USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1951-1955 > Part 34
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In carrying out these policies, the committee serves in an advisory capacity. The responsibility for putting them into operation must
95
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT (Continued) 1955 Est. of Credit on Acct. of Education (Continued)
lie with our Superintendent of Schools. Though younger in years than many superintendents, Mr. Agard has shown excellent qualities of understanding, alertness, conscientiousness, and a terrific desire to do his work well.
Like a rapidly expanding business, the rapidly expanding school system multiplies the administrative problems manyfold; and the committee has attempted to solve these in the best interests of the citizens of the town. During the past year, the committee started compiling a handbook of policies which have been established over the years by the School Committee of this town. In a small system, the human memory may be an adequate place to store school com- mittee policies, but it has been found that this method is embarrass- ing and uncertain at times. It is felt that the written record will prove invaluable to future members of this committee. This last year, the committee has established a procedure for handling ex- treme disciplinary cases and its members feel that its operation has been a step in the right direction. Approval has been given to the Superintendent of Schools for the administration of many policies directed toward a yearly cycle of repairs and maintenance and the taking of several steps to make more economical the operation of the school system.
The school enrollment in the Town of Wilbraham continues to show the tremendous growth of this community. In 1948 there were 453 pupils, grades one through twelve, enrolled in the public schools, while on October 1, 1954 there were 1019 pupils in the same grades. The necessary large and costly school building program has barely been able to complete needed rooms at a rate equal to the increases in enrollment. In 1948 there were 12 classrooms to house 323 stu- dents, grades 1-8, while in 1954 there are 31 rooms available for 904 students, grades 1-9. Classrooms now average more pupils than in 1948. The following enrollment figures, in table form illustrate the growth situation which has occurred in this town.
ENROLLMENT FIGURES 1948-1956
Year
Grades 1-6
Grades 7-9
Grades 10-12
Total Grades 1-12
(Enrollment Figures)
1948
264
91
98
453
1949
311
92
90
493
1950
367
89
93
549
1951
449
104
103
656
1952
523
132
93
748
1953
612
167
99
878
1954
679
225
115
1019
(Census Figures)
1955*
715
251
155
1121
1956*
775
267
186
1228
* No allowance for move-ins
In addition to the rapid growth and expansion which the schools have experienced over the past six years, the community is faced with continued school building needs in the immediate future. In a near normal growth situation, school authorities are able to fore- cast necessary expansion needs over a five year period by a study of births in the community. Such studies are continually in progress in Wilbraham. They are complicated by the unusually high ratio of new residents in the community making the conclusion uncertain. For example, of the 136 first grade students who started school in September, 1954, only 80 were registered in Wilbraham at birth.
96
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT (Continued) 1955 Est. of Credit on Acct. of Education (Continued)
The census figures which follow show the actual count as taken on October 1, 1954. In the past, each age group has shown a yearly increase as additional families moving into this community add to the size of the entering class.
SCHOOL CENSUS FIGURES, OCTOBER 1, 1954 Enrollment in Grade
Sept.
1-9
of
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
7
8
9
Total Total
1955
120
134
131
130
101
87
703
97
83
70
250
953
1956 128
120
134
131
130
101
744
87
97
83
267 1011
1957 128
128
120
134
131
130
771
101
87
97
285 1056
1958 104
128
128
120
134
131
745
130
101
87
318 1063
1959 117
104
128
128
120
134
731
131
130
101
362 1093
No allowance for move-ins
A study of the preceding tables showing enrollment and pre-school census figures indicates a definite need for additional classroom space. The following table, based on the estimated entering and graduating classes shows the need facing the town.
Rooms Available :
Springfield Street School
3
The Pines School
6
Memorial School
22
Total
31
Room Needs :
Year
Rooms Needed
Rooms Available
Shortage
September, 1955
34
31
3
September, 1956
37
31
6
September, 1957
39
31
8
September, 1958
41
31
10
September, 1959
43
31
12
September, 1960
45
31
14
September, 1961
46
31
15
September, 1962
46
31
15
No allowance has been made for additional move-ins in the upper grades, where it is possible that such a concentration of students might occur and additional classroom space would be needed. Based on all studies available, it now appears that by 1962 the number of entering first grade students will equal the number in the 9th grade graduating class.
Faced with the need for more classroom space for September, 1955, the School Committee met with the Board of Selectmen in July of 1953 and requested the naming of a Survey Committee to study the problem and make plans for providing these rooms. The report of that committee appeared in the Annual Town Report for the year 1953.
Again in September 1954, the School Committee met with the Board of Selectmen to point out the rapid growth in school popula- tion and requested that immediate action be taken so that additional classrooms would be available by September 1956; the 1955 date now being impossible to meet.
In September 1955, by overloading classrooms, reducing parts of the school program, and using the cafeteria and stage for classes, all children now listed as coming to school will be able to attend
97
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT (Continued) 1955 Est. of Credit on Acct. of Education (Continued)
school under the present full day plan. The following year, how- ever, unless additional space is made available, it appears that some kind of double session will be necessary. While the added trans- portation costs and disruption of home schedules are obvious dis- advantages, the real loss is in the actual learning time of the chil- dren. Children coming in the afternoon are tired when they arrive at school, their ability to concentrate is impaired, and they arrive home after dark. Statewide studies show that the per pupil costs do not go down where double sessions are being held. These same studies show that the children do not tend to make progress com- parable with their ability.
It is the hope of this committee that the citizens of the Town of Wilbraham will provide a better answer to the growth problem than that of double sessions for the school children.
The 1955 school budget proposed by the School Committee shows an increase of $35,748.00 over last year.
This increase is due largely to the additional number of students now being educated by the town. Springfield now charges $416.00 per pupil for high school tuition and our number of tuition pupils has increased by approximately 25 pupils. Tuition charges at Trade High School have increased from $250.00 to $275.00.
In our Wilbraham schools, there are additional books and supplies to purchase for the increased number in the student body and all three buildings will be operated for a full school year. Salaries of the teachers have been evaluated and compared with those of nearby communities. An increase has been granted based on a starting salary of $3,000.00. Your committee hopes that this will enable the Wilbraham School System to attract and hold well qualified and experienced teachers. The major repair scheduled for this coming year is the painting of the exterior of the Memorial School building. This was last completed in 1952 and has weathered to the extent that unless this painting is done, severe damage will set in.
The School Committee wishes to thank the citizens and several Committees of the Town for their support and cooperation. It wishes to express to the teachers and staff of the schools its appreciation for the excellent work accomplished this past year.
MARSHALL E. ROPER, Chairman LOUISE D. SCHATZ DORRANCE T. GREEN Members of the Wilbraham School Committee
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
(By vote of the Wilbraham School Committee, the report of the Superintendent of Schools has been adopted as part of the Wilbraham School Committee's report.)
To the School Committee of the Town of Wilbraham:
As Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Wilbraham, I sub- mit my third annual report.
98
PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Name
Position
Year Appointed
Education and Professional Training
Office
Irving H. Agard Christine Clark
Superintendent
1950
B.A., M.Ed., Lafayette, Fitchburg Ac.S., Bay Path
Springfield Street School Millicent G. Green
Principal, Grade 3
1938
North Adams
Marguerite Meehan
Grade 2
1954
B.S., A. I. C.
Madeline L. Harrington Henry Hyde
Custodian
1954
The Pines School
Robert D. Bengle
Principal, Grade 6
1953
B.S., Tufts
Helen S. Strauss
Grade 5
1930
B.S., M.S., Columbia, Springfield
Ruth G. Backus
Grade 4
1953
Framingham
Esther L. Johnson
Grade 3
1949
Westfield State Teachers'
Mary E. Johnston
Grade 2
1950
Westfield State Teachers'
Ruth Lesser
Grade 1
1954
William E. Tupper
Custodian
1950
Memorial School
Lincoln A. Dexter
Principal
1954
B.S., Rhode Island State
Evelyn E. Nowak
Secretary
1954
High School of Commerce
Marilyn E. Stone
Junior High
1952
B.A., M.A., Smith, Columbia
Frank Ballas
Junior High
1953
B.S., M.S., A. I. C.
Clinton Hanscom
Junior High
1954
B.A., A. I. C.
Helen Walinski
Junior High
1953
B.A., College of Our Lady of the Elms
Edward Germain
Junior High
1954
B.A., A. I. C.
Julia Rosenbeck
Junior High
1954
Framingham State Teachers' College
A. Louise Bradley
Junior High
1952
B.A., M.A., A. I. C.
Mary E. Travis
Junior High
1954
B.S., Cortland
Jane McMahon
Grade 6
1953
B.S., Bridgewater
Richard Curry
Grade 6
1954
B.A., M.A., A. I. C.
Audrey Church
Grade 5
1954
B.A., St. Xavier
Gina Impoco
Grade 5
1954
B.A., M.Ed., A. I. C., Springfield
Merilis Scott
Grade 4
1953
Fitchburg
Secretary
1950
Grade 1
1952
B.S., M.S., University of Massachusetts
B.A., A. I. C.
99
PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Continued)
Name
Position
Year Appointed Education and Professional Training
Memorial School (Continued)
Phyllis Parsons
Grade 4
1953
B.A., University of Massachusetts
Marguerite Brady
Grade 3
1942
Perry Normal
Annamae Martin
Grade 3
1954
B.A., College of St. Rose
Myra D. Stetson
Grade 2
1954
Salem Normal
Marion Holland
Grade 2
1922
Springfield Teachers'
Frances A. Ward
Grade 2
1954
B.S., Worcester State Teachers'
Janet Smith
Grade 1
1953
Stella C. Mondoux
Grade 1
1954
Clara B. Merrill
Grade 1
1944
John Polaczak
Custodian
1949
George Morrison
Custodian
1953
Andrew Rogerson
Custodian
1953
Supervisors
Helen B. Tower
Art
1921
Massachusetts Normal School of Art
Maxine J. Westfall
Music
1951
B.M., New England Conservatory of Music
Therese A. Bailey
Reading
1950
B.S., M.A., Westfield, A. I. C.
Richard P. Spencer
Physical Education
1953
B.A., University of Massachusetts
Health
Janet Horacek
Nurse
1954
R.N., Springfield Hospital
Arthur H. Goodwin
Doctor
1947
M.D., Tufts
Irving P. Dinneen
Dentist
1929
D.M.D., Tufts
Hot Lunch Program
May Jenkins
Manager
1950
Marjorie Bartlett
Cook
1950
Mildred Cotter
Cook
1950
Rose Morin
Cook
1953
Winifred Bennett
Cook
1953
Pauline Harvey
Cook
1953
Isabella Rollins
Cook
1954
Julia Dougal
Cook
1952
Honorata Opalinski
Cook
1953
Transportation
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Samble
1930
Mr. George W. Motyka
1932
B.A., College of Our Lady of the Elms
B.S., Westfield
Farmington State
100
REPORT OF THE SUPT. OF SCHOOLS (Continued)
Changes in school personnel not shown in the preceding table were as follows:
Miss Marion E. Kelley, teacher, principal, retired, August 14, 1953 Mrs. Barbara Walters Poulin, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1953 Mr. Lincoln A. Dexter, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1953 Mrs. Virginia Walters Locke, teacher, resigned, January 30, 1953 Mrs. Paula Donohue, teacher, resigned, January 30, 1953 Mrs. Agnes C. Coote, teacher, retired, December 31, 1953 Mr. Carl Heiden, custodian, resigned, March 15, 1953 Mrs. Cammella Kerr, cook, resigned, February 21, 1953 Mrs. Elizabeth MacIntire, cook, resigned, February 21, 1953 Mr. Henry Hyde, custodian, resigned, June 30, 1953 Miss Dorothy Swift, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1954 Miss Barbara Maher, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1954 Mr. William Lennon, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1954 Mr. Ralph N. Carew, principal, resigned, August 28, 1954 Miss Marion Hosley, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1954 Mr. and Mrs. Adelbert Brooks, transportation, resigned, September 30, 1954
Mrs. Mary E. Hogan, teacher, resigned, September 20, 1954 Mrs. Alice P. Gordon, teacher, resigned, November 19, 1954 Mrs. Ellen ZaKutney, teacher, resigned, February 27, 1954 Mrs. Gwendolyn Buchanan, nurse, resigned, June 30, 1954 Mrs. Rebecca Koch, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1954
Mrs. Dorothy Bartlett, cook, resigned, December 10, 1954
Mrs. Beulah Wahlberg, cook, resigned, June 30, 1953
Mrs. Carol Cassady Carver, teacher, resigned, June 30, 1953
On September 30 of this year, Mr. and Mrs. Adelbert Brooks asked to be released from their transportation contract. For the last 19 years the Brooks have been transporting the children from the Three Rivers Road area. During this time, their faithful and loyal service has been greatly appreciated by the children, school adminis- tration, and parents. Of great importance, is their outstanding record for safe transportation.
ENROLLMENT
The enrollment of students by grades as of October 1, 1954 is shown below.
Grade 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 Total
Spfld. St.
28
24
33
85
Pines
29
31
26
31
26
26
169
Memorial
77
76
71
70
61
71
83
70
69 648
902
HEALTH
The following is a summary of the report submitted by the school nurse.
December 1, 1953 - December 1, 1954
Physical Examinations 296
Parents Present 50
Notices Sent for Physical Defects Noted
42
101
REPORT OF THE SUPT. OF SCHOOLS (Continued)
Dental Examinations
839
Notices Sent
432
Head Examinations
1032
Notices Sent
34
Weight and Height
1007
Audiometer Tests
761
Notices Sent
11
Visual Acuity
542
Notices Sent
66
Examined by Family Eye Specialist
35
Fitted With Glasses
24
Pre-School Vaccinations
27
Children Sent to Child Guidance Clinic
8
Children Sent to the Springfield Hospital Clinic
4
Children Sent to the Camp Frederic Edwards
4
Home Calls and Children Taken Home
(Since Sept. 1954)
74
Contagious Diseases
87
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
The following comparison of figures will indicate the increased size of the school population and the continued growth of the Hot Lunch program.
1952
1953
1954
Class A. Hot Lunches, full meal, milk, dessert
73,480
85,976
97,785
Additional servings of milk
12,202
17,976
25,483
Claims received, U.S.D.A.
$6,845.58
$8,005.08
$9,967.07
Cash Payments for lunches
15,302.91
18,060.60
20,894.29
Salaries to Lunchroom Personnel
5,227.50
6,195.50
8,552.00
Payments for Food and Supplies
14,412.89
19,044.16
21,357.89
All meals are prepared at the Memorial School kitchen and trans- ported to the other two schools in thermos cans. The complete pro- gram is self-supporting and the lunch continues to be sold for twenty cents a meal. In October, the students were offered recess milk and additional noon milk through participation in the Federal Surplus Milk program. This program is designed to reduce the milk surplus by encouraging greater student consumption. Because of the large reimbursement provided by this act, milk is available to the students at two cents 1/2 pint serving.
PUBLIC LAW 874
With the school year ending June 30, 1954, the public schools of Wilbraham qualified for the first time to receive federal funds to aid in operating costs. Public Law 874 offers financial assistance for communities where an influx of people employed in federal non- taxpaying establishments cause a school problem. In the 1953-1954 school year, more than three percent of our pupils came from homes where one of the parents was employed in a federal establishment as outlined in the law. On the basis of the approved claim, the Town of Wilbraham received $3,939.70 which was deposited with the Town Treasurer to be expended upon authorization by the School Committee as provided for in the General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 621 of the Acts of 1953. The fund has been held as a contingency reserve and was carried forward into 1955, available for emergency use when necessary.
Although it is possible that this town will again qualify to receive these funds, definite figures cannot be determined until the end of
102
REPORT OF THE SUPT. OF SCHOOLS (Continued)
this school year. The legal residence of some children, and uncertain employment conditions, are important factors in receiving reimburse- ment. An added uncertainty is the considered revision of Public Law 874 which if adopted, will adversely affect Wilbraham's claim.
The committee has adopted a policy of attempting to schedule repairs and upkeep of the school buildings on a yearly basis so that the plant will be in satisfactory condition and at no time will the town be faced with a series of major undertakings. In line with this policy the following repairs were completed last year :
The Pines School :
installing new windows on the east side of the building, installing new exterior doors on the older portion of the building, installing protective wire screens on the back and side windows and doors where continued breakage was occurring, and painting of the exterior trim and wood surface.
Springfield Street School:
installing a water heater to provide warm water for the lavatories and health room
(This heater, formerly used by the hot lunch program in the Pines School, was no longer needed after the addition was con- structed there.)
Memorial School:
painting the cafeteria, auditorium, two classrooms and refinish- ing the lobby walls and corridor doors by the custodial force during the summer months. The use of department employees to paint the buildings will provide for regular maintenance at a reduced cost to the town. The present plan is to paint additional rooms each year so that at no time will there be a need for a major expenditure.
GRADUATION
On June 18, 1954 these students were graduated from the Memorial Junior High School.
Class Officers
Daniel Peterson, President
Rose Brackinisky, Vice-President John Benjamin Davis, Jr., Secretary Edmund Sidur, Treasurer
Carol Ann Ammirato Edward William Anderson
Joseph J. Gosende Carol Lorraine Graves
Gary Babineau
Johanna Louise Groll
Paul J. Babineau
Frances Marie Harvey Betty Lee Herter
Dorothy Dolores Bednarz
Anthony Manuel Bernardes
Joan Dolores Lucier
Deborah Alice Martin
Gordon Lewis Bliss Charles Reid Bowman
Sheila Jean McCombe Malcolm Melanson
Victor E. Brown Carolyn Jean Canney Leone Casey Donald Louis Castaldini
Jack Edward Morse Carol Nannette Nixon James B. Normoyle Julie Ann Orton Melinda Safford Wanda Frances Schuttert
David Robert Chapman Wendy Clark Donald Andrew Croteau Carol Dodge Robert Lawrence Egan Elizabeth M. Goodrich
Lea Ann Von Flatern Margaret Ann Woods David D. Yamer
103
REPORT OF THE SUPT. OF SCHOOLS (Continued)
The following students, former graduates of the Memorial Junior High School, were graduated with honors from High School.
Barbara Louise Mills Palmer High School Evelyn Esther Nowak High School of Commerce
The Town of Wilbraham continues to be faced with a rapidly increasing school population. Well prepared, enthusiastic and ex- perienced teachers are a must if the children are to receive the preparation necessary for continuous growth and development. The shortage of teachers has become a serious problem throughout the state and nation. In addition to the new classrooms which were staffed here in the past four years, we have had to secure replace- ments for position vacancies caused by two retirements and more than a dozen resignations. Wilbraham has lost several good teachers to other school systems because of larger salaries being offered. Our children will have to compete with the products of these nearby schools, both on an educational and an employment basis. This com- munity must provide its children with the fundamental education to compete successfully. The most important single factor in insur- ing a good education is the employment and retaining of good teachers.
Throughout the past year, added emphasis has been placed on mastery of the basic skills. Phonics, formerly developed as a minor skill, but highly successful as the basic tool for remedial reading instruction, is now given added time and importance in the first three grades. Both arithmetic and spelling are taught as formal subjects in all grades, with a return to the drills and memory exercises neces- sary for mastery. A new unified social studies textbook series is providing closer coordination between grades and more efficient use of classroom time. Additional dictionaries have been purchased and there are indications of better development in that branch of learning.
A series of nationally accepted achievement tests was given to all students in May of this year. The results show that the achievement of our students is equal to or above the national norm with outstand- ingly high results in science. However, the results of a system-wide battery of intelligence quotient tests shows that even greater achieve- ment results are possible if the full abilities of these children are realized. Too many of the students are not working up to capacity, and it requires well-trained and experienced teachers to cultivate this practice.
The Wilbraham schools do not have a policy of automatic promo- tion. A student must master the basic skills and subject matter in each grade before being promoted. While it is agreed that the repeating of a grade may present a problem in adjustment to a child, it is felt that the long term objective of our elementary grades is to develop certain basic learning skills and habits, and that the difficulties and failures of many of the middle and upper grade stu- dents can be directly traced to a failure in mastering the material of the preceding grades.
In conclusion, I wish to express my admiration for all the mem- bers of the school staff, who have worked so hard and cooperated so fully in a united effort to give the Wilbraham children a good edu- cation. I believe the students are growing and learning and that with additional effort and experience, even better results will be realized. It has been a most satisfactory and educationally reward- ing experience to serve as Superintendent of Schools in Wilbraham. The intense desire of the citizens to provide and support good schools deserves the best efforts of everyone. I appreciate the understanding and patience demonstrated by you, the members of the School Com- mittee, in the development of the school policies and the school pro-
104
REPORT OF THE SUPT. OF SCHOOLS (Continued)
gram. Your willingness to devote so many hours to careful plan- ning and discussion, your kind advice and practical community ex- perience, are responsible for the results we are achieving.
IRVING H. AGARD, Superintendent of Schools
School Statistics Children in the School Census and Their Distribution October 1, 1954
5-7 Years
7-16 Years
Total
Boys
140
467
607
Girls
121
392
513
261
859
1120
Distribution
In public schools
148
793
941
In vocational schools
5
5
In private schools
18
60
78
Not enrolled in any school
95
1
96
261
859
1120
Total on October 1, 1953
253
761
1014
Number of Pupils in Elementary Schools by Grades Five Year Period 1949-1954
As of October of Each Year
Year
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
1949
77
58
56
45
43
32
30
33
374
1950
76
76
65
60
46
44
30
32
27
456
1951
96
79
91
66
66
51
39
34
31
553
1952
118
90
86
92
67
70
58
36
38
655
1953
136
128
95
87
88
78
66
63
38
779
1954
134
131
130
101
87
97
83
70
69
902
Number of Pupils in the Several High Schools and Trade Schools
Five Year Period 1949-1954
High Technical Ludlow Palmer
Year
Junior High School 29
Classical High
School of School Commerce
High School
High School
High School
West Spring- field
Trade High School
Total
1949
16
18
25
2
11
18
119
1950
18
21
31
4
7
12
93
1951
12
17
35
2
7
30
103
1952
16
13
37
3
2
22
93
1953
12
15
42
1
8
2
21
101
1954
17
21
41
10
2
20
111
105
School Calendar, 1954-1955
First Term: Wednesday, September 8 through Thursday, December 23
Second Term: Monday, January 3 through Friday, February 25 Third Term: Monday, March 7 through Friday, April 29
Fourth Term: Monday, May 9 through Friday, June 24
Schools will close on all legal holidays and on Monday, September 20, Children's Day at the Eastern States Exposition; Friday, Octo- ber 22, Hampden County Teachers' Convention; and Friday, April 8, Good Friday. Schools will close at noon on Wednesday, November 24 for Thanksgiving.
The Wilbraham School Committee schedules regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month. Occasionally the members are unable to meet at that time. However, the school committee will be pleased to meet with anyone .by appointment.
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