USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1948 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
Marion Elizabeth Alliger Barton
21
West Harwich, Mass.
39 Harwich, Mass.
Harwich, Mass.
26 Hyannis, Mass.
55 Harwich, Mass
Harwich, Mass.
30
July 31
Thomas W. 3911ett
27 Harwichport, Mass.
29 Gainsville, Fla.
Harwich
22 So. Harwich, Mass.
Harwich
. Morena Lauretta Walker Ellis
19
Harwichport, Mass.
West Harwich
Brewster 90
26
July 2
Rodman T. Small
22 So. Chatham, Mass.
West Harwich
MARRIAGES - Continued
Names
Age
Residence
Place of Marriage Harwich
57 Eastham, Mass.
52 Eastham, Mass.
19 East Harwich, Mass.
Harwich
15 So. Chatham, Mass.
35 Aug. 21 Curtis W. Chase
Marguerite Ellis
18 Yarmouth, Mass.
Harwich
36 Aug. 29 Robert D. Thompson Ruth C. Gingras
24 Fall River, Mass.
37
Sept. 4
Kathleen Lorraine Forgeron
31
Boston, Mass.
West Harwich
38
Sept. 11 Charles R. Whelan Eleanor Hooper
27 West Newton, Mass.
Randolph
39 Sept. 17
Richard E. Chase Marion E. Jope
24 Randolph, Mass.
Harwichport 91
40 Sept. 18 Harry F. McCormick Virginia S. Buck
41
Sept. 18
Albert H. McKenney
23 West Harwich, Mass.
20 Hingham, Mass.
34 Harwich, Mass.
Harwich
42
Sept. 22
Manuel DeBurgo Minnie Gilmette Rose
36 Harwich, Mass.
22 Harwich, Mass.
West Harwich
43 Sept. 27
Juvino Fernandes Priscilla E. Gonsalves
19 Harwich, Mass.
37
Pleasant Lake, Mass.
New Bedford, Mass.
44
Oct. 1
Anthony John Alves Theresa A. Nunes
19
Harwich, Mass.
Harwichport
45
Oct. 2
Robert Emery Griffin
Eunice Emma Nickerson
27
Middlebury, Vt.
Pleasant Lake, Mass.
46 Oct. 8 S. Michael Russo
Rosemary Crowell
25 North Harwich, Mass.
Harwich
47 Oct. 23 John S. Raneo Augustina A. Andrade
26 Harwich, Mass.
28 Pleasant Lake, Mass.
Harwich Center
48
Oct. 24
Francis Irving Nichols
Frances Virginia Chase
37 Pleasant Lake, Mass.
West Harwich
Robert Norman Atwood
20 Wellfleet, Mass ..
16 Chatham, Mass.
Yarmouth
20 No. Harwich, Mass.
24 So. Yarmouth, Mass.
26 West Harwich, Mass.
24 Harwich, Mass.
21 Harwichport, Mass.
Hingham, Mass.
Sally A. Doble
22 Chatham, Mass.
22 Chatham, Mass.
24 Pleasant Lake, Mass.
No. Date 33 Aug. 13 Harry W. Collins Alice Freeman 34 Aug. 17 Alfred Bangs Higgins Eleanor May Robie
MARRIAGES - Continued
Names
Age
Residence
66 Yarmouthport, Mass.
52
Yarmouthport, Mass. ..
50
Nov. 1 Chester Arthur Savery
Mary Ann O'Neil
18 West Dennis, Mass.
51 Nov. 5 Howard J. Taylor, Jr.
Rita E. Stalker
22
Harwich, Mass.
61
Harwichport, Mass.
Worcester, Mass.
53
Nov. 17
Raymond D. Eldridge June E. Bassett
23 Harwich, Mass.
54 Nov. 21
Robert William Speight Elizabeth Harriet Lema
31
Nantucket, Mass.
55 Nov. 24
Samuel Perry Minnie Pierce Jackson
38
Norfolk, Va.
East Harwich 92
56
Nov. 25
James Joseph Fernald, Jr. Elizabeth Frances Cahoon
18 Brewster, Mass.
30 Harwich, Mass.
Hyannis, Mass.
57
Nov. 13
Almond G. Ryder, Jr.
28 Hyannis, Mass.
21 Chatham, Mass.
West Harwich, Mass
58
Dec. 18
Robert Eugene Frazier Marjorie Lucille Crowell
20 Hyannis, Mass.
59
Dec. 24
Joseph Gomes
21 Harwich, Mass.
Harwich Center
Beatrice Emily Thatcher
18 Harwich, Mass.
Place of Marriage Harwichport
No. Date 49
Oct. 24
Walter A. Kent Mercy J. Palmer
27 Cotuit, Mass.
West Harwich Harwich
24 Wellfleet, Mass.
52 Nov. 6 William M. Sales Florence G. Smith Gallagher
49 Worcester, Mass.
21 Dennisport, Mass.
Harwich Center
32 Chatham, Mass.
West Harwich
56 No. Harwich, Mass.
Boston, Mass.
19 Winthrop, Mass.
Irene F. Runnels Bearse
DEATHS RECORDED IN THE TOWN OF HARWICH - 1948
No. Date
Name
Age
Disease
Place of Death
1
Jan.
2
Daniel Byron Kelley
61
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Barnstable, Mass.
2
Jan.
4
Gustavus M. Chase
76
Coronary Sclerosis
West Harwich
3
Jan.
26
Elsie Wesson Francis
77
Menieres Disease
Orange, N. J.
4
Jan.
31
Frank Alverson Thornton
59
Broncho Pneumonia
Bourne, Mass.
5
Feb.
11
Ruth Myrick Nickerson
80 Cerebral Thrombosis
West Harwich
6
Feb.
17
Mary Bervinda Gomes
1 Mo.
Inanition
Harwich Center
7
Mar.
4
Charles Porter Abbott
68
Cerebral Hemorrhage
So. Harwich
8
Feb.
25
Thomas J. Courtney
83
Terminal Ouremia
Worcester, Mass.
9
Mar.
5
Emma Ida Doane
76 ° Coronary Thrombosis
Harwichport
10
Mar.
10
Emma Lopes Galvin
48
Chronic Myocarditus
Harwich
11
Mar.
16
Jennie A. Hall
84
Cerebral Hemorrhage
So. Harwich
12
Mar.
23
Althea Hunt Gorham
77
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Harwich Center
13
Mar.
29
John Burgo
67
Coronary Thrombosis
Harwich Center
14
Mar.
28
Benjamin King
86
Cardiac Failure
Barnstable
15
Apr.
6
Alton J. Baker
85
Acute Coronary Occlusion
Bourne, Mass.
16
Apr.
18
Bessie R. Rogers
79
Tumor Adeno Carcinoma
West Harwich
17
A.pr.
7
Florence C. Foulds
84 Heart Disease
Harwich Center
18
Mar.
8
Shaw
Stillborn
Barnstable, Mass.
19
May
1
Senna Pena
82
Heart Disease
Harwich
20
May
2
Sarah E. Bassett
85
Broncho Pneumonia
West Harwich
21
May
25
Julia Ann Snow
92 Broncho Pneumonia
Harwichport
22
June
5
Byron D. Small
72
Acute Coronary Occlusion
· Chelsea, Mass.
23
June
5 Wallace Willett
75
Broncho Pneumonia
Barnstable, Mass.
24
June 12
Sarah G. F. Hillhouse
76
Coronary Thrombosis
Harwichport
25
June 15
John W. Larkin
81
Carcinoma
Fall River, Mass.
26
June
21
William David Havens
63 Coronary Thrombosis
West Harwich
27
July
4
Minnie A. Bearse Pierce
78 Cerebral Hemorrhage
East Harwich
28
July
6
Thomas E. Larkin
80 Carcinoma
Yarmouth, Mass.
29
July
6 Lucy M. Pelton
8.8 Cerebral Hemorrhage
Barnstable, Mass.
30
July
8 Phosa Colton Tobey
77 Arterio Sclerosis
Harwich Center
r
93
.
DEATHS - Continued
No. Date
Name
31
July 12
32
July
13
Annie E. Briggs Emery
79 Cerebral Hemorrhage
33 Aug. 19 Gertrude Ann Smith
77 Carcinoma
34 Aug.
35 Aug.
25 Martin A. Cattaneo
43 Accidental Drowning
72
Died in Bed
Pleasant Lake Boston, Mass.
37
Sept.
20
Mary A. McCarthy
77 Acure Cerebral Accident
38
Sept.
23
Sophronia B. Pierce
68 Cerebral Thrombosis
Harwich Center Harwich Center
40 Sept. 41 Sept.
26
Edith D. Haley
72 Hemiplegia
42 Sept.
7
Frederick Osann
69 Myocarditis
43 Sept. 18
Eleanor Bertha Galvin
23
Cerebral Embolus
44 Oct.
20
Marcus Palmer Brown Hall
66
Suicide
West Harwich
45
Oct.
24
Ada Byron Chase Nutting
71 Cerebral Hemorrhage
Bourne, Mass.
46
Oct.
23
William N. Eldredge
47 Broncho Pneumonia
48 Oct.
26
Jennie Doane
85 Arterio Sclerosis
49 Oct. 9
Souza
4 days
Prematurity
50
Nov.
9 Daniel Whiteley
1
Malnutrition
Boston, Mass.
51
Nov.
17 Archor Leonard Thayer
59 Cerebral Hemorrhage
53
Dec. 2.6
Mary Morrison Mitchell
75 Coronary Thrombosis
54
Dec.
18
Elizabeth Eldredge Fletcher
67 Carcinoma uteras
55
Dec. 27
Maude Francis Parker
58 Carcinoma pleura
56
Dec.
28 Louis Irving Perry
65 Cerebral Hemorrhage
57
Dec.
29 Bertha Anna Crowell
76 Arterio Sclerosis
86 Arterio Sclerosis
Taunton, Mass. Dennis, Mass.
59
Nov. 12 Delena Small Ellis Cahoon
!
Age Disease
Place of Death
Henrietta Norberg
78 Broncho Pneumonia
Harwichport Quincy, Mass. So. Harwich No. Harwich .East Harwich
36 Sept. 12
Thiofilo Monterio
56 Ruptured Aortic Aneurism
39 Sept. 24 Eugene Jacob Lieder
59 General Carcinoma
Harwichport Harwichport Harwichport Hyannis
94
Taunton ,Mass.
47 Oct. 23
Harry O. Galvin
Taunton, Mass. Harwich Center
69 Cardiac Decompensation
52 Nov. 29 Albert LeRoy Symmes
So. Harwich Harwichport Harwichport
Barnstable, Mass. Barnstable, Mass. Barnstable, Mass. Brewster, Mass.
58 Dec. 29 Eureka H. Ellis
77 Cerebral Thrombosis
90 Gen. Arterio Sclerosis
West Harwich
4 Fritz Carlton Hyde, M.D.
7.8 Cerebral Hemorrhage
29 Mary Ellen Hall
BODIES BROUGHT TO HARWICH FOR BURIAL- 1948
No. Date
Name
Age
Cemetery
Place of Death
1
Mar.
31
N. Theodore Peterson
70
Evergreen
Battle Creek, Mich.
2
Apr.
30
John Eaton Anderson
72
Evergreen
Dennis, Mass. Medfield, Mass.
3
Apr.
22
Orselle F. Chase
52
Island Pond
4
Apr.
3
Luther Taylor Allen
94
Cong. Church
Providence, R.I. Barnstable, Mass.
5
Apr.
3
Jacob Andrew Eldridge
82 Evergreen
6
Mar.
24
Herman E. Benson
44
Island Pond
Framingham, Mass.
7
Mar.
13 Frances Teresa P. Hosea
80
Catholic
S
Mar.
1
Roderick McNeil
69 .
Catholic
9
Feb.
20
Olive Nickerson
79
South Harwich
10
Jan.
30 George Taylor
77
South Harwich
Tewksbury, Mass.
11
Jan.
23 Maude Goodier Smith
70
Mt. Pleasant
Winchester, Mass.
12
May
17
Josephine La Voie
73
Catholic
Barnstable, Mass.
13
July
30
Gerald Hyde
43
Evergreen
14
Aug.
27
John Francis Mckay
58
Catholic
15
Sep.
3
Miss Madella Buck
81
Evergreen
Barnstable, Mass.
16
Sep.
12
Harry Eugene Nickerson
81
Evergreen
Barnstable, Mass.
17
Sep.
21
Eleanor Bertha Galvin
23
Catholic
Woburn,
Mass.
18
Sep.
22
Male
Chase
3 hrs.
Evergreen
Barnstable, Mass.
19
Oct.
11
Baby girl Souza
4 days
Catholic
Boston, Mass.
20
Oct.
26
Antonio Pena
67 Catholic
Yarmouth, Mass.
21
Nov.
26
Robert M. Kelley
58 Pine Grove
Brockton, Mass.
22
Nov.
27
Mary A. Sherman Nickerson
81
Island Pond
23
Dec.
10
Charles Harold Dayton
59
Catholic
Yarmouth, Mass.
24
Dec.
17 Baby girl Eldridge
77
Evergreen
Lawrence, Mass.
25
Dec.
20
Nellie Jane Stone Birnie
78
West Harwich
Taunton, Mass.
26
Dec.
22
Mary Crowell Smith
Dennis, Mass.
Tewkesbury, Mass. Quincy, Mass.
Memphis, Tenn. Chatham, Mass. Mass. Lynn,
95
Barnstable, Mass.
Catholic
INDEX OF TOWN REPORT
:
Accountant's Report 10-22
Assessors' Report 7-9
Auditor's Report (State)
83-84
Caleb Chase Fund
55
Elementary School Building Comm.
59-60
Forest Warden and Fire Department
42-47
Forestry Department
53-54
Herring Committee
59
Highway Surveyor
57-58
Inspector of Plumbing
42
Inspector of Wires
48
List of Jurors 52
Police Department 49-50
School Committee and Superintendent Rear Sec. 1-34
Sealer of Weights and Measures 56
Tax Collector 35-36
Town Clerk's Report
61
Annual Town Meeting 1948 67-82
Births
85-88
Deaths
93-95
Marriages
89-92
Town Meeting Warrant for 1949
23-34
Town Officers
3-6
Treasurer's Report
62-66
Tree Committee
48
Trustees of Brooks Free Library 50-51
Veteran's Services 54
Water Commissioner's Report 37-41
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
AND THE
Superintendent of Schools
TOWN OF HARWICH
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1948
2
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1948
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mrs. Carleton S. Francis, Jr., Chairman Term expires 1949
Channing N. Baker, Secretary Term expires 1951
E. Gorham Nickerson
Term expires 1949
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Herbert E. Hoyt, A. M.
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
Arthur J. D'Elia, M. D. John P. Nickerson, M. D.
SCHOOL NURSE
Adelyn J. Peabody, R. N.
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Edward E. Taylor
3
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Expended 1948
Needed
1949
General Control:
Superintendent of Schools
Enforcement of Law -- Salaries
$3,320.00
Other expenses of
General Control: 852.98
$4,172.98
$4,340.00
Instruction :
Supervisors
4,696.46
Principals and Teachers
48,498.56
Textbooks
1,311.75
Supplies
2,421.32
56,928.09
65,945.00
Operation :
Janitors
7,419.18
Fuel
5,023.45
Miscellaneous-Electricity, Gas,
Janitor supplies, etc. 3,245.46
15,688.09
15,935.00
Maintenance:
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep 2,408.95
2,408.95
2,000.00
Auxiliary Agencies:
Libraries
198.31
Health: Nurse and Supplies
378.47
Transportation :
7,996.10
Lunch High: Supplies and Services 7,322.91
Lunch Elem. Supplies and Services 10,595.03
Miscellaneous: Athletics, Graduation, Telephone,
Carting, Films, etc.
719.38
27,210.20
32,362.00
Outlay:
New Grounds and Building's
New Equipment
1,494.30
1,494.30
1,400.00
$107,902.61
$121,982.00
4
Appropriation Refunds
$107,912.00
1.35
107,913.35
Expended
107,902.61
$ 10.74
Submitted as unpaid bills of 1948-$925.72
NET COST OF SCHOOLS - 1948
Accounts Receivable: Mass. General School Fund Part I
$2,884.00
Commonwealth of Mass. Dept. of Public
Welfare
Tuition
$471.35
Transportation
34.10
505.45
City of Boston:
Tuition
$1,175.54
Transportation
61.27
1,236.81
Chapter 71-High School Transportation School Lunch:
3,443.26
Receipts from sales-High School
6,185.41
Receipts from sales-Elementary
8,363.77
*Federal Subsidy for School Lunches
5,009.49
** Visiting Nurse Association
301.40
*** Town of Harwich
24.25
Rental of High School Auditorium
20.00
Use of High School Kitchen
2.50
Telephone calls from school
1.28
Reimbursement for paper
.75
Shop Materials to pupils
41.73
Lost book
1.28
Damaged book
2.00
Telephone refunds :
Town of Chatham
$53.19
Town of Eastham
17.05
Town of Orleans
134.82
205.06
$28,228.44
5
* Includes $942.16 claimed for months of November and December 1948 which had not been received Dec- ember 31, 1948. Includes $680.54 claimed for the months of September and October 1948 which was not turned over to the town treasury until after December 31, 1948. Does not include $614.70 claimed for the months of November and December 1947 but which was not received until after December 31, 1947.
Does not include $16.80 claimed in December 1947 but which was not received until after December 31, 1947.
Claimed in 1948 but was not received until after December 31, 1948.
1948 Expenditures $108,828.33
1948 Accounts Receivable 28,228.44
$ 80,599.89
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR 1948
1948 Appropriation $800.00
Expended 216.00
Unexpended $584.00
Received on account of Vocational
Education for year ending 1947 : $140.00 Received for Vocational Education for 1949 $800.00
6
REPORT OF THE JOHNSON-ULM MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
Financial Statement
Total of Fund $35,000.00
Accumulated interest :
Unexpended balance on hand $ 275.00
March 1948 income 437.50
September 1948 income 437.50
Bank interest 12.17
1,162.17 1,162.17
$36,162.17
Expended for scholarships
625.00
Statement of account as of Dec. 31, 1948 $35,537.17 Tuition Scholarships have been granted to the follow- ing for the school year 1948-49 :
Frances Baker Antioch College
Harold Nickerson University of Mass.
Gorham Nickerson University of Mass.
Phyllis Jones Bridgewater College
Cynthia Jones Bridgewater College
Meredith Arzt Wellesley College
Lionne Coulson Simmons College
Priscilla Gray Jackson College
Anne Laidlaw Bryn Mawr College
Respectfully submitted,
Paul A. Morris, Chairman Mrs. Carleton S. Francis, Jr. Channing N. Baker E. Gorham Nickerson Herbert E. Hoyt, Secretary Johnson-Ulm Memorial Scholarship Committee
7
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Harwich :
Following the election of Mr. Channing Baker and the appointment of Mr. Gorham Nickerson last Feb- ruary, the Harwich School Committee was organized for the current year with Mrs. Carleton Francis, Jr., as chairman and Mr. Baker as secretary. The Committee presents the following report covering the activities of the past year.
The greatest contribution to the education of Har- wich children will, of course, be the construction of the new elementary school and, within a few months, the transfer of the first six grades from their present over- crowded quarters to the new building. We feel that the people of Harwich will be very proud of the new school and will feel increasingly well satisfied that they have provided a safe, sanitary, modern building in which their children will be educated. The increased enrollment this year has served to emphasize the fact that the new building which has been needed for some years, was started none too soon. The School Com- mittee feels deeply grateful to those interested citizens of the town who made the school possible.
Although the new school will automatically elim- inate many of the handicaps under which our elemen- tary schools now operate, it will not dissipate all of our problems. Rising school costs is a problem confront- ing every School Committee all over the country. Just as our personal and household budgets have gone up by leaps and bounds during the last few years, so, too, has practically every item which we purchase for the schools risen sharply in price. Your School Committee has studied carefully every item in the budget, and it represents the minimum amount with which we believe we can run the schools safely and efficiently.
Another nation wide problem is the continued teacher shortage, particularly at the elementary level.
8
The problem of suitable teacher replacements is always a serious one, because the selection of properly quali- fied teachers is vital to the education of our children. Under present day conditions, however, this responsi- bility has assumed even greater importance than form- erly. For several years, the applicants for each teach- ing position have become fewer in number, and, we are told that this condition will continue for several years. This shortage coupled with increased school enroll- ments is causing serious concern all over the country. We cannot predict the solution to the problem-we can only call it to your attention and assure you that in the future, as in the past, every effort will be made to pro- vide the best teachers available for the Harwich chil- dren.
A local school problem which we should like to set forth is the need of broadening the curriculum at the high school level. No school curriculum should be static, but should be under constant observation to determine what changes should be made to adapt the program to meet the needs of our changing society. We call your attention to Mr. Morris' report on the changes which have been made this year. From time to time other changes will be made. If our student body grows as many of us anticipate, we shall undoubt- edly be in a better position to offer a richer, broader curriculum.
Still another local problem which will confront us shortly will be the development of the area between the high school and the new elementary school. Some landscaping will be done at once, but it will probably take several years to develop this area which should include playgrounds for the various age groups. Event- ually, we hope to have playing fields adjacent to the schools.
In closing, we would remind you that the School Committee is a group of three citizens elected by you for the sole purpose of seeing that the schools of the town are administered efficiently and in accordance with the laws of the state. We welcome suggestions
9
and constructive criticism, and every suggestion re- ceives our careful consideration. We can only adopt such courses of action as seem to us to meet the educa- tional needs of the children under our care. We like to think of ourselves as community servants, pledged by the very nature of our office to the task of extend- ing to all the children within the limits of this town the very best educational opportunities which we can pro- vide. The schools of today will very largely determine the citizens of tomorrow.
Respectfully submitted,
School Committee
10
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Herbert E. Hoyt
I take pleasure in submitting my second report as Superintendent of the Harwich Schools. This report is an attempt to evaluate the accomplishments of the past year and to outline some of the changes which we con- template for the future. I call your attention to the reports of the other members of the school department, and to the vital statistics. I believe that a study of these reports will provide a basis for better understand- ing the administration of your schools.
Personnel
Eight new teachers were appointed to positions in the Harwich faculty during the current year.
1. Mrs. Elizabeth Miller began her teaching in Har- wich in April, 1948. Mrs. Miller is a graduate of Buf- falo State Teachers' College and has had six years of experience in Kenmore, New York and in Winchester, Mass.
2. Miss Marion B. Burnham joined our elementary school faculty in September. Miss Burnham is a grad- uate of Westfield State Teachers' College with addi- tional work at Boston Teachers' College and has had many years teaching experience in Revere, Lynn, and Boston. Miss Burnham is giving special instruction in an ungraded room.
3. Miss Mary C. Kelley was appointed as commercial teacher to replace Miss Holmes who was granted a years leave of absence. Miss Kelley is a graduate of Regis College.
4. Mrs. Estelle Kimball came to Harwich in September to teach Latin and French. Mrs. Kimball is a graduate of Radcliffe College with graduate work at Clark Uni- versity, the University of Maryland, and Boston Uni- versity. She has had teaching experience in Northboro,
11
Leominster, and Holden, Mass. She has also had ex- perience in administration and in Guidance.
5. Mr. David Meddaugh is the new English teacher in the High School. Mr. Meddaugh is a graduate of the University of California and holds a master's degree from the University of Michigan. He spent several years in the service.
6. Miss Janice Moore is the teacher of the Household Arts Department. Miss Moore was graduated from Syracuse University in 1948.
7. Mr. Frank Murtha is teaching in the Junior High. After several years in the service, Mr. Murtha returned to Boston University where he completed his work in 1948.
8. Miss Aileen O'Toole is the new Art Supervisor of Union No. 20. Miss O'Toole is a graduate of Pratt In- stitute and has taken additional courses at Columbia University. Last year she served as art supervisor in Edgewater, New Jersey.
I feel that we now have a strong, well-prepared, interested faculty in all of our Harwich schools, a corps of teachers who in every way merit the full con- fidence and cooperation of parents whose children at- tend these schools. Since the quality of its teachers determines the success of any school, we can rest as- sured that every effort is being made to provide the broadest possible educational development for the children of Harwich.
Finance
In these days of advancing costs, it is helpful to compare our school expenditures with those of other years, and with the costs in the other 103 towns in the Commonwealth which have less than 5000 population and maintain a high school. Since this report is being written in November it is necessary to estimate some of the figures for 1948.
1944 1945 1946 1947 1948
Total expenditure $63,980.09 64,525.15 75,028.65 97,316.42 107.912.
Reimbursements 13,312.73 14,913.48 18,479.75 23,836.24 27,000. Net Cost 50,667.36 49,611.67 56,548.90 73,480.18 80,912.
12
Membership
349
367
385
409
466
Harwich Cost per child
145.18
135.18
146.88
179.65 .
173.63
Median for 103
towns
117.24
125.14
133.64
174.12
164.80
This financial report shows that although our gross cost per child is high at $231.40, our net cost is not much above the median for our group of towns. Most towns have not yet included the hot lunch costs as a part of their school budget, and since this activity is self-supporting, the cost for support of schools should be thought of as $90,112. Forty towns of the 103 in our class spend more per child than does Harwich. Since only seven of these towns have a greater valuation per child, it is evident that we are not being extravagant in our expenditures.
The reason for the decrease in cost per child this year is the increased number of children. This increase has been noted all over the country and is expected to continue for some years. This increase together with rising costs will necessitate larger budgets for the com- ing year.
Some Needs of the Schools
Under this heading last year, I stressed the three school needs which I considered most pressing. The first of these was a new elementary school. The citi- zens of Harwich are meeting this need with the splen- did new school now under construction. All over the country there has been a rapid increase in the number of children entering school. This rise is expected to continue for some time and will result in dangerously overcrowded conditions. In Harwich we have 60 pupils in the first grade this fall and an increase from 247 to 276 in the whole elementary school. Harwich is to be congratulated on its foresight in preparing to meet this increased load. We are overcrowded this fall and are looking forward eagerly to the time when we can move into the new building. I hope that during the next few years we can develop the area between the two schools as a campus with playing fields for physical education
13
and the sports program. The high school enrollment has increased from 162 to just under 200 students. As our school grows we should broaden and enrich our program of outdoor activities.
My second recommendation last year was the pur- chase of more equipment for the commercial depart- ment. During the year we added a calculating mach- ine and a liquid duplicator. Because of the increased enrollment and the added interest in the commercial field, it will be necessary to add three new typewriters. We should also plan to replace three typewriters every year. Instead of the long tables now in use in this room, I recommend that standard individual typewriter tables be purchased. Since these changes will cost in the vicinity of $800, I feel that we must delay the purchase of additional equipment for one year.
My third recommendation of last year was the broadening of the curriculum at the junior high level. I call your attention to Mr. Morris' report for accom- plishments to the present and plans for the future.
One problem which has been especially trouble- some this year stems from the fact that we have a num- ber of children who are not sufficiently mature to ben- efit from our standard first grade program. We all know that some children mature physically much more rapidly than others, but not all realize that the same is true of mental growth. Many people take it for granted that when a child reaches the legal school age, he is automatically ready to learn to read, even though his mental age may be a year behind his chronological age. This slower mental development is not an indica- tion of low mental development. Just as some children who get a slow start physically develop into large adults, so too do many children with a delayed mental development progress rapidly in the later years. To meet this problem, I am recommending a pre-primary grade. This would make it possible for these children to have a definite program at their level of learning. Thus instead of failing their first year and repeating the first grade, they would have a program of readiness
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.