USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1911 > Part 4
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The schools of the town have been in session as follows : Primary, Intermediate and Grammar Schools, thirty-four weeks, and the High School forty weeks.
SCHOOL CENSUS.
Number of boys between ages of five and fifteen, 144
Number of girls between ages of five and fifteen, 164
308
Number of boys between ages of seven and fourteen,
98
Number of girls between ages of seven and fourteen, 126
224
TEACHERS' SALARIES. High School.
James L. Jordan, Principal,
$853.75
Marion L. Russell, Assistant,
407.50
Mildred H. Murphy,
78.00
$1,339.25
5
Center Schools.
Hattie F. Weeks, Grammar,
$137.50
L. Clarence Arnold, Grammar,
143.00
Laura L. James, Grammar,
144.00
Dorothy Perry, Intermediate,
220.00
Doris Smith, Intermediate,
90.00
Henrietta M. Simpson, Intermediate,
30.00
Edith Olmstead,
220.00
Cora B. Lewis,
120.00
$1,104.50
West Harwich.
Georgie B. Collins, Grammar,
$356.00
Katherine Norton, Primary,
110.00
Bessie F. Lord, Primary,
110.00
Alice L. Collins, Primary,
120.00
$696.00
Harwichport.
Lizzie A. Nickerson, Grammar,
$380.00
Caroline Holbrook, Primary,
20.00
Florence Koford, Primary,
60.00
Gertrude E. Knapp, Primary,
110.00
Esther J. Moore, Primary,
140.00
Flossie Hulse, Primary,
10.00
$720.00
East Harwich.
M. Gertrude Lane, Grammar,
$346.00
Myra C. Chase, Primary,
220.00
Flossie Hulse, Primary,
120.00
$686.00
6
North Harwich.
Irene Baker, Primary,
$340.00
Elizabeth Nelson,
220.00
Jennie B. Smith,
120.00
$680.00
JANITORS.
Spencer P. Ellis, Centre,
$193.00
Benj. Smith, Port,
79.25
Joseph Ashley, West,
. 72.50
Harry Nickerson, East,
70.00
Holland Rogers, North,
70.63
$485.38
FUEL. Harwich Center.
Mrs. Deborah Cahoon, wood,.
$6.00
S. B. Moody, coal,
28.80
Samuel Small, wood,
19.50
Willie Taylor, sawing wood,
4.00
Harwich Coal & Coke Co.,
79.50
$137.80
Harwichport.
S. B. Moody, coal,
14.40
Kendrick & Bearse, wood,
4.00
C. S. Burgess, coal,
53.39
$71.79
East Harwich.
S. B. Moody, coal,
14.40
Jabez Crowell, wood,
7.00
$21.40
7
North Harwich.
S. B. Moody, coal,
$14.40
Barnabas Sears, coal,
42.63
J. C. Baker, wood,
4.00
$61.03
West Harwich.
S. B. Moody,
$36.36
Barnabas Sears, .
31.00
R. H. Small, wood,
3.50
N. B. Walker, wood,
€ 4.50
$75.36
$367.38
REPAIRS AND INCIDENTALS.
Harwich Center.
Penn Metal Ceiling & Roofing Co., $1.17
Spencer P. Ellis, labor and supplies,
27.70
John Handren, labor,
3.30
William E. Chase, labor,
1.60
A. Howes, supplies,
20.16
J. F. Tobey & Son, supplies,
23.16
H. E. Cook, supplies,
3.00
. G. C. Robbins, labor,
3.10
Abbott S. Knowles labor,
2.50
Harwich Coal & Lumber Co., supplies,
2.40
John F. Allen, labor,
1.25
C. S. Hunt, supplies,
.65
John F. Bassett, labor and supplies, .
20.90
E. L. Ellis, labor,
2.00
$112.89
8
Harwichport.
Z. H. Small & Co., supplies, $1.03
Charles H. Fenn, repairs,
3.00
Varanus Nickerson, repairs,
.60 1
B. D. Smith, labor and supplies,
15.04
F. A. Small, labor and supplies,
2.50
F. Doane & Co., labor and supplies,
2.50
H. B. Ellis, labor and supplies,
4.83
S. H. Ellis, labor and supplies,
7.56
J. B. Eldredge & Son, labor and supplies, 4.25
J. B. Baker, labor and supplies, 1.50
William A. Eldredge, labor and supplies, 6.21
George A. Smalley, labor and supplies, 5.00
A. N. Smalley, labor and supplies, 4.85
$58.87
East Harwich.
Harry W. Nickerson, labor and supplies, $25.01
North Harwich.
Charles W. Chase, labor and supplies,
$13.10
Alpheus Howes, supplies, 1.78
H. G. Rogers, labor,
14.45
V. C. Bassett & Son, labor and supplies, 5.00
Warren F. Smith, labor and supplies,
2.87
West Harwich.
James Cummings, labor and supplies, Joseph Ashley, 14.05
$10.44
S. P. Hall, carting, 1.00
.
37.20
9
E. M. Robbins, supplies George F. Ellis, labor, 2.50
.80
28.79
$262.76
Transportation.
Everett L. Ellis, High School pupils
from East Harwich, $285.40
George B. Ellis, High School pupils from West Harwich, 68.75
Laura F. Cahoon, P. Lake to High School, 12.50
Horace K. Atkins, P. Lake to High School, 12.50
379.15
Freeman E. Ellis, Pleasant Lake, 190.00
Everett L. Ellis, Pleasant Lake, 85.00
Thomas E. Small, South Harwich 119.00
$773.15
Superintendent's Salary.
Superintendent's Salary for the year, $728.52
To be refunded by the state, 535.72
Actual cost of superintendent,
$192.80
Drawing and Music.
Ingrid E. Ekman, supervisor,
$246.60
10
Miscellaneous.
L. G. Williams, expenses securing
teacher, express, cartage, etc, $24.95
William H. Bassett, truant officer, 43.00
T. H. Nickerson, expenses securing teachers, 4.75
J. B. Atkins, expenses securing teachers, 9.58
J. B. Steele, rent of school office,
24.00
A. P. Goss, printing,
21.83
Graduation expenses,
25.00
J. P. Nickerson, school physician,
26.00
S. A. Hayward, taking census, 11.50
$190.61
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Milton Bradley Company,
$113.53
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins,
182.15
H. M. Weigel,
5.40
World's Work Magazine Co.,
1.85
John F. Bassett,
16.10
Silver, Burdett & Company,
.49
Alton P. Goss,
3.50
Henry Holt & Company,
6.53
Lizzie A. Nickerson,
2.00
L. E. Knott & Company,
19.51
Edward E. Babb & Company,
154.07
D. C. Heath & Co.,
40.15
Allyn & Bacon,
8.31
American Book Company,
62.88
Ginn & Company,
21.47
Funk & Wagnalls,
2.86
Library Bureau,
8.00
Educational Supply Co.,
9.80
James M. Nickerson,
2.00
11
Chas. Scribner's Sons,
5.85
Houghton, Mifflin Co.,
1.21
Barney Taylor,
1.85
Express, freight, postage, etc.,
15.74
Wright & Potter,'
3.40
$688.65
RECAPITULATION. Available Funds.
O
Town appropriation for schools,
$7,000,00
Town appropriation for transportation,
500.00
Dog fund,
203.73
State school fund,
938.41
City of Boston, for tuition,
20.50
State Board of Charity, for tuition,
154.50
To be refunded by State for Superintendent's salary, 535.72
$9,352.86
Expenditures.
Teachers,
$5,225.75
Janitors,
485.38
Drawing and music,
246.60
Fuel,
367.38
Repairs and incidentals,
262.76
Transportation,
773.15
Superintendent's Salary,
728.52
Books and supplies,
688.65
Miscellaneous,
190.61
$8,968.90
Balance unexpended,
$383.96
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AUDITORS' REPORT.
We, the undersigned Auditors of Harwich, have this day examined the bills and vouchers of the School Com- mittee of Harwich for the year 1911, to the amount of $8,968.80, and find the same substantially correct.
RALPH F. GORHAM, CHARLES T. CHASE, Auditors of Harwich.
Harwich, Mass., Jan. 9, 1912.
To the Citizens of Harwich :-
If the people of Harwich think it not best to enter into some form of consolidation at the present time, then some steps should be taken to repair our school houses. Several of the buildings are in need of having the roofs reshingled. All of them should be painted and not a few of the rooms are in need of extensive repairs within. It would seem best perhaps not to do all of this work in one or two years, but to make a beginning, the Committee recommend a special appropriation and that a start be made on the Grammar School building at the Centre.
Your School Board have been in favor for some time of what is considered a more practical course in the High school. With this in view we arranged a course in stenog- raphy and typewriting intending to substitute a complete commercial course for the present English course. The fact that only two were electing the course this year caused us to give it up for the present at least. Instead of being com- pelled to take subjects placed in the present course by our forefathers, we feel that the time has come that new and
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practical industrial instruction be given. Education is the art of "changing a person from what he is to what he ought to be." To make our High school accomplish what it should we must first know what the boy or girl is at 12 or 14 and must decide what we want to make him or her at 16 or 18. If as it has been stated that the education of 90% of our public school children ends with their graduation, and if from school they go directly into commercial life, then they ought to be fitted for that life and the study of industrial or commercial methods ought to be made a part of the High school curriculum. The State has decided to establish in a number of high schools throughout the Commonwealth Agricultural Departments. The Superintendent and Com- mittee together with a large number of the citizens of this town have hoped to have one of these departments estab- lished in our own High school. The Superintendent in his report explains in detail what is necessary for us to do in order to have such an Agricultural School come to Harwich. The Town is now placed in a position where we can probably secure one of these departments if the citizens so wish it. We leave the matter to the consideration of the citizens, especially to those who have children coming to our schools and soon are to decide upon their life occupation.
JOHN P. NICKERSON, THOMAS H. NICKERSON, JOSEPH B. ATKINS,
School Committee.
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee of Harwich :-
Gentlemen: Herewith I have the honor to submit my fourth annual report-the twenty-first in the series of re- ports to the School Committee.
Teachers.
Resignations and appointments for the year follow :
RESIGNATIONS.
SCHOOL.
APPOINTMENTS.
Katherine Norton
West Primary
Bessie Lord
Bessie Lord
West Primary
Alice L. Collins
Caroline Holbrook
Port Primary
Florence Koford
Florence Koford
Port Primary
Gertrude E. Knapp
Gertrude E. Knapp
Port Primary
Esther J. Moore
Myra C. Chase
East Primary
Flossie C. Hulse
Florence Larkin
North Grammar
Elizabeth Nelson
Elizabeth Nelson
North Grammar
Jennie B. Smith
Hattie F. Weeks
Centre Grammar
Leroy C. Arnold
Leroy C. Arnold
Centre Grammar
Laura L. James
Edith Olmsted
Centre Primary
Cora B. Lewis
Dorothy Perry
Centre Intermediate
Doris M. Smith
Doris M. Smith
Centre Intermediate
Henrietta M. Simp- son
An unusually large number of changes in our teaching force has taken place during the year. Seven teachers only who were employed by the town a year ago are still in our employ. More than fifty ,per cent. of the whole force have left us. Some schools have been compelled to endure two or three changes during the year. Several of these teachers were of the right type and make up and were doing excel- lent work for us. Some of them have gone into positions paying from four hundred fifty to six hundred dollars against. three hundred forty generally paid by Harwich. The work- man is worthy of his hire. Such teachers are worth as much to teach our children as they are to teach any other children.
15
Towns around us and towns everywhere have realized the need of increased salaries and therefore increased efficiency. The most of them have met the issue or are doing so. If you have a man's work to be done put a man upon it. Don't pay him boy's pay, but man's pay. A green boy upon a man's job, or an inexperienced hand upon the same job is poor business management and bound to result in loss. If this is true in the business world, it is doubly so in the business of teaching where the material dealt with is not wood nor stone, but flesh and blood.
The day of the ten dollar a week teacher is passed. It is true that some may continue to come to us at that price for a few months or a year, to get experience, but as soon as they get a start and begin to do our work well we must release them to towns paying much larger salaries. What then! Get the inexperienced and the unknown. It is im- possible to go into the Boston agencies and find a teacher with any preparation and experience for ten dollars a week. Salaries must increase. Appropriations must be made for buildings and equipment, and vocational courses, or the school system must go into bankruptcy. As was stated last ,year by the School Committee there are 257 cities and towns that raise more money per thousand dollars of valuation for schools than the town of Harwich, and she has no doubt gone considerably lower in the list since then. In spite of these facts many good citizens in town are crying against the "enormously large" school appropriation.
Consolidation of schools with new buildings must be met by the town in the near future. It is pressing harder than ever upon us this year and the need will increase as the years pass one by one. Let's get ready for it. In the meantime we must not allow our buildings to become more unfit for the work and allow our low salaries to lower the
16
standards of the schools. The next few years will probably see the greatest advancement in administration, courses, voca- tional schools, salaries and instruction that Massachusetts has ever known in a like period of time. Let us start now and keep the pace.
In this connection I wish to say that it is extremely doubtful if parents in general can appreciate the respon- sibility resting upon the teacher. And it is true too that many teachers do not appreciate the places they should fill before the school and the community. Unless she is what she would most fondly wish her children to become she cannot hope for success in its larger sense. In her hands lie the destinies of the children in her charge. She is re- sponsible for his physical, his intellectual, his moral welfare. Under her guidance he must form habits of punctuality, cleanliness, industry, thrift, honesty, respect for others-all of which must be well established and the teacher must be the living embodiment of them all.
If she is a true teacher she will not consider self over. much-she will not consider salary overmuch-important as money is in maintaining the dignity of her profession. While she teaches geography she does not make it an end but a means to an end. The goal or aim is manhood and woman- hood. The real teacher will never lose sight of it and her life, character and influence will do much toward the at- tainment of the goal.
Sewing was tried in the Harwichport Grammar School. Girls were to take the course and boys might elect it, but no boy was compelled to take sewing. Everybody elected it. One lesson a week was given. A very carefully planned course was carried out by Miss Nickerson. The experiment was very successful. Mr. Warren, state agent, visited the class and was much pleased with the work. The doing of
17
practical things in the schools, sewing, millinery, cooking. wood working, agriculture, taken in conjunction with cultural subjects, is accepted as the best in education: In this course a careful study of materials used and their manufac- ture was made through instruction in every step in the pro- cess. The practical applications of the course are given in Miss Nickerson's words as follows :
"Eighteen No. 1 samples, showing six plain stitches, viz: : Overcasting.
Basting for Dress Seams.
Basting for Hems. . Basting for tucks.
Stitching.
Back-stitching.
Eighteen patches on calico, 51 button-holes, 51 buttons, 10 handkerchief bags, 4 bean bags, 6 wash rags hemmed, 1 towel hemmed, 3 holders, 5 sewing aprons.
There is no doubt in my mind but that a knowledge of sewing and domestic science subjects are of value to any woman no matter what her station in life.
Ruskin says, 'He who works with his hands only, is a mechanic; he who works with hands and head is an artisan; and he who works with hands, head and heart, is an artist.' "
The law requiring that children must be vaccinated be- fore entering school has been complied with. Several received certificates of unfitness. These must be renewed or children vaccinated on or before the opening of school in September.
Section 6, Chapter 215, Acts of 1911, is in part as fol- lows :- "A child who is a member of a household in which a person is ill with smallpox. diphtheria, scarlet fever. measles, or any other infectious or contagious disease, or of a household exposed to such contagion from another house-
18
hold as aforesaid shall not attend any public school during such illness until the teacher of the school has been furnished with a certificate from the board of health or from the attending physician of such person, stating that danger of conveying such disease by such child has passed."
The teacher has considerable responsibility right here. Every child ailing from any cause should have attention and if the symptoms are not recognized, the child should be re- ferred to the school physician, and the letter of the law should be lived up to in regard to certificate upon his return.
This is very important. Epidemics start from one child. That child excluded at the proper time prevents the epidemic.
The attendance is so important to the success of the schools that every effort should be made to surmount the obstacles which stand in the way. The teacher who has her school well in hand generally gets pretty good attendance.
Every school child has had a thorough physical ex- amination during the year as required by law. Medical in- spection cards, for the record of examination, suitable for the entire school life of the pupil have been supplied. This examination is only a beginning. The aim is to discover defects and by notification of parents, to bring about treat- ment that will ultimately make all children physically strong and sound.
Articles are inserted in the town warrant asking the town to give the School Committee authority to establish a Department of Agriculture in the High School and also calling upon the town to consider accommodations for such a department.
A law was passed by the 1911 legislature providing for the establishment of such departments. Two-thirds of the cost of instruction to be paid by the state. A young man
19
with agricultural training, approved by the State, will have charge of the departments. The State expects it will be necessary to pay a salary, to the right man, of twelve hundred dollars. About three hundred dollars will be needed for equipment-tools, laboratory, library, etc., making the total cost about fifteen hundred dollars, eight hundred dollars of which will be paid by the State, making a net outlay of about $700. Even this will be considerably reduced by tuitions paid in by other towns for the attendance on the course by their students.
Accommodations should be provided for the present at least without extra expense.
Our application to the state for the course has been very favorably received. Rufus W. Stimson, special agent, has visited Harwich twice in the interests of the department and he assures us that as soon as the town can meet the require- ments of the State, the course will be granted.
The requirements are as follows :
The town must make sufficient appropriation. Suitable accommodations must be provided. An advisory board must be appointed. At least fifteen pupils, twelve boys and three girls, or fifteen boys must be found who will take the. course.
Proof that there is a demand for such a course.
All the above requirements have been met, with the ex- ception of the town's action.
To those who are at all skeptical in regard to profitable agriculture on the Cape I will refer them to the exhibits of the agricultural products as displayed at the recent Agricul- tural Fair, and also to the statement below handed me by one of the real farmers of Harwich, which I am taking the lib- erty to display.
"I planted one and one-half acres of land. Previous to last spring it has not been fertilized for eight years."
20
The following figures are correct to a dollar :
Land, Dr.
Plowing and harrowing,
$7.50
Dressing and fertilizer,
16.00
Six weeks' work at $12,
72.00
Seeds,
18.00
$113.50
One and One-half Acres, Cr.
Potatoes,
$98.38
Peas,
55.20
String Beans,
44.36
Corn,
15.00
Summer Turnip,
8.70
Squash,
11.65
Beets,
28.40
Onions,
7.85
Lettuce,
9.85
Carrots,
10.90
Cucumbers,
16.45
$306.74
Net gain above all expenses and labor on 11/2 acres of land $193.24.
The striking things in this statement are:
1. The land is waste land and unused for years.
2. The man pays himself $72 for his labor.
3. The great variety of the crop and everyone appar- ently successful.
This man makes the affirmation that he is sure that with three acres of land he can net $1,000 a year with about six months labor.
Here is a grand opportunity for many young men to en- gage in profitable occupations. The first thing needful is
21
a scientific training. The department in the High School will supply this.
It is for the town to render an almost everlasting benefit upon itself by furnishing the opportunity to pupils of the Cape.
I wish to call attention to the reports of the Principal of the High School; the Supervisor of Music and Drawing; the report of the Medical Inspector and the accompanying statis- tics.
Respectfully submitted, LORING G. WILLIAMS.
Harwich, Jan. 4, 1912.
.
22
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To Superintendent L. G. Williams, Harwich, Mass. :
I herewith respectfully submit my second annual High School report.
The school opened September 11th with an enrollment of fifty-three. For various reasons, the present enrollment is reduced to forty-six, all of the withdrawals with one excep- tion, apparently unavoidable.
The school is fairly well equipped with text books, but very much cramped for laboratory room. The rearrange- ment of the old double seats into single rows has added much to the appearance of the room, and is a great help in the discipline.
The course in Shorthand and Typewriting, offered the two preceding years, has been discontinued, due to the fact that only two of the senior class elected the subject. It seems to me that what instruction we can give in this line, unless it be made a part of a regular business course, is of no great value.
The High School is badly in need of a third regular teacher. Last spring, in considering our request to have our school put on the approved list for entrance to the State Normal Schools, State Agent J. W. McDonald gave as one reason for refusing, a lack of sufficient teaching force. We are doing our best to carry out an approved course of study that will fit for such colleges as Amherst, Tufts, etc., but it is impossible for any teacher, if he or she has eight or ten different subjects, to do justice to any of them. Our boys and girls have a right to demand just as good training here as elsewhere.
Before completing my report, I wish to express my approval of the proposed Agricultural Department under
23
State supervision. I believe it is a step in the right direc- tion. The instruction that such a course would provide is better than all the Latin, French, or most any other subject we can give our boys of Harwich. In a college-going com- munity, the fitting of the students for college should be the first aim of the High school, but here on the Cape where only a very small percentage attend college, something of more immediate and practical use should be supplied. I believe too, that we can interest our boys in this line of work, and that it means a good deal for Harwich and the whole Cape. I most heartily desire to see such a course established in our High school.
Very sincerely yours,
JAMES L. JORDAN, Principal.
24
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To Mr. Loring G. Williams, Superintendent of Schools :
It gives me great pleasure to present my third report of music in the Harwich schools.
The new Educational Music Course has done much toward raising the standards of music in our schools. The aim of this course is to develop an intelligent appreciation and enjoyment of good music, a musical and expressive voice, the ability to read music at sight, and the power of musical interpretation.
In the primary grades our first work is to find out what children can sing correctly and who sing incorrectly. Special attention is given the child who cannot sing. First he is taught to hear accurately, then he is asked to sing the easiest skips in pitch until his abilities are quite equal to the more talented child. In this way almost all children are taught to sing in a musical manner.
The child's musical standards are developed by rote songs, that is, by songs taught by imitation. These rote songs continue through the fourth grade or until the child's technical knowledge of music is sufficient to learn songs and exercises from notes.
In the grammar grades more emphasis is given the technical work and progressive principles are continued until these grades can sing part songs and choruses in a reliable manner.
In addition to the chorus work or mass singing, indi- vidual singing and written work is required which makes the course more thorough and makes it possible to deter- mine the standards of each individual.
Respectfully submitted,
INGRED E. EKMAN.
25
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
To Mr. Loring G. Williams, Superintendent of Schools :
It is with pleasure that I present my third report of drawing in the Harwich schools.
Invariably we hear the question, "Why is drawing taught in the public schools?" As an answer to this ques- tion may I quote Mr. William J. Edwards of Malden, Massa- chusetts.
"To help children to see things clearly and use their hands skillfully.
"To give another language in which to express ideas.
"To develop the power to appreciate a piece of fine work and ability to discriminate between good and bad design.
"To cultivate the power of invention.
"To acquire good habits of thought and action, such habits as will be of the greatest help and assistance in their living.
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