USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1942 > Part 2
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ATTENDANCE
The attendance figures for the school year ending in June, 1942, are as follows:
Whole No. Average Enrolled Membership
Average Attendance
Center School
James Miller
6, 7,8
20
18.57
16.44
Elizabeth Hayden
3, 4, 5,
29
22.15
18.47
Rachel Bridgman 1, 2
18
13.95
11.62
Totals
67
54.67
46.53
TESTS AND REPORTS
We continue to "teach the whole child," providing material for growth depending upon the difference of our pupils. To assist us each child has standardized measure- ments of ability and achievement. With these objective and reliable measures of individual differences and accom- plishment, our teachers instruct pupils according to the ability of the child and the level of his learning. Parents are cordially invited to visit the classroom or teachers at any time to see the results of these objective measures of accomplishment and to cooperate with the teachers for the necessary educational and vocational guidance of their children.
The new report cards used in 1941, similar to those used in our state teacher training schools were revised in September as a result of suggestions made by parents and teachers on the questionnaires returned in the month of June. A majority of parents voted approval of the new reports and made some excellent suggestions for their improvement. Parents will be given another opportunity to vote on these reports next spring.
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CURRICULUM
Our schools face an increasing problem in education. Not only do we have the interruptions caused by the need of teacher assistance in rationing, and increasing de- mands from the federal government for changes in our curriculum, but also the changing outlook of our pupils as every home, and every individual is affected emotionally, physically, and spiritually by the war. Our New England Association of School Administrators in November de- cided that the policy of our schools must be determined in the light of the following facts :
(1) Every able-bodied high school boy is destined for service in the armed forces ;
(2) There are labor shortages in industry and agri- culture that will draw large numbers of boys and girls from high school and demand the part-time service of many others;
(3) The correction of educational deficiencies revealed by the draft and the preparation of aliens for nat- uralization are the unique duty of the schools;
(4) Every phase of the war effort -- selective service, rationing, price control, war financing, industrial production-depends for its success upon an en- lightened citizenry."
Since the senior high school curriculum is being changed to prepare our boys for strenuous life in the armed forces and for both boys and girls in industry and agriculture, we should make corresponding changes in the elementary program. Our United States Department of Education is rather insistent that we do not carry on the same kind of education in 1943 that we have had in the past. "Education as usual is as obsolete as business as usual. During the crisis the American school must con- tinue to be an integral part of the machinery of war, a
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center of training and community service, a source of in- formation and inspiration, a basis for building a sound morale and a noble peace. There shall be one test for all our thinking and planning, all our policy and program: Will it help to win the war ?"
CONCLUSION
I assure the committee that our teachers are doing excellent work, that our school is maintaining a high standard insofar as it is possible with the limitations of war conditions both in the homes and in school. I want to thank the members of the committee, teachers, parents, and pupils for their active cooperation in educating our boys and girls. We have made some improvements in the past year. We can make still more advances in the com- ing year if we continue 'to work together with the same spirit.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. MITCHELL Superintendent of Schools
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REPORT OF THE School Nurse
To Mr. Charles Mitchell
Superintendent of Schools
Westhampton, Mass.
I present herewith my report of the Health of the School Children for the year 1942:
The spring of 1942 gave us an epidemic of communicable diseases, thirty-three cases were reported among the school children ;
6 cases of Measles
17 cases of Mumps
10 cases of Whooping Cough
As these cases were spread over the first five month of the school year, the routine work was seriously inter- rupted.
The Dental Clinic was held in May. Examina- tions showed 197 operations needed :
138 Fillings
31 Extractions
28 Cleanings
Work done was as follows:
53 Fillings
5 Extractions
16 Cleanings
Showing about 32% of the work done.
Audiometer Test was done in the spring, no serious hearing defects noted.
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September 1942, the annual Medical Examina- tions given by Dr. Manwell, 59 pupils examined. The following defects were found:
Nutrition 10 Posture 8 Organic Defects 2 Nose, Throat, Glands 48 Feet and Spine 4 Speech 2
The new Health report cards were issued this fall. Only Remedial Defects are noted on these cards. Teeth form the largest number of defects. Defects of the throat and glands occur frequently with diseased teeth. If the teeth were cared for these might be elimin- ated. The organization of our own Dental Clinic and the splendid response we have had to this work, will we hope, make for healthier children in the school.
The routine work has been carried on as usual.
MABEL CRAIG BRIDGMAN, R. N. School Nurse
REPORT OF THE WESTHAMPTON DENAL CLINIC
For a long time it has been our ambition to have our own dental clinic. The most important reason was that children need more than once a year dental care. It seem- ed like a very ambitious program for a small community. However, this year we were able to find a dentist who was willing to undertake the project.
September 18, 1942, Dr. Ross, Mr. Mitchell and the school committee met to discuss the project. Dr. Ross was engaged for the year and we consider ourselves fortu- nate to be able to find a man so well trained in children's
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dentistry. The school committee voted $35.00 of their funds for equipment, the Mother's Club gave $25.00 and the Hobby Club $10.00, making a total of $70.00. Dr. Ross obtained, after considerable shopping around, a regu- lar dental chair, a good light, foot drill and various small supplies.
A committee was formed, one each from the con- tributing organizations, Mrs. Louise Parsons from the school committee, Mrs. Howard Loud, chairman, from the Mother's Club, and Mrs. Edward A. Montague, secretary- treasurer, from the Hobby Club. The duties of this com- mittee were to outline and control the policies of the organization.
It was voted to charge sixty cents per operation for all pre-school, school and high school pupils. Voted also that adults could have the advantages of the clinic as patients of Dr. Ross, the charges for such cases to be fix- ed by him. Voted to ask permission to use the school for adults, provided it did not entail extra heat and light.
September 30th and October 1st all school children were examined with the following results.
dental defects
165
fillings 142
cleanings 10
extractions 13
October 18th six high school pupils were examined at Dr. Ross' office. Three needed no work done and there were seven defects among the other three. Six pre-school children were examined and only two needed work done.
In October questionnaires were sent to all parents to find out how many intended using the clinic, and a large proportion signified their desire to use the clinic for themselves and their children. Bad weather and delay in obtaining the equipment has delayed our work to a consid- erable extent, but we are now ready. Thirty-five defects have been corrected on ten children.
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We hope to make the clinic self supporting when we have obtained the equipment necessary for such a project. At the present time Dr. Ross is using his own instruments and pieces of small equipment. We hope some way may be provided whereby we may purchase what is needed.
In behalf of the committee I earnestly beg your sup- port and cooperation in this project which has been so urgently needed for a long time.
MABEL CRAIG BRIDGMAN, R. N.
WELL CHILD CLINIC
To The Board of Health
Westhampton, Mass.
I present herewith the combined reports of the Well Child Conference and the Diphtheria Immunization and Vaccination clinics :
The Well Child Conference was held June 17th and 18th, a day and a half. The volunteer committee con- sisted of Mrs. Marion Hathaway, chairman, assisted by Mrs. Webster Judd, Mrs. Louise Parsons, Miss Hurlighy from the State Board of Health acted as registrar for the first day and her place was ably filled the second day by Mrs. Webster Judd. In the Nutrition Clinic Miss Pet- tee was not able to be with us but her place was ably filled on the 17th by Mrs. Thease and on the 18th by Miss Foley. Dr. Claire Manwell did the physical and den- tal examinations.
A total of 31 children with their parents were pres- ent, 21 the first day and 10 the second day. Of these
8 entered school,
16 were repeat cases, and
10 were new cases
12 needed dental attention
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The Toxoid and Vaccination Clinic was held on July 7th and August 11th.
July 7th Vaccinated 8 Toxoids given 12 Schick Tests given 10
Aug. 11th Toxoids given 12
Schick Tests read 10
MABEL CRAIG BRIDGMAN, R.N.
Articles of the Town Warrant
TOWN MEETING, MARCH 1, 1943
Ten A. M .- Prompt
Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose a Town Clerk.
Article 3. To hear and act on all reports presented at said meeting.
Article 4. To choose all necessary officers to serve the ensuing year.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to leave the care of highways in charge of the Selectmen.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize its Board of Selectmen 'to appoint one of its members to act as Superintendent of Streets, and fix the salary to com- ply with Section 4A Chapter 41, General Laws.
Article 7. To vote in compliance with Section 108, Chapter 41, General Laws, which requires that salaries of elected officers be fixed by vote of the Town.
Article 8. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town charges the ensuing year.
Article 9. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day.
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Article 10. To take action in regard to the collection of taxes.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1942, and to issue a note or notes therefore, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
(Other articles may appear in the posted warrant.)
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