USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1932-1940 > Part 21
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the school bus to drive around the building and stop directly in front of one of the exits for taking on or letting off pupils transported.
Red Bridge Situation
The town has six children who live on the Wilbraham side of the Chicopee River at Red Bridge, for whose schooling it is responsible. Prior to the flood which carried away the bridge at Red Bridge last spring, these children walked across the bridge and were picked up by a Ludlow school bus. The ar- rangement was convenient for the children, and the school department of Wilbraham was glad to pay for their transpor- tation to the Ludlow schools and for their tuition there. After the bridge was swept away, it was necessary to make other arrangements. The parents of the children did not wish them removed from the Ludlow schools. Accordingly, Mr. Wesley Butler, father of five of the children, entered into an agreement whereby he transports the children around through North Wilbraham to the Ludlow schools. The arrangement is more expensive to the Wilbraham school committee than the former arrangement and is less convenient for the children affected, but it is less expensive to the school department than any other plan considered by the committee and is more satisfactory to the children. It is expected that before the opening of another school year the bridge will have been rebuilt and the children can again secure transportation by walking across the bridge and meeting a Ludlow school bus.
New Texbooks Needed
In the near future the school department should plan to make basal textbook changes in several subjects. The dates of the adoption of textbooks now in use in the course of study follow: Penmanship, 1922, spelling book, 1927; hygiene, 1927; arithmetic, 1929; primary grade reading, 1930; geography, 1930; history, 1931; junior high English, 1931; elementary English 1936.
Renewals have been made of worn out books so that the pupils have all been supplied, but it is a question whether, instead of renewals, new up-to-date publications ought not to have been bought. Failure to do this has been due partly to the desire to save money during the years of the depression. Also, to some extent money which might have been used for
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new textbooks has been diverted to the purchase of pupils' workbooks, to library books, and to reference books. For the last two years the school department has furnished most of the pupils in grades 3-8 with a weekly news sheet. This latter service has been greatly appreciated by the teachers. However at the most the money spent for books of all sorts represents but a small part of the total cost of the schools. The pupils ought to have not merely up-to date basal textbooks but also needed workbooks and reference books.
Westfield Normal College Survey
Last spring a survey of the work being done in the Wil- braham schools was made by the graduating class of the West- field Normal College, under the supervision of President. Russell of that institution. This survey involved several visits to all the schools by President Russell, the giving of intelligence and achievement tests by the members of the class, the scoring of these tests, the interpretation of the results, and two addresses on the significance of the tests given to. the teachers by Dr. Russell.
The request for this survey was made in the expectation that it would reveal ways in which the work of the schools might be improved, that it would show weaknesses as well as points of strength. The survey indicated that in some schools more than the customary amount of emphasis was being placed on some topics, while along other lines our pupils showed weakness. Especially in the field of English literature a lack was shown. This is a subject in which the home background greatly helps out the work of the schools. If a child comes from a home where there is an abundance of reading material, particularly of children's classics as well as standard works for adults, he is likely to have read much more widely than the child who comes from a home which lacks this material.
The public library has for years cooperated with the schools in their attempts to provide suitable reading material for the children. Twice each year boxes holding about thirty volumes each are filled with books carefully selected by Mrs. Abbott and sent to all the schools except the one at North Wil- braham. This school is so near the library building that the pupils at recess time can visit the library and draw out books. One box is sent to the Stony Hill school, three boxes to The Pines, two to Wilbraham Street, and one to East Wilbraham,
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making approximately sixty volumes a year furnished by the library to the Stony Hill school, one hundred and twenty volumes to The Pines, one hundred and twenty volumes to Wilbraham Street, and sixty volumes to East Wilbraham.
In addition to the above, the school committee this year has authorized the purchase of a limited number of library books for permanent placement in the schools, especially at The Pines. A bookcase has been built in the corridor of that build- ing in order that the books may be properly cared for, and the principal has arranged for a library period each week for each school. In order to promote still further the work in English literature, in most of the schools the children are encouraged to read for State Library Certificates. It is hoped by all these measures to strengthen the work in English literature, to give the pupils an increased familiarity with the best books in our language, and to establish in the children such habits of reading as will tend to broaden and deepen their cultural life.
Reading Difficulties Research
Possibly no other subject in the curriculum has been given so much attention during the past few years as reading. It is recognized as the subject of greatest importance. If a child does not read well, he is seriously handicapped in his school work. This handicap sometimes persists, not merely through the elementary schools but through high school and college. Many of the failures of college students to do passing work are attributed to reading difficulties.
In some cases reading difficulties are due to physical handicaps; in others they are the outcome of faulty mental habits or teaching procedures. It is believed by those who have given the subject careful study that in most cases by proper treatment the handicaps, whether physical or psychological, can be prevented or overcome, and that there are very few children who cannot learn to read acceptably.
In an attempt to serve the children in the public schools of the state, the Division of Child Hygiene has organized a group of highly trained specialists to bring to bear on the subject of reading difficulties all the latest information regarding physical handicaps and methods of teaching and learning that affect reading. The schools of this superintendency union have been very fortunate in that they have been chosen by the Division of Child Hygiene as suitable schools in which to begin this new
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service. The plan provides for two lines of attack; one, a thorough examination of children for the purpose of discovering any organic or functional difficulties which interfere with the acquisition of the power to read; the other, the training of teachers so that they may be able to make use of all new know- ledge in this field.
The aim of this research study is to develop preventive procedures and its scope will be limited largely to children below the third grade. But in the towns of this union during the past few weeks, pending the preparation of material for use with the primary grades, study has been given to reading difficulties cases above the second grade.
In addition to the work in the classrooms, Dr. Lura Oak, who is at the head of this undertaking, has given a series of five lectures to the teachers of the union. The attendance at these has been quite general. Practically all teachers in the lower grades and many from the upper grades have attended all of them. The lectures have been of great value and represent to a degree the equivalent of an extension course in professional study. The testimony of the teachers is that they are receiving substantial help from the lectures of Dr. Oak and from her school visitations.
This project is one in which the cooperation of parents is sometimes essential. In a number of cases telebinocular tests have shown eye conditions which are not revealed by the more superfiical tests which the teachers give and therefore have remained unsuspected. Such cases call for an examination of the eyes by an eye specialist and preferably by one who has familiarized himself with the obscure vision difficulties of whose existence the telebinocular tests give evidence. Thus far the response of the parents has been very encouraging. I am firmly convinced that in some cases where a child has been dis- heartened and discouraged with reference to school work because of the difficulties he has experienced in learning to read, a re- formation will be brought about and the child transformed from a discouraged, failing pupil to one who is doing his work successfully and happily.
In closing this report, I wish to express my appreciation of the friendly attitude which members of the school committee have always shown toward my work and the fairmindedness with which they have discussed and solved the many problems which, as superintendent of schools, I have laid before them.
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I appreciate also the way in which the teachers, supervisors, and other employees of the school department have received my suggestions, aided me with their advice, and joined in the attempt to carry on the schools of Wilbraham worthily. On the thirtieth of next June I shall have finished eighteen years of service in this superintendency union. Even though my duties have by no means always been performed to my own satisfaction, the years have been made pleasant by the associa- tions involved in the work.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC A. WHEELER,.
Report of School Physician
To the Superintendent of Schools, School Committee, and Parents of Wilbraham:
As school physicain I have Schick tested 38, vaccinated 29, immunized 63, examined 343, and responded to three special calls to the schools. I wish to express my appreciation of the splendid cooperation of all with whom I work.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR L. DAMON, M.D.
Report of School Nurse
As school nurse I have assisted the school physician in his work of vaccinating, immunizing, Schick testing, and giving physical examinations. During the examinations 6 children were found who were unvaccinated, but they have presented certificates of exemption from their doctors. Of a total of 343 pupils examined, 287 were classed as having physical defects. Included in these were 33 cases of malnutrition, 12 children with poor posture, 7 children with defective skin, 197 children need- ing dental care, 58 with defective tonsils, and 17 with symptoms of flat feet.
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As compared with last year, improvement in posture was noted in 36 cases. The children with defective skin were temporarily excluded from school. Since the examinations were given many children with poor teeth have had work done either in the dental clinic or by the family dentist. Of those found to have defective tonsils, 11 have since had tonsil operations. Improvement was noted in 28 pupils who last year showed indications of flat feet.
The physical examinations were attended by 59 parents. This gave opportunity for conference, and much literature per- taining to nutrition, to the cooking of foods, and to exercises for better posture and for flat feet was distributed.
Many children try to struggle through their lessons who are handicapped because of defective sight. The nurse has taken 19 children to the oculist during the year, and glasses have been put on 16 of these.
The five children who were taken to Camp Frederic Edwards to spend some of their vacation unfortunately, because of homesickness and unfavorable conditions at home, did not stay the full time. There was, however, a total gain of eleven pounds for a period of from fourteen to twenty-one days.
During the year I made 333 visits to schools, homes, and so forth, and held 450 consultations with parents, teachers, and others. I made 1,106 inspections of children. There were 16 exclusions from school because of pediculosis or temperatures. First aid treatments were given to 132 children. Nine class- room talks and one talk to a parent teacher association were given.
Respectfully submitted,
SIGNE L. POLSON, R. N.
TABLES OF STATISTICS
School Calendar, 1936-1937
Fall Term: Tuesday, September 8, to Wednesday, December 23. Winter Term: Monday, January 4, to Friday, February 26. Spring Term: Monday, March 8, to Friday, April 30. Summer Term: Monday, May 10, to Thursday, June 24.
The schools will close on Monday, September 21, Child- ren's Day at the Eastern States Exposition; Friday, October 30, annual meeting of the Hampden County Teachers' Association;
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on Wednesday noon, November 25, for the rest of the week, Thanksgiving Day recess; on Friday, March 26, Good Friday; on one day during the spring term, teachers' visiting day; and on all legal holidays.
Children in the School Census and Their Distribution October 1, 1936
5 to 7
7 to 14
14 to 16
years
years
years
Boys
31
172
67
Girls
32
184
69
Total
63
356
136
Distribution :
In public school
49
266
112
In vocational school
0
0
13
In private school
12
89
8
Not enrolled in any school
2
1
8
63
356
136
Total on Oct. 1, 1935
72
409
136
Membership by Schools and Grades, December, 1936 School
Grades
Special
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Class
Total
Stony Hill
1 2 5 5
13
The Pines
15
8 8 11 14 5 23 22
9
115
Wilbraham Street
9
8 11 7 7 8 9 14
73
East Wilbraham
4
3 3
4
3
17
North Wilbraham
8 12
8 9 15 24 19 11
106
Total
37 33 35 36 39 37 51 47
9
324
Total for 1935
54 33 42 43 35 55 46 47
15
370
Number of Pupils in High School
December
1936
1935
Classical High School
14
14
High School of Commerce
23
22
Technical High School
39
40
Classical Junior High School
51
48
86
Buckingham Junior High School
1
2
Ludlow High School Palmer High School
7
7
Total
137
131
Trade School
40
52
Grand Total
177
183
Grammar School Graduates, June, 1936
W. Gordon Brady
Gladys Rita Meher
Jane Brosch
Julian Misiaszek
Stanley Ciecko
Barbara I. Moore
Eleanor Cioch
Thomas Joseph Murphy
Leslie R. Collins
Joseph John Obrzut
Mildred Cote
Theodore Opalinski
Melvin Francis Crowley
Stephen Presz
Catherine Czerniak
William Richardson Richmond
Audrey E. Edson
Raymond Russell Riddle
Richard W. Emerson
Eleanor Virginia Rivers
Edith Lucretia Farr
Louis Joseph Rivers
Ethel Feranzoviz.
Harriet G. Rogers
Domingos Frutuozo
John Edward Rys
Marcella Hagman
Josephine Ann Scotlis
Erving Leonard Hill
Amelia Smolinski
Jennie Jakobczyk
Jennie Jean Stokosa
Jennie Jamro
Mary Louise Strasburg
Anna Jarosz
Harold Herman Thompson
Mary Jarosz
Lucy Walch
Frank Karwoski
Mitchell Walch
Barbara Ladd
Lucille Whiting
Elton Sanderson Lemon
Sophie Witowska
Felicia Mazur
Stanley Ziemba
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HONOR ROLL
High and Trade School Honor Roll, 1936
Doris Bennett
Gretchen Miller
Mary Boduch
Barbara Moore
Eleanor Bodurtha
Donald Phillips
Doryce Bower
Clara Porteri
William G. Brady
Robert Reid
June Brindley
Emma Rice
Priscilla Cady
Gertrude Richmond
Richard Childerhose
Henrietta Richmond
Stanley Chmura
Daniel Robson
Bronislaw Chrzan
Elizabeth Smith (1935 and 1936)
Barbara Coote
Pauline Soja
Elinor Cordner
Stanley Sowa
Melvin Crowley
Mary L. Strasburg
Sophie Gruszka
Patricia Walker
Mitchell Jakobczyk
Lucille Whiting
Ralph Keyes
Joseph Wierzbowski
Joseph Koslovski
Jane Witowska
Stanley Kozyra
Rose Witowska
John Kret
Nancy Wright
Edmund Lapine
Awarded Certificates by the A. N. Palmer Co., 1935-46 for Excellence in Penmanship
Jane Brosch
Gladys Meher
Eleanor Cioch
Julian Misiaszek
Mildred Cote
Teddy Opalinski
Catherine Czerniak
Eleanor Rivers
Ethel Feranzoviz
John Rys
Domingos Frutuozo
Josephine Scotlis
Erving Hill
Amelia Smolinska
Jane Jakobczyk
Jennie Stokosa
Harold Thompson
Jennie Jamro Anna Jarosz -
Lucy Walch
Mary Jarosz
Mitchell Walch
Felicia Mazur
Sophie Witowska
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School Directory, January 1, 1937
Stony Hill School Liane S. Laramee, 45 Park St., Palmer Grades 1-4
The Pines School
Mrs. Agnes I. Simmington, Principal, North Wilbraham, Grade8 Marjorie A. Fernald, 31 Itendale St., Springfield, Grade 7
Mrs. Mabel E. Welch, 216 Jasper St., Springfield, Grades 5 & 6 Mrs. Yolande R. Aldrich, 25 State St., Monson, Grades 3 & 4 Marion L. Holland, 218 Peark St., Springfield Grades 1 & 2 Helen S. Kochanek, 37 Ludlow Ave., Indian Orchard, Spec. Class
Wilbraham Street School
Mrs. Eleanor B. Parsons, Principal, Hampden Grades 7 & 8 Mrs. Esther L. Johnson, 8 Randall Pl., Springfield,
Grades 4, 5 & 6
Katherine A. Hart, 64 Rochelle St., Springfield Grades 1, 2 & 3
East Wilbraham School
Adele M. Cone, North Wilbraham
Grades 1-5
North Wilbraham School
Marion E. Kelley, Principal, North Wilbraham Grades 7 & 8
Mrs. Mary G. Logan, North Wilbraham Grade 6
Mrs. Ruth G. Sullivan, 182 Oak St., Holyoke Grades 4 & 5
Mrs. Minnie M. Sanderson, North Wilbraham Grades 1,2 & 3
Supervisor of Art
Mrs. Helen B. Tower, R.F.D. No. 1, East Longmeadow, Mass.
Supervisor of Music
Mrs. Ethel C. Morse, 244 Pearl St., Springfield Superintendent of Schools
Frederic A Wheeler, East Longmeadow Superintendent's Clerk
Emily O. Cormier, East Longmeadow School Physician Dr. A. L. Damon, North Wilbraham School Nurse
Signe L. Polson, 36 Summit St., Springfield School Dentist Dr. Irving P. Dineen, 162 Main St., Indian Orchard Supervisor of Attendance Charles Lapine, 98 Stony Hill Road, Ludlow
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Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Hampden ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Wilbraham in the County of Hampden.
GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Wilbraham qualified to vote in town affairs to meet in Grace Union Church Parish House in said town on Monday, the first day of February next at ten o clock a. m. to bring in their votes for town officers and act on the following articles. The polls will open at 10 A. M. and may be closed at 2 P. M. unless the meeting votes to extend the closing time.
Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside in said meeting.
Article 2. To choose a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, and Tree Warden for the ensuing year, one Selectman for three years who shall be a member of the Board of Public Welfare, one Assessor for three years, five Constables, one Auditor for the ensuing year, one School Committee for three years, Col- lector of Taxes for the ensuing year, one Cemetery Commis- sioner for three years, two members of the Planning Board for three years, one member of the Board of Water Commissioners, for three years, one Library Trustee for three years, all on one ballot, also all other Town Officers.
Article 3. To hear and act on reports of the Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare, Treasurer, School Committee and other officers.
Article 4. To fix the compensation of all elected Town Officers for the ensuing year.
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Article 5. To raise such sums of money as may be deemed necessary for defraying the expenses of the Town for the en- suing year and appropriate the same and vote how the same shall be raised.
Article 6. 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, 1936, 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 of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to prosecute any person selling or transporting intoxicating liquors in this Town contrary to the laws of the Common- wealth or take any action in regard to the same, or raise any money for the same.
Article 8. To see what disposition the Town will make of the Dog Tax of 1936.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen for necessary costs of materials and trucking on the local Works Progress Administration projects or on local projects operated under the successor, if any, of the Works Progress Administration or to take any action upon same.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the improvement of Glendale Road, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter Ninety, General Laws.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of ($350.00) Three Hundred and Fifty Dol- lars for the maintenance of Ludlow Road, Stony Hill Road, North and South Main Streets, provided the State and County contribute toward the same, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter Ninety, General Laws.
Article 12. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate ($500.00) Five Hundred Dollars in accordance with the decree
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of the County Commissioners to widen the road on the so-called Baldwin Hill on Glendale Road, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the improvement of the Fast Long- meadow Road, provided the State and County contribute toward the same in accordance with the provisions of Chapter Ninety, General Laws.
Article 14. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to institute or defend suits and employ counsel for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Town and to raise an appropri- ate sum of money for same or take any action thereon.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Seventy-Five ($75.00) Dollars for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 16. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred and Fifty ($150.00) Dollars for the care of the Memorial Lots at Wilbraham, North Wilbraham and Glendale.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) to be expended in the Town by the Hampden County Trustees for Aid to Agri- culture in accordance with the provisions of the Laws of the Commonwealth.
Article 18. To see if the Town will authorize the Treas- urer to assign tax titles to persons making payment of the sums permitted by law and to execute in the name of the Town deeds of release of the same.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the Town, fourteen days at least before the sale property taken by the town under tax title procedure provided that the Selectmen, or whomsoever they may author- ize to hold such public auction, may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended by the Tree Warden under the
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direction of the Planning Board for the purpose of preserving the material beauty of the trees of the Town, as recommended in the annual report of the said Planning Board as printed in the Town Report.
Article 21. To see if the Town will authorize the sale of the wooden school house in "The Pines" district, so-called and take any other or further action in regard to same.
Article 22. To see if the water main on south Stony Hill Road may be extended a distance of 1500 feet southward, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to construct same.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Seventy-Five ($75.00) Dollars to be ex- pended by the Selectmen for use of The Safety Committee of Wilbraham in accordance with the provisions of the Laws of the Commonwealth.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to be used to protect the school children at North Wilbraham from traffic hazards.
Article 25. To see if the Town will take action upon the acceptance of a conveyance from the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates or the Ludlow Manufacturing Company of all or part of the sewer pipes and system and fire alarm wires, equip- ment and system within the Town of Wilbraham for such con- sideration and upon such terms, conditions and agreements as shall be determined at the meeting.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of Twenty-Seven Hundred Dollars ($2,700.00) for the purchase of land comprising about nine acres, which land is located on the west side of Wilbraham Street, opposite school No. 8 and running westerly to and northerly to the Boston Road, being a part of land formerly of the Lakeside Realty Associates and Manchconis Club for the purpose of Park, School expansion and playground.
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