USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1902 > Part 4
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In the twelve common schools, eighteen different teachers were employed during the year. Other things being equal it is better for the year's school work to be carried through by a single teacher, as there is a purpose running through it that demands a sympathetic understanding on the teacher's part and to acquire that more or less time is necessary. However, by a series of outlines of the work covering definite periods, the way was made as easy and intelligible to the new teachers as possible, and little time was lost.
Teachers' meetings were held nearly every month last year, and a careful study of "Herbartian Psychology Applied to Education " was made. I am sure the teachers received some good from this, as a knowledge of the child is the very foundation of methods of teaching. This year we shall study carefully the school laws of the state, and discuss actual school conditions in our town. The attend- ance at these meetings has been very gratifying. A district teachers' meeting was held in the High School room during
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the Spring term, at which meeting the Ward System of Reading was exemplified by Miss Meaney and a class of first grade pupils from Pleasant Lake, and Miss Bearse with a class from the Centre Primary room illustrated the Rational Method of Teaching Numbers. Miss Weeks of Orleans had a class in Geography from the Centre Grammar room, and several excellent papers were read. The exhibit of Draw- ings and other work was meritorious and showed that much hard work had been done by teachers and pupils during the year. I hope a district teachers' meeting will be held each year. It is a pleasure to record that all the teachers of the district, several of the committeemen and a few of the parents and friends of the schools were present.
Whooping cough interfered seriously with the attendance of the pupils ; but I am sure that with the cooperation of the parents we might have made a better showing, notwith- standing. It is a mistake on the part of parents to permit their children to remain out of school for trifling reasons or for no reason at all. Children will set no higher value on the school than the parents themselves; and if parents permit their children to stay away from school to gratify any little whim or other, by inference the children will come to think that their parents hold the school to be of little consequence. This is wrong and parents should look to it that their children early realize the value of the school to themselves.
Early in the Fall term a list of all the pupils entering the schools was made up, and compared with the list of the census enumerator. The names of all children in town between the ages of seven and fourteen who were not in school were sent to the truant officer; and with character- istic promptness that officer placed such children in school or otherwise satisfactorily accounted for their absence.
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I wish to acknowledge the kindness of the Librarian of the Public Library in an arrangement whereby the children of the East Harwich school are now enabled to derive some benefits from the library. A catalogue has been placed in the Grammar School, the children select their books, send a list to me for approval, and the books are put up and con- veyed to the school by the Drawing Teacher on her bi-weekly visit. The books already out are returned by the same conveyance. The last list called for nineteen books ; I hope it will be possible to extend this work through the other remote districts of the town. It is well to get into the habit of taking books from the Public Library, and to the best of my ability I shall encourage the formation of this habit among the pupils of our public schools.
The design for the cover of the Town Report will this year be made by Miss Feodore Nicholls, a pupil in the third year high. Several designs were submitted to me, equally well executed as the one chosen. But the oak leaves and acorns in Miss Nicholls' design seemed so suggestive of Harwich forests and scenery that it was selected.
Fifty-two pupils have been enrolled in the High School this term. The class room is inadequate to the seating of large classes, and unfit to be used as a recitation room, as can be easily seen by anyone who will give himself the pleasure of visiting Miss Chamberlin at her work. There is considerable physical apparatus in the school, which cannot be used to advantage for want of space. It is impossible to teach chemistry according to modern methods without a laboratory containing a sink and a table to work at. Har- wich ought to have these-conveniences, I was about to say, allow me to say, instead-necessities. Is a new building an impossibility ? It would reinvigorate the school as nothing
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else that I can suggest. The need of a classroom and labo- ratory is urgent.
In closing I wish to thank you for the interest you have shown in my work and for the assistance you have accorded me throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK H. HILL,
Harwich, Jan. 17, 1903. Superintendent of Schools.
STATISTICS-YEAR 1901-'02.
NAME OF SCHOOL, TEACHER, AND GRADES.
Enrollment
Average
Average
of
attendance
Per Centage
attendance
Half Day
absences
Tardy
marks
Dismissals
Visits by
school
officials
Visits by
parents
Visits by
others
North Mixed.
Mercy E. Kelley
33
31.94
27.49
89.16
1,504
60
89
25
22
26
( Bertha M. Buck
Alicia B. Elcock
44
39.32
33.49
85
1,938
344
26
25
26
28
East Harwich Prim.
Beulah Eldridge
22
18.43
18.19
94.64
747
55
3
32
34
23
East Harwich Gram.
Carrie E. Crowell
16
13.85
12.96
92.23
352
14
0
36
7
16
South Mixed.
Florence E. Damon
29
24.00
21.00
87.5
796
155
25
39
26
43
Port Primary.
Abbie S. Baker
28
22.63
20.10
89.30
778
55
14
40
33
43
Port Grammar.
Bertha M. Nickerson
27
24.91
22.92
92.01
702
58
112
35
40
62
Mercy E. Kelley
28
26.15
24.44
92.34
918
55
25
34
71
73
West Primary.
Ella W. Page
23
18.30
17.52
93
847
117
52
34
57
62
West Grammar.
Minerva R. Bearse
32
28.16
24.64
83.24
987
114
6
37
14
51
Centre Primary.
Florence S. Hathaway
47
37.00
35.00
94
681
126
23
49
28
26
Centre Int.
Florence E. Piper
40
36.40
32.40
88.5
2,190
143
53
46
14
37
Centre Grammar.
Mabel B. Aiken
{ Herman N. Knox, Prin.
43
38.33
36.11
94.47
895
110
66
20
3
19
High.
Jennie T. Aiken, Asst.
Total.
412
1359.42 326.26
90.77
13,335 |1406 494
452
375
509
88
Lucy J. Jacobs
Pleasant Lake Prim.
Kathryn G. Meaney
Arlena Russell
Helen R. Ellis
membership
89
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To Supt. Frank H. Hill.
DEAR SIR: In compliance with your request, I submit the following report of the High School for the past year. The school has had a pleasant and successful year with about the usual changes and events.
At the end of the Summer term, Miss Jenny T. Aiken, the Assistant and Supervisor of Drawing, accepted a better position ; and Miss Ella L. Chamberlin of Worcester was chosen to fill the vacancy.
In July, thirteen were graduated, two, Mr. Alberto E. Atkins and Miss Bethia R. Paine received four year course diplomas. Miss Paine passed a very creditable examination for the Hyannis Normal School, and is now attending that institution. Mr. G. L. Weekes is taking a fourth year of study in one of the New Haven High Schools in preparation for the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale. Miss Nickerson is teaching in Bolton, Conn. Mr. Tuttle is studying piano tuning. Mr. Clark has secured employment out of town. Four, Messrs. Atkins and Cahoon and Misses Bearse and Small, are at home, or employed in Harwich; and four, Misses Chase, Doane, Megathlin and Weekes, have returned to school for another year's study.
The changed courses of study which were adopted last year have been followed with the two lower classes. The number of four year course students has more than doubled since the adoption of the new courses. There are just as many who take the four years with the Latin as before; while a large number seem to appreciate the course of four years with the French as the only foreign language. There is also a three year course which requires no foreign language after the first year. All pupils are required to choose their course of study at the end of their first year in school.
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The whooping cough which afflicted a large number of the scholars last winter and spring, has made the record of attendance much poorer than usual. Besides this the large number of pupils, living a long distance from the school, tended to increase the number of excusable absences.
This year the entering class is large, and it has increased the number of scholars so that the recitation room for the assistant is not very satisfactory. It is not large enough, light enough, neither has it enough blackboard surface, nor good facilities for ventilating and heating.
Rev. Rufus B. Tobey offered last year a prize for the best essay on the subject : "The Man with the Branded Hand." The first prize, five dollars in gold, was awarded to Miss Mabel Weekes ; and second prizes, two and a half dollars in gold, were awarded to Misses Bethia R. Paine and Sadie B. Doane.
Mr. Sidney B. Moody has presented the school with a portrait of the late Sidney Brooks, Esq., the founder of Pine Grove Seminary.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN N. KNOX, Principal.
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DEPARTMENT OF DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. F. H. Hill :
In teaching drawing in the Public Schools we strive for the æsthetic development of every child. To stimulate in him the love for the beautiful both in nature and art. To lead him to discriminate between the good and bad. To arouse in him a desire to discard the ugly in whatever form it may appear to him, whether in picture, story or character, and to arouse a love for, and desire to possess for himself, the beautiful. In short to lead every child to higher culture.
A second aim is that drawing may become a means of expression, a language by which the pupil may express quickly and accurately his own ideas, or record his observations.
The work in drawing may for convenience, be divided into the following general topics : Pictorial drawing, nature drawing, structural drawing, color and decorative drawing.
Pictorial drawing includes the representation of objects and groups of objects, natural or artificial ; landscape com- position, and the study of good pictures.
The aim of pictorial drawing is to develop the power of observation, to give skill in representation and arrangement.
Nature drawing-By the use of plant and animal forms we endeavor to lead the child to appreciate the beauty of form and color, to form a correct mental image, and to ac- quire some skill in reproducing that image.
Structural drawing comprises the study and representation of beautiful forms in nature and art. The foundation of all structural design is geometry, therefore geometry is studied. The type solids are studied and working drawings of these and other objects made.
92
Color-Under this topic comes the recognition and nam- ing of the six standard colors. The tints, shades and hues are then studied, and the color harmonies considered by the older pupils.
The aim of this work is to lead the children to appreciate the finer color combinations and to teach them to apply this knowledge to their work in design.
Decorative drawing-By this branch of the subject we mean design - the arrangement of forms and colors accord- ing to the principles which underlie all good decoration, balance, rhythm, harmony of line and color, and appro- priateness.
All schools are visited once in two weeks. A lesson is given upon every visit of the supervisor, and outlines are furnished to the teachers so that they are able to carry on the work as planned.
I should like to express my satisfaction at the interest shown by the teachers, also at the readiness with which they carry out all suggestions.
A drawing lesson is given in the High School every week. The time is divided between the freehand and the mechan- ical drawing.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLA L. CHAMBERLIN.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant, I903.
BARNSTABLE, SS.
To Elisha H. Bearse, Constable of the Town of Harwich, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Harwich, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at Exchange Hall, Harwich, in said County, on Mon- day, the second day of February next, 1903, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Art. 2. To determine the rate per cent. to be paid Tax Collectors for the ensuing year, and act fully thereon.
Art. 3. To choose on one ballot the following town officers and committees, viz. : Town Clerk, Treasurer, three Selectmen, Assessors, Overseers of the Poor and Board of Health, three Herring Committee, two Auditors, one Tree Warden, three Constables and two Tax Collectors, for the term of one year. Also one School Committee, and one Road Commissioner, for the term of three years, and act fully thereon. Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors? · Vote Yes or No.
Art. 4. To choose all necessary Town Officers, and to act fully thereon.
94
Art. 5. To hear the report of all Town Officers and Committees, and act fully thereon.
Art. 6. To see if the Town will vote to accept the list of Jurors, as prepared by the Selectmen.
Art. 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise the sum of Fifty Dollars for the suppression of crime, and act fully thereon.
Art. 8. To raise such sums of money as may be neces- sary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations for the same.
Art. 9. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes, and act fully thereon.
Art. 10. To see if the Town will vote to repair and paint the new Town Hearse, or make such disposition of the same as the Town may think proper, and act fully thereon.
Art. 11. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote passed at the Annual Town Meeting, held on February 6 and 7, 1899, whereby it voted to elect Road Commissioners, and abolish the same.
Art. 12. To see if the Town will vote to choose Road Surveyors, and act fully thereon.
Art. 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of Six Thousand Dollars, for the purpose of working and hardening with oyster shells, that part of the Harwich County Road leading from Harwich to the Town of Orleans ; beginning at the "Eagle," near the residence of William F. Crapo, at Harwich Centre, and terminating at the guideboard in East Harwich, at the junction of said road with the county road leading from the Town of Orleans to the Town of Chatham, a distance of three and a half miles, and act fully thereon.
Art. 14. To see if the Town will vote to pay the indebt-
95
edness incurred by borrowing money for the construction of a shell road, as suggested in the previous article, by not more than six annual proportionate payments, and to authorize the Treasurer, acting with the Selectmen, to issue the Town's notes in conformity therewith, according to the provisions of Statutes of 1882, Chapter 133, Section 1, and Statutes of 1884, Chapter 129.
Art. 15. To see if the Town will vote to grade and macadamize the road leading from H. H. Murphy's black- smith shop at Harwich Centre to the macadam road at Har- wichport, opposite the residence of Charles Jenkins, and make an appropriation for the same ; and to pay for said im- provement in such manner as the Town may think proper, and in accordance with the laws made and provided for the same.
Art. 16. To see if the Town will macadamize one-half mile of the road in Pleasant Lake, extending to the south from the present macadam road; and to pay for same by not more than five annual proportionate payments ; and to authorize the Treasurer, acting with the Selectmen, to issue the Town's notes in conformity therewith, according to the provisions of Statutes of 1882, Chapter 133, Section 1, and Statutes of 1884, Chapter 129.
Art. 17, To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars for the benefit of the Broadbrooks Free Library, and act fully thereon.
Art. 18. To hear the report of the Committee appointed to improve the entrance to Round Cove in East Harwich, and to act fully thereon.
Art. 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money, not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars, to purchase and put in order the office building of Dr. G. N.
96
Munsell, to be used as a recitation room and laboratory for the High School, and also for the storage of school supplies, and to take any and all action incidental thereto.
Art. 20. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to secure an option on any real estate located in said town, when in their judgment it is for the interest of Town so to do. (By request. )
Art. 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of Fifty Dollars, or more, for the observance of " Old Home Week."
Art. 22. To see if the Town will appoint a Committee which shall have charge of Old Home Week Observance, and who shall be a Board of Trade. (By request. )
Art. 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars, to be used under the direction of the School Committee in painting the school- houses. (By request. )
Art. 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to erect a fence, or other barrier, between the school grounds and cemetery at West Har- wich. (By request. )
Art. 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to pay the expenses of securing legislative aid for the improvement and protection of the mouth of Herring River, and to appoint a Committee to attend to the same, and act fully thereon.
Art. 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of Thirty Dollars for the purpose of taking care of the Town Clocks at West Harwich and Harwich- port, said sum to be equally divided between two men whom the Trustees of the respective Churches shall select.
Art. 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to be expended in improving the
5
97
Town Road leading from the residence of the late Esther Eldredge, at South Harwich, to the shore, and act fully thereon. (By request. )
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one at each Post Office in said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting. The Polls will be opened at 9 o'clock A. M., and may be closed at 2 o'clock P. M.
Hereof, fail not, and make due returns of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this Fifteenth day of January, 1903.
AMBROSE N. DOANE, JOSEPH K. ROBBINS, JOHN H. DRUM,
Selectmen of Harwich.
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INDEX.
Town Officers, 2
Overseers of the Poor Report, 3
Road Commissioners' Report,
11
Assessors' Report, 23
Selectmen's Report,
32
Board of Health Report,
54
Financial Standing of the Town,
57
Treasurer's Report,
62
Town Clerk's Report, 66
School Committee's Report, 75
Superintendent of Schools Report, 84
Warrant, Annual Town Meeting, 93
BROOKS FREE LIBRARY 0 0109 0078921 4
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