USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1915 > Part 4
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Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200) to turn- pike the road beginning at the Four Corners in North Har- wich and leading northerly to the Brewster mile-stone, a dis- tance of about one mile, and act fully thereon.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to harden with oil the unfinished portion of the North Harwich road from a . point near the North Harwich school house to the junction with the Main street, near the residence of Valentine Bassett's, a distance of about one mile, and appropriate a
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sufficient sum of money therefor, and to determine how the same shall be raised, and act fully thereon.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sufficient sum of money to be used for improving the road leading from School Street, Harwich Centre, past the resi- dence of J. K. Robbins, to Harwich Port. This money to be used for the purpose of removing obstructions of trees and brush, to grade, widen, and erect necessary guard rails to make said road safe for public travel. If necessary some of this money may be used to erect signs, or to adopt such other measures to prevent any private property adjoining said road being used as a public dump, and to act fully thereon. By request.
Article 30. To see what action the Town will vote to take in regard to building a tide-gate across Herring River, and act fully thereon.
Article 31. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50) to repair and make passable the road beginning at the Main Street at the corner of Willis H. Nickerson's and extending to the shore. known as "Commonwealth Avenue." and act fully thereon.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to erect on the Grammar School lot at Harwich Centre a new school build- ing. the present Grammar School building to be utilized in the construction thereof, to accommodate the High School and Grades 7 and 8 from all parts of the town, according to the State's six and six plan; to raise and appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money therefor, and to determine how and in
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what manner the same shall be paid, and the payments thereof met, and act fully thereon.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to make ordinances regarding licensing hawkers, pedlers, junk dealers, or any vender of wares on the streets of the town of Harwich, in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts governing the same.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to accept the road in South Harwich leading easterly about 300 feet from a point near the residence of W. P. Neal, as laid out by the Road Commissioners, upon the petition of A. A. Julien and others, and act fully thereon. By request.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to buy an oil heater for use in building oil roads, and act fully thereon.
Article 36. To see what action the Town will take with reference to town landings at Wychmere Harbor, Harwich Port, and act fully thereon.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to donate the use of the halls of the Ex- associations of the Town of Harwich to be used for entertain- ments and gatherings whose purpose and object shall be the advancement and moral benefit of the town and its public institutions, and act fully thereon.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one in each Post Office in said Town,
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seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting. The polls will be opened at 9 o'clock a. m., on Monday, February 7, 1916, 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 twenty-fourth day of Jan- uary, 1916.
EPHRAIM H. DOANE, J. FREEMAN RYDER, THOMAS H. NICKERSON,
Selectmen of Harwich. 1
Correct,
Attest :
WILLIAM H. BASSETT,
Constable.
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF HARWICH
TOWN
F THI
PORATED SEPT. 14. 1
INCORP
SEAL
594
WICH
ADOPT
1,1897.
FOR THE YEAR 1915
ORGANIZATION OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS 1915
HARRIE D. HANDY, M. D .. Chairman, Term Expires 1916. JOHN H. PAINE, Secretary, Term Expires 1917.
MRS. LILLIAN E. COOK, Treasurer. Term Expires 1918.
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. School Physician. HARRIE D. HANDY, M. D.
School Committee's Report
SCHOOL CENSUS.
September, 1915.
Number children between five and seven years, 60
Number children between seven and fourteen years, 249
Number children between fourteen and sixteen years, 40
Number children over sixteen attending school, 31
Number illiterates between sixteen and twenty-one, 0
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
High School.
Louis J. Peltier,
$1,050.00
Eleanor Berg,
506.25
Donna M. Corliss,
112.50
$1,668.75
Center Schools.
Lillian V. Lincoln,
$364.40
Madaline Small,
396.60
Helen M. Leard,
264.00
Lillian M. Oram,
168.00
$1,193.00
5
Harwichport.
Lizzie A. Nickerson,
$431.00
H. Ruth Bishop,
220.00
Esther M. Bradstreet,
132.00
$783.00
East Harwich.
Flossie C. Hulse,
$420.00
Bertha C. McCoy,
264.00
Elizabeth Campbell,
132.00
$816.00
West Harwich.
Minerva M. Nickerson,
$220.00
Sarah Sturgis,
264.00
Annie E. Carleton,
144.00
$628.00
North Harwich.
Mary T. Cleary,
$420.00
Katherine A. Moriarty,
391.20
Mrs. Abbie Nickerson, substitute,
12.00
Grace L. Williams, substitute,
16.80
$840.00
.
$5,928.75
Music and Drawing.
Lotta M. Murray. 313.32
6
SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY.
Loring G. Williams, salary,
$892.14
State reimbursement,
517.24
Actual cost to town,
$374.90
JANITORS.
Ralph B. Ellis, Center.
$176.25
Leo I. Bassett, Center,
105.00
B. D. Smith, Harwichport,
85.00
Charles E. Lothrop, West Harwich,
77.50
Harry W. Nickerson, East Harwich,
82.50
Holland G. Rogers, North Harwich,
85.00
$611.25
FUEL.
Harwich Center.
Harwich Coal and Lumber Company, T. E. Larkin,
$132.00
3.00
$135.00
7
Harwichport.
C. S. Burgess & Co., $71.18
Charles H. Taylor, wood sawed,
8.50
$79.68
East Harwich.
Kendrick & Bearse, coal,
$63.50
Harry Nickerson, wood,
7.50
$71.00
West Harwich.
Barnabas Sears, coal,
$80.25
C. S. Burgess & Co., wood,
4.00
J. F. Ryder, wood,
4.00
$88.25
North Harwich.
Barnabas Sears, coal,
$101.22
N. B. Walker, wood,
8.00
$109.22
$483.15
REPAIRS AND INCIDENTALS.
Harwich Center.
T. E. Larkin, labor and material on pumps,
$28.30
A. Howes, labor and supplies,
13.99
J. F. Tobey & Son, supplies,
3.60
8
Harwich Coal and Lumber Co., material, 7.02
Leo I. Bassett, cleaning school houses, 20.00
Chester Kelley, tuning piano and organs, 10.85
R. H. Walker, labor, 3.00
B. H. Bassett, labor,
3.00
H. D. Handy, stove for High School, 6.00
John F. Bassett, labor,
6.00
Harold Ellis, labor, 3.00
Ernest I. Bassett, repairs and material, 2.00
George W. Clark, Jr., repairing clocks, 1.75
H. E. Cook, supplies, 1.10
$109.61
Harwichport.
Ralph Gorham, labor and material, $2.00
James B. Eldridge & Son, labor and material, 5.75
B. D. Smith, cleaning and material, 21.35
B. H. Ellis, carting loam and ashes, 2.00
Chester Kelley, tuning organ, 2.50
J. O. Hulse, Jr., material, .50
Watson B. Eldridge, material,
.45
$34.55
East Harwich.
Young Bros., stove pipe and supplies, $7.43
Chester Kelley, tuning piano, 2.50
Harry Nickerson, cleaning, painting, etc., 23.47 $33.40
9
West Harwich.
C. S. Burgess & Co., material, $5.34
A. Howes, lamp, .35
J. H. Paine, keys, .85
Chester Kelley, tuning organ,
4.25
E. M. Robbins, supplies, .30
Chas. E. Lothrop, cleaning,
7.00
$18.09
North Harwich.
Harwich Coal & Lumber Co., material, $1.50
A. Howes, grates, glass, etc., 3.90
John F. Bassett, labor and material, 2.50
J. C. Baker, supplies, 1.70
Holland Rogers, cleaning and repairs, 18.20
$27.80
$223.45
General Maintenance.
Norman C. Hayner, two barrels oil, $116.15
P. A. Atkins, hedge, 12.00
$128.15
Permanent Repairs.
Appropriation, $300.00
Charles T. Chase, labor and material,
painting Center Grammar, $105.00
Charles T. Chase, labor and material, painting west building, 115.00
$220.00
Balance unexpended, $80.00
10
TRANSPORTATION.
High School.
Appropriation,
$600.00
Joseph D. Nickerson, East,
$285.00
T. W. Kendrick, East,
2.50
George B. Ellis, West,
99.00
Everett L. Ellis, West,
.
121.50
$508.00
Balance unexpended,
$92.00
Elementary.
Thomas E. Small, South,
$110.00
Thomas S. Taylor, South,
84.00
Everett L. Ellis & Son, Pleasant Lake,
375.02
$569.02
11
MISCELLANEOUS.
Wm. H. Bassett, attendance officer,
$45.00
Jos. W. Bassett, labor,
1.35
H. M. Small, printing,
13.75
Nickerson & Nickerson,
3.00
A. P. Goss, printing,
25.00
H. D. Handy, school physician,
40.00
Freight express, office expenses, securing teachers,
28.14
J. L. Hammett Co., diplomas,
1.59
Mrs. H. E. Cook, mdse. for graduation,
2.71
C. S. Hunt, ribbon for graduation,
.42
W. H. Nickerson, carting and freight,
1.53
Mrs. Lillian E. Cook, school census,
20.00
$182.49
12
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Edward E. Babb & Co.,
$182.46
Library Bureau,
2.10
Milton Bradley,
144.00
Wright & Potter,
1.85
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.,
33.15
J. L. Hammett Co.,
49.16
Rand McNally,
2.52
The Cable Company,
4.26
Chas. Scribner's Sons,
1.35
Ginn & Company,
14.55
MacMillan Co.,
11.71
Houghton, Mifflin Co.,
10.41
D. C. Heath,
12.31
Allyn & Bacon,
14.61
Gregg Publishing Co.,
10.71
American Book Co.,
3.00
$499.85
13
STATEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Available Funds.
Town appropriation, $500.00
State reimbursement,
766.64
Tuition from Town of Brewster,
200.00
Tuition from Town of Eastham, 160.00
$1,626.64
Tuition due from Chatham unpaid, $55.00. Expenditures.
Milton S. Rose, instructor, salary, $1,399.92
J. L. Hammett Co., chairs, etc., 38.30
Alton P. Goss, envelopes and printing, 11.75
J. B. Steele, rent to Sept. 1, 1915,
18.00
Soil Tester Company,
9.00
Hoard's Dairyman,
.75
Rural Publishing Co.,
1.00
C. R. Perry, transportation,
12.00
Auker Printing Co., blanks,
2.31
Hill Smith & Co., state sheets,
12.49
MacMillan Co., book,
1.27
Milton S. Rose, office expenses, books
and magazines, 18.80
$1.525.59
Unexpended balance,
$101.05
Town appropriation,
$500.00
Unexpended balance turned back to treasury,
$101.05
Due from Chatham,
55.00
$156.05
Actual cost to town,
$343.95
14
RECAPITULATION.
Available.
General appropriation,
$8,400.00
High School transportation,
600.00
Agriculture,
500.00
Repairs on school buildings,
300.00
Massachusetts school fund,
921.62
Rebate on agriculture,
766.64
Tuition from Brewster,
200.00
Tuition from Eastham,
160.00
Dog tax,
174.78
Rebate on Superintendent and teachers,
517.24
Tuition, City Boston,
70.00
Tuition, State Board Charity,
150.00
$12,760.28
Expenditures.
Repairs and incidentals,
$223.45
Books and supplies,
499.85
General maintenance,
128.15
Agriculture,
1,525.59
Miscellaneous,
182.49
Fuel,
483.15
Teachers' salaries,
5,928.75
Music and drawing,
313.32
Superintendent's salary,
892.14
Janitors,
611.25
Permanent repairs,
220.00
15
High School transportation,
508.00
Elementary transportation,
569.02
Balance returned to treasury,
675.12
$12,760.28
We, the undersigned, auditors of the Town of Harwich, have this day examined the bills, books and vouchers of the School Committee of Harwich for the year 1915, and found the same correct.
ยท CHARLES T. CHASE, HERBERT E. COOK,
Auditors.
To the Voters of the Town of Harwich :
Your School Committee feel very much elated over the way the money that you placed at our disposal has held out and refer you, for details. to the financial report. Last year we had a deficit of $450, which is now wiped out and, in addition, the Town Treasurer will receive in unexpended funds from this department $675.12.
16
Our schools are, we believe, being instructed, super- vised and maintained at a proper standard.
The buildings are not in first class condition in many instances. The High and Grammar at the Centre and the West schoolhouses will need reshingling. The North and the High will also need painting. These are the last two to be painted, as the rest have been attended to in the last two years.
The reports of the Superintendent of Schools, the High School Principal, Instructor in Agriculture, In- structor in Music and Drawing all indicate a healthy condi- tion of affairs in their respective departments.
Respectfully submitted,
H. D. HANDY, JOHN H. PAINE, LILLIAN E. COOK,
School Committee.
Superintendent's Report
Harwich, Mass., Jan. 10, 1916.
To the School Committee :
Mrs. Cook and Gentlemen :- Herewith I am presenting for your consideration and approval my eighth annual re- port-the twenty-fifth in the series of such reports.
Financial.
Appropriations and school incomes have been ample for 1915. A considerable balance, as shown by the financial report, is in favor of the town. Increases have been neces- sary in the salaries of teachers generally, and by an extra teacher in the High School. Reductions have been possible possible for this year at least in maintaining one school only in West Harwich-in books and supplies, in permanent repairs, in agriculture, in general repairs and incidentals. Provisions should be made the coming year for painting and shingling two buildings, with new floors and desks in at least one or two rooms.
Changes.
At a meeting of citizens of West Harwich interested in schools, and the School Committee and Superintendent, the
18
West Harwich school situation was discussed. Because of a school population of only about twenty it was unanimously decided that only one school be maintained at West Har- wich for the present.
High School transportation for West Harwich and North Harwich has been in operation on stormy days and bad traveling up to December 1st, when continuous trans- portation went into effect by vote of the Board. Such transportation will continue through a large part of the winter months, or until the total amount of the High School transportation appropriation of six hundred dollars is ex- pended.
The present number of High School pupils attending is sixty, sixty-three having been registered. By requirement of the State a third teacher has been employed. While this takes more money it is a necessity from the State's point of view and should be a good investment, yielding big divi- dends in a better school and better prepared and better trained young citizens. Money used for educational pur- poses should never be considered an expense to the town, - but an investment from which the town derives yearly returns in a better, more intelligent, more independent citizenship.
Because of the extra teacher in the High School we are assured that the certificate privilege for admission to Normal School will be granted.
State Courses.
For the past year, under the direction of the State, courses of study for the first six grades of rural schools
19
have been made, and they are now being tried for this present year. This plan seems to meet approval generally, as a uniform course will be present throughout all rural sections. There will necessarily be modifications, changes and additions, depending upon the local community, the work of the pupils and the teachers.
Six and Six Plan.
By the six and six plan the school system is rearranged. The first six grades make up the Elementary School, the second or upper six grades make the Secondary or Junior High School.
The division is made at the end of the sixth grade; at the beginning, generally speaking, of the adolescent period of the pupil. In the elementary group pupils are from six to twelve years of age-children; in the second group- grades seven to twelve inclusive, pupils are from twelve to eighteen years of age-young men and women. These two classes of pupils should not assemble in the same building and should not be mingled in a great mass at school. Their views, ideas and interests differ widely as the interests and life of the child differ from the interests and life of the man.
The courses of study should be adapted to the needs of the two groups. The State course of study for the first six grades has this plan in mind, and is dealing with the needs of the child, leaving out from consideration the pupils of seventh and eighth grades, who are just merging into man- hood and womanhood.
The upper six grades or years-the Junior High School
20
-is the part of the plan which is absorbing the educational world today, and this is not an entirely new thing. It has been tried in many places and is working to great advan- tage. The plan is accepted to be sound and is a permanent forward step.
The courses in this Junior High School will be very much broadened and extended. The ideal modern Junior High School must serve best the community which supports it. In addition to entrance requirements and cultural sub- jects, so-called, a wide range of courses in practical arts must be offered.
For us there are four lines of practical arts courses which should be considered. They may not all be in de- mand or favorably considered by any community. They are as follows :
Agriculture-For boys and girls alike.
Household Arts-(a) cooking, serving, nutritive value of foods, foods for the sick, sanitation, a knowledge of buy- ing; (b) sewing-plain, dressmaking, millinery; (c) care of the home-beds and bed making, sweeping, dusting, heat- ing, lighting, ventilation, ornamentation, etc.
Manual Arts for Boys-Use of tools, wood working- mission furniture, cabinet work, repair and new construc- tion work about the school and the home, drawing and ap- plication of working models, etc.
Business Courses-This is the fourth kind of practical arts work and must stand alone.
Before such a step in the readjustment of our school system can be taken it will be necessary to provide suitable and enlarged quarters for housing the Junior High School.
21
I feel that Harwich is ready this year to consider this matter. It seems to be the logical step to take in face of educational needs of the town. What is the plan? Simply this : Build or enlarge a building suitable to properly house grades seven and eight and the present High School grades. Bring in all pupils of the seventh and eighth grades with the High School pupils who are now being transported from every section of the town; arrange courses of studies ; adopt departmental instruction; support one school only for the first six grades in West Harwich, Harwichport and East Harwich.
Such a step will not be very expensive, and one-half of that much agitated and perplexing question of consolida- tion of schools will be solved. Such a plan is preferable in every way to the entire or complete consolidation plan. The town can do this now, and in later years it can take care of the first six years of the system.
Teachers.
The following changes in our teaching staff have taken place :
Resignations
Bertha C. McCoy Lizzie A. Nickerson Sarah Sturgis Helen M. Leard
H. Ruth Bishop
Minerva Nickerson
School
East Grammar Port Grammar West Grammar Center Grammar Port Primary Second Asst. High West Primary
Appointments
Elizabeth Campbell
Esther E. Nelson School closed
Lillian M. Oram Esther M. Bradstreet
Donna M. Corliss
Annie E. Carleton
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Of the six resignations, three left to better themselves in teaching, two to be married, and one, Miss Lizzie A. Nickerson, retired on pension by the terms of the Massachu- setts Retirement Law. Miss Nickerson served the State for thirty-seven years. We congratulate her upon being able to show such an enviable record and to have received from the State her well earned reward.
Conclusion.
In closing I would refer you to the reports of the High School Principal, the Supervisor of Music and Drawing, the Instructor of Agriculture, the School Physician, and also to the various statistical tables which follow
I wish to express my appreciation to you in behalf of the very cordial relations which have existed, and for the confidence you have maintained in me.
Respectfully, LORING G. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools.
Harwich, Mass., Jan. 1, 1916.
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To Mr. Loring G. Williams, Superintendent of Schools, Harwich, Mass .:
Dear Sir :- It is with pleasure that I submit my second annual report of the Harwich High School.
The enrollment at the opening of school in September reached sixty. What. does this fact signify for Harwich High School?
It means :-
1. A second assistant has been added to the teaching force in accordance with requirements of the Massachusetts. Board of Education. Miss Donna M. Corliss, a graduate of Mount Holyoke, 1915, is proving a valuable asset to the faculty.
2. It has been necessary to provide another recitation This has been accomplished by a rearrangement of the laboratory fixtures. The bench has been split length- wise and the halves placed against the two outside walls. Thus has a suitable recitation room been made and a labora- tory, superior to the old arrangement.
room.
3. Harwich High School graduates wishing to enter our State Normal Schools have been obliged to submit them- selves to examinations before entering. One of the reasons being because the teaching force was too small in proportion to the number of pupils. This difficulty is removed by the
24
addition of a third teacher and we are striving for a stand- ard of work which will entitle our school to the certificate privilege.
4. We have been able to offer a language to freshmen this year. Heretofore, community civics offered to fresh- men and sophomores in alternation with history, has been made a regular freshman subject.
Supplementing the prescribed curriculum we have the following :-
1. In connection with music a girls' glee club has been organized under the direction of Miss Murray.
2. This year shows an increase in the membership of the High School Orchestra.
3. Under the supervision of our English department . a High School paper is to be written, edited and managed by pupils of the school.
4. Mr. Rose has set up new baskets, the girls of the school have purchased a basket ball and Miss Berg is coach- ing them in the game of basket ball.
5. The boys also have organized basket ball teams.
Commendation is due the agricultural department for the improvements made to the school grounds in front of the High School. The appreciation of the scholars has been shown by their continued care of the lawn.
We consider that honor has come to our High School through the efforts of Miss Effie Cahoon, winner of the first prize in a State wide Home Economics Contest; also by Mr. Ralph Williams, who won second prize in a State Poul- try Contest.
25
Activities such as I have mentioned are vital in the life of a scholar because they stimulate interest in the school and its welfare as a whole, and better scholarship is bound to follow.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS J. PELTIER, Principal of High School.
26
REPORT OF INSTRUCTOR OF ARGRICULTURE.
Mr. L. G. Williams, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- I have the honor to address to you this fourth annual report of the Agricultural Department of the Harwich High School. The work of this department is steadily increasing in practical worth in Harwich and sur- rounding towns as it reaches new sections with larger num- bers each year. The school last year graduated three boys after three years' work. Of these one has become of age and has bought land to be used for gardening; and he in- tends to build there as soon as conditions permit. Another is still working with his father on the home farm raising poultry, asparagus and cranberries. The third is at Storr's Agricultural College. The work of the pupils at home in 1915 compares favorably with that of previous years. We may speak with justifiable satisfaction of our successes in the State contests. These prizes are awarded on merit only, and the fact that in the Poultry Club we won second and eighteenth with thirteen hundred eighty-two competing would indicate that in this branch of agriculture at least our conditions are not too adverse. Or if so, we have the cour- age to overcome them.
The United States Department of Agriculture and Col- lege Extension Work we shall endeavor to make a helpful factor in the development of the community.
Respectfully submitted,
MILTON S. ROSE,
Instructor.
27
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To Mr. Loring G. Williams, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Chatham, Harwich, Eastham and Orleans :
It gives me pleasure to submit to you my fourth annual report on the public school music of Harwich.
The work began favorably and the promise of an ex- cellent year is, thus far, being fulfilled.
Throughout the grades deep breathing, good tone pro- duction, intelligent phrasing, song interpretation, and the cultivation of musical appreciation are among the ultimate aims. The different phases of the work mentioned below are but some of the means to these ends.
In the primary schools much care has been given to the voices because many children who entered in the fall had not learned to move their voices up and down, or to match tones. By having them first listen, then sing, afterwards allowing them to sing softly with the other children, and by using other devices for monotones, the majority of voices have been brought up to pitch. The scale, parts of the scale, tone drills for each note, the reading of these from the staff, the ideas meter, bar, accent and measure, 2/1 and 2/2 meter, and the practice of marking the pulse with the first finger of the right hand have been taught, although tone matching, ear training, vocal drills and rote songs have occupied more than half of the time.
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