USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1941-1945 > Part 7
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In nearly every one of our reports for the last few years we have spoken of the need of more land near our High School for playground and athletic purposes. During the past fall we were frequently spoken of in the papers as having a "Dust Bowl" for a football field. Any one who attended the Aga- wam-West Springfield game on Thanksgiving Day will surely agree that the appellation was a fitting one. Some of the high schools in our vicinity are refusing to schedule games with Agawam if they must play on our field. What is the answer to this problem? We would suggest that a committee be appointed to investigate this matter and report at a later meeting.
Last June, in the gymnasium, the school had its usual fine exhibit of work done by the various departments. Mrs. Marion Smith had a fine display of work done by the pupils of her special class. The walls were hung with samples of Art work done by the various grades under the supervision
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of Miss Crowley. Mr. Harris and Mr. Baker had very at- tractive specimens on exhibition of the work done by boys in their shop classes. While the Domestic Science room of Mrs. Aldrich made your mouth water at the fine display set out on the tables. Mrs. Aldrich and Miss Pratt had a fine exhibit in the dress line of articles made by the girls in their classes.
Visual education seems to be the coming thing in the public schools. We mentioned in our last report how Mr. Hadley had trained several boys in the handling and operating of our machine. This training enabled some of them to earn considerable money during the summer along that line. We are all waiting to see the Agawam film, depicting the life and growth of our town, when completed by Mr. Hadley and his assistants.
We are asking in our budget for a much larger amount than previously. The cost of living has risen so rapidly in the past year that our janitors and teachers feel that they should have more money for their services. Other towns have increased their teachers in varying amounts and our teachers think that we should do the same. We are passing on their request to the Finance Committee. As we have already mentioned, our supplies will cost considerably more than in previous years which will increase our budget anyway.
During the year 1941 an amplifying system was installed in our auditorium. This was done at a very small cost due to the cooperation of Mr. Dacey, Mr. Hadley and Mr. Harris. We are in hopes the acoustics in the hall will be much improved.
There has been a great deal of discussion as to what shall be done with our school children in case of an air raid warning. The committee considered the problem from every angle and their decision was determined in a large measure by the matter of transportation. We felt that the children at North Aga- wam and Springfield Street would have ample time to reach home on foot, while those at Agawam Center and Feeding Hills could be taken care of by bus. But it would be so long before the busses could get to the High School it seemed ad- visable to keep the pupils there. The corridors on the lower floor are, in our judgment, the safest place in town in case of an air raid. But we hope and pray that we never have an air raid even though we are prepared.
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A class in First Aid is being conducted at our High School Monday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. About twenty of our teachers are taking the course and they will be very helpful whenever the need arises.
We hear of and read about the fabulous wages being paid in defense industries. A short time ago I heard a government man from Washington make the statement that in 1942 we would pay 25 per cent more for what we bought and in 1943 we would pay 50 per cent more. He further stated that the farmer would be no better off than he is now. That certainly does not sound encouraging for the farmer. Agawam has a large farming population with no assured income, and on them the burden of taxation falls heaviest. You men who are getting big money in the shops, the mills, or in defense industries, should bear that in mind when you make your appropriations at the annual town meeting. We, as a committee, have them in mind constantly and we always try to be as economical as possible.
In closing this report, we wish to thank every one who in any way contributed to a successful administering of our school affairs during the year 1941.
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, 1941
Town Appropriation . $152,000.00
EXPENDITURES
General Expense .
$ 6,869.22
Salaries of Teachers, Principals
and Supervisors
91,111.60
Text Books. .
2,207.29
Stationery and Supplies
4,821.92
Wages of Janitors
11,041.64
Fuel .
6,290.31
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses
3,498.70
Repairs and Replacements
2,933.74
School Libraries
218.92
Health .
2,064.77
Transportation
11,042.51
Tuition
1,489.88
Insurance on Buildings and Equip- ment.
1,290.74
Miscellaneous Expenses .
490.37
Outlay-Buildings and Equipment
3,389.46
Agriculture .
2,938.24
Adult Civic Education .
513.03
Vocational Household Arts
1,519.13
Total Expenditures.
$153,731.47
Paid by Federal Funds:
Smith-Hughes Funds
for Agriculture . $451.62
George Deen Funds
for Household Arts ... 1280.00
1,731.62
Paid by Town.
$151,999.85
Unexpended Balance .15
Total
$152,000.00
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COST OF SCHOOLS TO THE TOWN
Total Expenditure by Town . . ... $151,999.85
Returns to the Town on account of Schools, but not returnable
to the School Department: From the State:
On account of Teachers' Sal- aries . $ 11,150.00
For Agricultural Instruction .
1,738.87
For Adult Alien Instruction .
130.80
On account of Trade School Tuition
820.35
Tuition and Transportation of State Wards ..
818.07
Tuition of High School Pupils from other Towns.
92.50
From Manual Training Depart- ment .
247.92
159.00
From Rental of School Buildings. Miscellaneous
5.84
15,163.35
Amount paid for Schools from Local Taxation
$136,836.50
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Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and the Citizens of Agawam:
It is my practice to write the school report around some central theme which is characteristic of the day. That theme today is War: and the school report of 1941 is written on the topic, "Education and the Impetus of War."
DEMOCRACY
Democracy has been the keynote of about all of the wars in our history: the freedom of the colonies; the freedom of the seas; the freedom of the slaves; and the freedom from all future wars, come to mind at once. Our country fought to make the world safe for democracy in 1917 in the first World War. That goal was not achieved, and today we find that democracy is fighting for its existence against totalitarian states, which seek to enslave the individual. This war has brought it to pass, that in our schools we have appraised our democracy from its very inception until the present time. Our Constitu- tion, our Bill of Rights, and our patriots, as never before, have been studied; and the priceless value of our form of government has been brought home to our pupils. In the face of impending danger, their form of government seems no longer something abstract and remote: they are conscious of the fact that it is a part of their very fibre, and they are ready to defend it.
COSTS
War is the most costly of all human activities. There is no source of supply which is not influenced by its ramifications. Food, clothing, shelter, and all types of materials advance in price. Although our government, by its enactments, has kept prices from abrupt advancement, yet there has been a steady increase in the cost of school supplies. This increase is re- flected in our expenditures for books and supplies, miscellan- eous operating expenses, and for repairs and replacements. Wages in industries advance rapidly in war times, and
134
the charge for all kinds of service is increased. Since it is necessary for our teachers and janitors to meet the high costs of living, in their case too, higher salaries should prevail.
PUPILS
Just as war propounds the question, what is a state for, so also war brings home to the individual the question, what am I for-what am I here in school for? Life for junior-senior high school pupils takes on a more serious turn. This fact is confirmed by the decrease in retardation throughout all grades in the school and by the increase in the length of our honor rolls, which at the present writing are the best of the past decade.
Boys and girls realize the value of an education. They sense the fact that they are a great part of an educational sys- tem, which produces the maximum yield from the gifts of the average pupil. Education with that end in view is the only guarantee for the survival of democracy.
TEACHERS
The war has caused many changes in our teaching staff during the past year. The changes came in both the ele- mentary and secondary schools, six teachers having resigned in each school. In some instances, the resignations were for marriage. There were two cases in which teachers were taken by larger school systems, which could afford to give better salaries than Agawam could pay. One teacher was con- scripted into Federal service. As the war deepens, the changes in the teaching staff may reach high proportions, especially among the men.
We have been most fortunate in our replacements in that they have been of such high caliber that the efficiency of our school work has been maintained. The fact that our teaching staff has absorbed a 20% change in its membership within the past year with so little friction, is worthy of significant praise. It is sound testimony to the high character and caliber of our teachers, and to the sterling worth of our principals and super- visors.
At this point it is a pleasure to report that many of our teachers are taking work in graduate schools of education. They are doing this without any pressure upon them from ex-
135
ternal sources. In our Junior-Senior High School, 33-1/3% of the teaching staff have gained their masters degree. Addi- tional teachers will receive their degree in June.
METHODS
There never was a time in the history of education in our country when theory and practice were so near to agree- ment. Before the outbreak of the war, our pupils in many of their studies were separated by great gaps of imperfect realization from the textbooks they had to read and study. The war has brought a sense of realism to many of our studies. The remote places of the world are with us night and day, in the newspapers and on the radio. The source and supply of gasoline, rubber, tin, and iron take on a new meaning when their scarcity threatens to remove the automobile from our highways, and their supply may mean the difference be- tween a world run on democratic principles and a world under the heel of a dictator.
Sound waves and light waves, blackouts and gases, are no longer the pet trick of the science teacher, their meaning is written on the faces of each and everyone of our pupils. The heavens above the earth, and the sea beneath, are meas- ured and mapped by instruments of death: instruments which in the near future must be manned by the graduates of our schools. Mathematics may yet decide our fate. Man's in- humanity to man has been read and recited in our English classes on countless occasions, but never so clearly defined in its brutal meaning as it is by the events of the present war. Our teachers have not been slow to grasp this situation. They are awake to the possibilities in learning which are inherent in the quickened interest of all in geography, social science, physical science and the humanities.
WAR INCIDENTALS
Taxes: The Federal government has found it necessary to raise huge sums by taxation, and has included in its tax ratables a tax on all income derived from intra and extra cur- ricular activities. This situation has decreased our school funds and threatens to make the financing of our activity programs a serious problem.
War Stamps: The principals and teachers in all the grades and classes are encouraging the pupils to purchase war sav-
136
-- ----
ing stamps: the pupils are responding with enthusiasm. At last, we have found a plan for school savings which may teach sound principles of thrift.
Junior Red Cross: It is gratifying to report that there is 100% enrollment this year in Junior Red Cross. We are affiliated with the Springfield Chapter and have received valuable help from this source in completing our enrollment. The Junior Red Cross provides a satisfactory background for bringing our young folks into activities connected with war work. Through this agency they, too, can do their bit.
Civilian Defense: The spectre of this war looms up in every classroom. The ears of the pupils and teachers are alert to catch the dreaded air raid signal. Air raid wardens are ap- pointed and air raid shelters are selected. Although suspense is in the air, yet the aim is to defeat surprise attacks by ad- equate preparations for defense. In this picture there is no place for confusion. It is a pleasure to report that cooperation in all places and under all circumstances is predominant.
CONCLUSION
The administration and conduct of public education is an important and essential public service in times of war as well as in times of peace. War presents new problems-problems arising from scarcity of supplies, increased charges for services and equipment, and the weakening of personnel. The main- tenance of morale in our schools is of supreme importance. There is every indication that the present war will not end before it has brought into active service on far flung fronts many who are now enrolled in our senior high school courses. We must make the schools count in their favor. There is room for belief that we will meet these problems and carry on successfully: for we are all conscripted body and soul in this war, from the youngest to the oldest, all grades, all graduates, all citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN J. PHELPS, Superintendent of Schools.
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ATTENDANCE REPORT AND ENROLLMENTS FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR
SEPTEMBER 3-DECEMBER 19, 1941
Total Mem- bership
Average Mem- bership
Average Daily At- tendance
Per Cent At- tendance
Tardi- ness
High School
Senior High III
94
92.81
88.25
95.09
52
Senior High II
95
91.29
85.47
93.63
37
Senior High I
118
114.15
107.19
93.90
36
Junior High III
139
137.76
130.00
94.37
9
Junior High VIII-1
37
36.47
34.59
94.84
2
Junior High VIII-2
29
28.49
26.49
92.98
4
Junior High VIII-3
31
30.69
28.79
93.75
8
Junior High VIII-4
29
28.54
27.71
97.12
3
Junior High VII-1
35
33.77
32.16
95.25
12
Junior High VII-2
33
32.46
31.49
97.01
1
Junior High VII-3
35
34.67
33.01
95.21
6
Junior High VII-4
33
32.81
31.58
96.32
0
Special Class
26
25.11
23.02
92.81
4
Agawam Center School
Grade VI
43
39.82
38.35
96.30
4
Grade V
34
29.43
27.83
94.55
7
Grades IV-V
26
24.24
22.82
94.14
5
Grade IV
35
33.89
32.01
94.49
1
Grade IIIA
32
31.16
29.20
93.72
9
Grade IIIB
29
25.23
23.58
93.46
18
Grade II
35
31.26
29.26
93.58
2
Grades I-II
26
25.68
24.39
94.51
5
Grade I
35
33.08
31.22
94.37
17
North Agawam School
Grade VI
42
40.53
38.86
95.83
4
Grade V
35
33.39
31.97
95.76
0
Grade IV
36
34.07
32.65
95.82
3
Grade III
41
40.38
38.81
96.11
1
Grade II
32
30.30
29.77
96.90
3
Grade I
29
27.94
24.86
88.97
7
Special Class
17
16.01
14.79
92.38
0
138
Springfield Street School
Grade VI
31
30.08
29.21
97.14
1
Grade V
39
36.64
35.15
95.92
8
Grade IV
19
17.35
16.60
95.68
6
Grade III
38
36.27
34.73
95.75
5
Grade II
21
20.42
19.09
93.49
5
Grade I
30
28.48
26.97
94.70
10
Feeding Hills School
Grade VI
19
19.00
18.24
96.00
0
Grades IV-V
33
30.47
28.66
94.06
3
Grades II-III
27
24.97
22.56
90.39
3
Grades I-II
29
23.86
20.82
87.30
6
Total Membership for Town
1547
Average Membership for Town.
1482.97
Average Daily Attendance for Town
1402.15
Per Cent Attendance for Town
94.55
Total Tardiness for Town.
307
Total Membership for Town, December 20, 1940 ...
1628
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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Herein is my fourth annual report of the Junior-Senior High School.
GENERAL COMMENT
During the greater part of the past year the high schools of America have been fulfilling their roles in the program of rearmament. Since the declaration of war they have re- directed their purposes to the winning of the conflict in which we are now engaged. Today the emphasis has swung to victory at any cost. Boys and girls are being taught to sacrifice many of their customary modes of procedure for the common good, because if the war is prolonged, as indeed it may be, these same boys and girls must shoulder the responsibili- ties and risks of a democracy in active belligerency.
No less important than training for participation in actual warfare is the problem of civilian education for the rigors of war. Schools must accept their portion of this program and carry it out with efficiency and intelligence. Pupils can learn the ways of a democracy only by experiencing democracy in action. Even as a high school represents a cross section of the community supporting it, so it reflects and influences the life of that community.
It has always been the policy of this school to give whole- hearted support to any worth-while local, state, or national project and to graduate young men and women who are loyal, well-trained citizens. In the present emergency it will not deviate from its usual procedure.
AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS
Because a large percentage of the pupils attending this school live a long distance from it, because the building is substantially constructed with fireproof corridors, and be- cause the consensus of air raid wardens favored it, the School Committee has ruled that the pupils of this school remain in the building during an air raid or air raid trial alarm.
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The pupils have been drilled to evacuate their respective classrooms into the corridors. The senior high group descend to the basement corridors and the junior group enter the corridors on the first floor. Girls occupy the south side of the building and boys occupy the north side. Only that portion of the corridor with the minimum area of glass is utilized. These sections of the building were chosen because they afford the greatest protection.
Equipment for extinguishing fires ignited by incendiary bombs is placed in strategic locations. Every recommended precaution for the safety of the pupils has been given con- sideration.
FIRST AID-RED CROSS
Twenty-three of the high school faculty have completed a first-aid course under the direction of the American Red Cross.
SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT
Perennially this school maintains a high standard of scholarship in all courses and departments and this year it has conformed to the usual pattern. With few exceptions, all members of the last graduating class who sought positions in the business world were able to obtain places immediately after graduation. Some, whose academic grades were very high, were released to work before graduation.
Five of the present senior class were awarded Pro Merito honors (denoting the maintenance of an average of 85% or better for the three consecutive years). Their names follow:
Lorraine Harpin Elaine Salani Roland Swanson
Ruth Raison Shirley Spring
During the Commencement exercises, medals significant of outstanding work in the fields noted were presented to the following pupils:
Geraldine Balboni-English Charles Porter-Science Marianne Brady-Citizenship Gloria Savioli-Commercial Helen Davis-History Valedictorian
Robert Healy-Mathematics Eleanor Zucco-Art
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extra-curricular activities offer an opportunity for the presentation of many projects which could not be introduced in any other form. In the majority of cases pupils in all in- telligence levels may participate in extra-curricular fields
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with comparable success, and, as a result, many of those who lack ability to excel in academic presentations regain confi- dence and improve generally in school citizenship. Partici- pation in the offerings is entirely voluntary but in a large and varied program there is an appeal to nearly every pupil.
During the last year the activities were numerous and many pupils benefited by the opportunities. A partial list of happenings in chronological order follows:
Basketball season, December 13-February 18 Played 15 games: Won 11; Lost 4
Valley Wheel Oratorical Contest
Wilbur Miller won second place
Donkey Basketball Game
Junior High male teachers vs. Senior High male teachers: Benefit of Athletic Association
"Agawam Mirror"
Won second place in Columbia Scholastic Press Asso- ciation contest
National Forensic League Oratoricals
Wilbur Miller won first place in original oratory section
Senior Class Play-"June Mad"
Sophomore Party
Tri-Hi Dance
Baseball Season, April 30-June 6 Played 11 games: Won 4; Lost 7
One-act Play
Valley Wheel Track Meet Won third place
Promenade
Football Season, September 27-November 20 Played 6 games: Won 2; Tied 1; Lost 3
Operetta : "Pinafore"
Senior Class "Kid Party"
Valley Wheel Student Council Convention
ASSEMBLIES
Many of the assemblies might well have been placed in the preceding group, as the performers were pupils and both the spectators and participants benefitted. The list of pro- grams follows:
Holiday Programs
Moving Pictures-A fine patriotic array and other educa- tional commercials
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Oratorical Elimination Pro Merito Pin Presentation Speaker: Miss Mew Soong Chock
Professional Performers: Vern Chesbro, Magician; Robert Stanton, Travelogue
Speakers: Superintendent of Schools Benjamin J. Phelps; Mr. Ralph W. Ellis, Director of Hampden County Safety Council; Mr. Axel Manning, State Depart- ment of Motor Vehicles; Attorney Thomas Burke, American Legion.
THE BAND
During the past two years Miss Ruth Perry, our super- visor of music, has worked diligently with an ever increasing group of embryonic musicians, until at this time we have a band of which we may be very proud. In addition, we have well-drilled majorettes to lead it. Miss Perry has formed instrumental and baton twirling classes, teaching part of them herself and inviting well-known instructors to teach the others until some of the pupils are well-rounded musicians.
With exception of a donation of the proceeds of a card party sponsored by the American Legion, the band has been financed entirely by the students.
Tribute must also be paid to Mr. Henry Baker and Mr. Daniel Holmes, who aided the drilling in marching formations.
APPRECIATION
In behalf of the school and myself I wish to express grate- ful appreciation to the Agawam Womans' Club, who donate a prize for proficiency in English and Art respectively each year.
I should also like to thank the Wilson-Thompson Post, American Legion, who donate prizes for the school oratorical elimination contest each year, and who conducted a card party for the benefit of the school band last year.
CONCLUSION
I am grateful to you, Mr. Phelps, for your guidance; the School Committee for their support; the faculty for their active participation in the whole program, and the student body, who have persevered throughout the year. I have appreciated the help of all.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK T. DACEY, Principal.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Health Department of the town schools.
Dr. E. M. Langer's medical inspection of 1425 children found the following: 81 enlarged tonsils, 418 children with defective teeth, 73 enlarged glands, 29 cases of poor nutrition, 50 of poor posture, 45 of defective heart; children with no defects, 635.
Report of School Nurse: Home visits, 406 Children weighed, 1570 Visits to High School, 177 Visits to Grammar Schools, 523 Office visits, 1965 Health inspections, 749 Appointments made for eye examinations, 11 Pupils taken to physicians, 8 Pupils taken to dentist, 6 Arrangements made for removal of tonsils and adenoids, 8 Appointments made for X-ray, 1
Taken to Westfield Sanatorium for X-ray, 2
Arrangements were made for two children to attend the Springfield Boys' Club at Brimfield, Mass. This was financed by the American Legion.
Infectious diseases reported for the school year: Scarlet fever, 19 Mumps, 45 Chicken pox, 5 Whooping cough, 14 German measles, 14
On May 7th, the regular vaccination clinic was held with Dr. E. M. Langer, the school physician, officiating: 60 pupils were vaccinated. The check-up clinic was held on September 21st, at which 12 more children were vaccinated.
144
Dr. R. F. Lockwood conducted Dental Clinics in the grammar schools. All pupils who attended were examined and upon consent of parents, treatments were given.
Eight children were again taken to Camp Frederic Ed- wards-four in July and four in August.
The Chadwick Clinic for the diagnosis and control of tuberculosis in high school children was held on December 1st. Upon consent of parents, 13 were X-rayed. On December 12th, Dr. Hauser of the State Department of Public Health gave 13 physical examinations: 3 cases were found perfect; 3 cases discharged as cured; 7 were added to our follow-up list and will be checked again next year.
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