USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1941-1945 > Part 33
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1. Name of person calling in.
2. Street and house number.
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3. Type of fire (house, chimney, barn, etc.)
4. Telephone number from which call is being made.
Be accurate and brief-remember the human element must always be considered.
At this time we wish to express to the New England Tele- phone & Telegraph Company and particularly to the operators at the North Wilbraham Telephone Exchange our sincere appreciation of the splendid and instantaneous cooperation we have always received in connection with fire calls in the past.
It is probable that the majority of the residents of Wilbra- ham are not aware of the fact that of the fourteen call firemen in Wilbraham, five are employed by the Collins Company, Inc. and two by Wilbraham Academy. These men are allowed to respond to any Fire Department calls during the day without any loss of pay. We would like to express our appreciation to Mr. Paul C. Bast, President and Treasurer of the Collins Com- pany, Inc., and to Mr. Charles L. Stevens, Headmaster of Wilbraham Academy, for their splendid public-spirited attitude and ready cooperation in permitting these men to respond promptly to fire calls.
Fire protection is the responsibility of every resident of the Town of Wilbraham. Fully 95 percent of prevention is at home and each of us should do his best to keep fire hazard at a minimum. The Fire Department appreciates the cooperation of the townspeople in this matter.
Respectfully submitted,
WESLEY G. CHAPMAN, Chairman FRED B. REIDY DAVID J. MUIR Board of Fire Commissioners
Gypsy Moth Report
Total Egg Clusters destroyed, largest number found in any one year 4473
Largest Colony-Evans Farm 298
Largest Single Colony-Stokosa Farm on oak tree 223
Total cost $591.77
E. RAY PEASE Moth Supt.
54 Trustee of Free Public Library
Number Volumes in Library January 1, 1945
7651
66
added by purchase
145
66
donated
263
66
66
discarded and lost
106
66 in Library January 1, 1946
7953
Circulation
Borrowers
North Wilbraham
7691
722
Stony Hill
217
18
School Deposits
625
Total
8533
740
Again during the year the Library Trustees tried to carry out its project for the improvement of the lighting of the library. However, it was still not possible to get priorities on the materials. This project will stand high on our list for 1946.
Much work has been done during the year in redecorating and repair. Several ceilings were replaced and the entire interior repainted and trimmed. New window shades were purchased and the floors refinished.
The weekly story hour for school children has been con- tinued with growing influence and success. We are deeply indebted to Mrs. Clifford DuBray for this voluntary work. We hope that the children from the other schools can take part in this endeavor as transportation becomes more easily available.
The Trustees wish gratefully to acknowledge gifts from individuals and organizations. The Wilbraham Women's Club presented the library with a very attractive fluorescent lamp for the librarian's charge desk. From Mrs. J. G. MacLean we received some needed book shelves and 300 volumes which will be real additions to the library.
Respectfully submitted,
H. W. CUTLER
ALICE PLIMPTON
HOWE S. NEWELL
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Milk Inspector
Licenses given to sell milk 45
Free license given to sell milk 1
Licenses given to sell margerine 8
License fees turned over to Town Collector $26.50
Dairies were inspected as necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
J. M. PICKENS Milk Inspector
Recreation Committee
Your Board is pleased to submit to the town a report on the Town Recreation Activities for 1945.
In the interest of the best all-around program, and con- sidering the needs of each section, sub-committees were ap- pointed in each of the three precincts.
The North Wilbraham Committee consisted of Mrs. W. B. Cooper, Chairman; William Tupper, Charles Backus, Jr., Mrs. Ralph Wood, Cyril Woods, Mrs. R. R. Riddle, Mrs. John Gale, Mrs. Cyril Woods, Mrs. Puricelli, Raymond Babi- neau, Eugene Wessels, F. B. Reidy. This committee's activi- ties centered chiefly on three projects : swimming, baseball, and the Grassy Hollow Playground. For the swimming project, the services of Miss Coralie Mallon were obtained and she was on duty throughout the summer between the hours of 1:00 P. M. and 5:00 P. M., assisted by a group of women who aided in beach patrol work. A great many improvements were made in the beach by volunteer assistants. A fence was put up to prevent cars from driving on the beach, barrels and floats were painted and a boat secured for the use of the life guard in safety work. Mr. William Tupper organized a baseball team of boys between the ages of 12 and 14 years (known as the "Spit-Fires"). This team played a full season and were members of the Spring- field Sandlot league. They did much of the work in keeping the ball field in shape and made a number of permanent im- provements. Supervised by a committee of mothers, the play- ground operated five days a week. Instruction was given in handicraft, nature study, art work, and athletics. Some of the volunteer workers in this precinct were:
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Mrs. Baier, Mrs. Doe, Mrs. Arteson,
Mrs. Hopkins, Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Loeb,
Mrs. Lamphere, Mrs. Hodgdon, Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. Rodenhizer,
Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. Holdridge,
Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Kuehn, Mrs. Shippy.
The Pines Committee consisted of John Polaczak, Chair- man; J. Cieplik, Joseph Nalepa, Sophie Boryczka, John Gurski, Helen Kochanek, John Dulski, Joseph Zawrotny, and their activities centered around baseball, development of a play- ground at the Pines School, and basketball. A baseball team was organized by Mr. Dyba and was known as the "Eagle Aces" and was also a member of the Springfield Sandlot league. A start was made on the development of the playground area around the school and considerable progress was made. The committee was fortunate in securing the use of Kosciusko Hall in Ludlow for the basketball and volley ball activities. Mr. John Polaczak was leader of these groups which met two nights a week.
The Wilbraham Center Committee consisted of Donald Stiles, Chairman; Miss Eleanor Hyde, Mrs. George P. Rice, J. R. Doe, William Shortell, Roger Hintze, R. H. Tull. Their activities included baseball, a Fourth of July celebration, con- struction of a winter skating pond, and basketball. The base- ball was supervised by Kenneth Jack, the team being known as the "Mohawks", and was also a member of the Springfield Sandlot league. A team of younger boys was also organized and enjoyed a successful season. Bleachers were constructed at the field by interested fathers. The Fourth of July celebra- tion was held on Mohawk Field. Roger Hintze was in charge and Mrs. George Rice organized the game program. A Hill- billy Band consisting of Gowell, Tull, Dickey, Baier, and Doe added much to the occasion. A baseball game was the main attraction. The Wilbraham Academy gymnasium has been secured for basketball activities during the winter months for one evening a week and Saturday morning. Also a new skating pond on the town property recently acquired from Mr. Sackett is being developed.
The entire Recreation Program in Wilbraham would not have been possible without the major contributions made by such taxpayers as Belcher Bros., Collins Manufacturing Com- pany, Collins Athletic Club and the Construction Service Cor- poration. Only a few of the many townspeople who gave gen- erously of their time are listed in this report. However, the results obtained with a small appropriation speak for tehm- selves.
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Many additional facilities are needed if Wilbraham is to have a really adequate Recreation Program. A great deal of work has been done and improvement has been made each year, but more equipment is required for a good year-round program to assist in the healthy development of the young people of this town. The Recreation Board also wishes at this time to recommend to you townspeople that a detailed layout of the new town property be made at the earliest possible date show- ing roadway, building locations, playground areas, parking lots, etc., so that a systematic development of this area may proceed at an early date.
Respectfully submitted,
W. B. COOPER, Chairman RALPH STEDMAN KENNETH JACK
58
REPORT OF THE Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of the Town of Wilbraham:
My fifth annual report as superintendent of schools in the town of Wilbraham is submitted herewith.
Changes in the Teaching Staff
The resignation of twenty-five per cent of our regular teaching personnel made necessary the election of three teachers.
At North Wilbraham Miss Parent resigned to accept a position in West Springfield, Mrs. Strasburg moved to Boston; at The Pines Mrs. Johnson resigned because of urgent home duties. The loss of these teachers was felt. keenly. They were exceptionally fine in their chosen field.
Elected to fill these vacancies are: Grade 4, North Wilbra- ham, Mrs. Agnes C. Coote of Wilbraham, for many years a teacher in Ludlow. She graduated from Wesleyan Academy and has taken numerous courses in education offered by the Boston University extension service. Grade 5, North Wilbra- ham, Mrs. Adele C. DuBray, a former teacher in Wilbraham and Springfield. She graduated from Westfield, receiving the three-year diploma and later earned the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education from Boston University School of Educa- tion. Grades 5 and 6, The Pines, Mrs. Stasia K. Lavoie, a graduate of Westfield Teachers College with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. Before coming to Wilbra- ham she taught four years in Belchertown and two years in Hampden.
Mrs. Seymour, after four years of outstanding work as music supervisor, resigned to accept a similar position in her home city of Westfield. To fill this vacancy the school com- mittee, on the recommendation of the superintendent, ap- pointed Miss Phyllis M. Smith of South Hadley. She is a graduate of South Hadley High School, having completed the college course. After one year's attendance at Mt. Holyoke College, Miss Smith enrolled in the Springfield Conservatory of Music, majoring in public school music. She had charge of the Belchertown High School graduation music last June. In addition to her two days each week in Wilbraham, she is also supervisor in Belchertown and Hampden.
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Enrolment
During the last year there has been a slight increase in the total enrolment in the eight grades of our local schools. This increase, although slight, indicates a growing annual in- crease. In September, 1949, the number of children entering our first grade will reach a total of eighty. At present there are forty-eight in grade 1. More classrooms must be made available within three years.
Entrance Age
The trend in Massachusetts and the nation is toward a higher entrance age. In Wilbraham a child must have reached his fifth birthday on or before the first day of January in order to enter school the following September.
Last May the school committee decided to try out a plan which would permit the examination of children who lacked several weeks of the required entrance age. The regulation as voted by the school committee May 31, 1945, reads :
"Voted, that any child lacking two months of meeting the present entrance age requirements may be examined by the nearest available state testing center approved by the committee. If this examination indicates that the child has a mental age of at least six years and is in satis- factory physical condition, he may enter the first grade. This examination shall be impartial. Its results shall be communicated to the superintendent of schools only, who shall notify the parents whether or not the child may enter school. Application for this examination shall be made to the superintendent of schools who shall arrange an appointment prior to September 1. Any transporta- tion involved shall be the responsibility of the parents."
Several children were examined at the Belchertown State School Clinic last July. Only one half of these children passed the examination to qualify for admission to the first grade.
One Grade in a Room
Last September found a new plan in operation at the Springfield Street and North Wilbraham schools. At the "Street" are grades 1, 2, and 3, and at North Wilbraham are grades 4, 5, and 6. This involves extra transportation. However, the arrangement seems highly worthwhile. Teachers can do better work when concentrating their efforts on one grade. Only three double grade rooms remain in the town. These are at The Pines where, no doubt, an increased popula- tion will mean changes at a later date.
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Repairs
The usual minor repairs and improvements have been made. The heaters were overhauled and smoke pipes were renewed where needed. At North Wilbraham the playground was graded and wiring improvements were made.
At Springfield Street large screens were installed. More of these will be made by Mr. Lapine as time permits.
At The Pines school the driveway to and around the building was entirely renewed.
New school building safety regulations may make neces- sary certain changes in all buildings.
Visual Education
Our motion picture program for the current year lists the following films, many of them in technicolor, and some accom- panied by teachers' guides for the discussion and evaluation of the pictures: Eighteenth Century Life in Williamsburg, Va .; The Great Lakes; The Wind from the West; Alaska's Silver Millions; Sons of Liberty; Lincoln in the White House; A Great Railroad at Work; Three to be Served; World Series of 1944; Flight Log; Animals in the Service of Man; Lifeline of the Nation; Treasure Island. In addition to the above pro- gram, additional films are occasionally shown by the railroad police, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the National Safety Council, and the Red Cross.
No School
Parents are again asked to become familiar with the policy of the school department to have the schools open each school day. In the event of exceptionally inclement weather parents are to use their best judgment in deciding whether or not it is advisable to send their children to school.
Textbooks
No major changes have been made in textbooks. Some additional supplementary material has been purchased. The Curriculum Guide for Primary Grade Teachers prepared by the State Department of Education is in the process of being printed and, when released, will be placed in the hands of the teachers.
Achievement Tests
The annual achievement testing was done again as in past years and the results in four grades indicated achievement up to the test norms and in four grades slightly below the test norms. The results for the Wilhameadow Union are as follows:
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Grade
Average
Norm
1
1.7
1.8
2
2.8
2.8
3
3.6
3.8
4
4.8
4.8
5
5.7
5.8
6
6.7
6.8
7
7.8
7.8
8
8.8
8.8
In explanation of this table, attention is called to the fact that 8.8, for instance, means the eighth month of school in the eighth grade; 1.7 means the seventh month of school in first grade and so on. Since the tests this year were given in April, the norm of achievement for any grade is indicated by the decimal .8.
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
1940
174
77
44
1941
164
69
42
1942
152
66
43
1943
127
70
55
1944
129
59
46
1945
135
48
36
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 successive years.
Conclusion
It is my sincere belief that your schools have shown a dis- tinct improvement during the past year. Your children are happy in school because the teachers are interested in their welfare. The teachers are professionally minded. They all belong to the local, county, state, and national educational organizations. Many of them are taking professional improve- ment courses.
Let me quote from the December first issue of "The Public and Education", a publication of the National Education Asso- ciation. The article is entitled "The Future of Our Country."
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"We visited our school during the recent nationwide ob- servance of American Education Week, November 11-17. It is estimated that about 10,000,000 parents and citizens made similar visits.
"We were inspired by our visit as we believe most people are who take time out to visit school once in a while. We visited a third-grade room. The day's program was opened by the children seated in a circle about the teacher re- peating together the Twenty-third Psalm and the Lord's Prayer. Next they sang America and saluted the flag. Finally they sang another song or two, including a jolly one about grandfather's clock. Then the children with the teacher's help made some decisions about the day's work, divided into groups, and went to work.
"One could not see a school day for thirty-six American children begin in this manner under the guidance of a capable teacher without being moved by it. For here the citizen of tomorrow is in the making. Duplicated in schoolrooms thruout the land, here was evidence of the emphasis the schools place upon spiritual values as well as knowledge and technics.
"America's future is in the school children of today. In the text of a new film "Assignment: Tomorrow," just produced by the National Education Association, these children, and the kind of adults every right thinking person wants them to become, are described as follows: ''They're scattered like seeds all over a great fertile land. The stock is good and the land is rich . . . that should mean a bumper crop.
'A crop of good citizens ... of voters who will know what they want and how to choose honest, capable leaders.
'A crop of cooperative citizens ... who will get along with each other regardless of their race, creed, or color.
'A crop of self-supporting citizens ... who will like the American high standard of living and who can all afford to have it.
'A crop of healthy citizens ... who will know how to keep themselves well . . . who will have eating, living, and playing habits that build strength and stamina.
'A crop of happy citizens ... who will produce art and culture that a young, lusty nation can enjoy and develop.
'A crop of active productive citizens ... for these child- ren are playing games that will teach them to work to- morrow ... with a lathe, or a typewriter, or a tractor.
'This is the wealth of our country ... a crop of Ameri- cans, at peace with the world. It can be a rich crop.'
"Yes, it can be a rich crop. But it needs to be cultivated and nourished in good schools. In the long run, as Abra-
63
ham Lincoln said, education is 'the most important business we as a people can be engaged in.' Now we have been plunged into the atomic era. In such an age, a high level of universal education is imperative."
The reports which follow merit your attention. May I ask all those who work, learn, and teach in our schools to note that I deeply appreciate their loyalty, courage, and faithfulness to one of the most important activities in which human beings are engaged?
"I think by far the most important bill in our whole code is that for the diffusion of knowledge among the people. No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom and happiness."
-Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, August 13, 1786
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND R. SAWYER
Report of the PRINCIPAL OF THE PINES SCHOOL
To Mr. Edmund R. Sawyer, Superintendent of Schools:
I am pleased to submit my second annual report as princi- pal of The Pines school.
Again this year the sale of War Savings Stamps and Bonds has been carried on at our school. From January to December, 1945, the teachers and pupils purchased bonds and stamps amounting to $1,362.95. This amount is smaller than that of last year, the decrease probably due to the fact that the war has ended.
For the fourth consecutive year The Pines school has been enrolled one hundred per cent in the American Junior Red Cross. Miss Kochanek is the sponsor for our school. Under Mrs. Tower's supervision favors, place-mats, and candy boxes were made by the pupils and sent to the veterans at Bedford, Massachusetts. In October Christmas gift boxes were filled and sent to the children in countries overseas.
The teachers of our school have enrolled one hundred per- cent in the National Education Association for the third con- secutive year, showing their interest in and supporting their national professional organization.
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Many favorable comments in regard to the handwriting of the Wilbraham pupils are made by the teachers of Spring- field, who teach our boys and girls after their graduation from the eighth grade. There are two reasons for this outstanding work, I think. One is due to the Rinehart Functional Hand- writing Method, which is now being used for the eighth year. This method directs at first the attention of the child to letter formation. Speed, of little importance at the outset, is ac- quired naturally with practice. Emphasis is placed upon neatness, legibility, proportionate size of letters, alignment, spacing, slant, and endings. The other reason for the success of this method is due to the work on the part of the teachers from the first grade to the eighth.
On Tuesday, June 19, the annual graduation exercises . were held in the hall at the school. Thirty-four pupils made up the graduating class. The program this year had several new features. Mrs. Seymour, our music supervisor at that time, organized two double quartettes, one of boys, the other of girls. They sang selections of a humorous nature. An instrumental group, made up of ten boys and girls, rendered several numbers. This group was instructed by Mr. Al Stroh- man of Springfield. The second part of the program was of a patriotic nature. Poems and readings, which exalted America, were recited by some of the graduates. These were followed by a cantata entitled "Land of Our Hearts." Mrs. Seymour and Mrs. Chouffet had charge of this. It was beautifully rendered. Mrs. Fontaine accompanied on the piano.
At graduation time we wish that the seating capacity of our hall were several times larger. Former graduates request tickets, which we cannot give. Many times some member of a graduate's immediate family cannot attend the graduation because of the limited seating capacity.
American Education Week was observed at The Pines s chool. Parents and friends of the pupils were invited especially to visit on Wednesday of that week, although they were wel- come at any time. There were exhibits of the pupils' work in all classrooms. The regular class work was carried on through- out the week.
During the past year we have had on our large bulletin board in the hall a drawing appropriate for the time of year. Mrs. Tower has supervised this work, which has been done by eighth grade pupils. At graduation time New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty illustrated the theme "Land of Our Hearts." At the present time we have a winter scene repre- senting a small community with snow-covered mountains in the background. These drawings have caused many favorable comments, as they they are seen as one enters the front door at the school.
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On Monday, December 17, we gave a Christmas enter- tainment in which all grades participated. Miss Holland's first and second grades gave a program of poems and songs. The third and fourth grades, taught by Mrs. Fontaine, sang Christmas songs. Carols were played by the instrumental group. "A Christmas Pageant" was given by pupils of grades five, six, seven, and eight. Miss Smith, our music supervisor, directed the pageant. Costuming was in charge of Miss Koch- anek and Mrs. Lavoie.
Every year many of our graduates are on the honor rolls of the Springfield schools. We feel proud of them and wish to congratulate them.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Sawyer, the school committee, supervisors, parents, and teachers for their fine cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted, MARION E. KELLEY
Report of the PRINCIPAL OF THE SPRINGFIELD STREET SCHOOL
To Mr. Edmund R. Sawyer, Superintendent of Schools:
The most noted change in our school took place in Sep- tember when for the first time in the history of our school a single grade was housed in each room. To date we feel the change is most successful and hope the arrangement will continue.
Although hostilities have ceased, our children are doing their part to help win the peace. They are collecting waste paper still, also purchasing Victory Stamps. Defense stamp sales were started at our school in September, 1942. Since that time our children have purchased stamps to the amount of $6,152.65. We are proud of this record.
Every child is a member of the Junior Red Cross. It is a joy to see the pleasure the children receive as they donate gifts and pack the Christmas boxes which are sent to children in war-torn countries.
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