USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1941-1945 > Part 17
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Our schools continue on the time schedule adopted last year which will have to hold so long as the Springfield high schools maintain their later opening time. Parents are again reminded that schools will be in session each designated school day regardless of the weather. Whether or not it is best to send children to school on certain inclement days is a matter to be handled by those in authority at home.
Repairs
The main roof at The Pines school was renewed during the past year. The north roof at North Wilbraham school was reshingled. At Springfield Street additional closet space has been provided. At all three schools the customary mis- cellaneous repairs and improvements were made. Thanks are due the Parent-Teacher Association at Springfield Street for making a start on the beautification of the grounds.
Enrolment
There has been a slight increase in the enrolment. Last year there were 287 pupils attending our elementary schools in October. This year there are 301. The high school enrol- ment from Wilbraham has decreased. Last year there were 152 pupils attending high and trade schools. This year there are 127 high and trade school pupils.
46
The Motion Picture Program
Again this year we have had some excellent motion pictures, the majority of which have been selected for their educational value. A special effort has been made to obtain pictures particularly appropriate for the younger children in our schools. Among those already projected and those to come are: Birds of the North Woods; A Boat Trip, Albany to New York City; The River, a dramatization of the Mississippi; Children of China; Elephants; Robinson Crusoe; Kentucky Pioneers; Three Little Kittens; The Man Without a Country; Pioneers of the Plains; Old Glory; News in the Air; Robin Redbreast; The Lost Chick; America Can Give It; Shep, the Farm Dog; Yellowstone National Park; Songs of the Army, Navy, Marines and the Star Spangled Banner; This Amazing America. This year these films are being obtained from The American Museum of Natural History and the Y.M.C.A. Motion Picture Bureau, both of New York City.
Textbooks
During the year a start has been made toward providing a change in language and English textbooks. In grades 5 and 6 the new Language for Meaning series has been introduced and in grades 7 and 8 English for Meaning has been placed. These books are by Dr. Paul McKee, Director of the Ernest Horn Elementary School and Professor of Elementary Educa- tion, State College of Education, Greeley, Colorado. They emphasize meaning. Success in school work and in later life depends upon ability to communicate meaning through lan- guage. The plan is not to assign topics to be spoken or written about .. By means of carefully chosen questions and pictures, the books stimulate the child to recall experiences from which he can choose a topic and things to say about the topic, and to want to say those things. There is no field in which the school has a mightier out-of-school rival than in that of oral speech. In their homes, on the playgrounds, in the streets, sometimes at the movies, and not infrequently over the radio, children hear, and too often adopt, all kinds of errors in the use of language. The methods now used to counteract these influences are quite different from the method used to teach something new. In accordance awith sound 'psychological principles, Language for Meaning makes a concerted drive on faulty speech habits. The series stresses social courtesies. There is a clear and definite organization and a daily lesson plan. The first step consists of silent reading of material that presents the idea taught in the lesson, the second step pro- vides for group discussion and the third step calls for individual work. It is believed that by the adoption of this series our teaching of language will be brought to a new high of efficiency .
47
Honor Pupils in High and Trade Schools
Wilbraham is proud of the high rating obtained by so many of its secondary school pupils. Again this year many of our pupils have been listed on the honor rolls of the high and trade schools they attend.
Total Pupils
Honor Pupils
Per Cent
1938
193
76
39
1939
191
73
38
1940
174
77
44
1941
164
69
42
1942
152
66
43
1943
127
70
55
Following the custom established several years ago, four pupils were awarded special commendation certificates at the local graduation exercises for having been on the honor rolls for three seccessive years.
Achievement Tests
The annual achievement testing was done again as in past years and the results in all grades indicated achievement above the test norms. The results for the Wilhameadow Union are as follows :
Grade
Average
Norm
3
4.3
3.9
4
5.4
4.9
5
6.3
5.9
6
7.4
6.9
7
8.3
7.9
8
9.5
8.9
In explanation of this table attention is called to the fact that 8.9, for instance, means the ninth month of school in the eighth grade; 4.3 means the third month of school in the fourth grade and so on. Since the tests this year were given in May, the norm of achievement for any grade is indicated by the decimal .9.
Americanization
The Americanization Class at The Pines has a membership this year which compares very favorably with that of last. The maximum attendance is now fifteen. Many of these people are planning to apply for their citizenship papers this year. It is interesting to note that more than half of last year's class have received their citizenship papers. The class this year is again under the able direction of Miss Teresa Boylan.
48
Professional Organizations
As usual all of the teaching personnel of the schools in East Longmeadow, Hampden, and Wilbraham belong to the local professional organization, the Wilhameadow Teachers' Association. Ninety-four per cent of our teachers are mem- bers of the National Education Association. Five of the six school buildings in this union display one hundred per cent membership certificates.
Conclusion
Your attention is directed to the reports of our supervisors and school nurse. All of these individuals are carrying cn important work in cur schools. This report would not be com- plete were there not special tribute paid to the loyalty, co- operation and devotion to duty displayed by all those engaged in the work of educating our boys and girls that they may take their rightful places as good citizens in a good community.
"Moreover, nothing is more essential to the government of the people, nothing better for the guidance of life into the paths of honor- able character, than the grace which wisdom gives, and the glory of training and the power of learning."-Alcuin, A. D. 796
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND R. SAWYER
Report of the Supervisor of Art
To Mr. Edmund R. Sawyer, Superintendent of Schools:
We, too, are on the production line - trying to turn out good Americans with the materials which you, as parents, send us, and the supplies which you, as taxpayers, furnish us. Every product is vital.
We are serving important vitamins in our schools, A.R.T. They are important for the wellbeing and happiness of every- one and are needed to turn out better disciplined, better equipped, and better prepared Americans: Americans ap- preciative of the past; competent for the present; and con- fident in the future.
Each year seems to find the art department busier than ever. Besides our regular work we have made posters, gifts for the Junior Red Cross, sunshine boxes, decorations, gifts for Christmas, class year books, and histories of each town. This year, as before, we purchased and distributed about six ยท thousand trees from the Department of Conservation, Division
--
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of Forestry, making a total of approximately nineteen thousand trees distributed in the three towns of this union in the last three years. In years to come these trees will add much to the beauty around us.
-
In the study of art we learn to see and appreciate beauty as well as create it. Beauty is vital. We all need, as never before, the beauty of simple living, the beauty of honest work well done, and the beauty of friendship, music, poetry and nature.
We, in these country towns, are blessed. We can "lift up our eyes unto the hills."
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN BARTLETT TOWER
Report of Handwriting Supervisor
To Mr. Edmund R. Sawyer, Superintendent of Schools:
I am pleased to submit the following report on the opera- tion of the Handwriting program in your Wilbraham schools for the year 1942-43.
In the initial handwriting test administered in September of 1938, 11.9% of the pupils scored "A" (Excellent); 22.1% made "B" (Good); and 65.8% received grades below "B". In the tests administered in November 1943, 76.8% of the pupils scored "A" (Excellent) 14.7% made "B" (Good); and 8.5% were grades below "B". This indicates excellent im- provement and achievement.
During the past year, approximately 2,900 formal test handwriting papers were graded. A monthly analysis of the handwriting achievement and needs was sent to each teacher. This diagnosis was made the basis for remedial instruction.
We furnished the following materials for your teachers and pupils :- monthly teacher outlines, pupil outline folders, room motivation certificates, individual handwriting cer- tificates for the eighth grade pupils who qualified, term testing paper, monthly and term envelopes, seals, etc.
I should like to thank you, your teachers, and pupils for the excellent effort and fine cooperation.
Sincerely yours
W. L. RINEHART
50
Report of the Supervisor of Music
To Mr. Edmund R. Sawyer, Superintendent of Schools: 1
Music can and should be a vital and living force in the life of every child. It is a worthy use of leisure time, and a source of joy and happiness in moments of stress and strain. The most important single factor in the musical growth of a child is an opportunity for hearing good music; first, as a result of his own vocal efforts, and second through the medium of a guided listening program.
In learning to read music and understand it, we help the citizen of tomorrow to become a participant instead of a spectator in the leisure life of the nation. The more frequent opportunities we give him to hear the best in music, the more he knows about it, and the more he knows, the more he loves it.
In attempting to attain such worthy, objectives, the music program stresses interpretative singing, music reading, analysis of structure and form in music, rhythmic response, and music appreciation.
Probably nothing has such a strong motivating force with children as preparing for and presenting a public program. In February a patriotic concert was given by the Glee Club of the Pines Schocl. This included the best of the last World War songs and some of the musically sound songs of World War II. During Music Week in May each school gave a pro- gram open to the public. The lower grades enjoyed inter- pretating the songs of other peoples of the world and learning something of the history of each song performed.
In June the graduation at the Pines featured "The Song of America", an historical narrative presented as choral speak- ing with choruses, the two combining to make an effective pro- duction. This year American Education Week was observed in some of the schools with regular demonstration lessons by the supervisor. One special program was presented based upon the points outlined by the American Education Association as worthy of special emphasis. These were: Work, the Air Age, Peace, Citizenship, Emergency in Wartime, Health, and World Understanding.
Rehearsals for Christmas programs are now under way. These will take the form of operettas, carol concerts, and tableaux with appropriate music.
At times the work has embraced ambitious undertakings, but the teachers and children have always met the challenge, and I wish to thank them for making my associations so pleasant.
Respectfully submitted,
CECILIA C. SEYMOUR
51
Report of the School Nurse
To Mr. Edmund R. Sawyer, Superintendent of Schools:
With the many unforseen interruptions. the work of the school physician and school nurse has progressed as nearly on schedule as possible.
I have as usual assisted Dr. Saunders with physical ex- aminations, many of which have been made in the presence of a parent, so that the doctor could talk over defects and make recommendations.
When the children were weighed in the fall, very few children were found who had not gained since the last weighing.
I feel the town is very fortunate in having the better and more complete outfit for testing vision, namely the Massachu- setts Vision Test. Many parents have received notices re- garding indications of farsightedness which would never have been detected with the former Snellen test. Parents, in most cases, are cooperative in having corrections made.
A general notice from the State Department this year suggested that the feet of children be bared in order to detect defects such as flat cr pronated feet or athletes foot which might be of hindrance to them in later life. We are happy that this procedure was begun in this town some twelve or fourteen years ago.
With all of the scarlet fever in the city we were fortunate in having only a very few cases. Other contagion was not heavy although there were some measles, mumps, and Ger- man measles.
We shall appreciate the cooperation of parents in checking the children before they leave for school. If any symptoms seem to be present, the children should be kept at home and a doctor should be called in. No child should come to school having impetigo unless it is covered.
All of the bookings for tonsil operations had to be cancelled because of the scarlet fever and infantile paralysis in the city.
I have assisted the dentist at the dental clinic, taken children to the city for eye examinations and glasses, made home visits, made inspections for contagion, colds, and head infections.
Respectfully submitted,
SIGNE L. POLSON, R. N.
52
Dental Clinic Report for 1943
The Dental clinic has been in session on Fridays and Mon- days-having had 41 sessions. At which time the dentist has filled 148 permanent and 69 temporary teeth - Extracted 4 permanent and 16 temporary teeth - and done 71 cleanings for 67 children.
The teeth of all of the children have been examined by the dentist - Notices have been sent home where it was deemed necessary and certificates given to those whose teeth were alright.
DR. IRVING P. DINEEN
School Dentist
Report of Financial Committee
The Financial Committee met six times between the annual February Town Meeting and December 31st. We have carefully appraised all of the budgetary requests submitted by the various town boards and all other town officials charged with the responsibility and duty for the expenditure of funds of the Town of Wilbraham. We believe that the funds under the jurisdiction of the local officials have been expended in a prudent manner and in the way which most greatly immures to the benefit of our town.
We ask that the schedule of the appropriations the Com- mittee has recommended be given careful consideration by the Town's people, and hereby submit our belief that said recom- mendations are completely in accordance with the needs of the town for the ensuing year.
During the year the Committee made the following trans- fers from the Reserve fund of $4,500 appropriated at the annual Town Meeting.
53
May 18 $100.00 to Forest Warden Appropriation 50.00 to Care of Parks Appropriation
Nov. 15 400.00 to Library Appropriation 200.00 to Civilian Defense Activities Appropriation 200.00 to Miscellaneous Highways Appropriation
Nov. 22 150.00 to Planning Board Appropriation
Dec. 17 50.00 to Civilian Defense Appropriation 5.00 to Dental Clinic Appropriation
Dec. 27 50.00 to Civilian Defense Activities Appropriation
Total Available in Reserve Fund. $4,500.00
Total above
1,205.00
Balance
$3,295.00
In some instances the Boards which had the transferred funds added to their appropriation did not find it necessary to completely expend the funds made available.
We point out that it has been a source of great satisfaction to the Committee and the Townspeople, that for many years our local Officers have turned back into the general treasury substantial unexpended amounts from their appropriations whenever possible.
The Committee extends its appreciation to the Towns- people for the splendid support that they have accorded com- mittee recommendations in the past, and further extends its thanks for the courtesies and cooperation extended during the year by all of the town Boards and town Officers.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. MURPHY Jr., Chairman
CARL NELSON, Secretary LEON A. JEWELL JOHN J. LYONS EDWARD P. RACIBORSKI FRANK AUCHTER JOSEPH J. BALDWIN
54
1943 REPORT OF THE
Trustees For County Aid To Agriculture
AND THE
HAMPDEN COUNTY IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
AGRICULTURAL WORK
During the year the service of the County Agricultural Agent has been incidental to a County-wide service, shaped almost wholly by the war time developments. All farmers have been kept informed by circular letters and published articles regarding special crop and livestock developments and recommended practices, spray bulletins, pest control calendars, tips on poultry range management, beekeeping and so forth. Assistance to individuals in connection with their agricultural production and marketing problems has been given when re- quested. It is estimated that about twenty such farmers in Wilbraham have received personal assistance or advice.
HOME BUREAU WORK
A number of Home Bureau projects were carried on in Wilbraham during the year. These included such projects as nutrition, food conservation, chair seating, recreation, clothing, Christmas gift kit and sewing machine clinics. In all 359 women participated in these various projects and were lead by 19 volunteer local leaders who held 36 meetings.
The following leaders were in charge of the various home bureau projects and the total amount of $17.95 was reimbursed as expenses incurred.
Mrs. Leslie Buchanan, Mrs. Harold Howe, Mrs. Robert McConnell, Mrs. Roy Fisher, Mrs. Charles J. Smith, Jr., Mrs. Clifford Bradway, Mrs. George Patric, Mrs. Harry White, Mrs. Howe Newell, Mrs. Edward Tidd, Mrs. G. R. Files, Mrs. Harry White, Mrs. Howe Newell, Mrs. Edward Tidd, Mrs. G. R. Files, Mrs. D. J. McCarthy, Mrs. O. K. Gilbert and Mrs. E. P. Vibbert.
55
4-H CLUB WORK
There were 12 separate 4-H Club projects with 99 mem- bers enrolled. There were 48 members alone in the garden project, 2 of whom were selected to participate in a Special Garden and Canning Contest with suitable prizes offered by Sears Roebuck & Company of Springfield.
The following leaders were in charge of the 4-H clubwork in the town and the total expenses incurred by them was $30.73.
Mr. W. H. Eaton, Mrs. J. P. Hunter, Miss Helen S. Kochanek, Mrs. R. R. Riddle, Mr. Donald Benson, Mrs. Charles J. Hatch, Mrs. Ralph Bennett, Mrs. Mary Cooper, Mrs. Charles Dietz, Mrs. Louise N. Johnson, Mr. Malcolm Johnson, Mrs. H. L. Miller, Mrs. Howe Newell and Mrs. G. C. Walker.
Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture
L. B. BOSTON Clerk
Aid To Agriculture Report
1943 Appropriation
$75.00
Balance carried over from 1942
34.25
$109.25
Expended in 1943
48.68
Balance available for 1944
$60.57
Recommended appropriation for 1944
50.00
$110.57
Respectfully submitted
Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture
L. B. BOSTON, Clerk
56
REPORT OF THE Visiting Nurse Association Service
January 1932 - January 1944
In terms of health and numbers, the 6th Annual Well Child Conference proved most successful. Dr. Edmund L. Saunders, served as conference physician, Miss Molly Higgins of the Hampden County Improvement League, as Nutritionist, and Mrs. W. S. Palmer as Dental Hygeinist. With the ex- ception of enlarged tonsils, the physical defects were of minor types and many less than in previous years. One additional day of conference time allowed 27 more children to be examined this year.
Conference Summary
Total number of children examined 115
Number who need vaccination 62
Number who need toxoid
16
Number who need dental care 23
Number who need medical care
3
Number with nutritional defects
4
Number with postural defects
2
Number with flat feet 8
Number with enlarged tonsils 31
Number recommended for tonsil and adenoid removal 9
Number with heart murmurs 3
Emphasis on good dental hygiene and preventive den- tistry has been productive of good results. Many less children had dental defects and of the 23 who needed care 12 have been referred for attention to Dr. Bailey who has given gen- erously of his time. Miss Higgins, the Nutritionist, found many opportunities at conference to discuss well balanced diets, the importance of nutrition in daily living and the role of food in the growth and development of the young child. We feel that the paucity of real nutritional problems was due in large part to the careful attention paid to this phase of the problem through out the year.
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Among the new children examined at conference, the outstanding defect was enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Of the 21 in this group were definitely advised to have corrective operations.
Included among those whom the nurse is visiting at the present time are 4 newborn babies, 10 infants under 1 year of age and 19 preschool children who were unable to attend the conference. Visits were also made during the year to 13 expectant mothers. While the educational program has been most satisfactory, the nursing service has decreased 18 visits during this year.
Until December 1943, Wilbraham has been fortunate in having the services of the same nurse, Mrs. Hilda Dunn. Mrs. Dunn's resignation has made a change necessary, however, and Miss Helen Beck has been assigned to replace her.
With the changes on our staff and the increasing shortage of well prepared public health nurses, we are not able to make predictions for the service in the future-we merely hope it will be possible to carry on as we have in the past.
The local committee with Mrs. Carl Nelson as Chairman has been industrious and very helpful. The Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare have been understanding and co- operative. It has been gratifying and a real pleasure to work in a community with such fine spirit.
MARIAN E. JOHNSTON
Field Assistant Director
58 The Visiting Nurse Association NURSING SERVICE IN WILBRAHAM January 1, 1943 -- January 1, 1944
Cases carried January 1, 1943
137
Cases taken on during the year
141
Total cases carried during the year
278
Cases discharged during the year
127
Cases carried January 1, 1944
151
Nursing
1
Maternity
6
New Born
6
Prenatal
4
Health Supervision
Infant
24
Preschool
108
Adult
2
-- 134
151
July 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,-5 day Well Child Conference --- Attendance 115
Visits made during the year
Nursing
54
Maternity
67
New Born
58
Prenatal 38
59
Health Supervision
Infant
Preschool
78 378
Adult
5
461
8
Behalf of patient Absent
40
726
42 days service given by Nurse 5 days Well Child Conference
47 days Total Service
Of the above total visits 33 were not made on contract time.
Well Child Conference
The Well Child Conference held its annual clinic in July 1943 and we examined 115 pre-school children. This year we added a Dental Hygienist and have followed up her recom- mendations with Dentist work. I want here to make public acknowledgment of our great appreciation to the interest and cooperation of the following people who helped make our clinic a success: Mrs. Ray Palmer, Dr. J. W. Bailey, Dr. E. Saunders, Miss Molly Higgins, Mrs. Dunn, and Mrs. Carver who chauffeured for us.
This fall we gave the diptheria immunization treatment to 11 pre-school children thru Dr. Saunders and Miss Polson and the Schick Test will be given in June.
The Visiting Nurse Association does the rest of our work and it will be in their report.
MARGARET M. NELSON
Chairman Well Child Conference
60
REPORT OF Wilbraham Library Trustees
During the year, the Wilbraham Public Library has suffered a very great loss. Mrs. Abbott, through the years, has become synonymous with the Library. Her sincere en- deavours, her willingness always to be of assistance to young and old, her evenness of disposition, all have endeared her to every patron.
The Trustees are indeed happy they were able to appoint Miss Ruth Abbott to continue her mother's painstaking and sincere administration.
Respectfully submitted,
H. W. CUTLER ALICE P. PLIMPTON HOWE S. NEWELL
REPORT OF THE Sealer of Weights and Measures
Tested and Sealed
9
Counter scales under 100 pounds
2
Beam scales under 100
12
Spring scales 100 or over
2
Spring scales under 100
5
Computing scales
15
Weights
33
Liquid
6
Meters
30
Gas pump
1
Oil measuring pumps
9
Grease pumps
1
Fees collected
$26.67
Respectfully submitted
CHARLES W. VINTON Sealer
Platform Scales
61
REPORT OF THE Public Safety Committee
The Civilian Defense Committee feels that 1943 has been a successful year in that no emergency has arisen calling for its services although it has been at all times fully prepared.
Upon the resignation of Ralph S. Stedman as Chairman his duties were carried on by Vice Chairman, Wesley Chapman, until April 1st at which time Roger T. Hintze was appointed by the Selectmen as the new chairman. The entire personnel of the committee was used only during blackouts and various planned incidents, but meetings of the Executive Committee have been held regularly.
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