USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1946-1950 > Part 45
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I sincerely appreciate the cooperation of the Superin- tendent, School Committee, Principals, Teachers, and the parents for their cooperation. We hope to go a long way this coming year with the help of our Community Health Association.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. O'BRIEN Registered Nurse
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REPORT OF THE BOYS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1950
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Superintendent of Schools Agawam, Mass.
Dear Mr. Wright:
The following is a brief resume of the boys' physical education program for the past year.
After a physical examination all boys were assigned two periods per week for physical education. As a result practically 100% of the boys enrollment took part in a diversified program of field and gymnasium activity. This coupled with a successful schedule of interscholastic sports kept your supervisor and the coaching staff more than busy in our attempt to insure better physical ef- ficiency for our Agawam young men in later life.
At this time I wish to express my appreciation to Mr. Charles Kistner and Mr. Joseph Roche, members of the faculty for their splendid cooperation and help in carry- ing on the work of the department while I was hospital- ized and during the winter term. With the assistance of several Springfield College practice teachers they made a valuable contribuiton to our year's work.
Respectfully submitted,
HARMON A. SMITH
Supervisor of Boys' Physical Education
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REPORT OF THE GIRLS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1950
Mr. Stanley W. Wright
Superintendent of Schools Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
"Important as it is to organize and direct the in- dustry of the world, it is more important to organize and direct the leisure of the world."
George Eliot
During the past year the girl's Physical Education program has had a two-fold aim; first, to build up neuro- muscular control and co-ordination; second, to provide recreational enjoyment.
The first aim was developed through formal gym- nastics, rythmics and stunts. The most important phase of this being to correct faulty posture, thus giving the body a better chance for proper growth.
The second aim was accomplished through organized team games, dancing and individual games. In this phase of our work, sportsmanship and co-operation are stressed.
After school an extra curricular program of competi- tive games was participated in by sixty-five girls who earned an Agawam "A."
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY R. HASTINGS Supervisor of Girls' Physical Education
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REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
December 22, 1949
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Superintendent of Schools
Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
The Vocational Agricultural Department briefly called the F. F. A. (Future Farmers of America) has suc- cessfully completed a very broad program of activity for the past year.
This report will serve to point out a cross-section of our scope of operations.
First, and by far the most important to the writer is the fact that our F. A. A. Academic Improvement proj- ect is beginning to bear fruit. Our boys are offering a wonderful plaque to the boy who has shown the most out- standing scholastic achievement for the year. The com- petition is very keen up to date. At the writing of this report, one of the boys has made the Honor Roll and two others just missed it. As a matter of fact, out of twenty- one boys in our department ten boys have total averages of all subjects above 80.68 per cent, including English, History, etc., which proves how keen the competition really is.
However, academics is only one phase of our pro- gram. Each boy learns by doing. The boys work on all types of farms of their own choosing to develop skills necessary for future farm operations. This is in addition to having projects of their own. Last year the boys earned well over $13,000 learning to be farmers. They have projects ranging from 100 hens to 15 hogs, and from one acre of sweet corn to five acres of garden crops. These projects are boy-operated. This leads into another phase
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of our program: What do the boys do with the money earned ?
Well, we developed a Systematic Savings Program in conjunction with the West Springfield Trust Company. The boys save regularly and systematically. Each week a representative of the bank visits us and collects the sav- ings and pass books, records them, and then returns them. For the past ten school months the boys have actually saved approximately $700 which is an impressive figure to say the least.
Another phase of our program is recreational. We annually put on an F. A. A. Square Dance, a Father and Son banquet, and go on a deep sea fishing trip in the sum- mer.
Still another phase is athletic. We are members of the F. A. A. Valley Basketball league. Last year we went through an undefeated season in competition.
We are also noted for our annual F. A. A. Public Speaking contest wherein five or six of our boys partici- pate in an oratorical contest in one of the high school as- semblies. These programs are of high calibre as anyone who has heard them can testify.
The boys do not limit their activities to the high school alone, but participate in local and national contests. For examples, our boys took every prize available in the local Grange essay contest. Our boys also won $100 by having the winning jingle in a contest sponsored by the Ralston Purina Feed Company. This contest was national in scope in which thousands of F. A. A. groups partici- pated.
Two F. A. A. chapters were selected by the State F. A. A. Association to represent our State in a National Chapter contest. Agawam was one of the two selected. Our completed programs of work for the year were judged by national officials. Our boys received an Honorable Mention Certificate in this National Contest.
We represented the State of Massachusetts this year at the Eastern States Exposition. We put on a tractor demonstration on "How to Check a Tractor Before Using It." A sidelight to this demonstration was the fact that it was Governors' Day, and our boys put on this demonstra- tion in front of the nine State Governors or their repre- sentatives of the North East region of the United States.
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Comments ranged from "Excellent" to "We need more of this sort of thing."
Our livestock judging team placed seventh out of twenty-one high school teams participating, and our poul- try judging team placed seventh out of eighteen teams participating in the Annual State Judging Interscholastics held at the University of Massachusetts this year.
Our boys are gaining real-life experiences in their various activities, which will be a great benefit to them in later life.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID SKOLNICK Agricultural Instructor
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REPORT OF THE ART DEPARTMENT
January 6, 1950
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Superintendent of Schools
Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
Our children gain so much from life when they sud- denly study and "look" upon something in our wondrous world. Then we can notice a radiance in their beings, whether they are six or sixteen, even if they are speech- less with delight!
Art is wherever we find it. We pass along without seeing nature's beauties by the wayside. When a child beholds some new glory from the world's bounty, we know his mind has interpreted qualities that were foreign to him before.
Parents and educators are trying to keep awake with thinking minds which open new visions and pleasures to themselves and their children. By seeing everyday glor- ies, by enjoying commonplace experiences, they discover enrichments for living. This is art!
The aim of the art department is to set youngsters in a learning environment; then art is inevitable. No child, no individual has to search for art. . If he thinks, he discovers it by his side in any and every project or thing. Art is always at his finger tips.
Amid both expected and unexpected tools of art. whether children are on a stage with vards of well-used cloth, whether they are rummaging through a basket, of brand new scraps, hunting for blue or some other hue, they are indulging in an art adventure. Amid all of these with bits of this, expanse of that, displays emerge. These are creative productions.
Our children's work has brought forth "Oh's and
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ah's" and ... other exclamations! When we judge any work without considering its creator and his purpose we look upon an artificial thing, we lose the best significance it has. Children and people are real and their art is, too, for they are part of it. Are we concerned with their work to use for glorified displaying or are we concerned with their work as suggestions of their growth as in- dividuals ?
By working on colorful enterprises for one reason or another, we gain "understanding" of new things, new people, new ideas, new ways of working. From the smallest child to the oldest adult, each of us can feel successful through participation in creative ventures. In group work "give and take" becomes subtle or strong.
Anyone who may have peeked into the art room in the high school recently may have seen one of three groups working on projects. After facing difficulties and problems, the following art displays resulted :
1. A symbolic scene for Thanksgiving displaying the growth of our country from the days of the May- flower to the ocean liner of today.
2. A setting for the Junior Cabaret "La Fiesta" en- riched with quitars, fans and roses.
3. The two scenes from the operetta; first, two caravans in the woods; second, an English interior.
We are so apt to be dazzled by spectacles or by dis- plays that we have learned to enjoy, that we forget the value of other accomplishments which are not meaningful to us. Even in these others we may see defects, but do we also "find" qualities ?
When we realize the human enterprise of any true work of art, no matter how meager it is nor how young the artist, we have gained a high standard or apprecia- tion. This type of appreciation keeps spirits light, and keeps minds growing. This leads to even more under- standing.
It seems that our whole world needs to develop the ability to understand more and more! If in our lives and in our world we could become tolerant of seemingly strange art, philosophy, governments, and ideas; if we could learn enough to find good from them to use and to praise and to build upon, somehow the good elements help
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to overpower the weak points even for the originators.
For this reason children need to see, feel, and ap- preciate art. This helps them to find quality which sur- rounds them wherever they may go. Hence, the art spirit becomes fixed in their lives and they are happier indi- viduals.
Respectfully submitted,
AUDREY M. BLAKE Supervisor of Art
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REPORT OF THE HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT
January 5, 1950 .
Mr. Stanley W. Wright
Superintendent of Schools
Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
The Home Economics department has a present total enrollment of 178 girls for whom I am attempting to arouse an interest in clothing and foods.
In various ways the classroom procedure aims to de- velop good habits of work, to stimulate a pride in neat work and accurate measurements, to gain correct and pleasing results in all projects attempted.
The time allotment for this work is necessarily too short, but the results obtained in most cases appear to be worthwhile.
CAFETERIA REPORT
Since my last report of the cafeteria operations, a total of 29,443 Type "A" meals have been served to the pupils who purchased twenty cent tickets for that pur- pose. The faculty members have paid twenty-five cents with no federal reimbursement to our cafeteria funds for meals served to them.
It is possible for anyone to supplement their own lunch with white milk and ice cream.
Our equipment has been increased by the purchase of additional trays and cooking utensils as well as a new double sink, one single sink, a larger hot water heater and a cabinet. Funds for these articles were available from lunchroom funds.
I wish to express my appreciation to you, Mr. Wright,
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and to Mr. Dacey for the sound advice and cooperation which has been extended to me.
Respectfully submitted, HAZEL C. ALDRICH Home Economics Supervisor
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REPORT OF THE VOCATIONAL HOUSEHOLD ARTS DEPARTMENT
January 7, 1950
Mr. Stanley W. Wright
Superintendent of Schools
Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
Vocational Household Arts was the course selected by 28 girls the past year. This course introduces the girl to the elements of Homemaking, Foods and Clothing, and at the same time furnishes a firm foundation for happy, successful living.
The girl learns to meet everyday situations by learn- ing first to manage herself, her time, and her energy.
Home problems identified with the girls' own present or future experiences and personal relationships are dis- cussed and worked out in class. In this way the school is helping the girl appreciate her family and her home life. It also helps the girl realize her part in the family picture. This phase of our work is called Home and Family.
Five girls enrolled in Household Arts for their senior year. They were interested in learning more of the dif- ferent phases of Homemaking. Included also in the grad- uation class, besides these five, was one girl who spent her entire four years and 3 girls who spent three years in the Household Arts Department. These girls are now making valuable contributions to their home living and to themselves, and someday will become happy desirable homemakers in homes of their own.
The American Red Cross awarded 18 certificates to those girls who successfully completed the course in Home Nursing.
Home Project definitely develops interest in Home- making. The girls enjoy this part of the program and report with enthusiasm and pride the tasks performed at
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home. Where home visits are possible by the teacher, a closer insight is gained into the students' personal needs. The observations made at this time aid the teacher in understanding the individual girl. Thus a more careful adaptation of subject matter and classroom activities are included in the course of study.
Respectfully submitted,
MARJORIE B. KELLY Household Arts Supervisor
249
REPORT OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
January 5, 1950
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Superintendent of Schools Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
I herein submit my report as Supervisor of Vocal Music in the Agawam Public Schools.
John Ruskin said, "The four necessities of life are food, shelter, raiment, and music." He saw undoubtedly, the wholesome effect of music on the emotional life, and the many ways it serves the needs of both individuals and societies. It does not have the practical value of food, shelter, and raiment, but a study of history down through the ages will prove its value as a basic need in the lives of people.
With the advent of radio, music has been brought to an ever greater audience than before. More people are listening to better and finer music than they ever had hopes of hearing.
To really appreciate good music it must be under- stood, and therein lies one of the prime objectives of the school music program today.
The foundation of the child's musical education is laid in the first grades through singing, creative expres- sion, rhythm bands, and musical dramatization. Each of these points is developed through the grades until the child reaches High School. There he is free to select or omit musical offerings as electives in his course of study, for there is no required music beyond the eighth grade.
At the present time approximately one-third of the High School students are actively particpating in the musical activities. The remaining three-fourths of the student body enjoy listening to the offerings of the above groups and actively participate in the occasional assembly sings.
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One of the high lights of the year to me is the carol singing at Christmas assembly by the entire student body.
During the past year Rhythm Band instruments were purchased for each school and will find their use not only in the primary grades, but also, for rhythmical expression in the upper grades in selected numbers.
In the various grade school programs put on during the year the Rhythm Bands with their youthful directors were very well received.
To provide further musical experience in the Junior High School a Girls' Chorus and Boys' Chorus were organized. The response was so great that it was neces- sary to limit the number in each group. The choruses meet separately once a week during the afternoon Jr. High activity period.
The High School Voice Class was expanded to in- clude those students who wished to develop their ability to accompany singers both as soloists and in groups and has proven highly successful. A course in music funda- mentals, was offered in September to all teachers in the Agawam School System. New and old teaching methods and materials were presented, and demonstrated, and problems encountered in the classroom were dis- cussed. A good showing of both veteran and new teachers participated in the 8 week course, which proved invaluable to all concerned.
The Vocal units in the schools participated in the following programs:
All units-Music Assembly
Glee Club-Holy Week Services in Springfield Audi- torium
Glee Club-Maytime Concert
Girls Chorus-"I Am an American Day" at West Springfield
Glee Club-June Graduation Exercises
Glee Club-Colorful operetta "The Gypsy Rover"
with a performance for grade school students in grades four - eight on Wednesday afternoon De- cember 7, and an evening performance for adults Friday, December 9.
Jr. High Girls' Glee Club-Thanksgiving Assembly music and background music for Christmas As-
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sembly aided by soloists and members of the Senior High Voice Class.
Smaller groups and soloists provided entertainment for outside clubs and P.T.A.'s.
To Mr. Wright for his cooperation and assistance at all times, to Mr. Dacey and the other principals for their invaluable assistance, to the teachers for their active cooperation in carrying out the various phases of the music program, and to the student body in the school who have been loyal in their support, I offer my grateful thanks.
"There is something very wonderful in music. Words are wonderful enough; but music is even more wonderful. It speaks not to our thoughts as words do: it speaks straight to our hearts and spirits, to the very core and root of our souls. Music soothes us, stirs us up; it puts noble feelings in us; it melts us to tears, we know not how: - it is a language by itself, just as perfect, in its way, as speech, as words; just as divine, just as blessed.
Music has been called the speech of angels; I will go further, and call it the speech of God Himself.
Charles Kingsley" Respectfully submitted,
MARY FRANCES HAYES Supervisor of Vocal Music
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REPORT OF INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1950
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Superintendent of Schools
Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
There is an old proverb which runs as follows: "Knowledge is the principle thing, and with all thy knowl- edge get wisdom, and with all thy wisdom get under- standing."
The purpose of general education is to provide ex- periences which will develop the individual into a useful, happy, successful citizen.
The Industrial Arts Department supplements and aids general education in realizing its aim by providing experiences which fit the individual through his knowl- edge, skills, attitudes, and accomplishments to be more useful as a producer, more appreciative and happier as a consumer, and more valuable as a citizen.
The things for which the industrial arts laboratories of the Agawam School Department assumes a large measure of responsibility are as follows :
1. Developing in each student an active interest in industrial life and in methods of production.
2. To select, care for, and use properly the things we buy.
3. The appreciation of good workmanship and good design.
4. Attitudes of pride or interest in one's ability to do useful things.
5. Develop a feeling of self-reliance, a growth of self-discipline, and self-confidence in one's ability to care for one's self in an unusual situation.
6. The habit of an orderly method of procedure in the performance of any task.
7. A knowledge and understanding of working draw-
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ings, and an interpretation of the conventions of working diagrams, and the ability to express one's ideas by means of them.
8. Developing skills in the use of the tools and machinery, and in fabricating and handling of materials to make them conform to our needs.
The Agawam shop laboratories are well equipped, and supplies are ample to commensurate with any school which offers industrial arts training.
The list of real tasks and accomplishments are nu- merous, and especially in instructional value as well as in monetary value and savings to the Town of Agawam as a whole.
If one could look inside himself, one would find "What you want most of all is to feel significant, to be somebody, to feel that you count and that you are needed." Outside of oneself in the shop laboratories of Agawam is a multi- tude of possibilities to satisfy this desire to be significant.
Recommendations :
It is recommended that in the not to distant future, the following improvements be made in the shop labora- tory :
1. A blower system for saw, shaper, planer, and one floor outlet.
2. A complete twenty-inch surfacer. This would save money as lumber could be purchased in the rough.
3. A combination belt and disc sander.
4. A sink in the Junior High laboratory, complete with drinking fountain.
It is with pleasure that I review my first few months of happenings of my first year as Director of Industrial Arts. Because of the genuine spirit of knidness and ut- most cooperation on the part of you, Mr. Wright, Mr. Dacey, Mr. Harris, Mr. D'Antonio, and the help of my fellow teachers as well as that of the students, it has been a very happy time and, I hope, a period of worth while growth.
Respectfully submitted,
MR. HENRY H. BAKER Director of Industrial Arts
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REPORT OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
January 3, 1950
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Superintendent of Schools Agawam, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wright:
Instrumental Music is earning a recognized place in the field of general education. Educators realize that in- strumental music teaches democracy. Ability and enjoy- ment from playing instruments know no class, creed, or racial distinction. Instrumental music belongs to every- one; it is not alone for the aristocracy of the privileged with talent. American parents want their children to play musical instruments because of the pleasure and personality benefits the children get from them.
Agawam parents must believe in the above para- graph, which is the philosophy of all instrumental work; because, this fall the parents of the pupils who now play musical instruments in the Agawam High School organ- ized and formed a Band Parent's Association. Within the relative short time of two weeks after organizing, this organization raised money to enable me to buy three instruments. These instruments are: one new mello- phone, $135 .; one new baritone horn, $115 .; and one used Eb clarinet, $50. Total of $300.
My grateful thanks to you, Mr. Wright for your co- operation and able assistance, first as superintendent and secondly as a band parent; to Mr. Dacey for his coopera- tion and able assistance, first as a principal and secondly as a band parent, and to the principals of the elementary schools who have done missonary work in spreading the instrumental teacher's philosophy.
At this writing there are 42 pupils in the high school band, 32 pupils in the high school orchestra and 25 pupils in the Jr. High school band. At the Phelps School, there are 30 pupils studying instrumental music, Danahy School
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12 pupils, Granger School 12 pupils and Springfield Street School 12 pupils. A total of 165 pupils now participating in the instrumental music program.
Since our last inventory of 1948, through the efforts of the principals, students, friends, PTA's, and the Band Parent Association, we have raised money to buy for the following schools :
High School :
5 band uniforms $ 250.00
1 conductor's uniform 60.00
1 sousaphone 440.00
donated by a friend 1 cornet 75.00
donated by Band Par. Assn.
300.00
Phelps School :
1 Clarinet
50.00
1 trumpet 75.00
1 Trombone 60.00
1 flute
50.00
Danahy School :
1 trumpet
25.00
1 trombone 60.00
2 cymbals 10.00
Granger School:
1 trumpet
50.00
donated by P .- T.A. 1 clarinet
50.00
Springfield St. School:
1 clarinet
50.00
1 cornet
40.00
Total for 1949
$1645.00
Total value of school owned instruments and equip- ment:
High School
$5002.30
Phelps School
897.00
Danahy School
538.00
Granger School
329.00
Springfield Street School
460.00
Total
$7226.30
The High School Band or Orchestra plays at all high school assemblies. This year the orchestra played the accompaniment and played between the acts of the oper-
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etta "Gypsy Rover," and of the senior play, "Home Sweet Homicide," and also played at the graduation of the senior class in June.
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