USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1936 > Part 8
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12.37
Town of Eastham-Telephone
10.17
Town of Orleans-Telephone
19.06
$5,036.68
176
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Harwich :
Herewith I submit the annual school report for the year 1936.
In so doing I am impressed with the feeling that this may well be the last report of Harwich schools as they are and have been.
I am aware that during the coming year and with the completion of the new high school building, there should begin a new-not page or chapter-but a new volume of school history. Those of us who are privileged to be asso- ciated with this transition can not but feel inspired with new hope and zeal because of the opportunity which is ours. Along with this feeling of joy we are profoundly impressed with a sense of responsibility. No effort must be spared in order that the best results may be secured and the new op- portunities capitalized to the fullest extent.
With the opening of the new high school we expect four new departments will be available, namely : Shop with a full time program, Home Economics, Physical Education and the School Lunch. With adequate facilities for the work and with space in the gymnasium for instrumental and vocal music and school assembly programs, with extended space and equipment for commercial work and laboratory, with a generous space for study hall and library I expect. that activity in every department will assume new vigor. More and better work should be apparent.
Lest I be tempted to devote an undue amount of space to anticipations of the future, I will leave that to prove it- self.
On October first 1936 the total enrollment of all schools in town was 423. This was 84 less than a year ago.
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The High School Principal has shown, in his report, the change in the grades of his school.
For several reasons it appeared wise at the opening of the fall term to make other arrangements than last year to solve the temporary housing problem.
One room in the Center Elementary building was used to accommodate most of the seventh grade while another room in the same building is used for a special group com- prised, for the most part, of those pupils of the seventh and fifth grades which could not be cared for in the other rooms. This group has fortunately been comparatively small in num- ber thus making it possible for the teacher to do more indi- vidual work with those children where each child needs special help.
After organizing one room in this manner it was pos- sible by some extra transportation to organize elementary grades as follows :
North. Harwich building accommodates grades one to six, inclusive
Grade I Harwich Center
Grade II Harwich Port
Grade III Harwich Port
Grade IV West Harwich
Grade V West Harwich
Grade VI Harwich Center
Grade VII Harwich Center
Grades VIII to XII High School building
Instrumental music classes have met on Monday aft- ernoon at the Chapel. Mrs. Nassi has had a group of begin- ners on various instruments which meets on Monday after- noon at West Harwich. Mr. John Wood has most generously contributed the use of one of his cabins for that purpose. Since the weather has become colder his assistance has made it possible for this group to meet outside the school building
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but very conveniently near the school. We have greatly ap- preciated this help from Mr. Wood.
There have been two divisions of first grade at the Center. The small room formerly used as a shop has been placed at the disposal of first grade. Mrs. Nickerson and Miss Sherman have first grade work using both rooms in common.
The wood working tools have been transferred to the little shop rented from Dr. Moody opposite the high school building where wood working is continued on a part time schedule by Mr. Nelson.
The sewing has been carried on by the girls in the regular class rooms. Miss Glynn has discovered consider- able interest and good results have been shown.
Art classes have continued to develop very nicely un- der the direction of Mr. Greeley. He has the courses well or- ganized and ably presented.
The vocal and instrumental classes have had a very profitable year. Miss Patch has charge of vocal music and Mr. Nassi conducts the instrumental music as for the past four years. Both the class work and public appearances of their pupils show excellent instruction.
In a later section of this report the supervisors have given a more detailed outline of their work.
The teachers of grades I to VIII inclusive in Harwich, Chatham, Orleans and Eastham have been meeting regu- larly during the fall to work on the revision of the course of study in arithmetic. Later in the year we expect to rec- ommend to the School Committees some changes in this de- partment.
There have been some changes in the school faculty in 1936. Miss Ruth Mottau succeeds Miss Catherine Kelley at West Harwich where, by the rearrangement of grades,
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Miss Mottau has the fifth grade only. Miss Kelley taught grades 4, 5 and 6. Miss Mottau is doing a fine piece of work not only in the class room but on the playground as well. Her playground organization and activities are very com- mendable.
Miss Alice B. Wallace resigned to be married. She had completed nearly five and one half years of outstanding service as teacher of the first three grades at North Harwich. She did wonders with and for those little children. She is a real teacher. Her work will be remembered. Miss Wallace is succeeded by Miss Phyllis B. Fall. Miss Fall is a graduate of Fitchburg State Teachers' College, class of 1936. Though this is her first school she is showing an understanding and appreciation of school problems and an ability to organize which is very gratifying to observe. Miss Edith F. Harding accepted another position and her resignation became ef- fective at the close of the fall term, December 24, 1936. Miss Harding has taught with us since September 1931. She is succeeded by Mrs. Mary Eldridge who is carrying on the work as regular substitute till permanent arrangements are made.
The year has been one in which changes in organiza- tion of grades, extra transportation and temporary housing conditions have been required. The tolerance and patience of our school patrons have been much appreciated. When the people by unanimous vote at the last annual town meet- ing appropriated funds for the new school we had very posi- tive and tangible evidence of their support. Let me express my deep appreciation of the cooperation which we have en- joyed.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PRATT,
Superintendent of Schools.
1
180
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In reading the report which I submitted a year ago, I notice a statement concerning an expected enrollment in September of 1936 of 241 pupils. When school opened only 199 pupils enrolled. From then until the end of the cran- berry season pupils kept returning to school until we have had a total enrollment of 215. This is the same as a year ago. Of those who were expected to enroll but did not appear ; four have gone away to school, ten have moved from town, ten have left school to go to work, and seven are unknown. This data serves to show how difficult it is to plan with cer- tainty and accuracy for future conditions.
In the administration of the school itself, I feel that we have expanded and grown. More pupils are staying in school for longer periods, and this has increased the numbers in the upper grades. Because of this we have separated cer- tain classes which have been joined. The Junior class has been withdrawn from the Senior class in the History depart- ment, and we now offer Economics and Commercial Law to Seniors, and American History and Government to Juniors. The Sophomores and Juniors have been separated in the Mathematics department, and we now offer Advanced Al- gebra to Juniors, and Plane Geometry to Sophomores in the Classical course.
We have added a course in Currrent History for those pupils who do not participate in vocal music.
We have been able to continue and enlarge the op- portunities for instruction in sewing for the younger girls. An exhibition was held recently of some of the work which was completed just before Christmas. The Agent of the County Extension Service went with me to examine it. It
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was excellent. We feel proud of what Miss Glynn and her pupils are accomplishing.
The work being done in the Manual Training shop shows the results of the training the boys are getting there. The articles being made have progressed from the very simple elementary products of former years. At least a dozen homes in town were enriched this Christmas by very commendable end-tables made in the shop, as well as by other articles.
We have been able to resume the daily full time Ac- tivity period for grades seven and eight. My instructions to the teachers have been that this time should be used for spelling, penmanship, music, drawing, current history, and home room activities such as special day programs, character education programs, and social ethics. To my mind, it is one of the most important periods in the pupil's program.
Due to the emergency arrangements made by the School Committee and the Superintendent in housing the entire seventh grade in the Elementary School building, we have been able to continue the departmental work with this grade, and offer them certain opportunities which otherwise they wouldn't have had. Then, too, the overcrowded condi- tion in the High School building has been relieved, making the administration of this unit much more satisfactory.
We live in a competitive world. Nearly all our asso- ciations with our fellows are competitive in nature. Keen and clean competition, to my mind, promotes a healthy situ- ation. It creates a desire to improve and a desire to excel.
Our school has participated in competition with other schools in various branches of school life. Last spring, Speakers from our pupils competed in a County contest at Hyannis and two representatives went to Williamsburg to compete in a State contest. Among other results we have had an increasing interest in public speaking and a desire to be represented in the contests this year.
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Our orchestra has traveled many miles at considerable effort to compete in contests with other organizations for honors in musical achievement. We have all been pleased . and gratified when it has returned with highest ratings. .
Our dramatic activities, while not in direct competi- tion with other schools, are always subjected to critical an- alysis. A desire to produce a play in a creditable manner be- comes evident, which motivates the work and makes for bet- ter productions.
In interscholastic athletics our school has competed in a satisfactory manner. Our basketball teams last season de- veloped a proficiency and skill of which the townspeople were very proud. The indications are that this season will be just as successful. Our baseball team went through its schedule of games and emerged as a well organized and prop- erly functioning unit.
To my mind, competitive athletics will develop a true spirit of sportsmanship, an ability to give and take, and to instill an alert mind in a sound body as will nothing else.
There are other avenues of competition which ought to open and give the pupil a real incentive to improve him- self along various lines.
This report is a statement of what we have been do- ing this year. It is not a prophecy of what we hope to accomplish in the future. We have carried on, doing our work to the best of our ability. However, we hope, with the opening of new facilities, that the sphere of our usefulness will be considerably enlarged.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL A. MORRIS
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183
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following report is submitted for the school year of 1936.
The purpose of the work this year has been to give the child opportunity to express his thoughts through the medium of pencils, paper, chalk, paint, and other materials. This was accomplished by problems and projects to stimulate the imagination; and standards of design, representation, construction, and color to improve his work.
The annual spring exhibition was arranged to show the projects and problems achieved by each grade as well as individual improvement and standards for each grade.
Elementary school work is carried on by the room teacher with the guidance of outlines, illustrative material, samples, and demonstration lessons. The course outline is based on standards and objectives for each grade in con- struction, design, representation, and color according to the interests and abilities of the class.
Additional knowledge and skill were introduced in the junior high school with perspective and a more intensive study of proportion, color, and design. Emphasis was placed on the sketching of objects and architecture. The courses in the junior high school and high school are carried on under personal instruction.
Art in the high school has aimed to give the pupil a general knowledge of composition, values, perspective, and design, and an opportunity to study standards of excellence by analyzing the work of artists, and class discussion of their own work.
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Free hand and mechanical drawings of architecture, furniture, and objects in conjunction with the study of com- position, perspective, and proportion are aimed to assist the pupil in leisure time activity or industrial occupation.
Block printing, decorative design, posters pen and ink drawings, and analogous work open an unlimited field for the student to develop recreational work and vocational stimulus.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL G. GREELEY
Supervisor of Art
185
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The rote song, which is sung phrase by phrase by the teacher and imitated by the children, is the introduction to music in our schools. Through tuneful melodies, changing rhythmic patterns and a variety of subject matter these songs form a basis for further knowledge and participation in vocal music in later years. They are taught, at least one a week, for the first year and a half.
Although note reading is introduced at the end of the second year, it is concentrated upon in grade III. The addition of a second or alto part comes in grade IV, and some work in three parts is done in grade VI.
Theoretical work is started in the first grade with the names of the lines and spaces of the staff, and is continued systematically through the sixth grade. Some special work is done with rhythm in grades I and II, while in the other classes it is discussed in connection with the effect desired in certain songs.
Upon this foundation of six years of progressive study grades VII and VIII are ready for a more varied class work. This year, as two years ago, they are studying the lives of a few of the world's great composers, and at least one work of each man. The list includes Beethoven, Mac Dowell, Handel and others. We try to place each man in his approximate place in time, and to learn his characterist- ies which make him different from all others. The compo- sitions chosen to be studied are from a national survey which lists the ten pieces beloved by people of the general musical public. This study gives the children an opportunity to de- velop good attitudes for listening and appreciating the music made by others. Attention is called to various radio pro- . grams where such music may be heard.
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Grade VII is becoming acquainted with the names and especial line of work of some of the outstanding musicians of today-people such as Koussevitsky, conductor of the Bos- ton Symphony Orchestra ; Fritz Kreisler, violinist ; and Law- rence Tibbett, Metropolitan Opera singer. Current events concerning the people are discussed in class. With two per- iods a week for music the class is enabled to do much singing also. A group of children from this grade, assisted by a group from grades III, IV and V, presented a program of Christmas carols at the Harwich Woman's Club in December.
The high school chorus is open to anyone who wishes to sing, and because of a variety of abilities and interests represented, the music also must be varied. Each year new songs are introduced for class work, and special selections are prepared for the Monomauset Concert, and for the grad- uation programs. A group of seventy sang at the Mono- mauset Concert in November while at the spring program in April a cantata was sung by a group of forty.
In March 1937 the New England Festival will be held in Hyannis, and our Monomauset chorus will be represented in the large chorus group of about 300 to be conducted by Walter Butterfield of Rhode Island. This Festival is a wonderful opportunity for us all to hear good music, both orchestral and vocal, and to learn what fine work can be done with high school students. And for a few of our chil- dren it will be a thrilling few days to work with other good musicians from all over New England under excellent direct- ors on beautiful music. While only a few of the most gifted may participate in such affairs, the background for appre- ciating and enjoying such music must come from our every- day class work in school. We can not all be talented, but we all may and need to enjoy music to some extent ; and it is to fill that need that we have music in the public schools.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLOTTE PATCH
187
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I hereby submit my annual report as Supervisor of Instrumental Music.
There used to be a time when music was regarded as the proverbial step-child of the school. However, during the last few years music has made tremendous forward strides and is considered one of the great moral forces in the school. We are not concerned so much for the develop- ment of skill and technique and what the child will do with music as we are concerned about the more important insight into music and appreciation of what it can do to the child.
As music is gaining a firmer hold on our young people in the public schools and becoming a real factor in educa- tion, we consider it our duty to direct this factor in such a way that it will bring the greatest results possible to the in- dividual and benefit the community in which it exists.
In the past years it has been our aim to bring a better understanding among our Cape Communities through music. As a result, most of the important concerts of the year have been arranged with that idea in view. The Monomauset Con- certs in which the best musicians from our own school district participate, the Central and Lower Cape Concerts in which pupils from Provincetown to Harwich play together, the Philharmonic Concerts, which this year have inaug- urated sacred concerts in several Cape Churches, and the Junior Community Band which gives concerts throughout the summer all tend to create that friendly feeling among the different towns.
Those who helped in some way in the State and New England Contests witnessed a fine example in which our
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players from Eastham, Harwich, Chatham, and Orleans co- operated as one person and, as a result, accomplished admir- able work. Our group which all of these years had to fight an inferiority complex of not being musical here gained con- fidence. It used to be said of the Cape that nothing mat- tored beyond Hyannis. I think that saying is a thing of the Past. I was rather surprised lately when I attended a New England Supervisors meeting at Boston how much these educators know about our Orchestra that comes from "Monomauset, Mass." I found that the misquotation, in the New England Festival Program, did more to advertise our district than if they had quoted it as they should. We are indebted to the School Committee and Mr. Pratt for the help and advice that they rendered to us through the year. It would have been impossible to make a success of our two most important ventures last year, the State and New Eng- land Contest trips, without his untiring efforts, especially in the latter. He has provided the group with transporta- tion, meals and sleeping quarters at a minimum cost.
The following groups make up the instrumental class- es in the Harwich Schools :
Senior Orchestra 26
Junior Orchestra 20
Beginners 14
I wish to thank Mr. Morris and Mr. LeClaire and all the teachers of Harwich schools for. their help during the year.
Mrs. Nassi is taking care of the Beginners classes. This leaves me free to take care of the ensembles and the advanced pupils.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS NASSI
189
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In reviewing the physical conditions of our school children we are, on the whole, rather pleased with them.
We are particularly pleased with the results of pre- vious work, namely the immunization of the children against diphtheria. Since that immunization there have been, to our knowledge, no cases of diphtheria in the entire town. Pre- viously there were several cases each year.
The State Department of Public Health is making a study of the school physical record cards of some 25,000 eighth grade children. The fact that Harwich is being in- cluded in this study makes it of great interest to us. ,
The problems receiving particular attention are :
(1) What defects did these children have when they entered eight years ago,
(2) What defects did they have when they finished the eighth grade,
(3) What is the percentage of corrections,
(4) Are there any defects which tend to increase as the child progresses through the grades,
(5) What are the defects which decrease as the child pro- ยท gresses,
Harwich was one of the first towns to take up health inspection. Year after year we continue to make physical examinations on all the children. What a waste of effort this is unless the defects found are corrected ! There is little value in discovering and rediscovering the same defects year after year unless something is done about it by the parents or the school.
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As School Physicians we look forward to the day when the record cards will show that when the child finishes school all his correctible defects have been corrected.
Respectfully submitted, J. P. NICKERSON, M. D. H. F. ROWLEY, M. D.
191
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
One event which we feel is of great benefit to the school child is the Dental Clinic. This year the Clinic was held in April. Dr. Turner of Marion was in charge and the Barnstable County Equipment was loaned to us once again.
Number of children treated 113
Number of deciduous teeth filled 264
Number of deciduous teeth extracted 87
Number of permanent teeth filled 167
Number of permanent teeth extracted
4
Number of cleanings 75
Number of certificates given 79
We completed the work through the third grade and did a few cases in the fourth and fifth grades that were very necessary. This work is beginning to make an impression now as our school doctors felt the teeth showed marked im- provement at the time of the physical examinations this year. Our hope is that the parents will continue the work by bringing their children to their family dentists for regu- lar check-ups. Then will we really have attained our goal.
Teeth usually bring to mind nutrition in its different phases, and in this connection we were most fortunate to have an expert on this subject with us for three weeks in June. Miss Dorothea Nicoll, B. S. was sent to us from the State Department of Public Health. She gave some very helpful advice to the school children on foods in relation to teeth. Home visits were made to about thirty families. We are looking forward to another visit from Miss Nicoll this spring.
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Free milk was given by the Harwich Visiting Nurse Association. The children receiving this milk are selected by the doctors, teachers, and nurse. We consider the child's weight, general physical condition, school record, and home conditions. This year 1094 bottles were given, 1822 less than last year. The need did not seem to be as great this year.
In August a Vaccination Clinic was held at which Dr. Nickerson vaccinated fifteen children. This treatment is the preventative against Small Pox, and is a State requirement for the child entering school. Authorities suggest that chil- dren be vaccinated in early infancy, usually six to nine months old, then revaccinated on entering school to insure the control of this disease.
A Diphtheria Prevention Clinic was held in June. Dr. Goff of Hyannis administered the Toxin Anti-toxin with the help of the County Equipment. The majority of our school children have had this treatment at past clinics so this time we tried to get all the pre-school children available. The Nursery School was the center of our activities for this clinic.
Number of school children treated 17
Number of pre-school children treated 44
We were pleased to do this number of young children as the age group we are particularly interested in is that of six months to five years. At this period one is most suscep- tible to the disease. We hope that in the near future parents will go to their family doctors for this valuable treatment.
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