USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1894 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
TRANSPORTATION TO HIGH SCHOOL.
Some appropriation ought to be made for the transporta- tion of pupils to the High School. The long distances which must be traversed by many whose only means of lo- comotion is that provided by nature causes much irregular- ity of attendance in stormy weather. It is not unusual for pupils to be obliged to leave the school on account of im- paired health, due to the long walks or exposure to severe weather. There are today parents who still mourn the pre- mature loss of loved ones whose early death is attributed to this cause. Humanity alone demands that some provision be made to render repetitions of such deplorable events impossible.
CONFERENCE WITH TEACHERS.
Only one teachers' meeting has been held during the past term. Many teachers object (and with some reason) to incurring the expense attendant upon assembling at the Centre at regular stated intervals. The plan has been pur- sued thus far, therefore, of repeating to individual teachers such instructions as the superintendent had to give. This method alone is, for many reasons, unsatisfactory. In con- junction with it, in the future, as soon as the office has been furnished with a mimeograph, which has been asked for, circular letters will be sent to all the teachers from time to time. It is not expected that even both methods together
46
will prove entirely satisfactory. It would be well if a small amount of money could be expended in the discretion of the Committee, for carriage of teachers.
INSTITUTES AND CONVENTION.
During the Fall the State Board of Education held an Institute at Provincetown continuing through parts of two successive days ; and on the following day another was held at Sandwich. Twelve of our thirteen teachers attended one or the other of these-two attending both. One of the two who attended both institutes, together with four others who bad been present at one of the meetings held under the auspices of the State Board, was seen later at the County Convention at Buzzards Bay. It is a matter of regret that no member of the Committee was able to attend any of these gatherings, an urgent invitation having been extended to them to be present at all.
VISITS OF PARENTS AND OTHERS.
The number of names of visitors borne upon the school registers is, as usual, lamentably small. No adequate con- ception of the work of the schools can be obtained except by personal inspection. The citizen who does not visit the school at least twice during each term, once near the be- ginning and again near the close, if it lies (or can be MADE to lie) in his or her power to do so, is not performing his or her whole duty to the community, the town, the State, the nation. Neither should this visitation be restricted to those who have children in school; nor should it be confined to the school near which the citizen resides or in which his or her child is a pupil.
The teachers have been instructed to preserve much written work of the children in every study, so that the parents may have the opportunity of seeing what their children have been doing and how much progress they have made. If the teacher does not volunteer to show this written work to the visitor, the latter is requested to ask for it.
Criticism, both favorable and unfavorable, upon the work of the schools will be gladly received by the superintend- ent from visitors. The citizen who comes or writes directly to the executive school officer with a frank statement of
47
what he or she believes to be needed is rendering the great- est possible service to the cause of education.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The town may well feel a just pride in its High School. Under the charge of its present able principal it is doing a noble work. There are few towns of our size in the State that possess its equal, and many larger towns which cannot boast of one so good. One comes away after a visit of five minutes, or one continuing throughout the session, impressed . with the idea that enthusiasm, diligence, thoroughness, are characteristic of the efforts of teacher and pupils alike. The amount and variety of work attempted and accomplished is marvelous, when one takes into consideration the fact that all instruction is given by one teacher-and, too, under other difficulties and disadvantages which would appear insurmountable and would discourage many men at the out- set. The enrolment-about 12 per cent. of the total enrol- ment of all the schools in town-is remarkably good; yet it would doubtless be increased could the school offer prac- tical advantages to those who desire to fit for the scientific or professional school, or for business. It now affords excellent facilities, except in the sciences, for any who wish to prepare for college. Its pressing needs, in the order of their importance, are : l'st., an assistant teacher; 2nd., physical and chemical laboratories ; 3rd., the introduction into the course of typewriting, and perhaps stenography. These two studies would better be introduced in the ninth grade of the grammar schools, and could be under the con- solidated system ; but under the present arrangement such a plan would not be feasible. With Commercial Arithmetic added, a good Business Course, perhaps not more than two years in length, could then be offered as an alternative ; such a course would no doubt meet the wants of many, who do not now look with favor upon either of the three established courses. 3 In the employment of an assistant teacher, the ability to teach typewriting and stenography should be considered. Under the present system of separate schools it would be necessary to build an addition to the present edifice, in order to furnish space for an assistant's room and for laboratories. If the schools should be central-
48
ized, the structure now occupied by the grammar and primary schools might be moved and joined to the present High School building, thus affording ample space for the rooms above mentioned and for future growth. The need of an assistant teacher with the opening of the next school year is a pressing one. If no other plan is adopted before that time, the intermediate school ought to be removed else- where, and the room now occupied by that school used by the assistant. If this plan should be selected, the inter- mediate school ought not to be kept long in temporary quarters, but should be permanently housed at an early date in an addition to the present grammar school building.
With the above recommendations carried out, the school would be placed upon a high plane ; the grand work now being done in mental discipline, in the creation of a love for the best in the storehouses of knowledge, and in the foster- ing of lofty aspirations, would go on with undiminished zeal ; and the town might feel that its young graduates were going out into life to take up the burdens and responsibil- ities of citizenship in their native town or in other munici- palities of the Commonwealth with as good an equipment as any youth in the land.
EXAMINATIONS FOR PROMOTION.
The examination for admission to the High School should be abolished. In its place should be substituted the judg- ment of the teacher, supplemented by that of the super- intendent. final decision to rest entirely with the Committee. The standard of admission would not be lowered under this method ; nay, rather, it would be raised. An entering class could be thus secured each year more equably fitted to pur- sue secondary studies, and able to do more and better work from the start. Greater justice to the pupil would result from such a change. Injustice has, no doubt, sometimes been done to a child by refusing him admittance to the High School be- cause he failed to attain a certain required per cent. in the entrance examination ; but real injury has more often been done to children by admitting them because they were lucky enough to answer the questions set, when an additional year in the grammar school would have done them much more
49
good, either because of youthful immaturity or insufficient preparation, or both combined.
NORMAL SCHOOL.
We are all disappointed because the town failed to secure the location of the new Normal School in its midst. But, since we cannot ourselves have it, we rejoice that it is to be so near us. Here will be a splendid opportunity for the young men and women graduates of our High School to ob- tain professional training near home and at a comparatively small expense. Pupils now in the High School, and those who have graduated in recent years (whether now teaching or not) who intend to make teaching their profession, should now begin to plan to attend the Hyannis school as soon as it is ready for occupancy ; and children in the lower schools should make this new Normal School an objective point in their educational life, if they have aspirations toward a teacher's work. £ Under a recent order of the Board of Education no one except High School graduates, or those who have an equivalent education, will hereafter be admitted to Normal Schools. Harwich ought to do its part in support- ing the new County School by sending from five to ten pupils to it each year. After the new institution shall have graduated its first class no new teachers ought to be em- ployed for grade work in this town unless they are Normal graduates, or possess State certificates.
STATE EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS.
At the last session of the Legislature a law was passed, approved April 28, 1894, authorizing the State Board of Education to hold examinations of candidates for the position of teacher in the schools of the Commonwealth. Certificates of two kinds, probationary and permanent, are to be given to successful candidates, and each certificate shall indicate the grade of school. Lists of approved can- didates are to be kept in the office of the secretary of the board, and copies of these lists are to be furnished school committees upon their application. Certificates issued under the provisions of this act may be accepted by school committees in lieu of the personal examination now required by the Public Statutes.
50
This law is permissive, not compulsory, both as regards teachers and towns. It is recommended, however, that the committee of this town avail itself of its provisions, so far as may be practicable. Would-be teachers, and others now engaged in teaching, are also strongly advised to present themselves for State certificates, as soon as the time and place of holding examinations shall have been determined. A plan of examination and certification has recently been formulated by the secretary and adopted by the board ; this plan can no doubt be obtained by addressing the secretary.
QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.
There are some qualifications which are essential in a good teacher ; and there are others which, while not absolutely necessary, are yet quite desirable. Without attempting to classify them, or even to name all, some of these qualifica- tions may be enumerated as follows: Love of children, love for teaching, intention to make teaching one's life-work, professional training, broad and liberal education, thorough general preparation, diligent special preparation for each day's work, good health, zeal, use of devices and ability and ingenuity in inventing and preparing them, regular study of professional books and current literature, attend- ance on institutes of instruction, experience, skill, tact. The more of these qualifications, and others, that a teacher possesses, the better will her work usually be. Our teach- ers are not all alike, of course, in their qualifications ; therefore does their teaching differ. On the whole, how- ever, it may be said that they are doing effective work ; and the writer wishes to take this opportunity to thank them for the courteous manner with which they have received his criticisms and for the readiness with which they have adopted his suggestions.
EARLY CLOSING ON FRIDAYS.
One abuse has crept into the schools which should be corrected. Some years ago the custom was instituted of closing at 3 o'clock on Wednesday during the short days of winter in order that the janitor might have daylight for his mid-week sweeping. Later the teachers concluded that, if
51
they were to close at that early hour on one day of the week, it would accommodate them better to make that day Friday ; and, presto ! the change was made ; and thus hath it remained ever since. In most of the schools the work on Friday afternoons will not compare favorably with that on other afternoons of the week. If regular recitations are attempted they result either in dismal failures, or, at best, in indifferent efforts ; if the teacher is asked the cause of the poor exhibit, she invariably replies that the class has had insufficient time for preparation, due to the shortened ses- sion. Frequently the two hours are frittered away in "general exercises" of a desultory character. I recommend that the schools remain in session until 4 P. M. each and every school day of the week.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Unqualified endorsement is here given to all that was said by my predecessor in the last annual report regarding the use of slates. Boston some time ago abolished their use in the schools, and Cambridge has recently taken similar action. Why should we be the last to banish them? Why wait until all the larger towns and the cities have discontinued their use? Let little Harwich set the example to some of her larger sister towns in this regard !
Each school-house ought to possess two flags-a large one for use in pleasant weather, and a small ensign to fly in wind or storm; and one of these ought to be flung to the breeze every day the school is in session. Every one should, too, be the property of the Town and under the ENTIRE CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE; then it might be displayed as a token that a PUBLIC SCHOOL, the palladium of American liberty, was in session beneath its folds,-and not solely in honor (?) of some cheap travel- ing show, making one-night stands in country school-houses.
Maps, globes, and reference books are badly needed in most of the schools. The statutes permit the use of 25 per cent. of the State school fund each year for the pur- chase of "maps, reference books, and apparatus." It is recommended that the Committee avail itself during the ensuing year of this permissive law, and devote the available amount, about $65, to this purpose.
52
Mats are in great demand in every school-house in town ; they ought to be supplied.
CONCLUSION.
Whatever has been written above has been prompted by love for the work and a compelling desire to render the schools that efficient factor in the life of the community that they ought, and can be made, to be. If any criticism has sounded harsh, it is hoped that credit may be given the writer for kindly motives and an earnest purpose, and for convictions that a candid statement of existing conditions and actual needs as they appear to him is best after all. Some things which have been considered in committee meetings have been repeated here, partly for the purpose of placing recommendations in permanent shape before a reg- ularly changing Board, but mainly with the object of bring- ing them in succinct form before the towns-people for their attentioni, discussion, and action.
In closing this report, your superintendent wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to your kindly courtesy and helpful criticism, which have proved invaluable to him in his attempts to discharge the duties devolving upon him in a field of educational work comparatively new for him.
Respectfully Submitted, W. O. CARTWRIGHT,
SUPERINTENDENT.
Harwich, Mass., Jan. 1, 1895.
53
STATISTICS OF ATTENDANCE.
School.
Term.
TotalMember'p
Ave. Memb's'p.
Ave.Attend'nce
PerCent of Att.
Half Days'Abs.
Tardy Marks.
Dismissals.
High
Spring
39
36.1
33.1
92
444
44
*
Fall
42
38.5
36.3
94
317
29
*
Winter
30
28.7
26.3
92
344
85
6
Centre Grammar
Spring
26
23.6
21.6
92
275
38
20
Fall
26
25.5
24.3
95
96
16
27
Winter
21
20.3
18.4
91
288
32
*
Centre Intermediate.
Spring
21
20.3
18.8
93
225
17
*
Fall
23
20.2
18.7
93
245
12
20
Winter
30
26.2
23.6
90
155
10
*
Centre Primary.
Spring
33
32.8
30.2
92
336
33
Fall
28
27.3
24.9
91
220
19
*
Winter
28
23.8
21.1
89
289
64
Port Grammar
Spring
24
21.5
19.8
92
202
35
40
Fall
28
25.5
24.4
96
84
19
19
Winter
29
25
18.2
72
882
2
2
Spring
30
25.9
24
93
793
15
5
Fall
22
21
20
95
202
1
10
Winter
33
29,7
25.6
86 87
534
75
67
Fall
32
28.7
26.6
93
212
43
38
Winter
31
29
24.7
85
560
13
*
West Primary.
Spring
40
34.5
28.5
83
203
22
6
Fall
37
33.3
33
96
120
14
6
Winter
22
20.7
18.3
88
320
22
*
East Grammar.
Spring
15
12.7
10.6
83
97
56
21
Fall
17
16.1
15 5
96
40
26
1 1
Winter
22
21.7
16 4
76
633
24
*
East Primary .
Spring
24
20.8
20
96
117
12
14
Fall
19
17
16
94
67
11
00
Winter
21
19
· 14.8
78
546
15
*
North Mixed.
Spring
25
21.5
19 2
89
834
54!
38
Fall
24.
21.7
19.8
91
416
8
24
Winter
17
13.4
11 9
89
168
1
1
South Mixed.
Spring
23
20,1
20
99
58
1
3
Fall
30
25.3
24.3
96
177
41
29
Winter
24
23,3
21.6
93
208
11
10
Pleasant Lake Mixed.
Spring
23
22.6
20 6
91
284
12
9
Fall
42
41.3
40
97
180
4
All the Schools.
Winter Spring Fall
348
318.3
276.4
86
5234
342
19
356
321.8
292 1
91
4402
417 223
370
341.4
323.8
94
2376
243 189
*
Winter
40
37.5
35.5
95
225
55
* No record.
*
West Grammar.
Spring
33
29.5
25.7
Port Primary
616
8
54 HARWICH HIGH SCHOOL.
COURSES OF STUDY. ADOPTED 1893.
ENGLISH COURSE.
1894-95.
First Year Class .- English Composition, Algebra, Zoology, (first half of year), Botany (sec- ond half of year. ) Second Year Class .- Rhetoric, Algebra, Civics, Zoology (first half of year), Botany (sec- ond half of year). Third Year Class .- Rhetoric, Physics, Civics, Modern History.
1895-96.
First Year Class .- English Composition, General History, Physical Geography. Second Year Class .- English Literature, General History, Physical Geography, Geometry. Third Year Class .- English Literature, Physics, Geometry, Modern History.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
1894-95.
First Year Class .- English Composition, Algebra, Latin. Second Year Class .- Rhetoric, Algebra, Cæsar, Greek. Third Year Class .- Rhetoric, French, Virgil, Anabasis. Fourth Year Class .- Physics, French, Virgil, Homer, and Herodotus.
1895-96.
First Year Class .- English Composition, General History, Latin. Second Year Class .- English Literature (first half of year), French (second half of year), Gen- eral History, Cæsar, Greek.
55
Third Year Class .- English Literature (first half of year), French (second half of year), Ge- ometry, Cicero, Anabasis. Fourth Year Class .- Physics, Geometry, Cicero, Homer, and Herodotus.
Occasional supplementary work in the Common English branches is to be given to all classes.
The courses for 1896-97 will be the same as for 1894-95; for 1897-98 the same as for 1895- 96, and so on.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.
Class of 1894.
College Preparatory (Four Year) Course. ELLA W. KEENE.
English and Latin (Three Year) Course.
MARY S. BERRY,
K. JOSIE ELLIS,
LETTIE M. G. FOSTER,
GEORGE A. HENTZ, JR.,
A. H. MOODY, PHENIE NICKERSON,
ALICE SEARS, CHARLES H. TAYLOR.
LOLA. M. WIXON.
56
LIST OF TEACHERS.
SCHOOL.
NAME OF TEACHER.
DATE OF ELECTION.
High,
W. H. Powers,
Aug. 1892.
Centre Grammar,
H. W. Hunt,
Apr. 1894.
Intermediate,
Sallie A. Bowen,
Oct. 1893.
" Primary, .
Lizzie D. Nickerson,
July 1892.
Port Grammar, . .
W. E. Dixon,
Oct. 1893.
66 Primary, . .
Mrs. Carrie Jackman,
Jan. 1893.
West Grammar, .
S. A. Sears, .
April 1894.
". Primary, · Mrs. Helen R. Ellis, .
Dec. 1869.
East Grammar,
.C. H. Cahoon,
Oct. 1894.
Primary,
Harriet B. Bowdoin,
Oct. 1893.
North Mixed,
Ella K. Crowell, ·
Mar. 1887.
South Mixed,
Annie G. Balch,
Oct. 1894.
Pleasant Lake Mixed, Tamson D. Eldredge,
Apr. 1892. .
57
ROLL OF HONOR ..
Pupils who were neither absent nor tardy.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Winter Term .- Edna Barnes, James Chase, A. W. El- dridge, A. H. Moody, Alice Sears, Lucy Winslow.
Spring Term .- Caleb Chase, James Chase, A. H. Moody, Alice Sears, Horace Small.
Fall Term .- Carrie Jaeger, Louie Rogers.
CENTRE GRAMMAR.
Spring Term .- Bessie L. Bearse, Arthur W. Tobey, Nannie M. Tobey.
Fall Term .- Bessie L. Bearse, Bertram D. Crosby, Eva Handren, Arthur E. Nickerson, James E. Nickerson, Willie E. Nickerson, Imogene H. Small, Arthur W. Tobey.
CENTRE INTERMEDIATE.
Spring Term .- John H. Paine, Harry W. Tobey.
Fall Term .- Ethel M. Baker, Arthur P. Doane, Bertie M. Gage.
CENTRE PRIMARY.
Winter Term .- Charlie Ellis, Richard Mullaney,
Spring Term .- Bernard Cahoon, Claude Hamer, Richard Mullaney.
Fall Term .- Allie Chase, James Dowling, Vira Kelley.
PORT GRAMMAR.
Winter Term .- Emma R. Kelley.
Spring Term .- Emma R. Kelley, Inez M. Shaw.
Fall Term .- P. Blanche Baker, Emma R. Kelley, Inez M. Shaw, A. Norwell Smalley.
BROOKS FREE LIBRARY
0
0109 0078965 1
58
.. PORT PRIMARY.
Winter. Term .- Harold B. Kelley.
Spring Term .- Blanche P. Baker, Harold B. Kelley, Robert B. Megathlin.
Fall Term .- Eva M. Allen, Irma R. Jackman, Harold B. Kelley, Robert B. Megathlin, Bertie S. Nickerson, Norwood J. Tuttle.
WEST GRAMMAR.
Winter Term .- Caleb Simmons.
Spring Term .- Alexcena Berry, Grace M. Snow.
Fall Term .- Leon W. Berry, Arthur F. Chase, Cynthia B. Kelley.
WEST PRIMARY.
Winter Term .- Mildred Ellis.
Fall Term .- Ozias C. Baker, Wilton Berry, Andrew J. Chase, Edith L. Chase, Eva Chase, Flossie E. Chase, George B. Ellis, Johnie B. Ellis, Mildred Ellis, Bennie F. Kendrick.
EAST GRAMMAR.
Winter Term .- Lawrence Chase, John T. Holmes, Edgar Nickerson.
NORTH MIXED.
Winter Term .- Myron L. Robbins, Geneva F. Ryder.
Fall Term .- Myron L. Robbins, Blanche M. Ryder, Geneva F. Ryder.
59
SOUTH MIXED.
Winter Term .- Lura A. Stokes, Wilbur E. Stokes.
Spring Term .- Bernice Chase, Mabel Nickerson, Lura A. Stokes.
Fall Term .- Leroy Cahoon, Bernice Chase, Bernice Sears, Lura A. Stokes.
PLEASANT LAKE MIXED.
Winter Term .- Alberto E. Atkins, Sadie J. Bassett.
Spring Term .- Alberto E. Atkins, Chester A. Cahoon.
Fall Term .- Alberto E. Atkins, Herbert R. Cahoon, Charlie F. Nichols, Elsie Weldon.
Respectfully Submitted,
W. J. NICKERSON, CHAIRMAN. S. A. HAYWARD, C. E. BRETT, SECRETARY.
1
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.