USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1934 > Part 6
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Article 65. To see if the town will vote for the ap- pointment of a Fish and Game Warden, as provided in Chapter 21, Section 7, of the General Laws of Massachu- setts and raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred ($200.) Dollars for the salary of such warden.
Article 66. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1500.) Dollars to be expended in connection with E. R. A. work, said money to be spent under the supervision of the Selectmen.
Article 67. To see if the town will vote to transfer the surplus overlay to the Reserve Fund, and act fully thereon.
Article 68. To see if the town will vote to transfer the unexpended balance of the 1930 and 1931 mosquito ap- propriations into the treasury.
Article 69. To see if the town will vote to accept Part I of the permissive act of the Massachusetts Legisla- ture, proposed Acts of 1932, authorizing the Town of Har- wich to supply itself and its inhabitants with water or to take any action relative thereto.
Article 70. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000.)
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Dollars for supplying itself and its inhabitants with water as authorized by the proposed Acts of 1932 and determine how the same shall be raised and take any action relative thereto, provided the Selectmen are able to obtain a grant from the Federal Government of One Hundred Thousand ($100,000.) Dollars.
Article 71. To see if the town will vote to elect by ballot a board of water commissioners as set forth in an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, proposed Acts of 1932, authorizing the Town of Harwich to supply itself and its inhabitants with water.
Article 72. To see if the town will vote to allow one of its board of water commissioners to serve as superin- tendent of the water department and to receive compensa- tion therefor or to take any action relative thereto.
Article 73. To see if the town will accept additional By-Laws as approved by the By-Law Committee and act fully thereon.
Article 74. To see if the town will vote to increase the salary of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and As- sessors, and act fully thereon.
Article 75. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five ($25.) Dollars for the expense of an officer finding and disposing of unlicensed dogs, and act fully thereon.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TOWN OF HARWICH .... MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR 1934
132
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1934
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Ralph W .. Doane, Chairman
Grace M. Fifield Nichols, Secretary
Henry W. Thompson, Treasurer
Term expires 1935
Term expires 1936 Term expires 1937
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Charles H. Pratt, A.M.
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
H. F. Rowley, M.D. John P. Nickerson, M.D.
SCHOOL NURSE
Hope Becker, R.N.
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
John T. Wood
133
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
We submit herewith the educational, financial and statistical reports for the year 1934.
The past year has been uneventful. The work has been successful through the efforts of our able corps of teachers.
We are in need of better working facilities but due to the financial conditions we withhold recommendations for the present.
You should read these reports carefully with an open mind.
Respectfully submitted,
Ralph W. Doane, Grace M. Fifield Nichols, Henry W. Thompson,
School Committee.
134
HARWICH FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Needed in 1934 Expenditures 1935
GENERAL CONTROL:
Salaries
$ 2,483.00
Other Expenses
268.83
$2,751.83 $ 2,744.00
INSTRUCTION :
Supervisors
1,560.63
Principal & Teachers
23,582.50
Textbooks
527.80
Supplies
810.87
26,481.80
26,659.00
EXPENSES OF OPERATION :
Janitors
1,920.02
Fuel
1,623.31
Miscellaneous
526.71
4,070.04
4,325.00
MAINTENANCE :
Repairs, Replacement &
Upkeep
1,304.23
1,304.23
823.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES :
Libraries
73.95
Health
652.10
Transportation
4,449.00
Miscellaneous
206.31
5,381.36
5,449.00
OUTLAY :
New Equipment
0.00
New Grounds & Buildings
0.00
Total
$39,989.26 $40,000,00
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1934 Appropriation 1934 Expenditures
$40,000.00 39,989.26
Balance
$10.74
NET COST OF SCHOOLS IN 1934
Total Expenditure $39,989.26
*Receipts and Reimbursements :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
General School Fund Part I $3,556.88
Tuition and Transportation State 1,118.40
City of Boston Tuition and Transportation 638.40
Refunds on Toll Calls
21.22
Damage to School Property
.60
5,335.50
Net cost of schools 1934
$34,653.76
* These amounts are not available for use in paying school bills but go directly into the Town Treasury. See Chapter 101, Section 53, General Laws.
Reimbursement for Vocational Tuition $10.60
136
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Harwich :
Herewith I submit my fifth annual report as Super- intendent of Schools.
In the report of 1932 some space was devoted to ex- planation of various school costs and in accounting for the money spent. A summary of the receipts and expenditures for 1934 is shown on another page of this report.
In the 1933 report attention was called to the need for more room and more liberal offerings of educational opportunity at the high school. This remains a serious problem. The Principal explains conditions in that build- ing on another page of this 1934 report. In 1933 he re- ported that, of 218 children who entered the high school as pupils since 1924, only 125 have finished the high school course either here or elsewhere. Ninety-three out of 218 lost out so far as the school was concerned.
This year he again reports that fifteen of those pres- ent last spring failed to register this fall and ten more have left since school began. Of this twenty-five who have left it appears that twelve are still in town. Let me ask you to refer to the tabular statement of membership by grades in the back of this report and there note the figures show- ing the size of grade twelve during the last ten consecutive years in comparison with the membership of the middle and lower grades during the same period. Like many other high schools offering a narrow and restricted program the fatality is great. It is unnecessarily great. Many of these young people are in town without employment and without any apparent plan for advancement. It is the purpose of a modern school to help its pupils to become better and
137
more useful citizens. It has been said that education should help us do better the things which we do, and eventually help us to do better things. In other words the community can not afford to maintain a school which does not con- cern itself with the problem of guidance and adjustment of its pupils. It should contribute definitely toward their success and happiness in the work they find to do.
There are two important contributions to the edu- cation of our children which the Harwich schools have so far failed to make.
First there has been no provision for those whose interest and aptitudes lie in the direction of practical arts. Few attend college. Many are citizens of the community. Some of them leave school as soon as the law will permit yet have no apparent objective other than to escape the boredom of books, thereby increasing the supply of un- skilled labor. In any case they have failed to make the most of those talents which they have, and which the school has offered them no opportunity to develop. A seat in the school building and a few books to study is about as far as our school has been able to go.
Life can be sustained by poor food, poorly cooked, yet it is much more enjoyable, not to say more healthy, to have meals well chosen and well prepared. It often hap- pens that knowledge of foods and food values enables one to prepare an appetizing and sustaining meal at less ex- pense than one less attractive or less adequate would cost if knowledge of food values and skill in preparation were not present. The same comparison holds with clothing the family, raising a garden, maintaining a house or repairing an automobile. The community prospers to the extent that its people are industrious, educated and happy. It appears like an investment in successful living.
A second contribution which our schools have failed to make lies in our failure to provide a class of special help
138
for those children of the younger group who have diffi- culty in adjusting themselves to the work of their grade or who need special individual assistance in order to ac- complish the things which they might accomplish if they were so aided. There are a few children who are thus fail- ing to get what they should because of lack of such guid- ance as can not be provided by the more formally arranged program in a class of thirty to forty.
Such a class is a part of the regular program of modern school systems many of which are far less able to supply such need than is the Town of Harwich.
It would be idle to report shortages if there were no remedy. There is a remedy which has long been recog- nized but thus far has not been applied. The old school buildings leave no opportunity to do the things which should be done. They are filled to capacity. There is no space for these special classes for which there is such outstand- ing need.
It seems to be the opinion of many that a new school must come sometime. Is it not time now to lay the plans ? Whatever is proposed regardless of need can not be ac- complished without room.
I have learned that it is likely that the State would aid in the establishment of a trade school in Harwich. This would mean that the town would be required to furnish housing and equipment if the project were planned and approved. Can it be done ? Where? When?
How should it be done? Should the town build or rent a shed for the purpose or is it in keeping with the ideals and standards of this community to provide things which are in line with the value of the product and the ur- gency of the need? Do we know what is needed? Do we care what is done? I believe that the answer to these ques- tions will be correct and I trust that active plans may be resumed to correct these situations at an early date.
139
If you will refer to page one of the 1933 town re- port you will read
"Town of Harwich, Cape Cod
Low Valuation
$5,935,790
Low Tax Rate
18.50
Good Schools
Good Roads
*
No Bonded Indebtedness-No Bills Payable No Money Borrowed in Anticipation of Taxes."
On page 31 of that report we also find listed $88,668.42 in excess of liabilities. This would go a long way toward a new school without the burden of excessive debt.
We may also add that after deducting reimburse- ments Harwich spent for education $69.23 per pupil in net average membership from local taxation in that same year ranking 42nd. from the highest in cost per pupil among the 108 towns of the state having less than 5,000 popula- tion and maintaining a public high school.
We should further state that its expenditures for schools from local taxation was $5.71 per thousand dol- lars valuation which was 98th. from the highest in the same group of 108 towns.
I do not advocate a new building in order to "keep up with the Jonses" but it would seem that it might be possible to afford advantages for Harwich children com- parable with the best in the state.
I am glad to report that the work of the schools dur- ing the past year has been carried on to the best of the ability of a very fine corps of teachers. I am proud to be associated with so fine a group of able and earnest workers. We can well be proud of the children.
140
Excellent results are to be seen in the work in art and music. The value of this work should be greatly in- creased by additionel effort if there were room to hold special classes in these subjects without a consequent loss of time by other classes. Mr. Greeley could arrange for more advanced work in special lines if he were given oppor- tunity. As it is he has done excellent work during his few months with us. In the same way the music ability of those with talent could be developed with pleasure and profit to themselves and others by expenditure of more time with the subject.
Manual training remains on the same basis of one day per week which is donated by the 4H Club leader from the County Extension Service. This is an excellent begin- ning by an able instructor at no salary outlay by the town. The boys are ready and anxious to be allowed opportunity to grow in this field.
The physical education program is limited to play- ground activities plus an occasional basket ball game in the Exchange.
I believe Harwich should be alert in the considera- tion of ways and means for greatly improving its schools. The cost is within its ability to afford.
It would be much more pleasing to all concerned if my report should deal only with the many fine things to be found in the schools. Such a report as is hereby rend- ered is not prompted by a spirit of criticism. It is moti- vated by the belief that you should face the facts and know the truth. If the above portrayal seems unnecessarily crit- ical I trust that a corresponding awakening to knowledge of actual conditions may be stimulated.
Let me express my appreciation of the understand- ing and cooperation which has been accorded to us in the
141
past. I would seek a continuance of cooperation in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PRATT,
Superintendent of Schools
142
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In my report of last year I spoke of the large num- ber of pupils who leave school before graduating and of the need of a rearrangement of studies to satisfy the needs of the children of the town who apparently do not profit by the traditional college preparatory work of the school.
I propose to give further evidence of this situation by the statistics of this year's registration, and to stress the point that some curriculum revision is desirable.
Last June, when the preliminary count of the Fall enrollment was made, the figures indicated that the High School building would have more pupils than it could ac- commodate. The school authorities became greatly con- cerned, and preparations were made for a double session day. This plan seemed the most feasible, but would entail considerable expense.
When school opened in September, we found that fifteen of those who had been expected to attend did not enroll. Of these fifteen, five moved out of town, seven left to go to work, one entered another school, and two left for other reasons. This decrease from the expected enrollment enabled every pupil to have a seat, and made the double session unnecessary.
Since school started in Seytember, ten pupils have withdrawn. Seven have moved from town, and three with- drew for reasons of health.
143
The October 1 census of pupils showed an enroll- ment of :
Grade 7
45
Grade 8
47
Grade 9
34
Grade 10
33
Grade 11
17
Grade 12
17
P. G.
1
194
This enrollment of 194 on October 1 has been changed by removals to 188 at the present time. There are 203 pupil stations in the school. The enrollment of the present sixth grade is 65. If all pupils attend in September 1935 the en- rollment would be 235. However, figuring on the experi- ence of former years, fewer than this number will probably enroll.
As the membership in grades seven and eight has gotten beyond where either grade can be in one division, four additional classes had to be provided in the daily pro- gram. Inasmuch as the program was already full, four ex- isting classes had to be dropped. These were: Activity pe- riod for grade seven, Activity period for grade eight, Math- ematics twelve, and Latin eleven and twelve. At the pres- ent time the Seniors and Juniors combine to make one class in alternate years in American History and Government, and Economics and Commercial Law. The present enroll- ment of grades ten and eleven which will be eleven and twelve next year is 50. We have no room to accommodate a class of 50, so undoubtedly this combined class will have to be divided. This will add one more recitation, which
144
calls for a room and a teacher, to a progrom which is al- ready completely filled.
In fhe Spring term of the last school year, we tried en educational experiment which met with a satisfactory degree of success. Instead of a day of seven 40 minute pe- riods, a schedule of six 60 minute periods with a rotating day was made. The 60 minutes were so divided that a new section of work could be undertaken each day. The first section was for the explanation of the new assignment, then followed a period of supervised study, and then a checking of the learning process. If any home work became neces- sary, it would be on work which would be familiar instead of unguided study on new material, as under the usual pro- cedure. Both teachers and pupils were enthusiastic over the achievements which resulted, and the plan seemed wor- thy of continuance. However, with the increased Septem- ber enrollment in the lower grades, and with the additional classes which followed, it became impossible to schedule the classes in the program. The new plan had to be dropped for the original 42 class period day.
I feel that I should speak of the work being done un- der the direction of Mr. Greeley, teacher of Drawing. It is very commendable. The pupils are responding splen- didly to his instruction and the classes are accomplishing very satisfactory results.
The new desks and chairs which were installed in the seventh grade home room last spring have added greatly to the appearance and comfort of the room.
I am hoping that somehow in the future the opportu- nity will arise whereby we may enrich our present pro- gram to include a more comprehensive study of Community Civics, that Current History may become available as a study for all pupils, that the Class Activity programs may
145
be restored and enlarged, that Practical Arts for girls will be instituted, that Assembly programs may be held, that Gardening for interested pupils will be practiced, and that a comprehensive program of Club work will supplement our present curriculum.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul A. Morris,
Principal.
146 REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following report is respectfully submitted for five months of the School year of 1934.
In all classes the aim has been to make art a vital part of the school program. From the first year and through high school, the projects and problems in art are correlated with most of the school subjects, the things in which the pupils are interested, and civic activities.
Elementary school class work is graded according to year. The course includes the study of Design, Construc- tion, Representation, and Color. The room teacher of each class conducts the course with the assistance of outlines and demonstration lessons.
The junior high school work is of a more specialized nature, and is carried on under personal instruction. In these classes each student becomes more adept in the use of elementary mediums and experiments with new mediums of expression : poster paint, block prints, pen and ink, and charcoal. The junior high school course is prerequisite to high school work.
Art in the high school is an elective subject. A more intensive study of representation is to give each student a working knowledge of proportion and values that he may use drawing to express his idea clearly. Design and color give the student a practical knowledge of arrangement, that he may use it in school notebooks, interior and exte- rior arrangement of his home, the making of attractive posters and programs many ways associated with display and advertising in industry and business. The course gives opportunity to develop practical ability in free hand sketch- ing, useful for business and industry, and in mechanical
147
drawing, valuable for the reading of plans. A high de- gree of proficiency would warrant following art as a pro- fession. Worthy and profitable use of leisure through the mediums of pen, pencil, ink and watercolor, block printing of paper and fabrics, holiday cards, programs and booklets, posters, and tiles is gained.
The cooperation of the teachers has immeasurably helped in carrying out projects, and by their assistance much has been contributed to the success of the course.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul G. Greeley, Supervisor of Art
148
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Since the first and second grade teacher keeps a copy of each rote song taught by the supervisor, she has several songs for the seasons and for special occasions such as Co- lumbus Day, Thanksgiving, etc., from past years and can teach them to new groups each year. The general theme of the rote songs taught by the supervisor this year, there- fore, is not a seasonal one, but deals with playthings and toys of the child world, such as MY TEDDY BEAR, and PLAYING HORSE. In each first and second grade there is a choir whose members are selected by their ability to sing a given song entirely correctly by themselves. The little choir enthusiastically sings as a group or as soloists in class and on special programs for their own and, others' delight.
Note reading by syllables is started in the latter part of Grade II, and continued through Grade VII and VIII with increasing technical problems in each year.
In Grade VI, VII and VIII (in addition to the sing- ing of three part songs) a brief study is being made of ten compositions and their composers. This list of ten is one made from a national questionnaire as to the ten best liked compositions of all the wealth of classical music. It in- cludes such pieces as Minuet in G, by Beethoven, and To a Wild Rose by MacDowell. These selections are often heard on radio and concert programs and the child's en- joyment of them is greater because he is already familiar with the compositions and their musical background.
A Chinese operetta, Little Almond Eyes, was success- fully produced by the Harwich High School chorus in No-
149
vember 1934. These performances develop not only soloists and choristers for musical entertainment, but also tend to develop personality, to cultivate poise, and to foster coop- erative work among the members of the group. For these reasons they should be encouraged. Four selections were sung by the chorus at graduation in June 1934; and two songs by the union chorus from Chatham, Harwich and Or- leans were on the Monomausett Club concert program in November 1934. Participation in this union chorus where fifty or more pupils sing together to a responsive audience is fine experience for the singers, giving them an oppor- tunity to sing some more elaborate works than is ordinarily possible in small groups, and giving them also the sense of fellowship which comes from being apart of a large and successful whole. Because 99% of us can sing, whether # little or a lot, we are prone to disregard our own ordinary voices thinking that to a few fortunate ones belongs the joy of singing. Schools is where we should learn the fun of singing which we may carry with us wherever we go in all our daily work, and home is where we must be encour- aged to use the ability we do have.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLOTTE PATCH,
Supervisor of Vocal Music
150
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools :
It is an uncontested fact that instrumental music which was introduced in the Public Schools only during the last decade is the study that has met with more favor than any other subject that had been introduced before, and in spite of the economic condition it has grown to large pro- portions both in popularity and size.
In our particular district instrumental music has grown beyond the expectations of even the most optimistic. When the instrumental music movement started a few years ago the Cape Cod folks of our district had not much faith that their children were musical. They thought music was a gift bestowed only to certain nations and people. It took a few years to convince them that their children could learn to play an instrument as well as any intelligent child on earth. The next thing to be fought out was the fact that our people did not think it possible for us to have as good a musical organization as any other city or town in Massa- chusetts. As far as music was concerned we had an inferi- ority complex. This complex was dispelled by having our musical organizations play with those of other districts on the Cape. Those who have witnessed some of these events such as the concerts by the Cape Cod School Music Com- bined Orchestra and the Band Contest at Hyannis were as- sured beyond any doubt as to the caliber of our organiza- tions. The crowning event of these activities was our par- ticipation in the State Contest with one of the largest or- chestras and bands. Here our band received the highest honors in their class, and received many high comments on it. Our Orchestra got superior and excellent ratings which is a higher rating than that of any other orchestra on the
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