USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1918 > Part 4
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Health.
I wish something might be done to better safeguard the schools from interruptions and the health of the children. For several years there has been something to break up the schools. I am not attempting to blame anyone nor place responsibility, but is it not time to take an account of stock and find out where we stand and to decide if our machinery in this department is efficient and functioning ?
Is it not worth while to consider a District Nurse Association to employ a nurse for one or two towns or more, who shall go to the homes and schools alike ? This associa- tion might be a private organization, or a nurse might be employed by the schools of the town or towns. What can be done? Our school interruptions with the necessity of paying teachers' salaries during such enforced vacations is a mighty poor investment-money is almost wasted-if some measures could be adopted to overcome this condition the money would be doing a double duty.
Past and Future.
The past year has been, probably, the most difficult and perplexing that the school systems of the country have ever experienced. The great war, now ended, has placed upon the school almost insurmountable tasks. It is reported that more than 10,000 teachers have been taken out of the profession-this has meant scarcity of teachers everywhere. Many schools in the east and in Massachusetts have been closed because no teachers were to be found. The vocational ‹ and practical arts work, principalships and other positions where men have been required have been hard hit especially.
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Business courses, manual training courses and household arts courses have been suspended in many places.
Salaries and every school expense have greatly increased, as in all callings and professions. A minimum salary law has been enacted in Massachusetts placing the minimum at $550 per year.
Schools have done wonders almost in meeting the calls made upon them by town, state and nation during the year and they have been glad to do their best. The pupils deserve special commendation for their efforts toward the Red Cross, the Thrift and War Savings campaign, the bond issues, the United War Work campaign, the Victory Boys and Girls "Earn and Give" campaign, and their sacrifices in many other ways for the great cause.
Nevertheless the schools will be greatly benefitted because of it all. They have received an awakening that will penetrate the coming years. The emphasis which has been placed upon service, citizenship and patriotism will never become less. Reorganization in education will be as great and as far reaching as in industry, society and religion. We hail the coming of this new era in education that will prepare for a more noble service and a better citizenship.
Some of the things which are now being discussed and advocated for the advancement of education throughout the state and federal government are:
(1) A physical educational law. The need of such en- actment having been brought home very forcibly from the results of recent physical examinations.
(2) Continuation schools and a determined drive against illiteracy.
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(3) In the Federal Government Senate Bill No. 4987 provides for the creation of a national department of educa- tion with a secretary in the president's cabinet, with finan- cial and moral support of educational systems throughout the nation.
(4) Continued stress and emphasis upon food produc- tion and conservation.
(5) The elevation of the teacher's position. That teachers and educators and everyone interested in the wel- fare of children make it his personal job to encourage the promising young man and woman to prepare themselves for the work.
(6) The equality of educational opportunity.
The reports of the High School Principal, the Instructor of Agriculture, the Supervisor of Music and Drawing, with the usual tables and statistics follow, to which I call your special attention.
Respectfully,
LORING G. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools.
Harwich, Mass., Jan, 9, 1919.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF HARWICH HIGH SCHOOL.
Very seldom, indeed, have the public school systems of this Commonwealth met with as many obstacles as have impeded their progress during the past few months. In order to cope with the new and terrible epidemic we were obliged to close our schools again for a period of five weeks, after having worked but four weeks of the school year. And when we were again able to open the schools, it meant practically a re-beginning of the year's work in all subjects. Now, after five weeks more of work, we have been obliged to close once again, due to the recurrence of the prevalent epidemic. Such has been the unfortunate condition of affairs in our High School, as in our other schools thus far this Fall. Yet there is much which might well be said of the work already accom- plished.
At the opening of the High School, September 3, last, a total of 55 students were registered. Since that time some have been obliged to leave us, and we have also gained a few new pupils, with the result that now the enrollment of the High School is 52 pupils.
For several reasons we decided that the physical exercises of the High School, during the open months of the year, should consist of Military Training. Accordingly at the opening of school in September the work was organized, there being a boys company and a girls company, each with its officers chosen from the ranks. During the Fall the drill was conducted three days each week during a part of the noon -. hour. Though the work has not been long in operation, it may be stated that its value has become evident to some extent already. As a form of physical exercise it is without a supe-
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rior, both as regards erectness of carriage and training of muscular response.
Much credit is due to the pupils of the High School for their noble response to the appeal of the United War Work Campaign. Organized as two of the teams in the drive con- ducted in the schools of the town, the Victory Boys' Team and Victory Girls' Team of Harwich High together pledged themselves for the sum of $281 before March 1, 1919. Of that amount, $129.50 had already been paid on December 3, 1918.
As regards the scholastic work of the High School, there have been no important changes from the work covered or planned in past years. Due to the spirit of the times, how- ever, some courses have been influenced to some extent. It has been the prime purpose of the teachers of your school to instill and ever increase within the minds of the boys and girls of this town the spirit of loyalty and patriotism to that Nation which has stood for the highest and best ideals of the world.
Finally, I wish to say a word concerning the general school-spirit which has been in evidence thus far. We have adopted as the slogan of Harwich High School: "Work hard while you work; play hard while you play." This sums up the attitude of the pupils toward their work, almost without exception. The standard of work has been such that we have reason to be proud of the scholarship of our High School. And with the assurance of such earnest en- deavor on the part of the pupils, together with many other equally important factors, we look forward to a most suc- cessful year during the months still before us.
Respectfully submitted,
G. H. DANIELS,
Principal of High School.
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AGRICULTURE.
Superintendent L. G. Williams, Harwich, Mass.
Sir :- I herewith submit to you the seventh annual re- port of the Harwich High School Agricultural Department.
For the past few years live educators throughout the country have realized that the public school system as it exists failed to educate the greater majority of pupils. As a result of their efforts experimental courses have been in- troduced in such practical subjects as Domestic Science, Manual Training, Commercial Courses, Engineering and Agriculture.
Massachusetts has been one of the pioneer states in carrying out these suggestions, but even yet figures show that only five per cent. of the children who enter public schools continue their studies through high school and col- lege. In other words, ninety-five per cent. of the children of Massachusetts go out into life with no practical prepara- tion for earning a living.
During the great world conflict the scarcity of labor was so great that even the uneducated and unskilled laborer received exorbitant wages, but now that the war has ended the unskilled and uneducated man will be the first to be thrown out of employment.
It is the desire of the Agricultural Department in the Harwich High School to give the boys and girls a practical education so that they may be able to compete with the exi- gencies of the time. Our system aims to combine the practi- cal and theoretical by requiring the student to carry on throughout the year a project with the course of study. During the past year one of the students carried on a large
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farm of his own with remarkable results, while a number of others did creditable work on up-to-date farms.
We wish you all to realize that our Agricultural De- partment exists not only for the benefit of the pupils en- rolled there, but also for the town's people as well, and it is our desire to make it of greater value to you this year than ever before.
Now that the war is over many people are prone to feel that there is no special need of producing more food than is required for home consumption, but we must remem- ber that there are millions of starving people in Europe who must be fed, and that it is our duty to help feed them. This can only be accomplished by producing more and better crops and to this end we must use every means at our dis- posal. We wish to make this department an information bureau for agricultural problems. We shall endeavor to en- courage the planting of war gardens by both the children and adults, and to do everything possible to improve agri- cultural conditions in Harwich.
We have eight pupils enrolled in our department this year and expect several more. I am pleased to state that this number compares very favorably with the enrollment of larger towns of the state. Three of our students are from out of town; one from Eastham, one from Wellfleet, and one from Dennis. I believe that the students which we have at the present time comprise the most energetic and interested class that has entered the department for some time. We have recently added several new, authentic, up- to-date, reference books to our library and we anticipate a very profitable year for the students.
A new law which was recently passed makes it possible
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for any person interested in agriculture, and who is over fourteen years old, to enter the course. We feel that there are several young men in town who do not attend the high school, who would find this course very beneficial to them and we will gladly give special attention to any who may wish to enter.
In order that our department may conform with the other departments of the state we have re-arranged our schedule as follows :
HARWICH HIGH SCHOOL. Agricultural Department. Course of Study, Subject to Revision.
First and second-year students for the year 1918-1919 and all even years following :
English.
Farm Arithmetic.
- Kitchen Gardening.
(This subject will be taught during the reconstruction period of the war.)
Small Animals. (Poultry, Swine, Sheep and Bees.)
Project Study.
Project Management and Work.
General Farm Experience.
First and second-year students for the 1919-1920 and all odd years following :
English. -
Kitchen Gardening.
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Small Fruits.
Project Study.
Project Management and Work.
General Farm Experience.
Third and fourth-year students for the year 1918-1919 and all even years following :
English.
Farm Records and Accounts.
Farm Measurements and Mechanics.
Soils and Fertilizers.
Market Gardening.
Orcharding.
Project Study.
Project Management and Work.
Third and fourth-year students for the year 1919-1920 and all odd years following :
English.
Farm Management.
Farm Crops.
Dairying.
Animal Husbandry.
(Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle and Horses.)
Project Study.
Project Management and Work.
Note: The English Course will be Business English for the Students who can not attend the High School.
Respectfully submitted,
J. CARROLL HAWKES, Agricultural Instructor.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. Loring G. Williams, Superintendent of the Schools of the Towns of Eastham, Orleans, Chatham and Harwich : As Supervisor of Music I submit the following report :
Last year the Progressive Music Series was introduced into the schools. Owing to the fact that each teacher has more than one grade, it is impossible to follow this course exactly. However, in the lower grades, the rote and observa- tion songs are taught whereby the children get a musical ex- perience and vocabulary. Following this, is the teaching of the so-fa syllables and the recognition of phrases, motives, and figures through the ear. After this ear training, the chil- dren are given books and this previous work is reviewed and strengthened by applying the syllables first to the notes of familiar songs and then to new songs. In many of the Prim- ary rooms, this work is done very satisfactorily and the chil- dren, passing on to the Intermediate grades, are ready for advanced work.
The music work in these grades and in the Grammar grades is that of sight singing in two and three parts. Much time is also spent on technical work. The upper grades study the lives of some of the great composers and by means of the Victrola become familiar with some of their works.
In the High School where I find much musical ability, emphasis is to be placed upon chorus singing and some work done in music appreciation.
Because of the unusual interruption of the school work, not much has been accomplished thus far, but the splendid spirit shown both by teachers and pupils give promise of good results at the end of the school year.
Respectfully,
HARRIET HOWARD.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
Mr. Loring G. Williams, Superintendent of Schools of the Towns of Eastham, Orleans, Chatham and Harwich :
As Supervisor of Drawing, I submit the following re- port :
Much of the work this year in the Primary grades has been free-hand cutting for poster and sand-table, illustrative of the season and special occasion.
In the upper grades we have drawn flowers, foliage and fruits. We also worked some on landscapes for Christmas cards and calendars.
In High School we have done some work in Nature, and now are beginning our work in House Planning and Furnish- ing. The pupils in general seem much interested in this, and I hope they will get much practical knowledge as well as artistic appreciation.
Respectfully,
HARRIET HOWARD.
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To the School Committee of the Town of Harwich :
Gentlemen :- Aside from the epidemic of Spanish. In- fluenza which has visited us along with all other towns and cities, and which has broken into the sessions of our schools, the health of the pupils has been as good as usual. While we deplore the lack of continuity in our school sessions we should be very thankful that the mortality has been so low in Har- wich. Many towns have experienced a high death rate.
Our teachers are co-operating in keeping the health of the pupils up to a good average and, for that matter, so are the parents.
After all, it is in the home where much of the cause of sickness is developed. Pure air, sunlight, good drinking water (and plenty of it), and wholesome food, with right- hours for recreation and sleep are the chief aids to good health and strong bodies. A poorly nourished child kept in poorly ventilated rooms will develop disease while a well cared for boy or girl will not contract an illness even though he be in contact with it daily.
It is because of the good sense and co-operation of the mothers and fathers of our boys and girls that we, in Har- wich, have to be thankful that we have with us so many of our pupils after the ravages of Influenza.
Respectfully,
H. D. HANDY, M. D., School Physician.
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COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.
Harwich High School, Class of 1918. Exchange Theatre, Thursday Afternoon, June 27, at 2 o'clock.
Program.
Star Spangled Banner Francis Key
School.
Invocation
Rev. Geo. W. Clark
June Song
Rudolf King
School.
Salutatory-Personal Worth
Lucille Wellington Kendrick.
Essay-Education, the Key to Success Millard Parker Hall.
(a) Wanderer's Evening Song Rubinstein
(b) Desert Song Henry Hadley
(c) The Water Lily Robert Kahn
Girls' Glee Club.
Essay-Our Nation's Call
Madeleine Grant Eldredge.
Class History and Prophecy
Lina Snow Wixon.
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Piano Solo-New Spring Gustav Lange Earle Forrest Bassett.
Address to Undergraduates Marion Elizabeth Cole.
Angel's Song Braga
Girls' Glee Club.
Class Will
Mary Clara Atkins.
Valedictory
Darius Mulford Nickerson.
Presentation of Diplomas
H. D. Handy, M. D.
Rouse Ye, America !
E. W. Newton
School.
Benediction
Rev. David T. Richards.
Graduates.
Mary Clara Atkins
Scientific
Earl Forrest Bassett
Scientific
Marion Elizabeth Cole
Scientific
Madeleine Grant Eldredge
Scientific
Millard Parker Hall
Classical
Lucille Wellington Kendrick
Scientific
Darius Mulford Nickerson
Classical
Lina Snow Wixon
Scientific
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Class Motto: Onward to Success. Class Colors : Blue and Gold. Class Flower: Yellow Rose.
Faculty.
Ralph B. Farnum
Donna M. Corliss
Ethel V. Thorburn
Frank L. Davis
Charlotte T. Elliot
Principal First Assistant Second Assistant
Instructor Agricultural Dept.
Supervisor of Music and Drawing
Superintendent. Loring G. Williams
School Committee.
Harrie D. Handy
John H. Paine
Joseph B. Atkins
BROOKS MEDAL WINNERS 1917-1918.
Violet Ellis, High School, grade XI.
Harold E. Clark, Center Grammar, grade VI. Olive Silva, Center Intermediate, grade V. Ruth C. Tobey, Center Primary, grade III. Bertha Holmes, East Grammar, grade VIII. Donald Morrison, East Primary, grade III. Dorothy Eldredge, Port Grammar, grade VI. Alice Crowell, Port Primary, Grade IV. Nathaniel Rose, North Grammar, grade VIII. Esther L. Cahoon, North Primary, grade III. Alta Chase, West Harwich, grade V.
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SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1919.
Winter Term.
All schools open Dec. 30, 1918, close March 21, 1919. 12 weeks Vacation one week.
Spring Term. All schools open March 31st.
High School closes June 20, 12 weeks
Elementary schools close June 13th, 11 weeks Note :- The above is a regular schedule-40 weeks for High School, 36 weeks for Elementary schools. Because of so much time being lost during school year, it is likely that all schools will continue till the first part of July, to make up time.
Fall Term.
High School opens Sept. 2, closes Dec. 19, 16 weeks
Elementary schools open Sept. 26, close Dec. 19, 13 weeks
Winter Term.
All schools open Dec. 29, 1919.
Holidays in Term Time.
January 1st, February 22nd, April 19th, May 30th, October 12th, Thanksgiving Day and day following, every Satur- day,
CORPS OF TEACHERS JANUARY, 1919.
NAME
SCHOOL
PREPARATION
DATE OF APPOINT- MENT
SALARY
HOME ADDRESS .
George H. Daniels M. Mildred Atwell
Prin. High
Colgate Mt. Holyoke
Aug. 1918
700
Asst. High
Maine Wesleyan Sem.
Aug.
1918
600
Hazel V. Merrifield J. Carroll Hawkes
Agricultural Dept.
Maine State
July
1918
1350
Flossie H. Chase
Center Primary
Hyannis Normal
Nov.
1917
576
Edith L. Smith
Center Intermediate
Hyannis Normal
July 1918
550
Ethel Sawin
Center Grammar
Framingham Normal
July
1918
550
Southboro, Mass.
Elsie Jenks
East Harwich
Framingham Normal
July
1918
550
So. Milford, Mass.
Ruth H. Haskard
Port Grammar
Oct.
1918
550
Milford, Mass.
Olive W. Thacher
Port Primary
Salem Normal
Dec.
1918
576
Beverly, Mass.
Beatrice E. Eldredge
West Harwich
Bridgewater Normal
July
1918
576
East Harwich
Mary T. Cleary
North Grammar
Hyannis Normal
July
1913
576
Cambridge, Mass.
Katherine A. Moriarty
North Primary
Rust Kindergarten
Sept. 1913
576
Nashua, N. H.
Harriet Howard
Music and drawing supervisor
Music Normal Methods
Aug. 1918
900
Winslow, Me.
45 Vernon St., Mass.
Chatham, Mass.
Harwich, Mass.
Harwichport
Orleans, Mass.
Taunton,
Asst. High
July 1918
$1350
Harwich, Mass.
Index
-
Town Officers
3
Selectmen's Report :
Tax Abatements. 5
State and County Tax 5
State Macadam Tax 6
National Bank Tax 6
6
Anticipation of Revenue
Almshouse
9
Outside Poor
9
Poor of Other Cities and Towns.
9
· Town Officers
10
Election Officers 11
Schools and Transportation 11
Exchange Account. 12
Board of Health
13
Miscellaneous
13
Repairs of Public Buildings
15
Inspector of Animals.
16
Herring Brook Account.
17
Suppression of Crime 17
Treasurer's Bond.
18
Fish Wardens 18
Tree Warden 18
Dog Tax.
Fire Warden 19
Second District Court. 19
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth 20
Brooks Library 22
Moderator 22
Hearings 22
Tax Collector's Commission 23
Insurance 23
Interest 24
State Aid. 24
General Repairs on Roads 25
Bridges 25
Fences and Rails
26
Snow.
26
Oil Roads.
27
David P. Ryder Road 27
Sisson Road Loans. 28
Snow Inn Road Loan 28
East Harwich Road Loan 29
East Harwich-Chatham Road Loan 29
Chase Library 29
Brooks Medal. 29
Fire Engine. 30
Cemetery Lots. 30
Settlement with Town Treasurer 32
Assets and Liabilities 33
Auditor's Report
,33, 38, 40, 46, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 77
Assessors' Report 34
1
Tax Abatements 35, 36, 37
Tax Settlement .39, 40
Report of Overseers of Poor:
Almshouse 41
Outside Poor. 42
Poor of Other Cities and Towns. 45
Summary Poor Account. 45
Report of Road Commissioners :
General Repairs 47
West Section. 48
Middle Section. 49
East Section 51
Snow 54
West Section. 54
Middle Section 56
East Section 58
Bridges 60
West Section. 61
Middle Section. 61
Fences and Rails 62
West Section. 62
Middle Section 63
East Section. 63
Oil Road Patching 64
West Section. 64
Middle Section. 65
West Section 66
Guideboards 67
Report of Brooks Park Commissioners
68
Report of Brooks Library Trustees.
69
Report of Trustees of Caleb Chase Fund
71
Report on Brooks Medal Fund.
73
Report of State Forester
.74
Treasurer's Report.
.75
Town Clerk's Report:
Births
78
Births, Portuguese 79
Marriages
80
Deaths
81
Dog License Account
83
Town Meeting Warrant.
85
· School Committee's Report :
Organization 3
Teachers' Salaries. 5
Superintenednt's Salary 7
Janitors
7
Fuel 8
Repairs and Incidentals. 8 Transportation 10
Books and Supplies
10
BROOKS FREE LIBRARY
0 0109 0078940 4
Miscellaneous
11
Statement of Agricultural Department. 12
Recapitulation 13
Auditor's Report. 14
Estimates for 1919.
14
Superintendent's Report.
15
Report of Instructor of Agriculture. .24
Report of Supervisor of Music and Drawing
28-29
Report of School Physician
30
Commencement Exercises
31
Class of 1918. 32
Brooks Medal Winners 1917-1918 33
School Calendar 34
Corps of Teachers
35
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