USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1914 > Part 4
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Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to harden and improve with oil the road beginning in Harwich Centre, at the termination of the oil road near the residence of William F. Crapo, thence extending easterly about one and one-third miles to the macadam road near the M. E. Church at South Harwich; and to determine in what manner the money shall be raised and payment thereof met, and act fully thereon.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to harden and improve with oil the road commencing at the State macadam, near the house of Caleb R. Kelley, extending southwest towards Herring River lower bridge, to connect with the oil road near the residence of the late Baxter D. Kelley, distance 3250 feet, and determine in what manner the money shall be raised and the payment thereof met, and to act fully thereon.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty dollars for. Fire Equipment.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to instruct its School Committee to increase its present High School by receiving and giving instruction to the pupils of the Brewster High School under the conditions and upon the terms provided by Statute.
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Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to enlarge and reconstruct its present High School building to such an extent as will accommodate the Brewster High School pupils and provide suitable basement, recitation rooms, laboratory and equipment for the combined High Schools, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for said purposes, and act fully thereon.
Article 17. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate a certain sum of money as may be necessary to harden and improve with oil the road beginning with terminal at the so-called Shell road, East Harwich, to the Chatham line, near C. C. Eldredge's residence, and act fully thereon.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to top-coat with oil that section of the Brewster macadam road. so-called, begin- ning at the Exchange building, thence continuing northerly to the house of Nathan B. Walker, a distance of one mile, and to determine how the money shall be raised and pay- ment thereof met.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to harden with clay, and otherwise make passable, the road leading from the macadam road near the South Harwich Methodist Church, south to the former residence of the late Edward Smalley, and appropriate the sum of $150.00 therefor, and act fully thereon.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise the pay of men employed in working on the roads of the Town, and act fully thereon. (By request.)
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Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase a new piano for use in Exchange Hall, and act fully thereon.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase a suitable oil heater for use in repairing oil roads, and act fully thereon.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sufficient sum of money to harden with oil the road commencing near the residence of the late Caleb Allen, and continuing in a westerly direction and joining the oil road near the West Harwich lower bridge, so-called, and deter- mine in what way the funds shall be raised to defray the expense of same.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to change the name of Paula Road, Harwich Port, to the name of Edge- wood Road, and act fully thereon.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred dollars, providing the State will appropriate a like or larger sum, to continue the work already begun and underway, at Allen's Harbor, and to determine in what way the said money shall be raised and the payment thereof met.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to macadamize or harden with oil the half or portion of Division Street so- · called, being in said Harwich, beginning at the State high- way in that part of said Harwich called West Harwich, near
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the residence of the late Henry C. Robbins, thence extending northerly by the residence of David R. Ginn and terminating at the point of intersection with the road leading from West Harwich meeting-house to the North Harwich depot, near the residence now or formerly of Adin Chase.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred dollars ($600.00) to carry into effect the vote passed at the last annual Town meeting, whereby it was voted that the Selectmen build a suitable fence around the old burying ground, situated in the easterly part of said Town of Harwich on north side of Queen Anne's road so-called, leading from East to North Harwich, a short distance easterly from the late Washington Eldredge homestead lot, no appropriation having been made last year, and to determine in what manner the money shall be raised and payments met, and act fully thereon. (By request.)
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to sell the building at South Harwich, formerly used as a schoolhouse, and act fully thereon. (By request.)
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 352, Acts of 1914, of the Legislature of Massachusetts, enttled "An Act relative to Pensioning Laborers in the employ of Fire and Water Districts," and act fully thereon.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one in cach Post Office in said Town; seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
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The polls will be opened at 9 o'clock a. m. on Monday, February 1, 1915, 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 said meeting.
Given under our hands this sixteenth day of January, 1915.
EPHRAIM H. DOANE, J. FREEMAN RYDER, THOMAS H. NICKERSON, Selectmen of Harwich.
Correct.
Attest :
LABAN SNOW, Constable.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF HARWICH
TOWN
TH
ORATED SEPT. 14.
AR
SEAL
INCORP
1694
WICH
ADOPTED
4,1897.
SEPT.
FOR THE YEAR 1914
ORGANIZATION OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS 1914
JOSEPH B. ATKINS, Chairman, Term Expires 1915.
JOHN P. NICKERSON, M. D., Secretary, Term Expires 1917.
HARRIE D. HANDY, M. D., Treasurer, Term Expires 1916.
Superintendent of Schools-LORING G. WILLIAMS.
Advisory Board of Agricultural Department. JOSEPH K. ROBBINS, Chairman. MRS. JOSEPH B. ATKINS, ARTHUR F. CAHOON. ELISHA H. BEARSE, RALPH W. DOANE.
MILTON S. ROSE-Instructor, Clerk. Attendance Officer-WILLIAM H. BASSETT. Telephone 31-5. School Physicians, JOHN P. NICKERSON, M. D., HARRIE D. HANDY, M. D.
School Committee's Report
SCHOOL CENSUS.
September, 1914.
Number of children between five and seven, boys 26, girls 23, 49
Number of children between seven and fourteen, boys 113, girls 120, 233
Number of children between fourteen and sixteen, boys 20, girls 22, 42
Number over sixteen attending school, boys 11, girls 6, 17
Number between sixteen and twenty-one, illiterate, 0
Total, 341
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
High School.
James L. Jordan,
$720.00
Louis J. Peltier,
393.75
Eleanor Berg,
450.00
$1,563.75
5
Center Schools.
Laura L. James,
$276.00
Helen M. Leard,
144.00
Helen Witherell,
276.00
Lillian V. Lincoln,
123.20
Geulah M. Peltier, substitute,
8.80
Eva B. Case,
299.00
Madaline Small,
144.00
$1,271.00
Harwichport.
Lizzie A. Nickerson,
$414.50
Mildred E. Stetson,
253.00
Irene F. Hoyt,
50.00
H. Ruth Bishop,
70.00
$787.50
East Harwich.
Bertha C. McCoy,
$397.00
Flossie C. Hulse,
397.00 $794.00
West Harwich.
Sarah Sturgis,
$397.00
Elizabeth N. Carter,
230.00
Minerva A. Nickerson,
120.00
$747.00
North Harwich.
Mary T. Cleary,
$397.00
Katherine A. Moriarty,
397.00
$794.00
$5,957.25
6
Music and Drawing.
Lotta M. Muray, $303.30
SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY.
Superintendent's salary for the year,
$817.56
State reimbursement, 535.71
Actual cost to the Town,
$281.85
JANITORS.
Ralph B. Ellis,
$285.75
Benjamin D. Smith,
87.50
John E. Ellis,
60.00
Charles E. Lothrop,
27.50
Harry Nickerson,
87.50
Holland Rogers,
87.50
$635.75
FUEL.
Harwich Center.
C. S. Burgess & Co., $96.95
$96.95
7
Harwichport.
C. S. Burgess & Co.,
$27.96 16.00
C. H. Taylor, wood,
$43.96
East Harwich.
Kendrick & Bearse,
$21.25
Harry Nickerson, wood,
7.50
$28.75
West Harwich.
C. S. Burgess & Co.,
$4.00
Barnabas Sears,
53.38
$57.38
North Harwich.
Barnabas Sears,
$45.01
$45.01
Total for fuel,
$272.05
REPAIRS AND INCIDENTALS.
Harwich Center.
C. S. Hunt, supplies,
$1.00
Ralph B. Ellis, labor,
60.50
Alpheus Howes, supplies and labor,
45.14
Edgar F. Bassett, labor,
.75
Ray K. Bassett, labor,
12.00
Harwich Coal and Lumber Co., material,
5.85
J. F. Tobey & Son, supplies,
24.17
Walter I. Paine, repairs,
1.00
Thos. E. Larkin, repairs,
1.00
$151.41
8
Harwichport.
C. S. Burgess & Co., material, $ .47
J. B. Eldredge & Son, labor, 16.33
F. A. Small, labor, 11.75
W. B. Eldredge, material,
3.09
B. D. Smith, labor, 17.60
David A. Eldredge,
5.00
$54.24
East Harwich.
Harwich Coal and Lumber Co., $6.00
H. W. Nickerson, labor, 20.60
W. B. Eldredge, supplies, .20
$26.80
North Harwich.
Harwich Coal and Lumber Co., material, $4.62
Mrs. Edwin B. Rogers, supplies,
2.10
S. H. Chase, labor and material,
19.72
Alpheus Howes, supplies.
6.00
Holland Rogers,
16.50
$48.94
West Harwich.
J. E. Ellis, labor, $2.00
Nichols & Atkins, supplies, 1.50
E. M. Robbins, supplies, .76
Harwich Coal and Lumber Co., material,
8.30
James Cummings, labor and supplies, 9.25
C. E. Lothrop & Son, labor,
21.30
S. H. Ellis & Son, repairs and supplies, 51.78
N. B. Smith, labor,
9.10
Alpheus Howes, supplies,
4.00
$107.99
Total, $389.38
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Special Repairs on School Buildings.
Appropriation, $300.00
Wm. A. Eldredge, painting East and Port school houses, labor, $164.25
Wm. A. Eldredge, material, 108.93
S. H. Ellis & Son, labor and material on West Harwich ante room, 26.82
$300.00
TRANSPORTATION.
High School.
Appropriation, $500.00
Everett L. Ellis, East Harwich, $200.00
Joseph D. Nickerson, East Harwich, 111.50
George B. Ellis, West Harwich, 53.25
Everett L. Ellis, two High school pupils
Pleasant Lake, 25.00
$389.75
Elementary Transportation.
Everett L. Ellis, Pleasant Lake, $327.24
Thos. E. Small, South Harwich, 159.00
$486.24
Total for transportation, $875.99
10
MISCELLANEOUS.
Norman C. Hayner & Co., oil,
$57.03
Telephone, telegraph, freight and express,
19.09
Wm. H. Bassett, attendance officer,
27.00
John P. Nickerson, school physician, 20.00
H. D. Handy, securing teachers,
9.00
H. M. Small, printing,
42.25
L. G. Williams expense securing teachers, express, and carting,
14.27
C. S. Hunt, ribbon,
.84
G. C. Robbins, labor and material, 5.65
John H. Paine, contracts,
6.00
Alton P. Goss, printing,
5.50
Alpheus Howes, stove,
8.05
H. D. Handy, school physician, 20.00
Thos. H. Nickerson, school census,
20.00
$254.68
11
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Edward E. Babb & Co.,
$219.03
Milton Bradley Company,
86.45
A. N. Palmer Company,
42.34
Ginn & Co.,
7.66
Standard Scientific Co.,
31.17
D. C. Heath & Co.,
52.40
J. L. Hammett,
7.64
Silver Burdett Company,
8.20
L. E. Knott Company,
6.95
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins,
3.85
H. A. Cutler,
2.31
Pierson & Marsh,
18.50
Allyn & Bacon,
5.03
Gregg Publishing Company,
2.96
American Book Company,
8.70
Houghton, Mifflin Company,
3.61
Watson B. Eldredge,
2.60
$509.40
12
STATEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Available.
Town appropriation,
$700.00
State reimbursement.
676.63
Tuition from Orleans,
100.00
Tuition from Chatham,
100.00
- $1,576.63
Expenditures.
Milton S. Rose, salary,
$1,316.62
Harwich Coal and Lumber Co ..
2.50
Rent of chapel,
1.00
Farm Poultry paper,
1.00
Doubleday, Paige Poultry book.
1.35
Poultry Culture,
1.35
McMillan Company, books,
2.33
A. P. Goss, printing.
3.00
$1,329.15
Total expenditure,
$1,329.15
Total, income, outside sources.
876.63
Net cost of department to Harwich, $452.52
13
RECAPITULATION.
Available.
General appropriation,
$7,500.00
High school transportation,
500.00
Agriculture,
700.00
Repairs on school buildings,
300.00
Massachusetts school fund,
1,022.51
Dog tax (estimated),
150.00
Agricultural reimbursement,
676.63 .
State Board Charity, tuition,
46.50
City Boston, tuition,
23.00
Rebate, account of Superintendent and teachers,
535.71
Tuitions received, Agricultural department,
200.00
$11,654.35
Expenditures.
Teachers' salaries,
$5,957.25
Music and drawing,
303.30
Superintendent's salary,
817.56
Janitors,
635.75
Fuel,
272.05
Repairs and incidentals,
389.38
Permanent repairs,
300.00
Transportation,
875.99
Miscellaneous,
254.68
Books and supplies,
509.40
Agriculture,
1,329.15
Balance on hand,
9.84
$11,654.35
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We, the undersigned Auditors of Harwich, have this day examined the bills and vouchers of the School Committee of Harwich for the year 1914, and found the same correct.
RALPH F. GORHAM, CHARLES T. CHASE,
Auditors.
Harwich, Mass., Jan. 5. 1915.
To the Citizens of Harwich :
Your School Committee have come to the end of one more year's work, and beg leave to submit their annual re- port, although we have no important changes to report. neither in policy nor in the schools.
During the year the School Board has lost the efficient sevices of its oldest member in point of service, Dr. John P. Nickerson resigning January 1 to take up his duties in the legislature.
At the annual town meeting an appropriation was grant- ed sufficient to paint two school houses. The selection was determined by drawing by lot, and fell to East Harwich and Harwich Port. If the same appropriation is granted this year, which we earnestly recommend, the selection will be determined in the same manner.
15
The Agricultural school continues under the efficient management of Mr. Rose, with an enrollment sufficient to place it on a paying basis. In this year, which has seen the beginning of a great war of which no man can see the end, we have seen our principal product-cranberries-sell at ruinous prices, while poultry and other products were never so high; and it has been brought home to us clearer than ever before that we must diversify our products in just the way this school is trying to teach.
The cost of the Agricultural school is borne largely from outside sources, but in our other schools, paid mostly by town appropriations, it is an entirely different matter. The great question for the School Committee and our people to decide is this: Considering the financial welfare of our town as well as the welfare of the schools, under present conditions, how far should we allow our school expenditures to increase ? It is a question for all to decide.
JOSEPH B. ATKINS, HARRIE D. HANDY; JOHN H. PAINE, School Committee.
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee of Harwich :
Gentlemen :- I herewith present for your consideration my seventh annual report, the same being the twenty-fourth in a series of such reports.
Financial.
Our school expenses have materially increased during the last six years. This will not seem strange if we consider the increased cost in all lines of business operations. There is a marked increase in the necessary expenses of the individ- ual, of the family, of the farmer, of the storekeeper, of the cranberry grower. Clothing is higher, foodstuffs are higher, board is higher, wages all along the line have increased from 30% to 100%.
In the same way and under the same law there have been increases in many departments of the school system. The greatest increase has been in teachers' salaries, although the average wages of our teachers are now far below those of many Cape towns. The demand for normal trained, promising young women teachers is much greater than for- merly, and those wages must continue to be higher if we in- tend to compete favorably with school systems all over the
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state. These conditions are not the fault of the committee, nor are they to be blamed or criticised for it. It is in- evitable. The committee should receive the hearty commen- dation of every citizen for the time and consideration given by them in the successful management of the schools and of the funds placed at their disposal.
Some Facts.
The approval of our High school was placed by law, at the last session of the General Court, in the hands of the State Board. The State Board is demanding more of us. To meet State approval. larger quarters and more teachers are required. Certification for admission to Normal schools has been withheld because of this.
Brewster is asking if Harwich can arrange to take. Brewster High school pupils into our High school and give them good training. The number from Brewster, according to the Brewster superintendent, would be generally from eighteen to twenty-five. Two Brewster pupils are already in attendance upon the Agricultural school and others are much interested. The income to Harwich would be from $900 to $1,200 per year therefrom. Such income would be ample to provide extra teachers and all extra expense in maintaining the enlarged plant without costing Harwich anything. To adopt this plan. the present High school build- ing must be enlarged.
It is granted that the school system for purposes of instruction should be divided into two divisions; i. e., the
19
first six grades shall be known as elementary, and the remain ing six grades as secondary. The first six years of school takes the child to 12 years of age, or to the adolescent period. From this time on the subject matter and material, methods of instruction, methods of discipline and approach must change. To accomplish this, grades 7 and 8 should be closely connected with the High school and under its admin- istration, discipline and instruction. These grades might be called the Intermediate school or a Junior High school class, when a very important part of their training might become industrial and vocational.
In the whole town, there are 47 first grade children, 39 second grade, 43 third grade, 36 fourth grade, 32 fifth grade, 30 sixth grade, 27 seventh grade, 24 eighth grade.
If we had consolidation, the first six grades could prob- ably be taught by six teachers. The seventh and eighth could be connected with the High school. The High school would need then two or three extra teachers. This applies to complete consolidation.
Considerations.
1. Shall we as a town plan at once for complete con- solidation of schools and build a school building for the' accommodation of all ?
2. Shall we plan for partial consolidation, transporting all children above the fourth grade, and build a new High school building to accommodate High school pupils and pupils of the seventh and eighth grades ?
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3. Shall we enlarge the present High school building by a two-story wing and basement; transport grades seven and eight only for the present; admitting Brewster High school pupils ; placing the whole building under one admin- istration? The new wing might well be the South Harwich building or a new extension, leaving the first six grades to be taught by one teacher in the Port, East and West Har- wich, where the numbers will admit of it, and two teachers in North Harwich.
4. Shall we continue, as we are obliged, to employ fifteen or sixteen teachers with salaries and repairs increas- ing every year, without any great progress and results making for efficiency; or shall we adopt some plan that will reduce materially the teaching force, repairs, and janitors' wages ?
In answer, I would support consideration No. 3.
Feeling that the Brooks Seminary building is fixed deep in the hearts of all the people of Harwich, some plan for its preservation and enlargement, continuing its life as an edu- cational institution, seems to me to be most economical and most practical. In this way, which would be of compara- tively small expense to the town, the six upper grades of our school system would be provided for for many years.
I recommend that an article be introduced into the coming Town Warrant such as shall enable the town to take action along lines which appeal to the voters.
Transportation is now already in operation at East and West Harwich.
The administration of the schools has not been marked by any great changes or upheavals. Instruction and results have been good generally.
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We are fortunate in retaining so many teachers who were with us last year. Mr. Jordan, Principal of the High school, resigned to accept a more attractive position after having served the town in a most acceptable manner for more than four years. He is succeeded by Louis J. Peltier, Clark College graduate, with two years' previous experience. Miss Minerva Nickerson succeeded Miss Carter at West Primary; Miss Irene Hoyt succeeded Miss Stetson at the Port Primary. Miss Hoyt resigned and has been succeeded by Miss H. Ruth Bishop; Miss James resigned and was suc- ceeded by Miss Helen M. Leard; Miss Case was succeeded by Miss Madaline Small, and Miss Witherell was succeeded by Miss Lillian Lincoln.
The Agricultural Department, with several towns repre- sented during the year in its membership, is now occupying the small building across the street from the High School. The class now numbers thirteen.
School lunches have been introduced by the High School Seniors. All teachers at the Center and East are required to remain during the noon recess in charge of the children. The noon recess in these schools being shortened to one half hour and schools closing at 3 P. M.
In the Cape Cod Board of Trade Letter Contest, Flora Nickerson won first prize and Lamont Smith third prize in Group B. Miss Asenath Thompson, Harwichport, got honor- able mention in Group C, and Miss Sadie K. Larkin won first in Group D.
In the clean tree campaign last spring, Harwich chil- dren gathered about 560,000 nests of Brown Tail Moth and Tent Caterpillar.
In the Household Economics Club Mary Atkins won a · free week at the State College.
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The school census has been changed by law into a card system. Every child in town from five to sixteen years of age and illiterates over sixteen, has an individual life card to be kept up to date through his whole school life.
The home gardens of the children were more success- ful than usual. Many exhibiting at the Harwich Fair won prizes. Interest in High School baseball has been whole- some. The team won the county championship for the past two years.
The reports of the Principal of the High School, the In- structor of Agriculture, the Supervisor of Music and Draw- ing, together with the usual statistics, tables and other data follow, to which I direct your special attention.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to the School Committee, the teachers and the citizens of Harwich for their interest, cooperation' and support of the children's work and welfare.
Respectfully submitted,
LORING G. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools.
· Harwich, January 1st, 1915.
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To Mr. Loring G. Williams, Superintendent of Schools, Har- wich, Mass. :
Dear Sir :- It is with pleasure that I submit my first annual report of the High School.
The course of study pursued this year has been the same as adopted in 1913. A course in Biology has been introduced and offered as an elective in general science to Freshmen and Sophomores. Such a course without a doubt affords a good means of bringing the pupil in touch with living mat- ters which bear so important a relation to the world about us. It also gives an excellent correlative study for students interested in the agricultural department. A course in economies required of all Juniors and Seniors introduces the pupils to the real live social questions of the day so vital to the coming citizen. The continuance of first-year Latin in . the curriculum has seemed justifiable in view of the number of the incoming class requesting it.
The school meets the problem of vocational education in its course offered by the Agricultural department. Half time is being devoted by these pupils to regular High School studies and half to agricultural work. The Agricultural department has moved to quarters just across the street from the High School, which enables it to be in touch with the High School proper, and also gives to the school some much needed laboratory space for chemistry.
A new and valuable card record system of each pupil, suggested by the Massachusetts Board of Education, has been adopted by the school. The record shows, besides the customary scholarship grades, information concerning per-
24
sonal qualities and abilities which count in the making of a successful man or woman. A record is also kept of the progress made by the pupil after leaving school, thus afford- ing a means of knowing whether or not the work is meeting with the success expected of it.
Another change, which seems to me to be for the better, is the simplifying of the marking or grading system. This has been done by using four marks, A, B, C and D, instead of thirteen as formerly. The system also gives more credit to a pupil's individual ability than a purely mathematical one possibly could.
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