Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1941-1945, Part 31

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 31


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This past year we have endeavored to check up on our attendance more closely than in the past. Our School Nurse and our Attendance Officer have done a, very efficient job. Every day a pupil loses from school increases the cost of that pupil's education and may oftentime .cause a year's re- tardation.


At the demand of the State Department of Education we have been obliged to set up a plan, with a man in charge, for Vocational and Occupational Guidance. The head of this department must, in our opinion, have the wisdom of Solomon, for he must have a check on all pupils in town between the ages of 16 and 23-their abilities and their apti- tudes: then he will have to find jobs for those who want them, according to their qualifications and their likes. At first, it is our plan to have the head of this set-up put in only part time, but after the war is over it will probably develop into a full-time job. We were fearful that if we did nothing about this plan we might lose our "A" rating as a High School.


At the last annual town meeting $5000 was appropriated to grade the field at the Agawam Center School and buy some bleachers for the same. We were in hopes of having it ready for use for the football season of 1944 but our hopes did not materialize. However, we expect to be ready for both base- ball and football in 1945. We should have an additional appropriation this year for a fence across the rear of the field.


We still believe that our athletic field should be in the rear of the High School, for we have there the locker rooms, the showers, and the toilets, none of which are available at Agawam Center.


In closing, we wish to thank all who helped to make the year 1944 a successful school year.


Respectfully submitted, CLIFFORD M. GRANGER, Chairman SIDNEY F. ATWOOD MRS. GRACE B. REED WARREN C. BODURTHA EDSON A. FERRELL PAUL J. ADAMS, SR.


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Financial Statement


December 31, 1944


Town Appropriation . EXPENDITURES


$174,000.00


General Expense .. $ 7,552.64


Salaries of Teachers, Supervisors and Principals.


112,409.76


Text Books.


1,852.71


Stationery and Supplies


3,819.40


Wages of Janitors


13,414.44


Fuel .


5,761.76


Miscellaneous Operating Expenses


4,083.45


Repairs and Replacements


2,660.53


School Libraries


89.77


Health .


2,618.54


Transportation .


13,586.93


Tuition-Trade School


1,665.04


Insurance on Buildings and Equipment .


1,336.74


Miscellaneous Expenses


423.02


Outlay-Buildings and Equipment .


350.54


Agriculture .


3,359.76


Vocational Household Arts


1,385.61


Adult Civic Education


162.50


Total .


$176,533.14


Paid by Federal Funds:


George-Deen Funds


for Agriculture


and Vocational


Household Arts ...


$2,174.28


Smith-Hughes Funds


for Agriculture


and Vocational


Household Arts ... 358.97


2,533.25


Paid by Town. . $173,999.89


Unexpended Balance. .11


$174,000.00


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COST OF SCHOOLS TO THE TOWN


Total Expenditures by Town .....


$173,999.89


Returns to the Town on Account of Schools, but not returnable to the School Department: From the State:


On account of Teachers' Salaries. $ 11,039.92


For Agricultural Instruction .


1,439.56


For Household Arts Instruction .


143.99


For Adult Civic Education.


80.00


On account of Trade School Tuition .


748.20


Tuition and Transportation of State Wards


1,228.17


From Manual Training Dept ..


261.78


From Rental of School Buildings


70.00


Miscellaneous .


22.33


15,033.95


Amount paid for Schools from Local Taxation.


$158,965.94


119


Report of the Superintendent of Schools


To the School Committee and the Citizens of Agawam:


The subject of the Superintendent's report this year is, "Educational Problems in a Time of Continuous War." No aspect of human existence is untouched by a world war such as is raging on this planet. Dislocation and confusion are present everywhere and schools do not escape the swirl of this upheaval. Problems of school center about the following points: Teachers, Pupils, Curriculum, Guidance, School Plants, War and Peace and School Boys in the War.


TEACHERS


Our teaching staff, inasmuch as all teachers who are drafted or who volunteer for war service are teachers in ab- sentia, is registered for duty in many parts of the globe. The staff is represented in Washington, in Italy, in the South Pacific, and in various unknown parts. Since the opening of school in September, two teachers have resigned to enter the service, namely, Miss Marguerite Kramer and Miss Lucile Parsons. The Commonwealth has passed laws to the justifiable end that teachers in absentia who are in the service of our country are entitled to their former positions when and if they return to teaching: furthermore, whatever incre- ments and salary increases have accrued to said positions are theirs on their return. Their pension rights are protected by the same law, which counts their years in the service as years of teaching, and guarantees the payment of salary assess- ments for the pension fund by the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. In consequence thereof all budgets for teachers must take full recognition of this enactment.


The war has not only taken many teachers into the armed forces, but it has restrained many others from continuing to work in the classroom because of the higher salaries paid for war production work. Our normal colleges are garduating but few teachers and the demand for their services is un- precedented. Married teachers in good standing have come


120


to the rescue. This source of supply is nearly exhausted. The longer the war continues the more chaotic the teacher problem becomes. There is not the least doubt but that the year 1945 will be a most critical period for many schools, because of the scarcity of qualified teachers. There never was a time when there was a greater need for good teachers to guide our youth, who are at the mercy of the confusion incident to this war.


PUPILS


Our honor rolls in scholarship are long: our athletic teams are victorious: many of our boys and girls are work- ing hard and playing hard. There are some, however, who do not want to work at their lessons and who do not care much about play. We should expect that condition to exist even in normal times. In this day of abnormalities the situation is aggravated somewhat and has called for stricter supervision from the administrative forces of the school. This supervision has paid dividends. Good and reasonable supervision in schools always pays. It is reflected in the character, personality, and success of boys and girls.


Contrary to expectations our school enrollment is slightly larger this year. Factors contributing to maintaining school enrollments are as follows: The Fair Labor Relations Law prohibiting minors 14-16 years of age from working while schools are in session: The advice of all members of the armed forces to the youth about to be drafted into the service to stay in school and obtain a high school diploma.


CURRICULUM


Curriculum changes are not so much in evidence. The changing of horses in the middle of the stream may present some difficulties, but the changing of horses in a current pre- cipitated by an overwhelming flood is a baffling problem. It is better to wait until the tempest has subsided and the direction of the current is more clearly defined. The post- war period will bring some much needed changes in curricula, but the postwar period is not here yet. In the meantime in our high school, emphasis is placed on mathematics, Eng- lish, science, manual training and physical training. We know that these subjects are of great help in the preparation for war training.


121


GUIDANCE


Occupational Guidance and Placement has assumed ma- jor importance in the field of school administration. More and more the schools are requested to take over duties which were formerly the peculiar attention of the home. Parents are asking, what shall my children study? What occupation should they prepare themselves to assume when school days are over? Where can they obtain a position when they have received their diplomas? When they are placed in a job, who will keep an eye on their interests? The Commonwealth has made it clear in plain language that it is the duty of the schools to give the answers to those questions. The business of finding those answers is so engrossing that it will employ the entire time and talents of an able teacher. The school committee has decided that it is time for Agawam to make a start in this administrative field. To that end the com- mittee has appointed Raymond E. Harris to give part of his time to this work. He will be assisted by the teachers and other administrative forces of the schools. All features of education, from the first grade of the elementary school to graduation from the twelfth grade of high school, involve guidance in many of its manifold forms.


SCHOOL PLANTS


In my last report specific attention was given to postwar improvements in some of our school plants. The war is still with us in spite of the general impression that it would be over in part by this time. It is not too late then for some definite plans to be taken by those who are responsible for such action. A great many cities and towns of the Common- wealth have had such plans drawn, so that the communities could take immediate advantage of whatever financial sup- port the Federal and State governments have to offer to the postwar economy. Where there is so much smoke there must be some fire. Agawam should not be negligent in probing the possibilities of such financial assistance.


The attention of the town officials is called to the need of a new elementary school in Feeding Hills. This building should incorporate six class rooms, a lunch room, a health room, and an assembly hall suited to the needs of both the school and the community. This building should be located on a tract of land sufficient in size to give ample space for playground facilities.


122


The Junior-Senior High School was erected to meet the demands of the postwar educational needs of World War I. Another postwar period with new demands which the com- munity cannot ignore is soon coming to the forefront. The program here calls for remodeling the basement and the in- stallation of modern shower and toilet facilities in the High School, especially on the boys' side of the building.


The offices now used by the Rationing Board should be rebuilt to meet the needs of the administrative force of the school-in particular, at this very time we need a modern office and equipment for the school nurse as well as office room and facilities for the director of Guidance and Place- ment. Health and Guidance are to receive great attention in postwar education. With the introduction of new ma- chines into our shops and the employment of an additional teacher in that department, we would be able to meet the trends of vocational education on our own premises. Other plans to improve the High School plant would include the enlargement of the stage in the auditorium and the purchase of new stage equipment including a curtain. Plans to in- crease the seating capacity of the lunch room and to other- wise improve this unit for the proper serving of the pupils are needed. The floor of the boys' gymnasium is worn thin and hardly will survive another year of wear. When the floor is replaced, some attempt should be made to improve the balconies so that our spectators can see our teams in action.


Any plans for the improvement of the High School plant should not omit a study of the heating unit. At present two separate heating theories are operating from the same furnace. A reconciliation should be made on the principle that in unity there is strength and economy. It is possible, too, that the town would prefer to replace our stokers with oil burning units.


WAR AND PEACE


Education will have the greatest influence on the dura- tion of any peace plan that may be formulated at the con- clusion of this war. If in the class rooms of the world the sacredness of human life, the equality of man, and the value of things of the spirit can be taught in preference to race superiority, national arrogance and greed, there will be some hope for a time of protracted peace. The peace table will decide whether we shall educate for war or for peace. It will do no good to pray for peace unless we work for peace. The world has traveled a long time on faith without works and such a course has led to continuous war.


123


HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND UNDERGRADUATES IN THE WAR


There is a feeling that this report must not be ended without some attention to those boys who are most actively engaged in fighting this war-juniors and seniors from high school class rooms and boys recently graduated from high school. They are in such close touch with the student body and teachers that whatever affects them has a vital influence on the school. They have shown by their conduct that they believe that our schools and our democracy are worth de- fending even at the cost of their lives. We have had many illustrations of that belief within the past year. The war is not over: more boys from our midst will be called into action. In view of this prospect, it is incumbent upon the administrative forces and the teachers of our schools to give to these boys the best possible preparation at our command. Let it not be said of us that we failed to do so little when they went forth to give everything, even life itself, to defend our way of life.


CONCLUSION


The teachers, school committee, parents and pupils have given splendid co-operation in the solution of school problems in this difficult time of a continuous war. We are driving ahead in this storm, and for that reason shall stand on firm ground when the day of victory comes.


Respectfully submitted,


BENJAMIN J. PHELPS, Superintendent of Schools


124


ATTENDANCE REPORT AND ENROLLMENT FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR


SEPTEMBER 6-DECEMBER 22, 1944


Total Mem- bership


Average Mem- bership


Average Daily At- tendance


Per Cent At- Tardi- tendance ness


High School


Senior High III


78


76.32


72.29


94.72


74


Senior High II


85


83.93


78.71


93.78


70


Senior High I


111


106.09


100.64


94.86


67


Junior High III


130


129.46


122.86


94.91


47


Junior High VIII-I


27


26.89


25.85


96.13


2


Junior High VIII-2


34


33.50


32.49


96.98


15


Junior High VIII-3


31


30.02


27.98


93.18


13


Junior High VIII-4


28


27.92


25.97


93.05


10


Junior High VII-1


28


27.68


27.00


97.54


8


Junior High VII-2


28


27.23


26.50


97.32


23


Junior High VII-3


27


26.95


26.07


96.74


8


Junior High VII-4


29


27.82


26.87


96.63


13


Special Class


21


19.41


17.70


91.19


13


Agawam Center School


Grade VI


45


42.47


39.87


93.79


5


Grade V


38


36.68


35.05


95.55


10


Grades IV-V


26


25.26


24.44


96.75


16


Grade IV


37


33.62


32.30


96.06


3


Grade III


41


38.54


35.95


93.27


14


Grades II-III


31


26.63


27.29


95.34


6


Grade II


36


34.14


31.80


93.17


1


Grade I-A


25


23.28


21.33


91.32


11


Grade I-B


26


22.55


21.41


94.95


13


North Agawam School


Grade VI


36


35.29


34.33


97.28


1


Grade V


27


26.26


25.89


98.58


5


Grade IV


31


29.39


28.19


95.95


11


Grade III


37


36.87


35.97


97.54


10


Grade II


33


33.00


31.16


94.43


12


Grade I


40


38.12


36.60


96.03


14


Special Class


18


16.95


15.95


94.10


1


125


Springfield Street School


Grade VI


31


30.42


28.74


94.49


12


Grade V


26


24.12


23.34


96.78


9


Grade IV


28


27.58


25.75


93.36


15


Grade III


31


30.43


28.21


92.70


11


Grade II


30


28.61


26.67


93.22


33


Grade I


34


33.89


31.29


92.32


8


Feeding Hills School


Grade VI


19


18.31


17.41


95.08


0


Grade V


21


19.81


18.93


95.14


1


Grades III-IV


34


33.23


30.96


93.17


1


Grades I-II


28


27.32


25.95


94.98


2


Total Membership for Town


1466


Average Membership for Town


1417.99


Average Daily Attendance for Town


1345.71


Per Cent Attendance .


94.90


Total Tardiness for Town


588


Total Membership for Town, December 23, 1943 . .


1453


ยท


126


REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


To the Superintendent of Schools:


Herein is my seventh annual report on the Junior-Senior High School.


ACTIVITIES PERTAINING TO THE WAR EFFORT


At this time United States is faced with two grave prob- lems. (1) winning the war, and (2) getting ready for peace. Any other considerations are dwarfed by these two tremen- dous undertakings. About two years ago this country started to convert factories engaged in peacetime work to productive arsenals, to mobilize workers to man them, and to train an armed force capable of winning a war of the magnitude antici- pated. Now the preliminary effort is finished, and the major job is replacement. The real task of defeating our enemies is well underway, and victory appears assured, so the time has arrived for creative thinking and planning for peace. We consumed approximately two years in planning for this war, and we may require a like period of time to plan for the post-war era.


This shcool has not relaxed its wartime program and will not until the cessation of hostilities. But it will consider trends for post-war readjustments and reconvert if and when the time makes it feasible. To date there have been many forecasts of changes in peacetime education. All of them have been filed for future decisions.


The Student Council has continued to sell War Bonds and Stamps. During the last year the members have sold a total of $8,000, an average of $12.31 for each pupil. This is an enviable record. Pupils participated in the various drives for paper and scrap when their services were desired.


The Junior Red Cross Chapter of this school continued its good work. During the year a Junior Red Cross group has been active in the school. Among its activities have been packing gift boxes, making holiday decorations for hos- pitals, and a knitting club. Money has been raised and con- tributed to several enterprises. Participation in these ac- tivities help the children to a sympathetic understanding of the needs of others.


127


The school laments the placing of five Gold Stars on its Military Honor Roll during the year. The names of these boys who made the supreme sacrifice will be inscribed on a permanent memorial after the war. The honored dead are:


Corp. Elmer J. Goodhue Lieut. Joseph J. Brady


Lieut. Philip J. Brusseau


Pfc. Charles A. Hackett


Corp. Julian J. Magiera


SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT


The scholastic honor rolls in both the junior and senior high schools contained an uncommonly large number of names. This would prove that the pupils are studying in spite of out- side distractions and that they still appreciate the value of a sound academic training.


Recently the Pro Merito Society changed the require- ments for the earning of its award. Originally a pupil who received grades which averaged 85 per cent or better for three years was given the award. Under the new ruling it is neces- sary that he maintain the high standard the full four years of high school. Because of the change the names of Pro Merito pupils in the Class of 1945 will not be listed until the 1946 report.


At the graduation exercises prizes were given to the fol- lowing pupils for outstanding work in the subject fields named:


Valedictorian-Mary Quirk Good Citizenship-Beatrice Stratton Art-Beatrice Stratton


English-Jean Blackburn and Beatrice


Stratton Music-Jean Blackburn


Science-Mary Quirk


History-Beatrice Stratton


Commercial-Florence Conkey


EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES


Although the program was more nearly complete this year than it has been in the two previous years, it was still curtailed. The activities follow :


Basketball-played 18 games-won 13-lost 5.


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Stage Door Canteen-Presentation for sale of War Bonds and Stamps-Presented in School Auditorium, at Exposition Grounds, and Westover Field.


Sophomore Party


Senior Play-"The Very Light Brigade"


Valley Wheel Track Meet-Won second place


Junior Promenade


Football-Played seven games-Won six-Lost one Operetta-"Hats Off"


Junior Cabaret


Personality Club-"Sadie Hawkins Dance"


Tri-Hi Dance


Mirror-Won second place in a nation-wide competition Senior "Kid Party"


A well-diversified assembly program, including student organized, professional, and inspirational offerings, was enjoyed.


RECOMMENDATIONS


During the many years since the school was organized the guidance program has been very informal with few tests given or measurements taken. While a permanent record of scholastic achievement has been compiled on individual cards, no relative data has been included. The time has arrived when the State Department of Education, the schools of higher learning, and the larger business organizations request a more complete record of graduates than has been possible to keep under the now existing structure. Accordingly, it will be necessary to, in the near future, appoint a director of guidance and placement for the school.


APPRECIATION


The school extends its sincere thanks to the Athletic Field Committee, who worked so sincerely and effectively, and to the townspeople for the grading, seeding, and equip- ping of the new athletic field.


CONCLUSION


During the past year the school has had fewer problems than would naturally be expected during such disturbing times. I feel that such a condition of affairs is due to a great extent to the aid that you, Mr. Phelps; the School Committee, and the faculty have given to me; and to the cooperation of the student personnel.


To all, I wish to extend my most sincere appreciatio Respectfully submitted,


FREDERICK T. DAGEY, Principal


129


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Health Department of the schools.


The keystone eye testing machine has proved its worth this past year. The Audiometer, which is jointly owned with the Palmer and Monson schools, enables us to test forty children at one time. The Patch Test will be given to high school pupils this coming year.


We were fortunate in being able to engage Miss Throne, a dental hygienist and graduate of Forsythe College, Boston, to come Tuesdays and Wednesdays to work in Agawam. Up to date she has taken care of fifty children. Other children have seen their own dentists. The results are 85 per cent this year.


In May, the regular Vaccination Clinic was held with Dr. Langer, Miss Williams and myself. One hundred child- ren were treated. The diphtheria antitoxin test was given to sixty-five children, pre-school children were also examined. Six children were sent to Camp Edwards. Each child gained from three to five pounds. Children under treatment were weighed and checked each month.


I feel that the lunch rooms have helped greatly with their hot lunches, since in so many families both parents are work- ing. The average number of lunches served each day at Feeding Hills is from sixty to sixty-five, and at Agawam Center about one hundred nine.


Miss Macfadyen from the Boston Social Service Bureau has visited homes with me and we have made arrangements for children with defective speech to attend the clinic at Wesson Memorial Hospital. One child is attending the hard of hearing class in Springfield.


I wish to thank the Agawam Women's Club for the blanket used in the emergency room, also the Feeding Hills Women's Club for their assistance.


Number of children inspected by Dr. Langer 1000


The following defects were found:


Enlarged tonsils . 200


Defective tonsils. 320


Enlarged glands. 20


Defective teeth


320


Defective vision 100


Poor posture. 40


130


7


Over weight.


Cardiac hearts. 42


Defective speech 10


Defective hearing. 10


Children weighed and measured .


1632


Number of home visits made. 635


Individuals admitted to office for treatments and


dressings in all schools.


1200


Eye tests


300


Number of children provided with glasses


Health talks . 100


10


Health inspections.


87


Appointments made for dentistry


176


Appointments made for eye examinations


49


Pupils taken to doctor's office


30


Pupils taken home. .


22


Pupils taken to dentist .


147


Arrangements made for removal of tonsils.


12


Appointments made for X-rays at Westfield


14


Pupils taken to hospital .


2


Number of follow-up cases.


35


Children taken to Dr. Cooper's clinic .


18


Infectious diseases reported for the school year:


Scarlet fever


21


Mumps. .


4


Whooping cough


4


German measles


38


Impetigo .


20


Ringworm .


9


Athlete's foot


7


Asthma .


7


Diabetes.


7


Poliomyelitis.


3


Chicken pox


40


I sincerely appreciate the co-operation of the superinten- dent, school committee, principals, teachers, and all others who have shown an interest in the children. I thank all parents and children for their help and co-operation.


Respectfully submitted,


MARY E. O'BRIEN, School Nurse


131


REPORT OF THE ART DEPARTMENT


To the Superintendent of Schools:


A creative spark can be set ablaze with a little amount of encouraging to display a mass of brilliance and glory. But-this same feeble spark can be dampened and even blown out forever by a slight misunderstanding.


A child can describe his simple drawing so that it shines with significance. Little does he realize that his radiating smile, his flow of exciting words, his soft contented sigh, or his sudden gleeful laughter are the physical things much more thrilling and advantageous. Little does he realize that the qualities most impressive when studying the "goodness" of his art are his active mind, his happy heart, his busy hands, and his own founded satisfaction.




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