USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1932-1940 > Part 25
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1. The closing of the Stony Hill school and transportation of the pupils to the Wilbraham Street school.
2. The closing of the East Wilbraham school and the trans- portation of the pupils in grades 1-6 to the North Wilbra- ham school.
3. The closing and removal of the portable at North Wilbra- ham.
4. The transportation of the pupils in grades 7 and 8 from East
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Wilbraham and North Wilbraham to The Pines school.
The benefits from this reorganization may be briefly sum- marized as follows:
1. The town will save the salaries of three teachers and the heating, lighting, and upkeep of three buildings. Offset against these savings is the additional transportation cost. The town will realize a substantial net financial saving in the conduct of its schools.
2. The pupils who formerly attended the Stony Hill and East Wilbraham schools now have the benefits of graded school instruction. These pupils, as well as those who would have attended the portable, will also have the ad- vantages of more sanitary school housing.
3. The number of pupils in grades 7 and 8 at The Pines is sufficiently large to permit of departmental teaching, which makes for more effective instruction in certain sub- jects, and affords an introduction to the more highly departmentalized work of the secondary schools which the pupils later attend.
4. The area formerly occupied by the portable at North Wilbraham is now released for play purposes.
5. The transportation service has been extended. More pupils are transported, and the traffic hazard is thus les- sened. Furthermore, certain pupils in outlying sections of the town are better served by transportation facilities than heretofore.
6. Special teachers, supervisors, and health workers can make a more effective use of their time, as they are now required to serve three schools rather than six.
School officers, teachers, and pupils are already conscious of many of the benefits resulting from this recent reorganiza- tion of the schools.
Changes in the Teaching Staff and Teaching Assignments
When the reorganization was first decided upon, it seemed unavoidable that three teachers should be released. Before the fall term opened, however, three teachers had resigned to accept positions elsewhere. Miss Adele M. Cone of the East Wilbraham school and Miss Marjorie A. Fernald of The Pines school were elected to positions in Springfield, and Mrs. Eleanor Parsons, principal of the Wilbraham Street school, accepted
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a position as teacher of grades 7 and 8 in her home town of Hampden. I am told that Mrs. Parsons, Miss Fernald, and Miss Cone had served the schools of Wilbraham very efficiently and most devotedly and that their leaving is a distinct loss to the teaching force.
The wise assignment of teachers in the reorganized school system after the resignations mentioned above was a matter of much concern to the school officials. It was the original intention of the committee that Mrs. Simmington and Miss Kelley should work together in grades 7 and 8 at The Pines school where departmentalized teaching was to be introduced. When, however, the vacancy arose in the position of school principal and teacher of grades 7 and 8 at Wilbraham Street, Miss Kelley, having had experience both as school principal and as teacher of those grades, seemed to be the logical person to call upon in the emergency. Miss Kelley was therefore as- signed to the position of acting principal at Wilbraham Street for the school year 1937-1938.
Shortly before the opening of school in the fall Mrs. Sim- mington, who had served successfully as principal of The Pines school since 1929, notified the school officials that her health would not permit her to resume school work at the opening of the fall term, but that she expected to be able to do so a little later in the year. Mrs. Tracy Kerr, who had substituted so acceptably for Mrs. Simmington during the latter half of the previous school year, was again secured as substitute principal, and has carried forward the work at The Pines school during the fall term to the complete satisfaction of all. Mrs. Simmington was able to resume her work after the Christmas vacation.
Careful consideration was given to the selection of the two teachers who, by their special interests, training, and ex- perience, were adapted to cooperate with the principal in the departmentalized work of the upper grades at The Pines school. For this work Mrs. Esther L. Johnson, formerly of Wilbraham Street, and Miss Helen S. Kochanek of The Pines school were chosen.
Perhaps it is not too early to say that this plan of organiza- tion of the upper grades at The Pines appears to be working out very favorably both for pupils and teachers. It seems to hold considerable promise for future development.
As to other teaching positions, Mrs. Yolande R. Aldrich,
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formerly teacher of grades 3 and 4 at The Pines, was assigned to grades 4 and 5 at Wilbraham Street. Miss Liane S. Laramee, formerly at Stony Hill, was assigned to grades 3 and 4 at The Pines. At North Wilbraham Mrs. Mary G. Logan was made principal and assigned to grades 5 and 6. Mrs. Ruth G. Sullivan was assigned to grades 3 and 4, and Mrs. Minnie M. Sanderson to grades 1 and 2. The following assignments were the same as last year: Mrs. Mabel E. Welch, grades 5 and 6 at The Pines; Miss Marion L. Holland, grades 1 and 2 at The Pines; and Miss Katherine A. Hart, grades 1, 2, and 3 at Wilbraham Street.
The committee decided to increase the service of the drawing supervisor, Mrs. Helen B. Tower. Beginning with the fall term Mrs. Tower has been giving two days a week to the Wilbraham schools instead of one.
I desire to say that all the teachers who accepted new assign- ments as a result of the reorganization this year have shown a desire to serve the schools of Wilbraham wherever most needed. Such a spirit of cooperation with the school authorities is worthy of high commendation.
Improvements to Schoolhouses and Grounds
The most noteworthy improvement in school property undertaken during the past year is the project for the im- provement of the school site and playground at The Pines school. The old school building which stood on the knoll in front of the new building has been removed. The work of excavating and grading the area in front of the new building is being accomplished through two W. P. A. projects, the first of which is now completed. Considerably more than half of the excavating has already been done and the dirt thus removed has been used as fill to enlarge the level play area back of the building. The second W. P. A. project which, according to expectations, will be completed in the spring, includes finish- ing the work of excavation, the construction of an eighteen-foot driveway from the school to the street, loaming and seeding of the entire area in front of the school. The building will then face a spacious lawn having a gentle slope toward the street. Mr. E. N. Hayn, landscape architect, assisted the school officials in establishing the grades, planning the roadway and parking areas, and suggesting the location of trees and shrubs for future planting. Mr. Hayn generously donated his services
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to the town. It is expected that the ultimate result of the two W. P. A. projects at The Pines school will be very pleasing both in the general appearance of the front area and in the general usefulness of the playground area in the rear of the building. The total cost of the two projects will approximate $7,500, of which the town will pay not more than $1,600, and prob- ably less.
Certain other improvements made to school property are worthy of mention. Telephones have been installed in each of the three schools, thus conveniencing praents, teachers, and school officials, and enabling the schools to handle ex- peditiously any emergencies that may arise.
At the North Wilbraham school the seats and desks in two classrooms have been refinished, and new steps have been constructed at each entrance.
At The Pines school the following improvements have been made: The seats and desks in two classrooms have been refinished; the windows in two classrooms have been weather- stripped, the floors of two classrooms, as well as of the corridors, have been resurfaced with Swan floor finish; three new electric clocks have been installed in the upper grade rooms; and one hundred folding chairs have been purchased for use in the assembly hall.
With reference to the last item mentioned, it should be said that the room in the new Pines school that was intended for use both for recreational and assembly purposes has very rarely been used for assemblies for lack of chairs. The new supply of chairs will greatly increase the usefulness of this room.
Improvements in Instructional Equipment
a. Textbooks
For the past several years Wilbraham has spent relatively little for new textbooks - so little that my predecessor, Mr. Wheeler, was very conscious of the need for a rehabilitation of the textbook equipment and so recommended to the com- mittee. . He felt, however, that his successor should be given the opportunity to recommend the books that should be pur- chased. This I was glad to do, having given much time during the last school year in directing committees of teachers in the study and choice of the more recent textbooks in nearly all
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subjects in the elementary school field. A list of basal textbooks thus chosen was presented at a special meeting of the teachers of this superintendency union in July for their examination and discussion. The purchase of these books was later authorized by the school committee insofar as funds were available. The budget permitted the purchase of a substantial number of new books this year. If a similar investment can be made during the next year or two, the equipment of the schools in this particular will soon be adequate.
The other towns in the superintendency union are adopting a similar policy with reference to basal texts. There are obvious advantages in having such a uniform equipment throughout the union. It assists in establishing a uniform plan of instruc- tion in all the schools, which, in turn, provides a common ground on which the teachers of the three towns may meet for the purpose of making a continuing study, analysis, and improve- ment of aims, content, and methods.
Probably the most important single phase of the new textbook equipment now being introduced is the new system of primary reading. The Elson-Gray system was chosen after a careful analysis of many plans. This system is one of unusual merit in two respects: (1) The excellence of its plan for giving children the technical training required is widely recognized. (2) The Curriculum Foundation series of supplementary books that accompany the basic readers and have a similar vocabu- lary, enable primary children to gain through their own reading the elementary understandings in health, art, science, arith- metic, and the social studies. The content in each field has been prepared by subject experts and then adapted in voc- abulary and concept to the reading ability and mental maturity of children at the different grade levels. The child gains infor- mation and enriches his understanding through a carefully. planned curriculum at the same time he is learning to read. This Curriculum Foundation series seems to make a genuine contribution to the imrovement of primary education. When Wilbraham completes the introduction of these books in the first three grades, the basis for an enriched course of study in the primary grades will be provided.
The readers chosen for the middle grades, 4, 5, and 6, are the Gates-Huber series, and for the upper grades, 7 and 8, the Beacon Lights of Literature. It is perhaps unnecessary to comment in detail on the various merits of these series of basal
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readers. Other important aids in the reading program that deserve comment are the Weekly Reader and Current Events. A copy of the former paper is provided to each pupil in grades 2-6, and a copy of Current Events to each pupil in grades 7 and 8. These weekly papers provide well-graded and new read- ing material, much of which has a bearing on daily life and current events. Such material helps to develop the interest of children in civic affairs, which should be an important out- come of public education. These papers are, therefore, doubly valuable in that they contribute both to reading ability and to an understanding of life and its problems. I hope that this service may become a permanent feature of our school program.
b. Maps and Globes.
There was also found to be a need for globes and for maps of the type that show the outstanding physical features as well as political divisions of each continent and country. A list of such needed equipment was drawn up and about one half the list purchased this year.
c. Radios.
The several classrooms at Wilbraham Street have this year been equipped with radios, the expense being shared by the P. T. A. and the town's school funds. With the completion of this installation, all classrooms in Wilbraham are now equipped with radio reception. In view of the fine musical and educational radio programs now prepared for school children, it is felt that radios are a worthwhile addition to our educa- tional equipment.
The Research Learning Project
The Research Learning Project conducted under the direc- tion of Dr. Lura Oak of the State Department of Public Health is being continued during the present school year. The staff is giving chief attention this year to the pupils in grades 1 and 2, the endeavor being to discover and bring about the remedy of any type of defect or difficulty that may handicap the child in learning - particularly in learning to read.
A vision survey including all pupils in grades 1 and 2, also several older pupils who are suspected of visual defect, will soon be completed. In the visual survey the personnel of the clinic consists of the director, a trained oculist, a psychologist, and two nurses. Later in the year Dr. Oak is to have a retest
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made of those children who are found to have some visual defect.
In addition to the vision survey, reading readiness tests have been given to all pupils in grade 1. Our teachers have assisted Dr. Oak in giving the Metropolitan Reading Test to all pupils in grade 2. Miss Forster, the psychologist connected with the clinic, is to give the Pintner-Cunningham Intelligence test to all pupils in grade 1. By means of these various tests, it is expected that those children not making the progress they should make will be discovered and that the nature of their difficulties will be brought to light. Dr. Oak is soon to begin remedial work with individual pupils. Clearly the earlier in the school life of the child any such defects are discovered and corrected, the greater the good accomplished. Wilbraham is fortunate, indeed, to be one of he very few towns served by Dr. Oak and her staff at no cost to the town for services.
In conclusion I wish to thank the principals, supervisors, and teachers for their most cordial cooperation in the various undertakings since the beginning of my term of office, and particularly to thank the school committee for its generous consideration of various proposals that I have made. I wish to express my appreciation also of the committee's desire that fairness to all interests concerned shall characterize its decisions in all matters.
Respectfully yours, BURR F. JONES.
Report of School Nurse
I have assisted the school physician in his work of vac- cinating, immunizing, Schick testing, and giving physical examinations. Only one child was found unvaccinated, and he has presented a certificate of exemption. Of a total of 415 children examined, 309 were found to have some physical defect or defects, notices of which were sent home in cases where the parents were not present at the time of examination. A total of 81 parents attended the clinics. Physical defects were found as follows: Symptoms of poor nutrition, 24; poor posture, 32; skin defects, 8; condition of teeth, 196; diseased tonsils, 68; slight heart condition, 7; flat feet, 16.
As compared with the previous year, the examinations showed improvement in nutrition in 11 cases; improvement in
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posture, 62; tonsils had been removed in 35 cases; in the case of 45 children the arches of the feet seemed improved.
Literature furnished by the State Department of Public Health pertaining to nutrition, preparation of meals, and to exercises for better posture and for flat feet was distributed.
In April 303 children were weighed; 160 rated as A, 28 rated as D, 1 showed no gain, and 2 had lost weight. In Septem- ber 300 children were weighed; 141 were rated as A, 36 rated as D, and no children had lost weight.
The five children who spent twenty-nine days at Camp Frederic Edwards gained five pounds. Von Pirquet tests given these children were negative.
I re-examined the eyes of 26 children, and sent home notice of defect in 18 children, 10 of whom now have glasses. I have taken 13 children to the oculist and arranged for 9 tonsil and adenoid operations. Oue child was taken to Westfield Sanatorium and one child to a doctor's office for a slight operation. During the year I have made 379 visits to schools, homes, doctors, oculists, opticians, and held 291 consultations with teachers, parents, doctors, and others. Six hundred and twenty-six in- spections have been made, 20 children were excluded from school because of pediculosis, scabies, temperatures, or indications of contagion. First-aid treatments were given to 124 children.
In early November a chicken pox epidemic broke out at Wilbraham Street. As soon as the disease was discovered, care- ful attention was given to excluding suspected cases. Alto- gether thirty-two cases were reported, and by Monday, Decem- ber 6, all children had returned.
Respectfully submitted,
SIGNE L. POLSON, R. N.
Report of School Physician
To the Superintendent of Schools, School Committee, and Parents of Wilbraham:
During the year 1937 I have made +15 physical examina- tions, given diphtheria immunization treatment to 43, Schick tested 37, and vaccinated 24 children. I made one special call to a school building; one pupil was referred to my office; and two pupils were examined for employment certificates. I wish
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to extend to all associated in the school work my appreciation of their cordial cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR L. DAMON, M. D.
Statistical Tables and Other Information School Calendar, 1937-1938
Fall term: Tuesday, September 7, to Thursday, December 23. Winter Term: Monday, January 3, to Friday, February 25. Spring Term: Monday, March 7, to Friday, April 29. Summer Term: Monday, May 9 to Thursday, June 23.
The schools, are closed on Monday, September 20, Child- ren's Day at the Eastern States Exposition; Friday, October 29, annual meeting of the Hampden County Teachers' Asso- ciation; on Wednesday noon, November 24, for the rest of the week, Thanksgiving Day recess; on Friday, April 15, Good Friday; on one day during the spring term, teachers' visiting day; and on all legal holidays.
Table I
Children in the School Census and Their Distribution
October 1, 1937
5 to 7 7 to 14 14 to 16
years
years
years
Total
Boys
36
167
56
259
Girls
30
179
67
276
Total
66
346
123
535
Distribution :
In public school
53
247
97
397
In vocational school
0
0
16
16
In private school
7
98
7
112
Not enrolled in any school
6
1
3
10
66
346
123
535
Total on October 1, 1936
63
356
136
555
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Table II
Data Bearing Upon School Membership for the Period 1922- 1937 December Membership
Year
Births Recorded 1st grade
8th grade
Elementary Schools
High and Trade Schools
1922
69
129
25
460
63
1923
77
139
34
475
64
1924
68
159
30
486
73
1925
55
148
30
516
80
1926
57
120
43
466
85
1927
51
112
30
460
107
1928
27
97
48
440
122
1929
24
93
25
429
131
1930
19
74
41
449
128
1931
25
68
50
458
151
1932
29
71
59
460
153
1933
21
61
46
439
158
1934
37
50
54
413
163
1935
32
54
47
370
183
1936
27
37
47
324
177
1937
29
50
44
313
178
Table III
Number of Pupils in Elementary Schools by Grades, Five-Year Period 1932-1937-(As of December in each year)
Grade I II III
IV V
VI
VII 54 58
59 46
14 15
439
1934
50
45
44
55
54
51
54
17
413
1935
54
33
42
50 43 43 36 38 56
35 39 38
47
46 51 39
47 47 44
15 9
370
1936
33
1937
37 50
31
47
1933
61
53
45
50 55
62 56
55
37
324
313*
*Does not include two pupils for whom Wilbraham pays tuition in Ludlow.
Does include three pupils for whom Wilbraham receives tutiion. The net membership of Wilbraham pupils is therefore 312.
VIII Special
Total
460
1932
71 47
35 26
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Number of Pupils in the Several High and Trade Schools, Five-Year Period 1932-1937
Junior Classical High High
High School School School Commerce School
Technical High
Ludlow High School
Palmer High School
Trade School Total
1932
49
19
22
33
7
23
153
1933
49
15
30
30
7
27
158
1934
35
13
22
46
8
39
163
1935
48
14
22
40
8
52
183
1936
52
14
23
39
2
7
40
177
1937
53
13
28
29
2
9
44
178
Grammar School Graduates, June, 1937
Donald Pease Bacon
Anna Grace Borek
Sophie Elsie Borek Chester Cebula
Florence Emily North Helen Mary Obrzut Corinne Elizabeth Otis Sophia Mary Panek
Frederick Walter Cordner
Edward Emile Corriveau
Janey Louise Cowles Donald F. Crafts
Bronislaw J. Presh Thelma Jean Rivers William Francis Roach Stanley F. Sajdak
Julia Marie Cwieka
Stephen Michael Skorupski
Mitchell John Dabrowski . Santino D'Andrea Nicholas DePinto Richard Irwin Dibble Lillian B. Diotalevi Robert Alvin Gowell
Helen Julia Skrzyniarz Mary Lisbeth Stedman Michael Swedt Teddy Joseph Szczepanik
Roger Lyman Tiffany Jennie Stella Tupek Claire Marie Tupper
Wilbur John Jenkins
William Joseph Lopata Bertha Victoria Los Mary Sally Los
Viola Esther Mantoni
Ezra Allen Maynard Leona Margaret Narreau Nancy Newell
Anthony John Victor Frederick Albert Vincent John Frederick Wahlberg Ruth Evelyn White Helen Stella Workum John Anthony Ziemba
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Honor Roll -- High and Trade School Honor Roll, 1937
Eleanor Bodurtha
Emma Rice
Doryce Bower
Henrietta Richmond
Gordon Brady
Eleanor Rivers
Jane Brosch
Thelma Rivers
Shirley Butler
William Roach
Richard Childerhose
Josephine Scotlis
Alexander Cieplik
Elizabeth Smith
Frederick Cornder
Amelia Smolinska
Mildred Cote
Teddy Sowa
Helen Dempsey
Marylis Stedman
Richard Dibble
Mary-Louise Strasburg
Robert Doolittle
John Swiatek
Audrey Edson
Genevieve Szygiel
Marcella Hagman
Roger Tiffany
Thaddeus Jachym
Claire Tupper
Wanda Kawa
Fred Vincent
Barbara Moore
John Wahlberg
Betty Moore
Theodore Wallace
Nancy Newell
Ruth White
John Opalinska
Lucille Whiting
Helen Orszulak
Jane Witowska
Donald Phillips
Rose Witowska
John Powers
Mitchell Wozniak
Robert Reid
Nancy Wright
Virginia Reid
Mitchell Zabawa
Awarded Certificates by the A. N. Palmer Co., 1936-1937 for Excellence in Penmanship
Helen Chrzanowska
Sophie Panek Thelma Rivers
Julia Cwieka
Nicholas DePinto
Lillian Diotalevi
Helen Skrzyniarz Jennie Tupek Claire Tupper
William . Lopata
Viola Mantoni
Ruth White
Leona Narreau Helen Obrzut
Helen Workum
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School Directory, January 1, 1938
The Pines School
Mrs. Agnes I. Simmington, Principal,N. Wilbraham,Grades 7-8 Helen S. Kochanek, 39 Ludlow Ave., Indian Orchard Grades 7-8 Mrs. Esther L. Johnson, 8 Randall Pl., Springfield Grades 7-8 Mrs. Mabel E. Welch, 216 Jasper St., Springfield Grades 5-6
Liane S. Laramee, 45 Park St., Palmer Grades 3-4 Marion L. Holland, 218 Pearl St., Springfield Grades 1-2
Charles Lapine, 98 Stony Hill Rd., Wilbraham(P.O. Address, Ludlow) Janitor
Wilbraham Street School
Marion E. Kelley, Act. Principal, N. Wilbraham Grades 6-8 Mrs. Yolande R. Aldrich, 25 High St., Monson Grades 4-5 Katherine A. Hart, 64 Rochelle St., Springfield Grades 1-3 Henry Hyde, Wilbraham, Janitor
North Wilbraham School
Mrs. Mary G. Logan, Principal, N. Wilbraham Grades 5-6 Mrs. Ruth G.Sullivan, 1657NorthamptonSt.,Holyoke Grades 3-4 Mrs. Minnie H. Sanderson, North Wilbraham Grades 1-2 Geo. Milo Green, Wilbraham, Janitor
Supervisor of Art
Mrs. Helen B. Tower, Hampden (P.O. Address, East Long- meadow)
Supervisor of Music Mrs. Ethel C. Morse, 244 Pearl St., Springfield
Superintendent of Schools Burr F. Jones, Mapleshade Avenue, East Longmeadow
Superintendent's Secretary
Emily O. Cormier, White Avenue, East Longmeadow
School Physician Dr. A. L. Damon, North Wilbraham
School Nurse Signe L. Polson, 36 Summit Street, Springfield School Dentist Dr. Irving P. Dinneen, 162 Main St., Indian Orchard Supervisor of Attendance Charles Lapine, 98 Stony Hill Road, Wilbraham, (P. O. Address, Ludlow)
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Auditor's Report
I have made an audit of the books and accounting records of the Town of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, for the year ending December 31, 1937.
I hereby certify that, in my opinion, they are correct and reflect the true financial condition of the town. as of that date.
WM. E. PORTER, Town Auditor.
Report of Finance Board
Transfers Made From Reserve Fund by Finance Committee in 1937.
Appropriation, 5 per cent of 1936 Tax List
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