USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1925 > Part 4
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Article 37. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to harden with oil the road in South Harwich known as the Neal road, to and including the Walther road, and act fully thereon.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to clear of brush, etc, and grade the south end of the John P. Nickerson or Deep Hole road in South Harwich from near the residence of Mrs. Ford to the shore, and fill
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across the meadow near the beach with the material taken from the road above, and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars ($300) for the same.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $600 with which to harden with such material as the superintendent of streets may deem advisable the road in South Harwich known as the Hammond road upon which the trees have been removed, and the road graded in accordance with the vote of last year.
Article 40. To see if the town will vote to im- prove the Gorham road with cinders where left off last year to the amount of $400, beginning at Mrs. C. H. Weekes' and running easterly.
Article 41. To see what action the town may take to prevent the use of the side of our town roads and private property adjoining, from being longer used as a public dumping ground; we wish to call your attention to the condition of the road leading from Harwich Centre down past the Golf Links and end- ing at Main Street, Harwich Port.
. Article 42. To see if the town will vote to accept the road as laid out by the Selectmen beginning at the State Highway and extending to the South County Road, near the residence of Benjamin F. Bee, and to make an appropriation for land damage if any is ex- acted, and act fully thereon.
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to harden with oil or some other suitable material, Cross Street in Harwich Port, beginning at the State Highway near the residence of Herman J. Duwell, thence northerly about 460 yards to Miles Street near the dwelling of Annie T. Smalley, to make an appropriation for the same, and act fully thereon.
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Article 44. To see if the town will appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of making needed improvement, and repairs, on the town road, known as Forest Street. Said road begins at Main Street, Harwich Centre, and extends south and forms a junction with the road leading from Harwich Port to the railroad station at a point near the Golf Links Club House, and act fully thereon.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to accept the plan of taking over the shore land in West Har- wich for a recreation ground or park, as laid out by the Selectmen, beginning on the westerly line of Grey Neck Road from low water mark, to a point 50 feet above high water mark, thence easterly 50 feet above high water mark to the easterly line of the road called Dodd Lane, thence southerly to low water line, thence westerly to point of beginning, 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, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
The polls will be opened at 9 o'clock a. m. on Monday, Februray 1, 1926, 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 eighteenth day of January 1926.
EPHRAIM H. DOANE, CHARLES T. CHASE, Selectmen of Harwich.
Correct, attest :
EMULOUS E. HALL,
Constable.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT of SCHOOLS
TOWN OF HARWICH MASSACHUSETTS
TI PORATED SEPT. 14.
INCORP
SEAL
4. 1694
WICH
ADOP'
1897.
P
FOR THE YEAR 1925
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
RALPH W. DOANE, Chairman Term expires 1926 CHARLES D. HOLMES, Treasurer Term expires 1927
HENRY M. SMALL, Secretary Term expires 1928 District Superintendent-WILLIAM F. SIMS
Attendance Officer LABAN SNOW, Harwichport, Tel. 92-4
School Physicians H. D. HANDY, M. D. J. P. NICKERSON, M. D.
School Nurse MISS MARIA PUTNAM, R. N.
CALENDAR FOR 1926
Winter Term 8 Weeks-January 4, 1926 to February 26, 1926 Spring Term 8 Weeks-March 8, 1926 to April 30, 1926 Summer Term 7 Weeks-May 10, 1926 to June 25, 1926
High School Graduation, June 25, 1926
Fall Term 16 Weeks-Septmeber 7, 1926 to December 23, 1926 Winter Term 8 Weeks-January 3, 1927 to February 25, 1927
Report of the School Committee
Grading
One of our endeavors has been to organize the schools to obtain a better system of grading. A year ago last fall all the seventh and eighth grade pupils were put together under one teacher with highly satisfactory results. Last fall the sixth grade pupils from the Center were put with the sixth grade pupils at the Port and the fifth grade pupils from the Port were put with the fifth grade pupils at the Center, thereby giving two grades instead of three in the Center and Port intermedi- ate schools.
Transportation
This is the hardest problem we have to solve and it cannot be arranged to give equal convenience to all. The grading system has added to the transportation pro- blem and larger barges may be necessary on two routes another year. State and city children taken to board by different families are crowded upon us without notice and our calculations are upset.
Superintendent and Teachers
Our Superintendent keeps in close touch with each school giving advice to teachers and seeing that the work is carried on with efficiency, for which his natural ability and long experience has well qualified him. He also recommends teachers for vacancies in which capa- city he has been successful so that now we have an able corps of teachers.
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Health
The work of our school physicians and nurse has been satisfactory.
There has been no contagious disease to cause clos- ing of the schools.
Colds have existed more or less but with the inade- quate heating and ventilating we cannot but feel the hand of Providence.
Repairs
All school buildings were painted last summer, new floors laid in two school rooms and numerous minor repairs made. Five more school rooms need new floors and there are numerous repair jobs inside and out of all buildings yet to be done.
In Conclusion
While we feel advancement has been made in our schools the past year, the necessary room and facilities are not adequate for the present day needs.
A business course in the High School is felt desir- able but there is no room for it. School accomplish- ments must be based on the facilities we have.
In submitting this report for your indulgent con- sideration, we wish to say, we have administered the schools to the best of our limited ability.
RALPH W. DOANE, HENRY M. SMALL, CHARLES D. HOLMES,
School Committee.
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Financial Statement
Harwich School Committee - Expenditures for the Fiscal Year, January 1, 1925 to December 31, 1925.
General Class
Specific Class
Amount
Total
Needed for 1926
General Control
Committee
$ 000.00
Other Expenses
103.93
Superintendent
1,280.03
Other Expenses Attendance Officer
88.75
$1,522.71
50.00
Expense of Instruction
Teachers' Salaries Books
15,999.16
516.01
Supplies
586.20
17,101.37
Operation of School Plant
Janitors' Wages
1,249.25
Fuel
929.16
Janitors' Supplies
210.69
2,389.10
Maintenance
Repairs and Upkeep
2,357.99
2,357.99
Auxiliary Agencies
Library
86.00
Health
646.43
Transportation
4,654.63
Tuition
168.00
5,555.06
| New Equipment
42.89
42.89
Totals
$28,969.12 |$28,969.12
Appropriation, Expenditures,
$29,000.00
28,969.12
Unexpended balance,
$30.88
Examined and Approved, January 4th, 1926,
FRANK I. SHACKLEY, ARTHUR M. NICHOLS,
Auditors.
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ESTIMATES FOR 1926
General School Appropriation
Income Mass. School Fund, Part I, $2,080.00
Income Mass. School Fund, Part II, 1,018.06
Tuition and Transportation State Wards 34.44
Tuition and Transportation Boston Wards 665.83
Bristol County Agricultural School 84.00
$3,882.33
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Financial Statement
TEACHERS' SALARIES High School
Flavel M. Gifford, Principal
$1,260.00
Edmund C. Eastwood, Principal 825.00
Natalie Norris
1,207.50
Lillian J. Anderson
1,207.50
Robert Cushman, substitute
7.50
$4,507.50
Center Elementary Schools
Allie C. Crowell, Intermediate $1,209.38
Mary C. Eldredge, Primary 390.50
Gladys F. Lovejoy, Primary 1,079.16 1
Ethalene B. Nickerson, primary 750.00
Christine Cahoon, sub. Primary 5.56
Mrs. Benjamin Smith sub. Primary
22.00
Ethalene B. Nickerson, sub. Inter- mediate
8.87
Mrs. Benjamin Smith, sub. Primary
6.25
$3,471.72
Harwichport
Flossie H. Chase, Grammar
$1,153.21
Cora E. Doane, Primary 633.20
Ethel Myshrall, Primary 412.50
Mrs. Benjamin Smith sub. Primary 5.28
Mrs. Benjamin Smith, sub. Grammar 3.04
$2,207.33
West Harwich
Cora E. Doane
$393.75
Mary C. Eldredge
666.66
Hillary M. LeClaire
1,488.00
Mrs. Earle M. Allen, substitute
6.00
Mrs. Benjamin Smith, substitute 13.50
$2,567.91
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North Harwich
Mary A. Sylvia, Grammar $1,131.27
Katherine A. Moriarty, Primary 1,131.27
Mrs. Benjamin Smith, sub. Grammar 5.83
$2,268.37
SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mabelle B. Dumont $682.50
SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
B. Marilla Ryder
$232.50
ATHLETIC DIRECTORS
Charles R. Guild
$45.33
Horace Cobb
16.00
$61.33
Total for teachers
$15,999.16
SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY
William F. Sims $1,280.03
HEALTH
Maria Putnam, School Nurse $341.25
H. D. Hardy, School Physician 150.00
J. P. Nickerson, School Physician 150.00
Edward E Babb & Co., 2 emergency kits 5.18
$646.43
JANITORS
John J. Erickson, Center
$607.50
Willis C. Newcomb, Port
224.25
Arthur C. Thivierge, West
222.50
Hollond G. Rogers, North
195.00
$1,249.25
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FUEL
Harwich Center
Charles D. Hall, coal
$275.50
R. D. Kendrick, wood 52.00
J. M. & S. B. Moody, wood
30.00
Harwichport $357.50
S. R. Kelley, coal
$152.15
Charles H. Taylor, wood
16.00
$168.15
West Harwich
S. R. Kelley, wood and coal
$205.08
James E. Studley, wood 8.00
$213.08
North Harwich
S. R. Kelley, wood and coal
$190.43
$190.43
Total for fuel $929.16
Transportation
E. Harold Ellis
$4,654.63
$4,654.63
REPAIRS AND INCIDENTALS
Harwich Center
Sylvia & Higgins, repairs $237.36
Alpheus Howes, supplies 19.02
Homer's Clock & Watch Shop, repairs 4.50
Fred S. Eldredge, carting 2 00
H. C. Doane, trucking .50
Edward E. Babb & Co., supplies
26.42
E. L. V. & E. I. Bassett, repairs 2.00
Harwich Lumber Co., supplies
50.91
$612.64
Harwichport
Sylvia & Higgins, repairs
$6.00
Standard Oil Co., supplies
1.22
Charles D. Holmes, supplies
80.00
Wilbur C. Nickerson, labor & ma- terials
238.07
H. C. Doane, trucking
1.10
J. O. Hulse, supplies
4.45
Watson B. Eldredge, supplies
19.24
Ralph H. Snow, insurance
9.20
West Harwich
Charles D. Holmes, labor & supplies
$40.78
Arthur E. Thivierge, labor & supplies 34.80
Alpheus Howes, supplies 1.00
Slylvia & Higgins, repairs
15.00
Standard Oil Co., supplies
1.22
Harwich Lumber Co., supplies
3.60
Ralph H. Snow, insurance
8.90
E. Harold Ellis, labor
35.00
M. W. Rogers, repairs
4.00
Fred R. Crabe, repairs
3.20
C. S. Burgess, labor
2.63
J. F. Tobey & Son, supplies
28.04
Benjamin Bassett, repairs
26.00
Standard Oil Co., supplies
2.43
Charles D. Holmes, supplies
92.00
Albert L. Baker, supplies
30.86
Arthur H. Chase, labor & material
5.56
Watson B. Eldredge, supplies
7.00
Milton Bradley Co., supplies
8.75
Ralph H. Snow, insurance
20.00
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Ryan & Buker, supplies
4.46
$359.28
$105.30 1
11
North Harwich
Sylvia & Higgins, repairs
$48.00
Alpheus Howes, supplies
16.75
H. G. Rogers, repairs
39.50
Standard Oil Co., supplies
1.21
Charles D. Holmes, supplies
16.00
Harwich Lumber Co., supplies
21.25
E. L. V. & E. I. Bassett, repairs
12.00
$154.71
PAINTING
W. B. Sylvester
$1,336.75
Total for repairs and incidentals
$2,568.68
OFFICE
The Goss print, printing
$8.00
S. Irving Moody, rent of building
18.00
Lucy H. Underwood, clerical service
10.00
Samuel Small, insurance
18.45
Laban Snow, attendance officer and taking school census 83.75
Ralph H. Snow, insurance
7.20
William F. Sims, expense account
78.25
H. M. Meserve, record books
2.25
Wright & Potter Printing Co., ac- count blanks
2.02
Elizabeth B. Sims, clerical service
8.00
John J. Erickson, labor in committee room
2.50
Edward E. Babb & Co., envelopes 3.76
$242.68
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BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Edward E. Babb & Co.
$576.43
Silver Burdett & Co.
15.07
The Macmillan Co.
56.94
American Book Co.
22.54
Nichols & Atkins
4.60
Houghton, Mifflin Co.
43.29
Wright & Ditcon
55.94
Ginn & Co.
24.70
Clayton F. Summy Co.
5.99
F. M. Gifford, expenses to conference
15.80
Little Brown & Co.
12.74
Modern School Supply Co.
37.50
Oliver Ditson Co.
5.25
C. C. Birchrad & Co.
5.37
The Goss Print
16.25
Sears' Dry Goods Store
.60
A. J. Burkard, tuning piano
4.00
J. L. Hammett Co.
137.81
Lyons & Carnahan
9.37
H. M. Meserve
5.80
Dieges & Clust
6.02
Susan Underwood
2.00
D. N. Wixon, express on supplies
.85
Katherine A. Moriarty, express on freight 1.00
Milton Bradley Co.
28.73
C. F. Williams & Son, Inc.
3.49
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.
2.98
Wellesley Press
1.15
$1,102.21
AGRICULTURE
Bristol County Agricultural School Tuition of John Wood, Jr. $168.00
$168.00
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13
LIBRARY
Desmond Publishing Co. $86.00
$86.00
NEW EQUIPMENT
Charles D. Holmes, desk chair $18.00
Edward E. Babb & Co., tables and chairs 24.89
$42.89
RECAPITULATION
Available Funds
General Town Appropriation $29,000.00
Expenditures
Teachers' Salaries
$15,999.16
Superintendent's Salary
1,280.03
Janitor's Wages
1,249.25
Transportation
4,654.63
Fuel
929.16
Repairs & Incidentals
2,568.68
Books & Supplies
1,102.21
Office Expenses
242.68
Agriculture
168.00
Health
646.43
Library
86.00
New Equipment
42.89
$28,969.12
Balance unexpended
$30.88
We the undersigned, auditors of the Town of Har- wich, have this day examined the books and vouchers of the School Committee and find the same correct.
FRANK I. SHACKLEY, ARTHUR M. NICHOLS,
January 4, 1926 Auditors.
Superintendent's Report
School Progress
When we read in school reports of the wonderful progress that has been made in the public schools from year to year we find ourselves inquiring as to the possi- bility of further improvement .. The writers of school reports are often speaking of changes in the school curriculum and of various school activities which the writers frequently denominate as progressive movements in education. It is the point of view of the writer. Pro- gress to some is only the marking of time to others, and to others the activity may be retrogressive. So when one wishes to know if a particular system of schools is progressive he must consider, a great many things minutely before he can find an answer to his question. Among the matters of consideration are buildings, equipment, means of support, pupils, organization and administration. After a consideration of all the forces af- fecting the education of our youth we should give some attention to the product. It is not my intention in this brief report to consider in detail the foregoing matters. I mention them only for the purpose of asking those who may be interested to direct their inquiries along these lines. My own observation of these matters with respect to our own schools leads me to say that under the pre- vailing conditions the product is fully as good as we need expect. Different conditions would produce differ- ent results more or less improved according to greater or less improved conditions. Better results than we have obtained demand better conditions than we have had to meet. In other words we are reaping only what we have sown. Time forbids a fuller discussion of general con- ditions and results.
15.
The High School
The work in the High School suffers form a lack of proper space in which to do the work. It suffers more from a lack of interest on the part of the pupils. To find the cause or causes of this lack of interest is not always an easy matter. To find an effective remedy for it is more difficult. High school work is of such a nature that it requires constant and concentrated effort on the part of the pupil day after day. Unless lessons are prepared with painstaking thoroughness the scholar- ship will never be of such a grade as we should expect to find in the High School. It is not enough to be pre- sent at the recitation period. Without preparation the time of the recitation period may be wasted. Parents sometimes suppose that it is only necessary for a pupil to be present in school in order to obtain a high school education. This would be true if the school day was sufficiently long to provide the necessary time for both preparation and recitation. Without home study the prseent day is inadequate for the accomplishment of the best results in the high school. I am pleased to report an improvement in the work of our High School although we are not yet getting the grade of work that should prevail in a high school.
After School Sessions
For a part of the last school year we made pro- vision for after school sessions two days per week. These sessions provided an opportunity for those pupils who needed. it to obtain individual assistance from the teachers. While these sessions were compulsory for some they were open to all who wished to avail them- selves of the opportunity. Many of our pupils seemed to welcome the advantage offered and the teachers re- ported an improvement in the work.
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Objections to the Plan
The greatest objection to the after school session was the expense involved as the barges had to make an extra trip to take the pupils home when the session was over. The plan was abandoned as our funds were not sufficient to continue it longer. Our difficulty is due to having the same length of day for both the High School and the grades. In the neighboring town of Chatham we are meeting the difficulty by having the High School which consists of the upper six grades begin one half hour earlier and continue one half hour longer than the lower six grades. The conditions in Chatham are such that this plan entails little or no extra expense for transportation. Such a plan is not feasible for Harwich. It would entail a hardship upon the lower grade children.
The Solution
It would involve less expense to have all schools begin at nine o'clock as at present and let the High School continue until four o'clock. This daily session while entailing some expense would provide more time for study in the High School. It would insure some prep- aration at least for each recitation. This is the most helpful suggestion and involves the least expense of any that I can make for the improvement of the work of our High School. The pupils are capable of doing better work and it is our business to establish such a condition as will help them to do it. Transportation and modern conditions have deprived the schoolmaster of some of the means of securing from his pupils better school work.
Spelling Contest
Rivalry, whether for an honor or for a more material consideration, is a great incentive in every field of human activity. Spelling in the three high schools of this superintendency was at a low ebb. To awaken an
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interest in the subject an annual contest has been ar- . ranged with three representatives from each of the three high schools taking part. The first contest was held June 15, 1925 in Orleans. The next contest will be held Monday evening, June 7, 1926 in Harwich.
Silver Cup
The Educational Department of the Orelans Woman's Club has donated a silver cup to be held by the school winning the contest. The cup will become the permanent possession of the school that is the first to win the contest in three successive years. The Woman's Clubs in Orleans and Chatham gave to the members of their High Schools that remained longest in the contest a gold key. In Harwich the key was given by the School Committee to the Harwich pupil remaining longest in the contest. Last June the cup was won by Harwich. Keys were presented to Phyllis E. Gill, '25 of Orleans, to Evelyn M. Bearse, '27 of Chatham and to Earle L. Sims, '26 of Harwich.
Music for the occasion was furnished by the three High School Glee Clubs. A program of the contest is appended to this report.
Competitive tests in other subjects would no doubt be stimulating and beneficial. The value in such contests is to be seen in the long preparation made by the entire student body.
Cape Cod Survey
No official report of the Cape Cod Survey has as yet come to my notice. I am speaking of the matter here for the purpose of arousing an interest in said survey for all who are concerned with the improvement of our schools. I believe the report will contain some valuable suggestions.
Business Course
There is a strong demand in Harwich for an efficient business course in the High School. This demand, how-
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ever, can not be met under present conditions. More room is needed if such a course is to be offered. How this additional room is to be provided is not for me to say. It can be done however in a number of ways. One way is to build a new high school. Another is to take the Intermediate School out of the High School build- ing. There are other ways.
State Wide Test in Arithmetic
On another page there is presented the grade aver- ages obtained in this superintendency union in a state wide test in arithmetic sent ot from the Department of Edcation of Boston University. We are also printing the test in order that you may appreciate the average scores obtained. The same test was given to Grades Five, Six and Seven. Of necessity it had to be simple.
I find that the teachers and pupils are eager for such tests and I am frequently asked if it is not possible to have more of them.
Drawing
Since last September Drawing has been taught in all the schools under the supervision of a trained super- visor. The Supervisor visits each class room once a week and the regular teacher gives one lesson to the class between the visits of the Supervisor. The zeal with which this work is welcomed both by the pupils and regular teachers fully justifies the undertaking. We are giving as much time to the subject as a reasonable time allotment of subjects demands. More time given to the subject would be at the expense of other subjects equally important. Less time would seriously impair the efficiency of the work. Already careful observers of the work have noted a marked improvement. Its close correlation with the other work of the school makes it an almost indispensable part of every school program of studies.
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Health
There is an improvement in our health work. Annual and more careful physical examinations are being made. Home co-operation in the correction of defects found and a better control of contagious diseases is noticeable. Malnutrition wherever found is receiving more attention and a marked improvement in the health of the individual child is noted.
Physical Culture
While some advance in our work in physical cul- ture is noticeable we still have much to do before this work can be said to be on a truly satisfactory basis. We are slow in recognizing the real value of this work and what it means to the welfare, comfort and enjoyment of the men and women who are soon to carry on the work of our country. At present the work seems to be a thing to be talked about and not a thing to be done. When prescribed physical activities receive the same unquest- ioned acceptance as is accorded to the prescribed mental activities of the school then we shall have results no less admirable than our mental achievements.
The School Report
The usual departmental reports, statistics and tables are presented herewith for your careful consideration.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM FISHER SIMS,
January 6, 1926
Superintendent of Schools.
Report of High School Principal
Attendance
During the fall term the average attendance in the high school was better than ninety-five per cent. In two or three cases prolonged sickness has caused the average to be somewhat less than it could have been.
Scholarship
With the idea of trying to maintain a good school I thought it advisable not to give high grades "indiscrim- inately". Those that earned high marks, received them. An honor roll need not be large and it should carry with it dignity and distinction.
Recommendations
To give the pupils a fair chance to compete with other high school graduates this school should offer a more diversified curriculum. To most of the pupils the course offered is too classical in nature, which does not consider the needs of the great majority who have no intention of continuing their school careers.
The Cape has its share of foggy weather and on such dull days there is practically little light in the main room. This discourages study and seriously impairs the eyesight.
Athletics
In all schools there is a place for sports, providing they do not interfere with the studies. During the fall the boys played base-ball and some foot-ball. At pre- sent the school has a freshmen, a girls' and a boys' basket-ball team.
Respectfully submitted, EDMUND C. EASTWOOD, Principal.
Report of the Music Supervisor
At the end of another year we find the monotone situation much improved in all the schools. There is a great need for music assemblies of the grade groups, at which time to begin work in Appreciation of Music, and to acquire an early interest in chorus singing.
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