USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1935 > Part 6
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Article 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money not to exceed Fifteen Hun- dred ($1,500.) Dollars, under the provisions of sub-section 21 of section 1 of chapter 371 of acts of 1921, and any and all amendments thereof and additions thereto for the em- ploying of a nurse through the Harwich Visiting Nurse Association, Inc.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum not to exceed Five Hundred ($500.) Dol- lars to be paid to the Cape Cod Hospital for the establish- ment and maintenance of a free bed in the Hospital for the
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care and treatment of persons certified by the Selectmen to be residents of the town and unable to pay for such care and treatment, in accordance with Section 74 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, or take any action in relation there- to, and act fully thereon.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventy-five ($75.) Dollars for heat- ing the Nursery School.
Article 33. To see if the Town of Harwich will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred ($100.) Dollars or suitable sum, to place markers to point out the interesting and historical places in Harwich; the markers to be placed by a committee chosen by the Moderator.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred ($600.) Dollars for the use of Harwich Post No. 292, American Legion, in the proper observance of Memorial Day and Armistice Day, and for other purposes. By request.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to appro- priate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for the benefit of the Chase Library, West Harwich.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to appro- priate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for the benefit of the Harwichport Library Association.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five Hundred ($2,500.) Dol- lars to be used under the direction of the Selectmen for the promotion of public recreation and amusement in the form of Baseball, in accordance with Legislative Acts of 1930, Chapter 12, Section 1.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty ($250.) Dollars
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for the purpose of providing five Band Concerts, to be given in Brooks Park, during July and August.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to pay the Collector of Taxes Eighteen Hundred ($1,800.) Dollars, and act fully thereon.
Article 40. To see if the town will vote to rescind the action taken under Article 51 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1931, so far as it affects the Sast parlor of the Legion quarters in Brooks Block and the rooms connecting it with the Library, and to restore said two rooms to the use of the Trustees of the Library for library purposes.
Article 41. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to build, furnish, and equip a Senior and Junior High School building and to determine how and in what manner said sum shall be raised and to take any other necessary action relative thereto.
Article 42. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000.) Dollars, the same to be used at Wychmere Harbor to get same in usable condition.
Article 43. To see if the town will pass a by-law to provide periodical audits of the town's accounts annually. under the supervision of the Director of Accounts of the Department of Corporations and Taxation, in accordance with the provisions of Section 35, Chapter 44, General Laws, or to take any action relative thereto.
Article 44. To see if the town will vote for the ap- pointment of a Fish and Game Warden, as provided in Chap- ter 21, Section 7, of the General Laws of Massachusetts, and raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred ($200.) Dollars for the salary of such warden.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five ($25.) Dollars for
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the expense of an officer finding and disposing of unlicensed dogs, and act fully thereon.
Article 46. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate One Thousand $1,000.) Dollars provided the County contributes One Thousand ($1,000.) Dollars and the State Two Thousand ($2,000.) Dollars for jetty work be- tween the Chatham and Dennis lines, the same to be ex- pended under the direction of the Water Ways Department, and act fully thereon.
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to transfer the surplus overlay $3,880.70 to the Reserve Fund, and act fully thereon.
Article 48. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of Har- wich-Orleans Road; said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose; or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to accept the lay-out of a Town Way in Pleasant Lake, known as First Avenue, beginning at a point on the easterly side of N. Y. N. H. & Hartford R. R. at the intersection of a Town Way and First Avenue, so-called; thence running easterly over said First Avenue, as shown on said lay-out, to a point opposite the residence of Mrs. Jennie B. Moody, approxi- mately a distance of about one thousand (1,000) feet, with the boundaries and measurements as reported and recom- mended by the Selectmen under date of January 13, 1936; and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase, or by emi- nent domain, the lands, or interest in the lands, within the lines or said lay-out for said Town Way, and for this pur- pose raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money.
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Article 50. To see if the town will vote to accept the lay-out of a Town Way in Harwichport, with the boun- daries as reported and recommended by the Selectmen un- der date of January 13, 1936, and instruct the Selectmen to take by purchase, in behalf of the Town, the land, or interest in land, within lines of said lay-out, to wit : A thirty (30) foot lay-out extending from Bank Street, near prop- erty of Walter Keach, to the Cross Street Extension, so- called; provided the owners of said land will donate the same to the town without cost.
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to accept the lay-out of a Town Way, in htat part of Harwich called Harwichport, with the boundaries and measurements as re- ported and recommended by the Selectmen under date of January 13, 1936, and will authorize and instruct the Se- lectmen to take by purchase or eminent domain, in behalf of the Town, the lands or the interest in the lands, within the lines of said lay-out, to wit: beginning at the point op- posite Cross Street, so-called and extending in a southerly direction to the shore, for said Town Way, and act fully thereon.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to use Twen- ty Thousand ($20,000.) Dollars from the Surplus Fund to reduce the tax levy for the year 1936, and act fully thereon.
Article 53. To. see if the Town will vote to author- ize the selectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the town fourteen days at least before the sale, property taken by the town under tax title procedure provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 54. To see what action the town will take in regard to its Herring Fisheries.
Article 55. To see if the town will authorize its se- lectmen to sell the boiler at Harwich Depot, which has been used in the past to heat oil for roads.
Article 56. To see if the town will vote to erect and maintain two (2) electric street lights on Lower County Road, between Ben Bee's Corner and Hiawatha Road. By request.
Article 57. To see if the town will vote to erect and maintain one street light on Ayer Lane, so-called, on poll situated at the rear of Katherine Sperry property.
Article 58. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.) Dollars to be expended in connection with W.P.A. work, said money to be expended under the supervision of the selectmen.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN OF HARWICH MASSACHUSETTS
For the Year 1935
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ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1935
School Committee
Ralph W. Doane, Chairman
Grace M. Fifield Nichols, Secretary
Henry W. Thompson, Treasurer
Term expires 1938
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
143
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
While the various reports of supervisors and officials show a typical school year condition in Harwich, there is a definite feeling that the work of educational advance- ment is being impeded by a lack of space in our high school plant.
In the fall of the current year, it was found neces- sary to make some provision for additional housing facilities and the Committee was forced to make an emergency com- promise of hiring the Congregational Chapel. This con- dition has not been satisfactory to anyone involved. Next year's class causes us to face a further difficulty in that there will be a necessity for two classes instead of one and a place for instrumental music as well. Realizing these con- ditions the Committee asked that a non-interested, impar- tial investigation be made of our school-housing conditions and that the Committee be allowed to secure estimates on a building to provide for our needs.
We have made an intense study of estimates for a school building such as we feel is needed and find that to the best of our knowledge such a building can be construct- ed at an estimated cost of $120,000.00 (fully equipped but exclusive of land costs. We have embodied our plans un- der article 41 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and we present the same for your careful consideration.
RALPH W. DOANE, GRACE M. FIFIELD NICHOLS, HENRY WOOD THOMPSON
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HARWICH FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1935 Expenditures
Needed
for 1936
GENERAL CONTROL :
Salaries
$2,483.00
Other expenses
238.72
$2,721.72 $ 2,744.00
INSTRUCTION :
Supervisors
1,564.00
Principal & Teachers
23,670.50
Textbooks
529.70
Supplies
836.48
26,600.68
28,697.00
OPERATION :
Janitors
2,015.01
Fuel
1,468.11
Miscellaneous
573.41
4,056.53
5,700.00
MAINTENANCE :
Repairs, Replacement
and Upkeep
746.63
746.63
1,000.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES :
Libraries
Health
652.69
Transportation
4,449.00
Miscellaneous
541.26
5,642.95
5,859.00
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OUTLAY :
New Grounds & Buildings
New Equipment 231,47
231.47 1,000.00
Total
$39,999.98 $45,000.00
RECEIPTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS During 1935
Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
General School Fund Part I
(On account of teachers' salaries
$3,593.33
Tuition-State
634.19
Transportation-State
65.60
City of Boston-Tuition
569.73
City of Boston-Transportation
106.10
Town of Orleans-Telephone
8.89
Town of Chatham-Telephone
9.55
Town of Eastham-Telephone
5.33
Total
$4,992.72
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Harwich :
Herewith I submit my sixth annual school report.
During the past year there have been a few changes in the teaching staff and we are still fortunate to have the same teachers in most of the positions.
Miss Estelle K. Powers, teacher of grades four, five and six at West Harwich, left at the close of school in June to be married. Her grades are now being taught by Miss Catherine J. Kelley. Miss Kelley is a graduate of Mount Holyoke 1935. Mr. Charles M. Davis resigned as teacher of Mathematics at the High School. Mr. Anders R. Nelson was secured to take up the work. Mr. Nelson is a gradu- ate of the four year Practical Arts Course at Fitchburg Teachers' College, Class of 1935. Miss Elaine R. Towne re- signed as teacher of Latin and French at the High School in consequence of her marriage during the summer. Miss Gertrude M. Roscoe has filled this position since the open- ing of school in September. Miss Roscoe is a graduate of Tufts College 1935.
When schools opened in September it was found that all pupils could not be housed in the High School building. The lease of the Chapel for use of one division of grade seven made it necessary to secure another teacher. Miss Rose A. Glynn, a graduate of the Household Arts Course of Framingham State Teachers' College, took up her duties with us on September 13, 1935. The program at the Chapel is conducted on the same departmental basis as that of the other division of grade seven by alternation of teachers with the main building.
During the year the introduction of the new Open Door Language books in the elementary grades has been
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completed. The New Day Arithmetics have also been sup- plied to all schools. The New Atwood-Thomas geography texts have been supplied in grades four to six and Our World Today by Stull and Hatch for Junior High School. The above list of books has been in the process of introduc- tion over several years but with the addition of this year's purchases the exchange from the old sets was practically completed. Thus the language, geography and arithmetic texts are in good condition. Attention might well be turn- ed toward reorganizing and supplementing the history ma- terial.
It is my opinion that the greatest good may be de. rived from the expenditure of a comparitively small sum each year to build up a reference library for the use of all grades including the high school. A textbook is necessary as a basis from which to work but it is not sufficient to cover the field properly. When seeking information we should have access to more material than is to be found in any single book. Learning should be an activity of seek- ing information rather than of memorizing text. The ref- erence library is a branch of our equipment which has been much neglected in the past.
I would take this opportunity to recognize the steady growth of interest in vocal music with consequent growth in achievement. Miss Patch has the work well in hand and the results are very gratifying.
The children who are taking instrumental music with Mr. and Mrs. Nassi continue to grow in ability. There has not been the growth in the number of pupils who take advantage of this music which ought to be apparent. In fact Mr. Nassi reports that the number is falling off. In order to make the work available in all sections of the town Mrs. Nassi is spending the larger part of her Harwich time at the schools of North and West Harwich. Since the cold weather has made it impossible to use the unheated corri-
148
dor of the school at West Harwich Mr. John T. Wood has kindly opened one of his cabins on Monday morning for the use of the music class. I would recommend that ar- rangements be made to the end that the payment of twenty- five cents per child per lesson may be discontinued and that instrumental lessons be established on the same basis as vocal lessons, namely that children be taught without in- diviual charge. The cost of an instrument seems to be about all some can afford. I would refer to a letter from Mr. Nassi to me in which he calls attention to the fact that the size of his instrumental classes increased during this year ending in June 1935 in Chatham from 38 to 58, in Or- leans from 41 to 60 while in Harwich the group decreased from 44 to 32. It is interesting to note that the 25 cent lesson charge was discontinued in each of these towns last year while it was maintained here. Now that the work is offered to all children in town above the fourth grade [ hope this charge may soon be abolished.
The work in drawing is creating much interest and the workmanship is rapidly improving. Mr. Greeley is worthy of much appreciation for liis very able presentation of his subject. Teachers and children are enthusiastic. The work is developing splendidly.
During the past three and one half years Mr. Carl Fraser, County 4H Club leader, has devoted one day per week to wood working projects with the boys of the upper elementary grades and high school. Since this work was organized as a 4H Club he was able to take it on without charge.
The interest manifested and the work accomplished in the limited space devoted to the shop is a testimonial to the leadership of Mr. Fraser and it is significant in showing the need for its further development. After the close of school in June 1935 Mr. Fraser found that he could no longer continue to teach this class.
Space should be taken here to acknowledge our ap-
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preciation of this fine work of Mr. Fraser. We should rec- ognize the assistance of the County Extension service in its cooperation in organizing and carrying on this work for us. Mr. Fraser did a fine job. He worked with boys, tools and wood. He built toward men and character. The boys appreciated the opportunity to have the work and to know Mr. Fraser.
I have attempted to make a brief summary of a few of the activities and objectives of the year that has passed.
In looking forward it appears that there is around us an abundance of material in the form of fine growing boys and girls. They are alert, active and strong. They are moving onward. They can not stay. Time turns days into years. The same force turns childhood to youth and youth to age.
The schools are supplied with the finest teachers. These teachers are well trained, able and anxious to give all the service at their command. The big problem on the horizon is space in which to do the work. The problen of school housing is not new to us. It has been the subject of previous reports and former discussion. I trust that it may soon be possible to give the subject the attention that it deserves.
With suitable building accommodations home econ- omics and manual training might be taught by members of our present faculty who have been trained in these spe- cial branches.
The present organization of courses is not adequate nor efficient. It is limited because the buildings are in- complete and unsuited to the need. The situation has long been recognized but action postponed. Let me ask that you enlist the cooperative thought and effort. of the public in the interest of the children of today, the men and women of tomorrow.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PRATT
Superintendent
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PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Because of the fact that we are hearing consider- able discussion concerning the overcrowded conditions in the High School building, I think that I should make a plain statement of fact as to just what the situation is so that you and the school committee and the citizens of the town may understand it exactly.
We hear, from various sources, that the population of the town is not increasing, and that it probably will re- main at approximately its present level. Be that as it may, this fact remains : When I began my duties as principal of this school eight years ago, there was an enrollment of 115 pupils and a faculty of 6; and this Fall there was an en- rollment of 215 and a faculty of 8. In these eight years there has been an increase in enrollment of exactly 100 pu- pils, and the end is not yet.
A simple statement of the condition existing now is : There are more pupils than there are seats.
Some one may raise a question concerning putting in more seats in the existing space. During the last few years, 8 seats have been added to the seventh grade room, five to the eighth grade room, ten to the ninth grade room, five to the tenth grade room, and eight to the laboratory which serves as a home room to grades eleven and twelve. There isn't any room to put additional seats. The building is full.
In the seventh grade there are 62 pupils, and the seventh grade room has 42 seats. The eighth grade has 36 pupils, and the room has 34 seats. The ninth grade has 43° pupils, and the room has 40 seats. The tenth grade has 32 pupils, and the room has 35 seats. The eleventh and twelfth grades which use the same room have an enrollment of 42,
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and there are 36 seats. This gives us a picture in detail of the conditions.
Two years ago, when it became apparent that this situation was developing, the school authorities met witlı the Finance Committee to discuss plans. It was the con- census of opinion of this meeting that nothing definite in the way of radical change should be done before the open- ing of school in the Fall. That the situation could best be handled when it actually arose.
The situation became acute this September, and in just one week after opening school, arrangements had been completed to use the Chapel, it had been fitted out as 6. class room, an additional teacher engaged, and a division of grade seven occupied it. The ·seats made available by taking out 30 pupils of grade seven eased the conditions in the other grades.
I think that I should make a comment concerning the Chapel. To my mind, it serves very well for emergency housing, but it was not designed for a school room. I do not need to speak of the lighting, the water system, or the toilets, everyone in town is familiar with the arrangements. But in regard to the heating, this fact should be known. During the last cold spell, the temperature in the Chapel at the time for beginning school was 46, the next morning it was 48, and a few days later it was 50. In addition to this, the temperature at the floor is 10 degrees colder than it is five feet above the floor. This is not a satisfactory con- dition. The new partition back of the sliding doors and the new base boards have helped, but have not corrected temperature control.
Our orchestra has been holding its rehearsals in the Chapel, but have been forced to secure new rooms. Mr. Nassi took them first to the Exchange, but there was no heat. Then a room in the Brooks block became available.
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Because of its distance from the school, considerable time is lost by the 25 musicians in going to and from the rehearsals.
The above statements give a simple and detailed story of the conditions which actually exist now in the school.
Let us look ahead and see what we expect next fall.
We expect to graduate a class of twelve. There are 55 pupils enrolled in grade six. This means, on paper, that. there will be another increase in the enrollment of 43 pupils. Bear in mind also that the upper grades will have more pupils. This will mean some changes in the program plan- ning for the school. For instance, grades eleven and twelve now are combined to study American History and Govern- ment. These classes next year will number 60 pupils, and so cannot be housed in any one class-room. They will have to be divided, which means an additional class. The Book- keeping classes have already outgrown the Commercial room which has 16 seats and will have to be assigned to larger quarters, and we have none vacant. The Algebra and Ge- ometry classes have been combined and alternate in subject matter each year, but because of increasing size must be divided and will make an additional class, with no room available. Mr. Fraser, the County Extension Agent, is 110 longer available for teaching Manual Training, and these classes are conducted by one of our teachers, which takes him out of the building about half of the day. Sewing has been introduced for seventh and eighth grade girls, and they are profiting wonderfully by it, but they will need some equipment.
I am not making any recommendations of any kind. This detailed story of our condition as it really is, and the expectation of enlarged enrollment and additional classes in the Fall should be thoroughly understood by all the ci- tizens of the town.
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When we comprehend that these are not theories, that it is not propoganda of any sort, but rather a simple statement of fact, then we can discuss and plan intelligently.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL A. MORRIS,
Principal
154
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The following report is submitted for the school year of 1935.
The objective of the work this year has been to give the child opportunity to express experiences common to him intelligibly through plastic, graphic, and construction med- iums guided by the standards of representation and the laws of design and color.
An exhibition was arranged late last spring to show the increase in the power of expression from grade to grade as well as individual progress. The individual development was acquired through drawings done in sequence : starting with a simple observation drawing, proceeding to make the second drawing better after class discussion, exhibition and instruction.
Elementary school class work in art is carried on by the room teacher with the guidance of outlines, illustrative material, samples, and demonstration lessons. The elemen- tary course is based on standards set for each grade in deisgn, color, representation, and construction.
New knowledges of representation. color, design, and lettering are presented in the Junior high school, and the work is carried on under personal instruction. The study of perspective is introduced, which leads to free hand sketch- ing of objects, using drawing as a language, which is an asset in the class room, home arrangement, business and in- dustry. This has been stressed in the junior high school and high school.
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