs. Dorothy F. Harris


Mathematics Feb., 1943


Lucile M. Parsons


English


Sept., 1943


L. John Schinelli


Phy. Training and Science


Jan., 1943


Grade VI


Sept., 1943


Estelle K. Carson Julia Mish


Agawam Center


Grades IV-V


Sept., 1943


Mrs. Alma H. Thorn


Agawam Center


Grade I


Sept., 1943


Mrs. Corrinne Arsenault


Springfield Street


Grade V


Sept., 1943


Theresa C. McManus


Feeding Hills


Grades IV-V


Sept., 1943


RESIGNATIONS


Service Ended


Junior-Senior High Science


April, 1943


Junior-Senior High Mathematics


Feb., 1943


Man. Training and Science Dec., 1942


Junior-Senior High Junior-Senior High Agawam Center Grade VI


Household Arts Feb., 1943


April, 1943 June , 1943


Agawam Center Grades IV-V


Agawam Center Grade I


Springfield Street Grade V


June, 1943 June, 1943 March, 1943


Feeding Hills Grades IV-V


Sept., 1943 Feb., 1943


Junior-Senior High Junior-Senior High Junior-Senior High Agawam Center


160


J. Joseph Freme Helen M. Gibson Frank Onischuk Edith M. Yuill Mrs. Dorothy E. Mann Mrs. Vivian E. Roberts Marjorie Pattison Dorothy M. Emerson Mrs. Vivian I. Cotton


Arthur B. Oulton


LEAVE OF ABSENCE Junior-Senior High History and Com. Geography June, 1943


TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT


DECEMBER 31, 1943


Superintendent Benjamin J. Phelps


Subject or Grade Education


Began Service In Agawam


Yale College, B.A. Columbia University, M.A. July, 1922


Supervisors Mrs. Audrey M. Blake


Art


Mass. School of Art, B.S. Sept., 1941


Ruth A. Perry


Music


Keene Normal School


Boston University, B.S. Sept., 1926


Junior-Senior High School Frederick T. Dacey Principal


Fitchburg State College, B.S.


Mass. State College, M.S. Sept., 1922


Mrs. Hazel C. Aldrich


Domestic Science


Skidmore College of Arts


Sept., 1922


Raymond E. Harris


Manual Training


Fitchburg State College, B.S.


Mass. State College, M.S.


Sept., 1930


Dorothy R. Hastings


Physical Training and Coach of


Bouvè Boston School of Physical Education


Sept., 1936


Helen M. Krone


Girls' Athletics Vocational


American Int. College, B.A. Framingham Normal College, B.S. Feb., 1943


Louis H. Moseley


Household Arts Agriculture


Mass. State College, M.S.


Sept., 1929


161


162


TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)


Harmon A. Smith


Subject or Grade Physical Training and Coach of Boys' Athletics Shorthand and


Education


Began Service in Agawam


Gertrude M. Belyea


Theresa M. Benotti


Typewriting French


Boston University, B.S.


Sept., 1930 Sept., 1941


Ruth E. Dickerman


English


Mt. Holyoke College, B.A. Mass. State College, B.S.


Sept., 1933


Mrs. Flory C. Grover


History, Com. Geog. English


Smith College, B.A.


Sept., 1927


Science


University of Maine, B.A.


Sept., 1936


Mathematics and


Westfield State College


Sept., 1919


Latin and Geometry


Sept., 1928


English


Science


Middlebury College, B.S.


Mass. State College, M.S.


Jan., 1923


Eleanor H. Smith


Mathematics


Smith College, B.A.


Columbia University, M.A.


Sept., 1922


Frances W. Trowbridge


Bookkeeping and Typewriting History


History Mathematics Mathematics


American Int. College, B.S. Smith College, B.A. Columbia University, M.A. Westfield State College Fitchburg State College Westfield State College


Dec., 1942


Marjorie Ward


Cora M. Barnes Mrs. Dorothy F. Harris Emily M. McCormick


Springfield College Nasson Institute


Sept., 1924


Boston University, M.A.


Sept., 1943


Mrs. Katharine P. Hadley Paul R. Langlois Mary T. Lynch


Eleanor B. Miller Mrs. Dorothea E. Nardi John M. Quirk


Commercial


Boston University, B.S. Smith College, B.A. Mass. State College, B.A.


Sept., 1942


Sept., 1922 Sept., 1922 Feb., 1943 Sept., 1924


163


Lucile M. Parsons Barbara H. Phelps


Viva M. Potter Catherine T. Powers


L. John Schinelli Mrs. Marion C. Smith Richard A. Wilkinson


English Civics and Hygiene


English Geography


Science, Physical Tr. Special Class Science


North Adams State Col., B.S. Sept., 1943 Middlebury College, B.A. Springfield College, M.A. Sept., 1942


Keene Normal School Sept., 1925


Westfield State College Boston University, M.S. Sept., 1917


Springfield College, B.S. Jan., 1943


Providence Normal


Sept., 1929


Fitchburg State College, B.S. Mass. State College, M.S. Sept., 1937


Agawam Center School Mary E. McDowell


Estelle K. Carson Marguerite C. Kramer


Principal and Grade VI Grade VI Grade V


Eastern State Normal


Sept., 1926 Fitchburg Normal College, B.S. Sept., 1943 North Adams State College Boston University, B.S. Sept., 1930 Farmington Normal


Nora M. Chandler Julia Mish


Grade IV


Sept., 1927


Grades IV-V


North Adams State Col., B.S.


Sept., 1943 Sept., 1926 Sept., 1928


Cecily C. Pratt


Grade II


Fitchburg State College, B.S.


Sept., 1941


Mrs. Harriet A. Deane


Grade I


Westfield State College, B.S. Sept., 1937


Mrs. Alma H. Thorn


Grade I


Westfield State College, B.S.


Sept., 1943


North Agawam School Katherine G. Danahy


Helene V. Hill


Principal and Grade VI Grade VI


Westfield State College Fitchburg State College, B.S.


Sept., 1899 Sept., 1942


Merriam S. Weeks


Grade III


Westfield State College Fitchburg State College


Bernadine M. Johnson


Grades II-III


TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)


Subject or Grade


Education


Fitchburg State College Westfield State College Westfield State College Springfield Kindergarten Southington Training Westfield State College


Began Sevrice in Agawam


Alice B. Connolly


Grade V


Alice Mckeown


Grade IV


Mrs. Julia R. Crawford


Grade III


Julia A. O'Connell


Grade II


April, 1927


Sept., 1900 Sept., 1927


Springfield Street School Faolin M. Peirce


Principal and Grade II Grade VI Grade V


Springfield Normal


Sept., 1909 Sept., 1942


Westfield State College, B.S. Fitchburg State College Boston University, B.S. Westfield State College


Sept., 1943


Sept., 1941 Sept., 1942


Thelma E. Meadon


Grade IV Grade III Grade I


Fitchburg State College, B.S. Westfield State College, B.S.


Sept., 1941


Feeding Hills School Mrs. Madrine W. Allen


Theresa C. McManus Ruth M. Ripley Mrs. Marguerite S. Condon


Principal and Grade VI Grades IV-V Grades II-III Grades I-II


Plymouth, N. H., Normal Fitchburg State College, B.S. Castine Normal School Bridgewater State Col., B.S.


April, 1933 Sept., 1943 Sept., 1925 Sept., 1942


164


Jennie M. Lucas


Grade I


Elizabeth C. McCormick


Special Class


Dec., 1929 Sept., 1923 Sept., 1934


Josephine Alberta Spear Mrs. Corrinne Arsenault


Ada I. Bready Evelyn G. Mucha


INDEX


Accounting Officer's Report 40


Assessor's Report. . 62


Auditor's Report, State 83


Births 28


Civilian Defense 66


County Aid to Agriculture.


81


Deaths.


34


Fire Engineers


67


Forestry Department


68


Highway Department 74


Liabilities. 39


Library Trustees


79


Marriages


31


Officers, Town


3


Plumbing Inspector's Report


72


Police Chief .


65


Public Welfare, Agent's Report.


77


School Department:


Agricultural Department. 155


146


Attendance


137


Calendar 127


Committee's Report


128


Financial Statement




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