Wilbraham annual report 1932-1940, Part 25

Author: Wilbraham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 956


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


67


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


70


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


72


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


76


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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