USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1946-1950 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
$232,050.00
COST OF SCHOOLS TO THE TOWN
Total Expenditures by the Town
$232,048.60
Returns to the Town on Account of Schools, but not returnable to the School Department :
From the State :
On account of Teachers' Salaries $ 11,313.30
For Agricultural Instruction
1,970.24
For Household Arts Instruction 535.70
On account of Trade School Tuition 614.57
Tuition and Transportation of State Wards
1,835.45
For Transportation of Pupils
7,288.62
Tuition received from other Towns 150.00
Received from Manual Training Department
232.32
Received from Rental of School Buildings
171.00
Miscellaneous Receipts
20.64
24,131.84
Amount paid for Schools from Local Taxaiton
$207,916.76
188
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
December 29, 1947
To the Members of the School Committee and to the Citizens of the Town of Agawam:
I herewith submit my second annual report as Super- intendent of Schools in the Town of Agawam.
AIMS OF EDUCATION IN AGAWAM
We bring our children into the world and look for- ward to the future with hope. Each one of us wants for our own child the very best opportunities for training and experience - that is what the community should provide for all of the children within its borders.
Most people want to be modern in all respects. Few of us like to admit that we are not keeping abreast of new developments. Thus it is with a school system; new in- formation, new materials, new equipment, new methods - all are being studied with a view to help the school meet, in a better way, the new needs and the new demands that its pupils must face.
The three R's must be taught and better than ever. But the school must also be concerned with the objectives of the physical, the emotional and the esthetic develop- ment of the child. Therefore, it is an integral part of every class and of every teacher's job to build character and proper attitudes, habits and ideals. Shall we state, therefore, that the aim of our school system is the best all-round training of every boy and girl.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We do not overlook the fact that a good education, under competent teachers with good textbooks and sup- plies, provided with good buildings and eqiupment, is a good investment at any price. We know, however, that many of you are interested in the various phases of the
189
cost of education in Agawam. We have prepared the following tables :
Cost per Pupil per Year (1946-7) - cities and towns in the western section of Massachusetts
City or Town
Cost per Pupil
Springfield
$223.24
Southbridge
217.90
Greenfield
196.87
Leominster
193.19
West Springfield
192.89
Holyoke
186.88
Ludlow
183.35
Fitchburg
182.18
Northampton
Gardner
175.00 170.45
Chicopee
170.06
Easthampton
167.32
Agawam
165.04
Pittsfield
163.76
The above figures are based on the school year which closed last June and include all pupils in the system, both high and elementary. If broken down into divisions, it cost us in Agawam in the last full school year $182.93 to educate a high school pupil and $154.07 to educate an elementary pupil. All figures do not include the cost of transportation and general control. Nor do these figures represent the direct cost to the town, for there are re- imbursements from the state and federal governments which would bring the average cost per pupil down to approximately $135 per pupil as the all-over cost not in- cluding transportation.
The information above gives you some idea .of the costs in Agawam compared with the various cities and towns in the western part of the state. You will note that your cost per pupil in Agawam is well below the majority of the communities, and that we are not spend- ing as much on a per capita basis as most of the other towns and cities in the neighborhood.
A COMPARISON IN SALARIES OF TEACHERS
The following table compares the average salaries of the past and present with those of various other com- munities in the western part of the state. The towns
190
selected are either neighboring communities or towns of approximately the same population as Agawam.
Town
Av. Salary in 1941 $1840
Av. Salary in 1946
$2188
Av. Salary in 1946-7 $2423
Est. Av. Salary in 1947-8 $2861
West Springfield
1360
2112
2570
4202
Greenfield
1845
2133
2530
3602
Adams
1518
1966
2429
2602
Athol
1508
2021
2332
2432
Easthampton
1491
2047
2313
2427
Palmer
1626
2030
2162
Agawam
1566
2016
2358
2441
Ludlow
1614
2129
2561
2712
Median of all towns in the state with over 5,000 population as follows :
1523
2036
2440
2672
REPAIRS IN OUR SCHOOLS
In December, 1946, the school committee planned the following repairs for 1947. We are pleased to report that all repairs have been completed as well as some addi- tional work, such as the construction of a partition in Center School to provide another classroom and the in- stallation of fluorescent lights in the new high school library. We believe that this has been a real accom- plishment for the money expended.
1. Retopping the chimney, Danahy School
2. Extending steam to the cafeteria, Danahy School
3. Painting the auditorium, Danahy School
4. Beginning of the correction of a serious lighting deficiency by rewiring and relighting with fluor- rescent lights two classrooms, Danahy School
5. Painting the exterior of Danahy School with two coats
6. Painting the exterior of Springfield Street School, one coat
7. Painting the exterior of the High School, two coats
8. Replacing certain broken skylights at Springfield Street School
9. Erecting a fence at Springfield Street School
10. Painting the auditorium, Springfield Street School
191
Southbridge
11. Painting the cafeteria and a dozen classrooms at High School
12. Painting a classroom and the corridors of two floors, Danahy School
13. Painting a classroom and two corridors, Spring- field Street School
LOOKING AHEAD TO REPAIRS FOR 1948
The following repairs are being planned for the com- ing year :
1. A one coat paint job on the exterior of Center School
2. Painting seven classrooms, the corridors and lavatories on the first floor of Center School
3. Painting the ceilings and walls of the first and second floor corridors and six classroms in the High School
4. Painting two classrooms and corridors at Spring- field Street School
5. Painting one classroom, stairway walls and ceil- ings at Danahy School
6. A beginning on the improvement of the play- ground area at Springfield Street School
7. Extending the relighting and rewiring at Danahy School by installing fluorescent lights in three additional classrooms and in two corridors.
8. Relight with fluorescent lights three classrooms in the High School
9. Painting of all the moveable bleachers at Memorial Field
10. Regular emergency repairs and replacements as they arise
Your school committee believes that the repairs must be planned and spaced in such a manner that the work will be done each year and not allowed to accumulate to burden the town in any one year.
COST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Like most everything else, the costs of scholar's sup- plies, janitor's supplies, etc., are advancing at a rapid rate. Paper supplies for pupils have advanced 22 per cent since last January, according to one reliable source.
192
The following table of comparisons will give you some idea of the prices which the committee is called upon to pay and how these have advanced in the past few years.
Paper
1-1-43 1-1-46 1-1-47 1-1-48
White Composition
.40
.47 .35
.61 .38
.70 .54
per pkg. "
Composition Books
2.50
3.20
3.20
3.75
per C per pkg.
Arithmetic Paper
.20
.22
.36
.45
"
White Drawing
1.00
1.20
1.72
1.95
Manila Drawing
.56
.65
.75
1.05
Poster Paper
.20
.20
.25
.35
.68
.90
Mimeograph Paper
.48
.48
White Practice
.33
.44
.44 .53
.50
Manila Typing
.35
.49
.61
Your school committee has kept costs at a minimum by strict economy and by using up some old stock on inventory. Our stocks are now very low and the high purchasing prices will have to be paid.
WHAT STATE AID CAN DO FOR AGAWAM
During the past session of the Massachusetts Legis- lature much was heard of state aid for education and much will be heard of it during the session about to open in Boston. Your superintendent pointed out in last year's report that the state distributes large amounts of money to towns for general purposes but very little (9%) for educational purposes. Several bills were considered which would have provided for equalization of educational costs throughout the state. As it is now, some of our wealthy neighbors get correspondingly more than we do. Agawam ranks 67th among 90 towns of over 5,000 population in valuation we possess for every pupil. In other words, we lack high tax-paying properties possessed by many neigh- boring communities. In all the bills considered, Agawam would have benefited tremendously in state aid to reduce our tax rate, getting much more than it would cost us.
In consideration of the facts involved, residents of Agawam should be strong supporters of legislation which would provide to the community state funds for education, for under the program wealthier communities would be . helping us support the schools of Agawam to the partial relief of local property owners.
As a result of one piece of legislation passed in the
193
Manila Composition
.25
last session of the Legislature, Agawam is being reim- bursed for close to one-half of the present cost of school transportation.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS AND SCHOOL PLANNING
A study of school growth and the birth rate indicates that, regardless of cost, we must go ahead with plans for building the Feeding Hills School. It is essential that the building be underway by the summer and, at the latest, be ready for occupancy by September, 1949.
This is not our only need. As soon as we get the Feeding Hills School taken care of, we will have to plan an addition to the Center School. During the present year, one-half of the cafeteria is being used as a classroom. Next fall, it is planned to use the clinic room as an emer- gency classroom. We must plan now for the growth which is taking place in our town. We need only to mention that last fall's first grades were 98% larger than those of the previous year, and to indicate that the latter will be second graders in September with another large first grade enter- ing. We cannot emphasize too strongly that our need for the present is for elementary housing. It is essential that the citizens act favorably at the annual meeting on the Feeding Hills School and soon thereafter on the relieving of crowded conditions at Center School.
SANITARY FACILITIES IN OUR SCHOOLS
We do not need to call to the attention of many of our citizens the need to modernize the sanitary facilities in some of our schools. The basement conditions in the high school are very bad in the boys' section, which has prompted the committee to bring in a special article on the subject. This is not a new condition, and the com- mittee has delayed in other years in dealing with the problem because of costs. The committee now feels that the problem should be considered by the voters without further delay.
In the future, some thought will have to be given to replacing old slate urinals in both the Springfield Street and Danahy Schools.
GUIDANCE OF OUR CHILDREN
More and more, parents look to the schools for help in guiding their children in their activities as well as in
194
the selection of a vocation, a position, or a college to at- tend. A few years ago, your school committee appointed a part-time guidance director. His work has been so valu- able and effective in helping the junior and senior high pupils, that the committee has voted to make the assistant principal a full-time director of guidance, placement and testing. It will be his responsibility to check on failing pupils, to test, to place on jobs, to guide children in the selection of vocations, colleges, etc., to study why pupils leave school, and to develop a follow-up service to pupils who have gone out on the job or to college - a grand addition to our junior and senior high school.
PUPIL STANDARDS
Parents will be interested in knowing that all pupils above grade two are tested during each year and that the averages of our various rooms compare favorably with those of average pupils all over the country. We find that many of our pupils are outstanding. Only last fall our high school entered two pupils to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one to Harvard, one to Syracuse, as well as pupils to several other institutions ; in spite of the fact that about 90 per cent of all college pupils are former G. I.'s.
There are, naturally, pupils of high ability, average ability, and low ability. It is important that our parents check with the school officials on test results as well as on teachers' opinions. Parents should also check on the child's shortcomings as well as on his abilities. Obviously, every child is not suited to becoming a college student, nor is every child suited to becoming a tradesman. It should also be recognized that a child of low ability may become, through careful handling, a very successful citi- zen and earn a good living. Parents are urged to use every facility at their disposal to determine a child's ability and aptitude, recognize them even though they do not seem satisfactory, and guide the child in the proper path.
Our schools, with a fine corps of teachers and princi- pals, are doing their best with every child. Home work is absolutely necessary in grades 7-12 and is sometimes suggested below those levels. Parents are strongly urged to know the teachers and to keep in touch with them.
MEMORIAL FIELD
In 1944, the town established Memorial Field as the
195
high school athletic field and wisely placed it in the hands of the school committee.
Since that date, the field has been well taken care of by the school officials, janitors, pupils and teachers of the schools. Last fall, it was referred to as the finest high school field in Western Massachusetts.
Last summer, the stationary bleachers were painted previous to the opening of the season. These are in poor condition. At the same time, the parking area was im- proved and plans have been made for the removal of the brush at the end of the parking lot. It is essential that the moveable bleachers be painted before another season opens, and the committee has made plans to do this.
During the past fall, when Memorial Feld was used by the high school on four occasions and by a local town team ten or eleven times, there were several occasions when the field was filled far beyond the capacity for seat- ing the crowds. Even though there were very few inci- dents, a standing crowd is a difficult crowd to control. Our police officials, as well as the school officials, were concerned about the problem on several different occa- sions, which has prompted the school committee to sug- gest an article in the warrant asking the town to consider appropriating $3,000 for the purchase of additional seats.
LUNCHROOM SERVICES IN OUR SCHOOLS
Cafeteria service is provided the pupils of Feeding Hills, Danahy and Center Schools as well as the high 1 school. For the high school report, you are referred to the report of Mrs. Aldrich.
Parents will be interested in knowing that approxi- mately 65,000 meals a year are served in our elementary school lunchrooms, an $18,000 a year business. The child- ren in these schools consume approximately 16,000 quarts of milk per year within the buildings. The results cannot do otherwise than improve the health of our children, and must have played a part in the establishment of the highest attendance record during the school year which ended last June.
We must emphasize that these school lunchrooms are entirely self-supporting under the present organization. Not one cent of town funds goes to the operation or main- tenance of this service.
196
FIRE AT DANAHY SCHOOL
On a Saturday late in December, a fire broke out in the rear entrance to our Danahy School in North Agawam. Had it not been for the quick action of our janitor there, the building might very well have been completely de- stroyed. The insurance companies have settled the loss at $684.20, a very fair adjustment. Inasmuch as the loss is paid to the town treasurer, the committee, under a separate article, will ask that the amount be transferred to the school department, so that the repairs may be paid for.
CONCLUSION
On behalf of the school committee and superintend- ent, we wish to acknowledge the loss of the schools in the death of Cora M. Barnes, a faithful member of the junior high staff, whose love for her pupils will long be remem- bered by them.
We wish, also, to express our appreciation for the long and untiring services of Katherine G. Danahy, who retired as a principal during the year. At its meeting on April 14th, the committee voted to rename the North Agawam School, the Katherine G. Danahy School.
Once again, we wish to express to you our apprecia- tion for your cooperation and for your interest in the schools of Agawam.
To our teachers, to our principals, to our janitors, to our lunchroom workers, and to all others who participate in the operation of our schools, we express gratification for their work.
We wish, too, to thank pupils for their fine spirit of work. Without fine pupil attitudes, we would not have the fine sysytem which we possess.
May your superintendent close with a word for your school committee as a hard-working, efficient and repre- sentative group of people. It has been a pleasure to serve you.
May we look ahead to another fine, constructive and progressive year of achievement.
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY W. WRIGHT Superintendent of Schools
197
ATTENDANCE REPORT AND ENROLLMENT FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THE PRESENT SCHOOL YEAR
SEPTEMBER 3 - DECEMBER 19, 1947
Total Mem- bership
Average Mem- bership
Average Daily At- tendance
Per Cent At- tendance ness
Tardi-
High School
Senior High III
78
74.97
71.39
95.22
17
Senior High II
95
93.81
89.17
95.06
43
Senior High I
101
99.24
94.75
95.48
41
Junior High III
102
101.54
97.83
96.34
25
Junior High VIII-1
28
26.64
25.77
96.74
1
Junior High VIII-2
29
29.00
28.40
97.94
3
Junior High VIII-3
31
30.42
29.02. 95.39
7
Junior High VIII-4
27
27.00
25.81
95.60
5
Junior High VII-1
31
30.94
29.93
96.72
4
Junior High VII-2
31
28.71
27.55
95.96
14
Junior High VII-3
33
32.72
31.44
96.07
15
Junior High VII-4
30
29.26
28.20
96.35
2
Special Class
21
20.08
18.69
93.05
4
Agawam Center School
Grade VI
32
29.81
28.25
94.76
2
Grades V-VI
28
26.72
25.49
95.35
3
Grade V
36
32.88
31.24
95.02
6
Grade IV-A
36
31.58
29.95
94.83
6
Grade IV-B
34
33.24
31.98
96.22
0
Grade III-A
35
33.51
31.66
94.47
4
Grade III-B
29
27.59
26.48
95.94
6
Grade II
38
35.46
33.57
94.67
2
Grade I-II
31
30.23
27.29
90.28
6
Grade 1-A
33
30.52
26.47
86.72
0
Grade I-B
33
32.22
28.83
89.48
3
Katherine Danahy School
Grade VI
28
27.10
27.03
97.25
7
Grade V
22
22.00
21.33
96.97
3
Grade IV
34
33.19
31.72
95.54
11
Grade III
31
30.58
28.93
94.61
6
Grade II-III
29
28.95
28.00
96.69
4
198
:
Grade I-A Grade I-B
26
23.94
22.75
95.01
6
26
25.69
23.64
92.00
3
Special Class
19
17.24
16.45
95.45
1
Springfield Street School
Grade VI
23
23.25
22.35
96.12
4
Grade V
37
ยท 34.50
32.53
94.28
5
Grade IV
30
29.04
27.25
93.83
1
Grade III
41
36.94
36.06
94.06
8
Grade II
28
24.64
22.49
91.26
5
Grade I-A
24
21.87
19.56
89.46
8
Grade I-B
23
21.54
19.83
92.06
12
Feeding Hills School
Grade VI
18
17.94
17.39
96.93
0
Grades IV-V
21
20.21
19.05
94.26
2
Grades II-III
37
33.57
30.87
91.97
0
Grade I
27
26.43
23.70
91.78
1
Total Membership for Town
1527
Average Membership for Town
1466.71
Average Daily Attendance for Town
1390.09
Per Cent Attendance
94.78
Total Tardiness for Town
306
Total Membership for Town, December 20, 1946
1465
199
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 5, 1948
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Superintendent of Schools
Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright :
Herein is my tenth annual report on the Junior- Senior High School.
Today the problem of providing appropriate and worthy education for all youth faces the secondary schools of this nation. Earlier the purpose of a high school was understood to be only preprofessional and pre- college education. Accordingly the student personnel was small and highly selective. At that time, curriculum- making was comparatively easy because then, as now, institutions of advanced learning had specific entrance requirements.
The present-day high school not only prepares for college, but, in addition, it educates about eighty-five per cent of its enrolment for life. The members of the latter group have greatly varied abilities, aptitudes and desires to which the program must offer an appeal, and pre- liminary training for their life work. A large proportion of this group have formed no conception of a choice of career. Also, at this time there are approximately thirty per cent of youth within the high school age brackets who do not attend school. If and when they enter, the problem of providing a worthwhile program will be in- creased.
Solution of the problem requires an efficient guidance department with facilities for extensive testing and measuring, and occupational information. This depart- ment cannot function fully without a wide choice of sub- jects including more of a nonacademic nature.
The guidance department of this school is as efficient as possible within the time allotted for the director, but
200
should be strengthened. The curriculum should be more highly diversified and should include more prevocational or vocational subjects.
Perennially the academic standard of the school is very high, and last year was no exception. Graduates who wished employment had no difficulty obtaining a desirable position and the percentage of graduates con- tinuing their education was much higher than usual. Fifteen out of the graduates have gone to institutions of advanced learning. Thirteen of the graduating class achieved Pro Merito honors (denoting the maintenance of an average of 85% or better for four high school years.) Their names follow :
Louise Balboni
Duane Patch
Irene Casagrandi
Orlo Powell
Ramona Davis
Richard Rescia
Jeannette Harpin
Claire Shaylor
Catherine Manos
Gerald Moore
Robert Stephens Alice Waskiel
Phyllis Reed
During the Commencement exercises, prizes signi- ficant of outstanding achievement in the subject fields noted were presented to the following graduates:
Valedictorian-Reader's Digest-Ramona Davis Good Citizenship-Daughters of American Revolu- tion-Jeannette Harpin Art-Agawam Women's Club-Ramona Davis English-Agawam Women's Club-Ramona Davis Music-Agawam Women's Club-Richard Rescia Science-Bausch & Lomb-Robert Stephens
Science and Mathematics-Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute-Duane Patch, Gerald Moore History-Sons of the American Revolution-Robert Stephens
Commercial-Becker Junior College-Alice Waskiel Latin-Benjamin J. Phelps Award-Agawam Lions Club-Betty Taylor
Julian Magiera Student Council Award-Class of 1943-Hiram Carpenter
Vocational Household Arts-American Agriculturist Foundation-Helen Hastings
Agriculture-American Agriculturist Foundation- Sumner Schwartz
201
Cora M. Barnes Scholarship-$50.00-Duane Patch Benjamin J. Phelps Scholarship-West Springfield- Agawam Council P. T. A .- two $100 awards- Claire Shaylor, Ramona Davis
Webber-Fiske P. T. A. Scholarship-$100-Betty Taylor
Extra-curricular activities offer an opportunity for the presentation of many projects which cannot be intro- duced in any other form. In the majority of cases, pupils of all intelligence levels may participate in these fields with comparable success, and, as a result, many of those who lack ability to excel in academic presentations regain confidence and improve generally in school citizenship. Participation in the program is entirely voluntary but in a large and varied program there is an appeal to nearly every pupil.
During the year the activities were numerous and many pupils benefited by the opportunities. A list in chronological order follows :
Basketball season, December 13-February 28
Won 7 games-Lost 5 games
Lions Club banquet for Football team
Concert for benefit of school band by West Spring- field High School Band
Oratoricals (Valley Wheel)
Oratoricals (American Legion)
Sophomore Party
Tri-Hi Dance
Lions Club Amateur Show
Student Council Moving Picture
Senior Play
High School Music Festival
Baseball Season, May 13-June 10
Promenade
Valley Wheel Track Meet (Won first place)
Western Massachusetts High School Track Meet (Won third place)
Senior Banquet
School Band Concert
Football Season-Won 6, Tied 1
Won game of Jamboree in Holyoke
Best high school record in Western Massachu- setts
Sadie Hawkins Dance (Personality Club)
202
Operetta-"Tune In" Junior Cabaret - "Snowflake Swirl" Freshman Party Future Farmers of America Dance Senior Class Kid Party
The assembly program was very attractive during the year. The Valley Wheel League inaugurated a pro- gram of exchange assemblies. Member schools exchanged their talent for mutual benefit. Groups from the high schools at Ludlow, South Hadley, Monson and Palmer favored with assembly presentations. In addition, speak- ers were invited here, educational moving pictures shown, the holidays were noted, and the Pro Merito Society was honored.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.