USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1953 > Part 2
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The Center School was organized in September with Mr. Paul M. Rosenberg as principal and teacher of grades 6, 7, and 8 ; Mrs. Evelyn Parsons, grades 3, 4, and 5; Miss Rachel Bridgman, grades 1 and 2; Mrs. Hazel Salls, art supervisor; Mrs. Esther S. Clapp, music sup-
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ervisor; Miss Susan Lawrence, physical education ; and Mrs. Elizabeth Koss, penmanship instructor. These teachers are well trained and educated for the tasks they have been assigned to do, and the children have made very good progress under their direction.
The school department has supported 23 pupils in sec- ondary schools. There were 22 in Northampton High School and 1 in Smith's School. Reports of their work indicate that the majority of these students are doing well in the courses they have selected.
The protection of the health of our children has been under the direction of Dr. Herman Felsen, as school phy- sician, and Mrs. Ruth Hover, as school nurse. The usual clinics have been held, and physical examinations given. No epidemics have occurred and the general health of the children is excellent. The work of this department in keeping these children in good physical condition is most important in their progress in school and is greatly ap- preciated.
Another opportunity for child growth and develop- ment is afforded by the splendid program of 4-H work at the Hampshire County Center under the direction of Mr. Watts and the leaders of their groups. Here children work at many different projects and learn to do by doing. This service is of inestimable value in helping these boys and girls grow into useful men and women.
The maintenance of school buildings is one of the ma- jor problems of school departments. The heavy traffic of many children entering and leaving a building several times a day means a great deal of work for the custodi- an. We are fortunate to have Mr. Stanley Bartlett who keeps a clean and efficient building where our children attend school. He does many repairs and last summer refinished all of the pupils' desks. His attention to the many details of his work is sincerely appreciated.
During the summer some new equipment was added to the school plant. A new slide and a set of swings were
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bought for the playground in order to replace those that had been worn out and were becoming unsafe. A few new desks and chairs were purchased also to provide for new pupils who were entering school in September.
The work of the P. T. A. in continuing the support of the hot-lunch program for the school children is to be commended. The P. T. A. has carried on a fine program in exemplifying one of the principles of the organization, namely, that of cooperation between home and school. Best wishes are extended for another successful year.
In another part of this report will be found the reports of our principal, school nurse, and supervisors. It is hoped that these will be read for they tell of the progress that our children have made in the programs provided for them.
Our system of free public education for all of our peo- ple has been the key to the growth and development of our great nation. It has provided opportunities for all kinds of men and women to become loyal American citi- zens, and to understand our democratic ideals and our way of life. In this mechanical and technical period more and better education is needed to carry on the work of our country. Our great heritage will be passed on to new generations through the great system of education which America is still building.
The following recommendations are submitted for your consideration :
1. Plan to build a new modern school building on a site large enough to provide necessary play space.
2. Construct a semicircular drive at the school so that buses may load and unload pupils off the highway.
3. Convert the present coal-burning furnace to oil.
To the teachers, principal, and all others connected with the work of the school, I give my sincere thanks
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and appreciation for the excellent work they have done for the children of Westhampton.
It is with pleasure that I express my gratitude to the members of the School Committee for their helpful guid- ance and cooperation during my beginning service here.
Respectfully submitted, LUCIUS A. MERRITT,
Superintendent of Schools
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REPORT OF THE School Principal
To Mr. L. A. Merritt, Supt. of Schools, School Commit- tee, and to the Townspeople of Westhampton, Mass.
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I submit this, my first annual report to the people of Westhampton.
On September 9, 1953 I came to the Westhampton Center School as Principal and teacher of grades 6, 7, and 8. I found awaiting me a well-staffed school, a well- equipped school and a happy school. Curriculum changes have been held to a minimum as the school program was already geared to cope with our fast-moving technologi- cal age. Textbooks were found to be of a late date for the most part, and those that are too old to be of much use in our fact-changing era have been supplemented by audio-visual aids, until such time as the books can be superceded by later volumes.
The school plant itself is in good repair and condition. Changes and additions will have to be made in the near future to cope with Westhampton's growing school popu- lation, but, until such changes are made, we at school will utilize our facilities to their best advantage.
Since the beginning of my tenure I have initiated a student-government plan. This plan has been carried out in grades three to eight. Each of the two rooms has a slate of officers and a student council. The officers, council members, and pupils have periodic class meetings which are conducted by the respective presidents using parliamentary procedure. I firmly believe that school children should learn as early as possible the principles and tenets of good government, for what they learn at this age determines their actions at a later age. With
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continuing emphasis being placed on lowering the voting age by the state and federal government, student self- government becomes doubly important.
An added incentive to higher academic achievement has been the beginning of an honor roll. In our world today education plays a major role in the determination of a child's future. For the rest of his life his grades will follow him. In higher education and in gaining employment, references will be made to his elementary and high school grades. Today, success in life is partially measured by success in school. Thus, it behooves a stu- dent to attain a high degree of achievement. As an add- ed incentive, the Honor Roll has been instituted. To gain a place on the Honor Roll a pupil must have all A's and/ or B's.
I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to gratefully thank all those who have made my task easi- er. Mr. Merritt, the school committee, the teaching staff, Mr. Bartlett, our bus drivers, and the pupils themselves, along with their parents, have all helped me immeasur- ably. Without the wonderful cooperation of these people a principal's lot would be, indeed, a sorry one.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL M. ROSENBERG,
Principal
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REPORT OF THE Physical Education Supervisor
To Mr. L. A. Merritt, Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith present the following as a report of the Physical Education program at the Westhampton Center School for the fall of 1953.
The program thus far has included games, sport skills, posture training and rhythmic work. The best response has been first to the games and then to the sport skills. These students are eager for competition and want to learn how to play organized games which require some skill. The lower grades, of course, are more interested in individual participation, whereas the older grades want team competition. The experience of these chil- dren in any sort of rhythmic work is widely varied but their response to rhythmic games and to steps necessary for folk dance being included in the program was very good. Posture training has not been-included as a sep- arate block of work in the program but rather it has been quietly stressed right along with all the activities of the program. The attempt has been to teach the rules of the game, to encourage good sportsmanship, to aid in the understanding of why posture is stressed, and to pro- vide a means through which these children can meet so- cially.
Outdoor activities were possible until Christmas vaca- tion. Equipment is not a major consideration, although what is available is used and the children show an ap- preciation of what they do have. Their interest and eagerness make my association with them a most enjoy- able and rewarding experience.
Respectfully submitted,
SUSAN LAWRENCE, Supervisor of Physical Education 1
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REPORT OF THE School Nurse
To Lucius A. Merritt, Superintendent of Schools :
The annual report of the health program in the West- hampton Center School is herewith submitted for the year ending December 1953.
In January the children were weighed and measured. This is done routinely three times during the school year.
During the winter months there were a few cases of scarlet fever. The entire school was checked for one week period following outbreak of these cases to minimize the number of cases. No other cases were reported. There were cases of mumps and chicken pox reported during the winter months.
There were no candidates submitted for Camp Hodg- kins for summer camp.
In September all children were weighed and measured. The Massachusetts Vision test was used for visual de- fects. The Puretone Audiometer loaned from the Public Health Service in Amherst was used to individually test all students.
Dr. Abel Ross examined in October for dental defects.
Dr. Herman Felsen continues to do yearly physical ex- aminations for the entire school.
All were Patch tested for tuberculosis except a few who were absent, and all completed tests were negative.
A health report for each student reporting the results of all tests, i. e. physical examination, dental examina- tion, eye, ear and Patch test, was sent home to parents.
We have continued this year to use the town hall facili- ties for medical, eye and ear examinations.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH S. HOVER, School Nurse
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REPORT OF THE Art Supervisor
I hereby submit my annual report of the art program in the Westhampton School.
I have visited the Westhampton School once every two weeks and my program consists of one half hour in Miss Bridgman's room, and three quarters of an hour in Mrs. Parsons' and Mr. Rosenberg's rooms. In these periods I have endeavored to expose the children to a variety of art work. Wherever possible I have correlated drawing with academic subjects or we have used seasonal sub- jects for design, representation, and construction.
In Mrs. Parsons' room the children made covers to contain their reading certificate. This involved work with construction paper and lettering. It also acted as motiva- tion toward working for reading certificates.
The annual art exhibit was held in the Town Hall dur- ing graduation exercises and it showed tremendous prog- ress over the previous year.
Respectfully submitted,
HAZEL SALLS
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT EXPENDITURE
Appropriation Expended in 1953
$27,467.00
25,136.42
Balance
$2,330.58
Administration
William A. Dexter, Salary
80.20
William A. Dexter, Expenses
83.81
L. A. Merritt, Salary
450.00
L. A. Merritt, Expenses
39.76
Ruth S. Hover, Census
15.00
Bertha Voigt, Secretary
70.50
Miscellaneous
10.00
$749.27
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries
Frederick Fedor
2,366.72
Paul Rosenberg
1,200.00
Evelyn Parsons
2,231.64
Rachel Bridgman
2,666.72
Esther Clapp, Music
200.00
Hazel Salls, Art
150.00
Hazel Salls, Travel
50.00
Marion Mascho, Assist. & Sub.
330.50
Mildred Walz
17.50
Edna Graham, Physical Education
60.00
Edna Graham, Travel
50.00
Susan Lawrence, Physical Education
40.00
Susan Lawrence, Travel
20.00
Rinehard Handwriting System
200.00
Books
9,583.08 325.84
Supplies
296.63
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.
Maintenance
Janitor's Salary Fuel
858.40
Operating Expenses
271.22
Repairs & Replacements
249.69
1,379.31
General
Health
Dr. Herman Felsen
100.00
Ruth S. Hover, R. N.
200.00
Dr. Abel Ross
10.00
Medical Supplies
16.69
326.69
Transportation
Elementary : W. Witherell
3,674.00
High & Voc. : W. Witherell
2,700.00
6,374.00
Tuition
High School
City of Northampton
4,961.63
Vocational
Smith's School
177.26
5,138.89
Contingent
10.00
Outlay
952.71
Total Expenses for Schools for 1953
$25,136.42
RECEIPTS
Funds Received in 1953 Toward School Expenses :
Mass. School Fund, Chap. 70 6,886.01
Mass. School Fund, Chap. 71, Transportation 5,750.00
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Superintendent's Salary & Travel 307.27 City of Northampton, Tuition 300.00
Vocational Transportation & Tuition Refund 584.33
13,827.61
Net Cost of Maintaining Schools for 1953
$11,308.81
Net Cost per Pupil
115.40
Attendance Figures for the School Year Ending June, 1953
Whole No. Enrolled
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Frederick Fedor, 6, 7, 8
18
17.5
17.2
Phyliss Gawle, 3, 4, 5
33
30.7
28.8
Rachel Bridgman, 1, 2
24
22
20
75
70.2
66.0
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1954 SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Budget 1953 $775.00
Spent 1953 Budget 1954
Administration
$749.27
$1,100.00
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries
10,000.00
9,583.08
10,700.00
Books
250.00
325.84
300.00
Supplies
500.00
296.63
400.00
Maintenance
Janitor's Salary
800.00
858.40
1,000.00
Fuel
475.00
700.00
Operating Expenses
350.00
271.22
350.00
Repairs & Replace- ments
875.00
249.69
1,700.00
General
Health
350.00
326.69
350.00
Trans : High & Voc.
2,760.00
2,700.00
2,800.00
Elementary
3,662.00
3,674.00
3,700.00
Tuition : High
4,960.00
4,961.63
5,000.00
Vocational
460.00
177.26
500.00
Contingent
1,000.00
10.00
1,000.00
Outlay
250.00
952.71
250.00
$27,467.00
$25,136.42
$29,850.00
...
...
...
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REPORT OF THE Well Child Clinic
The Well Child Conference was held in the Westhamp- ton Town Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 1953.
The Staff was as follows :
Dr. Herman Felsen
Physician
Mrs. Betty Perkins
Registrar
Mrs. Ruth Hover
Nurse
There were 33 children examined of which 12 were new cases; 7 were vaccinated.
Mrs. John Hathaway and Mrs. Edward Cernak volun- teered luncheon at Mrs. John Hathaway's home for the staff.
There is at present no money in the budget to cover costs of either a nutritionist or dentist at the conference.
The Diphtheria Clinic was started in April. There were 15 booster doses given and one case given three doses.
RUTH S. HOVER
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REPORT OF THE Center Cemetery
Work performed at the Cemetery consisted of the usu- al mowing, trimming around monuments, and raking. Special work done toward improving the appearance and care of the Cemetery was removing seven small Locust stumps and excavating around and cutting the roots of two large stumps. These will be removed in the Spring.
Last Fall many yards of top soil were brought in from a road widening project on Route 66 and used to good advantage in regrading a low spot toward the back of the Cemetery. Appreciation was expressed to the Super- intendent of Roads for his cooperation. It meant a big saving to the much depleted funds of the Cemetery As- sociation. Any unwanted top soil can be put to good use here in the Cemetery.
A total of 311 hours of work for the year was neces- sary to give the Cemetery that "well cared for" look.
There were eight burials during the year.
One misfortune occurred that should be brought to the attention of the town people-six flags were taken from around the base of the Soldiers Monument and never re- turned.
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY BARTLETT, Caretaker
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REPORT OF THE Fire Department
I hereby present the fifth annual report of the West- hampton Fire Department.
The Department answered five (5) fire calls and five (5) service calls. Of these calls, one was a chimney fire; one a fire in the shed; one to investigate smoke which was a fire in West Farms; one where an oil reservoir caught fire in a kitchen; and a fire in a cellar. A total of 200 man hours was spent at fires.
The following permits were issued; Fire Permits- 122; Fuel Oil-16; Range Oil-6; L. P. Gas-4. A total of 16 fire extinguishers were serviced and re-charged.
Two new members have joined the volunteer firemen. They are Morris Frary and Ellis Hover, thus making a total of twenty regular members. Two men have resigned from the department. They are Alfred Blakesley and Richard Warren. Richard Tracy has been appointed Deputy Chief to fill the vacancy left by Richard War- ren's resignation.
A donation of $50.00 was given the Firemen's Associa- tion for a service call.
Work has been completed on Water holes to the ex- tent of funds available.
It should be noted that the number of fire permits is- sued, has increased by over 50%. It is required by law to have a permit from the Fire Chief before starting a fire of any kind, in the open air. This not only protects the land owner if the fire gets out of control, but it also helps the Fire Chief to know if and where a fire permit has been issued, if smoke is reported to the Fire Depart- ment by passers-by or one of the control towers. Your cooperation in calling me is appreciated.
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I wish to call your attention to a notice received from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, restricting the use of ways in case of fire. Chapter 89, Section 7A reads as follows: Upon the approach of any fire apparatus which is going to a fire or responding to an alarm, every per- son driving a vehicle on a way shall immediately drive said vehicle as far as possible toward the right-hand curb or side of said way and shall keep the same at a stand- still until such fire apparatus has passed. No person shall drive a vehicle over a hose of a fire department without the consent of a member of such department. No per- son shall drive a vehicle within three hundred feet of any fire apparatus going to a fire or responding to an alarm, nor drive said vehicle, or park or leave the same unat- tended, within eight hundred feet of a fire or within the fire lines established by the fire department, or upon or beside any traveled way, whether public or private, lead- ing to the scene of a fire, in such a manner as to obstruct the approach to the fire of any fire apparatus or any am- bulance, safety or police vehicle, or of any vehicle bear- ing an official fire or police department designation. Vio- lation of any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES HICKEY, Chief, Fire Department
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REPORT OF THE Inspector of Buildings
Building Permits Issued in 1953:
#56 Mary and Walter Challet-Dwelling
#57 James H. Miller-Dwelling -
#58 William Chipman-Summer Camp
#59 Sidney H. Cole-Poultry House
#60 Richard C. Warren-Addition for Bathroom
#61 John E. Petrick-Auction Shed
#62 Arthur T. Cotnoir-Hen House
#63
Clifford M. Bartlett-Hen House .
#64
Howard F. Loud-Shaving Storage
#65
Edward Balise-Barn
#66 Walter S. Weslowski-Dwelling
#67
Donald E. Lyman-General Purpose
#68 John W. Hunt-Garage
#69 Joseph O. LaRose Porch
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Articles of the Town Warrant
TOWN MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1954 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 the highways in charge of the Selectmen.
Article 6. 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 see if the Town will raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Select- men, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1953, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable with- in 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.
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Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 Highways, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $1,000.00 to cover the 1954 note on the Town Hall and $220.00 for the interest on the same.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $175.00 for Gypsy Moth.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $100.00 for Dutch Elm Disease.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to defray expense of being represented at the 300th Anniversary celebration of the City of Northampton, and elect a committee to supervise.
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INDEX
Town Clerk 3
Treasurer
6
Trust Funds
9
Selectmen
11
Budget Recommendations
21
Recapitulation 22
Jury List 24
Assessors
25
Memorial Library 28
School Committee
29
Superintendent of Schools
30
School Principal
35
Physical Education Supervisor 37
School Nurse
38
Art Supervisor 39
School Financial 40
44
Well Child Clinic
Center Cemetery 45
Fire Department 46
Inspector of Buildings 48
Warrant
49
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