USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1947 > Part 8
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in this area, we will attempt to bring representatives from industry to our school for a meeting with the students in a Career Day. Occupational information will also be furn- ished by showing vocational films.
An occupational survey will be made of this area to determine the vocational opportunities open for our young people. A follow-up survey will be made of all recent grad- uates and "drop-outs" to learn how adequately we are meet- ing the educational needs of our students. We must learn what our past graduates are doing in order to adapt our studies to best serve the needs of our present students. A definite attempt will be made to assist our students in place- ment in schools and work.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR GUIDANCE PROGRAM?
We are making a serious attempt to better prepare our students for an adult life. They will know the real meaning of work and how to work when they get a job. Instruction will be given in job-getting techniques. Our students will be taught job and personal adjustment. The mental and phys- ical aspects of each individual will be explored and the possibilities made clear to each person. A problem-solving technique-a method of logical thinking-will be offered each student to help him cope with his problems in the most complex society in history. To accomplish this task we need complete cooperation between teachers, parents, officials and . students. Our objectives are high. In spite of our complete seriousness of purpose, complete realization of all our plans may not come in one short year but our ground work will be laid and our future plans can be set in place so that our present conception of the value of an education will be re- placed by a new feeling of the practicality, the usefulness of public school education.
My thanks are extended to the people in your town and to your teachers who have so generously welcomed and ac- cepted the obligations of a guidance service for your school department.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC
Webster W. Tileston
Vocal music continues its lead in popularity by the whole-hearted, enthusiastic participation and cooperation of the grades and high school alike. Students are realizing more than ever that a "singing world is indeed a happy
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world" and that there is something deep and good in con- certed music.
Their contagious enthusiasm is spreading even more to the parents and friends as is evidenced by the zealous response and spontaneity of all at each and every occasion for a "community sing."
This desire for group singing was particularly notice- able and praiseworthy at a recent concert in which I had the Chatham Town Band play, assisted by the Harwich High Girls' Glee Club. It was warmly received and the community singing really created an atmosphere of good cheer and good will that cemented the feelings of love, peace and friendship more than anything else could possi- bly have done.
The results in the grades are particularly gratifying and I have nothing but praise for the fine work each grade teacher has done in music. Each class has a large repertoire of songs-the children sing well-they show that they love it. Their tones are fine and problems relating to rhythm, intervals, time values and appreciation in general are well worked out.
In summary, I can best repeat two sentences from my report of last year : Through music the child enters a world of beauty, expresses his inmost self, tastes the joy of creating. widens his sympathies, develops his mind, refines his spirit and adds grace to his body. Music, like many other things worth living for, begins in the heart and washes away from the soul the dust of everday life.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Thomas Nassi
There are a total of 106 pupils participating in the in- strumental field in Harwich this year divided as follows:
Harwich High School Orchestra 20
Beginners Group 15
Symphonette Class 36
Grade 2 Rhythm Band 35
The Harwich Orchestra is emerging from a third rate organization into something worth while. There ought to be more beginners considering the size of the school. It is up to the parents to avail themselves of the opportunity.
Mrs. Nassi is giving individual attention to all begin- ners and also to all who need help. Miss Myshrall is a very
136
enthusiastic teacher in elementary notation and rhythm band work. As a result she has a rhythm band second to none. Miss Crosby has the interest of her class at heart and her pupils are doing very fine work.
We are also thankful to Principals Morris and Nicker- son for their interest and cooperation.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART Margaret Adele Jarden
This September art education, with a new supervisor, was resumed in the schools of Union No. 21, after a lapse of one year during which the children were without direct- ed art activity, with the exception of that carried on by in- terested grade teachers. Art work was dropped entirely for all above the sixth grade. It is apparent that even in a seemingly short period of one year, ground has been lost in this subject. To keep it productive, creative expression needs continuous experience in creative activity.
Being a newcomer to the schools of the Union, much of the first half of the term has been spent in discovering the capacities of the children and their interests, as well as the methods and personalities of the grade teachers with whom one works closely. The latter have been most helpful and cooperative in furthering the art work. The children have the potential capabilities of typical American chil- dren, but perhaps have not reached quite as high level of accomplishment, due to not having the benefit of a graded course of study continuously carried on over a period of years. The progress shown in the field of music verifies the value of following a planned course without interruption.
To be welcomed as the "drawing teacher" was gratify- ing, but made one realize that the idea might still prevail that art education consists of drawing only. We are striving for the broader conception, that of art as it exists in everyday life. For while every child is a potential cre- ator, he is not necessarily a producer of masterpieces, but he is the possessor of potential abilities that are the means of enjoying and enriching life through creative experiences. The product is not of as great importance as is the process involved in the release of creative energy. It is hoped that the day may come when art instruction will continue in the same was as does mathematics, throughout the year and not . become an elective subject when the child reaches high
137
school. Owing to this we produce adults with submerged creative powers, which often remains latent, until possibly in later life when it becomes necessary to turn to hobbies for relaxation.
We started the term with fairly adequate supplies of paper, watercolors and crayons. There are however, cer- tain basic needs that, if supplied, would make it possible to broaden the scope of the art work. First, it would be of great help to have at hand original three-dimensional source ma- terial and art reference books. Lacking direct access to museums through class visits for the purpose of bringing book information to life through visual aids, compensation may be made in rural communities by bringing museum material to schools. The educational departments of the Bos- ton Museum, New York's Museum of Modern Art and Met- ropolitan Museum, to name just a few, have worked out excellent traveling exhibits just to fill such needs. In many instances, exhibits may be obtained for small fees, and some for transportation costs only. We have made a small start in bringing some of these to the schools of the Union. Chat- ham is now showing an exhibit called "Elements of Design" which points out graphically that design is everywhere about us. Supplementing this is an exhibit of textile in a table case, both of which were a gift to the beginning of a school collection by several interested citizens. It is planned to set aside a space in each school where exhibits may be displayed, so that every child and interested aduls may see them. The end in view will be the establishment of school museums, as has been done in many schools.
A second basic need is for tools and materials for work in the handcrafts. Almost nothing has been done in this field here. Thirdly, in each school there is needed an art room, equipped with water, storage space for materials, as well as the proper desks and benches for carrying on man- ual arts. At present, Harwich is the only school that has an art room, although it is a regular classroom without the physical necessities mentioned.
To sum up our objectives: we are working for more adequate physical environment in which to carry on this subject and to enlarge the variety of creative media open for exploration by each child. Then through study and direct contact with original arts and crafts of local, national and international scope, it is hoped that there may be awakened in the child an attitude of understanding and
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tolerance for the creative works of his world neighbors, an attitude that may carry over into the future citizen of a "one world." 1
REPORTS OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS Arthur J. D'Elia, M. D.
During the past school year all the children in grades 7 through 12 were examined and found to be in good health. The nutrition this year was noticeably improved. The chil- dren entering the seventh grade are showing the effects of the school lunches in the grade school by better physicial nutrition.
During the past winter there were the epidemics of the usual children's diseases, notably measles and chicken pox. The Harwich schools deserve a world of credit for keeping open during these epidemics.
John P. Nickerson, M. D.
The year has been fairly successful as far as general health of pupils is concerned. We are not making the progress in correcting throat defects that we were previous to the war but hope to catch up this coming year. It is a great satisfaction to note the improvement in the care of the children's teeth from grades one through six. I wish I might impress on the parents the fact that the regular trips to the family dentist by the children is one of the best pay- ing investments that can be made. Scabies and pediculosis seem to be getting less as the parents are interesting them- selves in helping to rid the schools of these unpleasant if not hazardous troubles. We have not reached that much desired goal where we can boast that the record cards show that when the child finishes school all his correctable de- fects have been corrected. When discouraged over the fact that progress is slow, we might look back and remember that fifteen years ago diptheria was prevalent each year in our schools and we were urging parents to have their chil- dren safeguarded by means of three simple painless inocu- lations. Today we know that complete conquest can be brought about by the cooperation of parents and school physicians.
139
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE Adelyn J. Peabody
Two hundred and fifty free lunches were given to chil- dren last year by the Harwich Visiting Nurses Association and the Salvation Army Fund. All school children benefit by the hot lunches as shown by weights and general phys- ical health.
Follow-up work-as time permits-is being done. Home visits have been made to aid parents in correcting defects or advising parents where corrections can be completed. Tonsils, teeth and glands are still outstanding defects. Some teeth are being worked on at the Dental Clinic held every other Wednesday by Dr. Arthur MacIntosh.
Any child through the high school may have teeth filled or extracted by bringing a note from home. The Town appro- priated one thousand dollars to have this work done-re- sulting from army examinations and the deplorable condi- tion of teeth found when these examinations were made.
Tolsilectomies are done when there is room at the hospital.
The Audiometer (Ear) Tests were done at both schools by Miss Juliet Whittaker, R. N. and minor corrections made. Eye tests are being done.
Five children were sent to Pocassett Sanatorium Health Camp for the summer and three children were sent to Camp Farley through the generosity of the Kiwanis Club for two weeks.
The Toxoid Clinic for Diphtheria was held last spring and twelve school children either had three doses or "boost- er shots." There will be another clinic soon and we would like to have all children have the injections.
In July a Well Child Conference was held by the State Department for three days. Fourteen pre-school children had their physical examinations.
Children's appointments for clinics have been made and "followed up."
Heads and skin diseases have been watched with the help of the teachers. Home visits made and medicines pur- chased to help parents make the corrections.
There have been no serious accidents or injuries and all minor bruises and cuts have received first aid.
The school doctors have been very helpful in diagnosing and suggesting corrections. Any needed corrections are re- ferred to the family physcians.
140
HARWICH SCHOOL CENSUS October 1, 1947
Boys 41
Girls 36
Five years or over and under seven
Seven years or over and under sixteen
164
171
205
207
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ABOVE MINORS
In public day school membership :
Five years or over and under seven
49
Seven years or over and under sixteen
325
In private school membership :
Seven years or over and under sixteen
5
In State and County institutions :
Seven years or over and under sixteen
1
Not enrolled in any day school :
Five years or over and under seven
20
Seven years or over and under sixteen
4
MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES
October 1, 1947
Grade
Boys
Girls
Total
1
24
26
50
2
22
21
43
3
20
21
41
4
19
23
42
5
16
16
32
6
22
17
39
7
19
19
38
8
21
19
40
9
13
18
31
10
13
17
20
11
8
14
22
12
7
4
11
162
204
215
419
419
.
247
141
TABULAR STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP By Grades as of October, 1937-1947
Grade
1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947
1
47
50
47
40
36
37
32
45
48
47
50
2
46
47
41
50
35
26
32
31
38
38
43
3
38
42
48
41
47
29
31
32
36
43
41
4
33
37
41
49
41
43
27
26
34
36
42
5
41
34
36
39
45
35
36
27
26
38
32
6
58
45
30
35
34
42
32
31
38
30
39
7
35
60
53
35
34
28
36
34
34
39
38
8
51
37
47
50
28
28
23
33
40
32
40
9
43
39
40
39
45
25
25
19
29
38
31
10
26
41
35
28
27
32
18
24
13
21
20
11
27
29
37
34
23
26
22
14
19
12
22
12
20
26
23
34
32
17
18
20
12
11
11
P. G.
3
2
2
1
Special
9
6
10
7
11
9
4
13
477
495
488
483
438 378 336 349
367 385 409
Grades
7-12
205 234 235
222 189 157 142 144 147
153 162
1-6
272 261 253
261
249 221
194 205 220
232 247
BROOKS MEDAL WINNERS
1947
High School :
Janet S. Kinsley - Grade 12
Junior High School :
Robert D. Hall - Grade 8
Elementary :
Judith M. Holmes - Grade 6
Primary :
Ralph H. Chase - Grade 3
HARWICH SCHOOL CALENDAR 1947-48
September 8, 1947 to December 19, 1947 December 29, 1947 to February 20, 1948 March 1, 1948 to April 16, 1948
April 26, 1948 to June 18, 1948.
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School Holidays
October 12, 1947 (Sunday-observed Monday, October 13th)
October 24, 1947-Teachers' Convention (Friday)
November 11, 1947-Armistice Day (Tuesday)
November 27 & 28, 1947-Thanksgiving Recess (Thursday and Friday)
January 1, 1948-New Years Day (Thursday)
May 30, 1948-(Sunday-observed Monday, May 31)
December 25th .- February 22nd. and April 19th. come dur- ing vacation weeks.
Harwich High School Graduation-Friday, June 18, 1948 at 8 P. M.
Schools open for the year 1948-49 on Wednesday, September 8,1948
A meeting of all teachers and supervisors will be held at the Eastham School at 9:30 A. M. on Tuesday, Septem- ber 7, 1948
TEACHERS WHO HAVE LEFT DURING 1947
Dates of Service
Length of Service in Harwich
Barbara M. Jeffers
9- 9-46 to 6-20-47
1 year
Eleanor U. Mahoney
9- 9-46 to 6-20-47
1 year
Thomas Maki
1-14-46 to 5-22-47 1 year 4 months
Bonnie B. Sherman
9- 9-46 to 12-30-46
3 months
GRADUATION EXERCISES Class of 1947
Friday Evening, June Twenty Exchange Hall CLASS ROLL
College Curriculum
Frances Marie Baker
Blanche Estelle Doane
Janet Sandra Kinsley
Harold Otis Nickerson
Commercial Curriculum
Ruth Winifred Raneo
June Rose
Olive Jane Stalker
General Curriculum
Merrill Howe Cahoon Charles Morris Johnson Bruce Treadway Sprinkle
CORPS OF TEACHERS, DECEMBER, 1947
Name
Grade
Preparation
Service
Began
Experience
Prior to
Sept. 1947
Salary
Home
Address
Paul A. Morris
High Principal
University of Maine
1928
25
$3,450.
Harwichport
Hillary M. LeClaire
High Assistant
Monson Academy
1-2-1919
32
2,600
Harwichport
Anders R. Nelson
High Assistant
Fitchburg
9-1935
$12
2,800.
Centerville
Virgil Valicenti
High Assistant
Bates
4-22-1946
31/4
2,500
Weymouth
Arnold D. Burch
High Assistant
Battle Creek
9-8-1947
61/2
2,500.
Hyannis
William W. Fish, Jr.
High Assistant
Hyannis
9-8-1947
0
2,300
Sandwich
Scott A. Ellis
High Assistant
10-1-1942
5
2,100.
Harwich
Edna C. Holmes
High Assistant
B.U .- Baypath
1929
24
2,450.
Harwichport
Orville H. Gray
High Assistant
Framingham
1-1-1947
41/2
2,200
Harwich
Ada M. Lovering
High Assistant
Framingham
1927
29
2,400.
Harwichport
Patricia M. Rood
High Assistant
Boston University
9-8-1947
0
2,100.
Hyannis
Ethalen B. Nickerson
El. Principal &
Teacher-Grade 1
Johnson, Vt.
1922
39
2,400
South Dennis
Ruth M. Nickerson
El. Assistant
Hyannis
9-10-1945
16
2,200.
South Harwich
Alberta T. Wicks
El. Assistant
Union Hill, N. J.
10-1-1945
3 1/4
2,200.
Harwichport
Ethel M. Myshrall
El. Assistant
Portland Training
1925
44
2,200.
Harwichport
Cora D. Chase
El. Assistant
Hyannis
1923
24
2,200.
Harwihport
Gladys R. Crosby
El. Assistant
Oberlin Normal
9-4-1944
16
2,200.
Harwich
Natalie C. Sibley
El. Assistant
Perry Ktg'n.
1-2-1946
81/2
2,200.
West Chatham
Helen R. Drake
El. Assistant
Bridgewater-Columbia
9-10-1946
18
2,200.
Harwich
Margaret A. Jarden
Art
University of Penn.
9-8-1947
2
** 1,080.
Chatham
David O. Lynch
Guidance
Boston University
9-8-1947
6
**
950.
Orleans
Thomas Nassi
Inst. Music
N. E. Conservatory
1929
19
**
725.
Orleans
Webster W. Tileston
Vocal Music
N. E. Conservatory
1-2-1946
15
** 1,080.
Harwich
*Includes three years and three months in Military Service.
** Part Time
INDEX OF TOWN REPORT
Accountant's Report 9-24
Assessors' Report
6-8
Auditor's Report (State) 54-72
Caleb Chase Fund
50
Forest Warden and Fire Department
37-40
Forestry Department
48-49
Herring Committee
52
Highway Surveyor
34-36
Inspector of Plumbing
36
Inspector of Wires
41
List of Jurors
47
Police Department 43-44
Propagation of Game 42
School Committee and Superintendent 119-143
Sealer of Weights and Measures 53
Tax Collector
25-26
Town Clerk's Report
78
Annual Town Meeting 1947
79-94
Births
95-99
Deaths
104-106
Marriages
100-103
Town Meeting Warrant for 1948
107-117
Town Officers
3-5
Treasurer's Report
73-7'
Tree Committee 41
Trustees of Brooks Free Library 45-46
Veteran's Services
51
Water Commissioner's Report 27-33
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