USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1949 > Part 8
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 | Part 9
7.
Apr.
1
Sarah J. Eldridge
90
Evergreen
Concord, Mass.
8.
Apr.
2
Sidney U. Robbins
52
Evergreen
Orleans, Mass.
9.
May
10
Mary Emma Nickerson
81
Evergreen
Chatham,
Mass.
10.
May
31 Roy W. Nickerson
59
Pinegrove
11.
July
5
Earle Proctor Chase
Medfield,
Mass.
12.
July
9
James B. Ellis
76
So. Harwich
New Bedford, Mass.
13.
July
19
Abbie C. Robbins
Barnstable, Mass.
14.
July
25
Male
Henderson
Plainfield, N. J
15.
July
30
Mary L. Nickerson
81
Island Pond
Boston, Mass.
16.
Aug. 4
Chatham, Mass.
17.
Aug.
20
Rose Franklin Bearse
88
Evergreen
Chatham, Mass.
18.
Aug.
23
Emmarina M. Nickerson
82
Evergreen
Bourne, Mass.
19.
Aug.
24
Mary Elizabeth Linnell
59
Catholic
Dennis, Mass.
20.
Oct.
23
Martha Freeman Chase
92
Pine Grove
21.
Nov.
6
Theophilus Bassett Stearns
72
Evergreen
Bridgewater, Mass Brooklyn, N. Y.
22.
Nov.
15
Minnie J. Eldredge
83
So, Harwich
23.
Dec.
14 Charles Edward Finley
49
Catholic
Barnstable, Mass.
24.
Dec.
16
Capt. Richard E. B. Phillips
84
Pine Grove
25.
Dec.
24
Adeline Nickerson
55
Pine Grove
Boston, Mass.
26.
Dec.
26
Cyrenia Briggs Clark
85 Island Pond
Middleboro, Mass.
123
82
Evergreen
Island Pond
67
Pine Grove
Louise A. Ginn
61
Evergreen
Somerset, Mass.
25 Anne K. Coddington
95 Mt. Pleasant
Chatham, Mass.
3.
Dennis, Mass.
124
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
AND THE
Superintendent of Schools
TOWN OF HARWICH
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1949
-- - --
125
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1949
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
E. Gorham Nickerson, Chairman Term expires 1950
Channing N. Baker Term expires 1951
Mrs. Carleton S. Francis Jr., Secretary Resigned November 1, 1949
Wilbur H. Crowell, Appointed December 15, 1949 Term expires 1950
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Herbert E. Hoyt, A. M.
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE Edward E. Taylor
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS Arthur J. D'Elia, M. D. John P. Nickerson, M. D.
SCHOOL NURSE Adelyn J. Peabody, R. N.
126
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Expended 1949
Needed 1950
General Control:
Superintendent of Schools
Enforcement of
Law-Salaries
$3,640.00
Other expenses of
General Control
774.30
$4,414.30
$4,460.00
Instruction:
Supervisors
4,897.36
Principals and Teachers
56,201.58
Textbooks
1,151.17
Supplies
3,560.37
65,810.48
73,375.00
Operation:
Janitors
8,216.66
Fuel 4,741.40
Miscellaneous: (Electricity, Gas, Janitor,
supplies, etc. )
4,093.85
17,051.91
17,700.00
Maintenance:
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep 2,131.95
2,131.95
2,500.00
Auxiliary Agencies :
Libraries 337.01
Health: Nurse and Supplies 372.86
Transportation 8,879.60
Lunch, High: Supplies and Services 8,106.31
Lunch, Elem. Supplies and Services 10,843.47
Miscellaneous: Athletics,
Graduation, Telephone,
Carting, Films, etc.
1,076.97
29,616.22
31,862.00
Outlay:
New Grounds and Buildings
New Equipment 2,860.66
2,860.66
1,400.00
$121.885.52
$131.297.00
1949 Appropriation
$121,982.00
1949 Expenditure
121,885.52
Unexpended
$96.48
127
NET COST OF SCHOOLS - 1949
Expenditure
$121,885.52
Accounts Receivable:
School Funds and State
Aid - Chapter 70
$8,159.28
City of Boston: Tuition and Transportation
1,781.12
Telephone refunds:
Town of Chatham
$69.81
Town of Eastham
18.54
Town of Orleans
59.74
148.09
Chapter 70-School Transportation School Lunch:
4,210.72
Receipts from sales High School
$6,640.45
Receipts from sales Elem. School
7,353.44
*Federal Subsidy for School Lunches 5,028.58
Visiting Nurse Assoc.
257.30
** Town of Harwich
43.40
*** Kiwanis
19.95
Rental of High School Auditorium 50.00
Mimeographing 3.60
Telephone (High School Collections )
1.85
Shop material to pupils
66.73
Home Economics material
to pupils
2.78
19,468.08
33,767.29
Net cost of Schools - 1949
$88,118.23
* Federal Subsidy for School Lunches: Includes $896.53 claimed for the months of November and December 1949 but which had not been received December 31, 1949. Does not include $1,622.22 claimed for the months September through December 1948 which was not received until 1949.
** Town of Harwich: Does not include $24.25 claimed for months of November and December 1948 which was received in 1949.
*** Kiwanis: Includes $14.55 billed for 1949 but which had not been received December 31, 1949.
128
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR 1949
1949 Appropriation Expenditure
$800.00 None
Balance to Revenue
$800.00
Reimbursement for year ending
August 31, 1948
$132.00
Requested for 1950
$800.00
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
$5,000.00
1949 Appropriation Expended
4,586.25
Balance (carried to 1950)
$ 413.75
REPORT OF THE JOHNSON-ULM MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Financial Statement
Total of Fund
$35,000.00
Unexpended balance
$537.17
March 1949 income
437.50
April bank interest
3.10
September 1949 income
437.50
October bank interest
7.62
$1,422.89 1,422.89
$36,422.89
Expended for Scholarships
700.00
Statement of account as of Dec. 31, 1949
$35,722.89
Tuition Scholarships have been granted to the follow- ing for the school year of 1949-1950 :
Meredith Arzt
Wellesley
Francis Baker
Antioch
Arthur Keefe
Boston University
Anne Laidlaw
Bryn Mawr
Gorham Nickerson University of Mass.
Harold Nickerson University of Mass.
Marjorie Nickerson
Simmons College
129
Janet Taylor Jane Tobey Patricia Washburn
Simmons College Bates College Boston University
PAUL A. MORRIS, Chairman E. GORHAM NICKERSON CHANING N. BAKER WILBUR H. CROWELL HERBERT E. HOYT, Secretary
Johnson-Ulm Memorial
Scholarship Committee
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Harwich :
Following the February elections, the Harwich School Committee was organized with Mr. Gorham Nickerson as chairman and Mrs. Carleton Francis, Jr., as secre- tary. The Committee has met twice each month during the year and has devoted a great many hours to the careful consideration of school problems. We regret that due to her husband's ill health, Mrs. Francis found it necessary to resign on November 1. We have always found Mrs. Francis deeply interested in the progress of our schools and shall miss her both as a friend and as a co-worker.
We are happy to report that the new school opened with a minimum amount of confusion. The addition of three new teachers has reduced the size of our elemen- tary classes and increased the efficiency of our teachers. You will note in the reports of the superintendent and the principal that all school personnel as well as visitors to the school have been very enthusiastic in their praise of the building.
A project of the current year is the development of the playing field at the rear of the high school. This work has been completed, and the grading of the new elementary play area gives us a completed playground between the two buildings. The landscaping at the new school just being completed will add a great deal to the appearance of the building.
130
Rising school costs continue to be a problem facing the school department. The addition of three new teach- ers will naturally cause a rise in our budget for 1950. We now have eleven full time teachers beside the prin- cipal in the elementary school. It is interesting to note that in the 1931-35 period when the school enrollment was at its previous highest level, we also had eleven teachers, but in four buildings.
All studies have proved that the best results can be obtained when the number of children in a class is from 25-30, and we believe that we should strive to hold the number in each class to a maximum of 30. If the present increase in enrollment continues, we should plan to add two more classrooms at the elementary school. It will be remembered that the architect's plans provided for this future addition. We should also realize that our en- rollment at the high school is rising rapidly toward the capacity of the building and that we may be faced with a problem at this level in a very few years.
In closing we should like to call attention to the re- ports of the superintendent, principals, and supervisors, because we believe that they present a clear picture of our schools and their accomplishments. We should also like to take this opportunity to remind the citizens that we are striving for the best schools for our town. We realize the importance of our work and are always open to suggestions for improvement.
Respectfully submitted, GORHAM NICKERSON, CHANNING B. BAKER, WILBUR H. CROWELL School Committee.
131
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Herbert E. Hoyt
I take pleasure in submitting my third annual report as Superintendent of the Harwich Schools. While the preparation of an annual report entails a considerable amount of time and effort, I believe that it is well that we have this opportunity of evaluating our work at the end of each fiscal year. Just as the business man is ac- customed to conduct an inventory at the end of the year, so it is well that the schools, too, take count of stock and submit to the taxpayers an accounting of the accomplish- ments of the past year and an outline of our plans and hopes for the future. The taxpayers of a town are stock- holders in a vitally important business-the education of its youth-and we hope that the people of Harwich will read the reports of the various school officials and the statistical reports with care because we believe that it is the right and privilege of each stockholder to know to what use his money has been put.
PERSONNEL
Although seven new teachers were appointed to posi- tions on the Harwich faculty for the school year 1949-50, three of these were appointed to new positions and only four were replacements which is a much smaller turn- over than for the past several years. A constantly shift- ing faculty is an indication of weakness in any school system. Our aim is to hire and retain strong, well- prepared teachers.
Three new teachers were appointed to the high school faculty to replace teachers who have gone on to other po- sitions. Miss Elizabeth Adamson who was appointed to the English department is a graduate of Tufts College.
Miss Mellicent Jarvis is the home economics instructor and is a graduate of Framingham Teachers' College. Mr. David Bailey, a graduate of Springfield College, is teach- ing biology and coaching athletics. All three of these teachers were successful in their practice teaching and came to us with excellent references.
132
Three new teachers were added to the elementary fa- culty thus making provision for the increased enrollment and also decreasing the size of each class. Mrs. Hilda Adams is a graduate of Hyannis State Teachers' College and has had several years of experience at Acushnet, Massachusetts. Mrs. Ellen Gott has both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Hyannis State Teachers' College, and taught at West Bridgewater, at Barre, Vermont, and in Orleans. Miss Harriet Hall has a bachelor's degree from Fitchburg State Teachers' College and taught for three years at Marstons Mills.
Mr. Ralph Saunders has been employed as teacher of instrumental music by the towns of Union No. 20 to re- place Mr. Thomas Nassi, retired. Mr. Saunders is a grad- uate of the New England Conservatory of Music and taught last year in Coventry, Rhode Island.
FINANCE
I believe that it is helpful to examine our school ex- penditures each year and to make comparisions with the other 103 towns in the Commonwealth which have less than 5000 population and maintain a high school. With this in mind, I offer the following table of comparisions, showing costs for the last five years and the median cost for all towns in our division. Since this report is written in November, the 1949 figures are necessarily an estimate.
Total budget 1945 1946
1947
1948
1949
$64,525.15 75,028.65 97,316.42 108,828.33 121,982, Reimbursements
$14,913.48 18,479.75 23,826.24
Net Cost $49,611.67 56,548.90 73,480.18
Membership 367
385
409
28,228.44 80,599.89 466
34,000. 87,982. 481
Harwich Cost per Child
135.18
146.88
179.65
172.96
182.91
Median for 103 towns
125.14
133.64
174.12
164.80
175.29
This comparison shows that while our gross cost at $253.60 per child is high, our net cost is not much above the median for our group. It should also be understood that of the $121,982.00 appropriated for schools, $21,400. is for the hot lunch. Since all of this money is returned to the town, our budget should be thought of as $100.582. rather than $121,982. When we consider that Harwich is among the top ten towns in
133
valuation per pupil, it is evident that we are not spend- ing too much on our schools.
Although the comparisons just listed do serve a pur- pose, it is also true that they are not entirely satis- factory. Many people, the members of the school de- partment among them, would like a satisfactory an- swer to the question of when we may expect school costs to level off. Just as the wage earner cannot feed, house and clothe a family of eight on a budget which was only adequate for four, so we cannot provide satis- factory educational facilities for our ever-increasing school family on a budget based upon fewer pupils. Every additional pupil means just that much more equipment and material, and every 25-30 additional pupils means another teacher. We who have been spending many hours in the preparation of the school budget, taxpayers all, would like nothing better than to be able to announce a reduction, or at least, no in- crease in the school budget, but we see no chance of it in the immediate future. We are presenting a budg- et which represents the minimum amount of money with which the schools of Harwich can be operated and still include the educational advantages which we know you want your children to have.
SCHOOL NEEDS
The point of emphasis under this heading for the past several years has been the need for more space for the elementary grades. It is a pleasure to report that our new school has temporarily solved this prob- lem. I realize that my use of the word 'temporarily' will startle some people who have undoubtedly con- sidered our school space needs as solved for all time. I would be failing in my duty, however, if I did not point out the possibility that if our population continues its steady increase we may in a very few years find that we need the extra two rooms which were a part of the architect's plans. The addition of three new elementary teachers has made it possible to reduce the enrollment of each class to 25-32 pupils. This is a great improve- ment over conditions of last year when we had a number of classes which exceeded 40. However, if the present trend continues, we shall again be faced with classes of 35 or more in the elementary school. In
134
theory, this should not happen until our present en- rollment exceeds 350, but in practice, the increase is coming in the lower grades, and if it continues, will necessitate two rooms for each grade, or twelve class- rooms in addition to the general purpose room. By the same reasoning, we must expect the high school to become crowded in the near future. The capacity of our high school is 240, and with an increase to just under 200 this fall, it would seem that the time is near when we shall again be filled to capacity. The fact that between 50 and 60 pupils are entering the first grade each fall would seem to indicate that both of our schools will exceed 300 unless conditions change. I should again call your attention to the impossibility of making any accurate prediction in this direction be- cause of the fact that such a large percentage of our pupils were not born on the Cape. For many years, there seems to have been no correlation between the birth rate in Cape Cod towns and the school population.
To depart from this disquieting thought, I should like to emphasize again our very real pride in the new school. The careful planning that preceded the con- struction of the building is evidenced by the fact that so many of our school problems have been solved. Our many visitors and all school personnel are in agreement that this building ranks among the finest in elementary school construction.
The grading of the playing field behind the high school has been completed. At the time of this writing the elementary school playing field adjacent to the high school is being completed and the landscaping plan for the front of the elementary school is being carried out. Our beautiful new flag, the generous gift of the Central Cape Press, also adds much to the appearance of the building. The Harwich Garden Club has planted several evergreens in front of the high school and these, together with the various shrubs which have been set out by the students, have greatly improved the appearance of that building. With the completion of these landscaping projects, our campus will be most attractive and will supply facilities for all our outdoor recreational programs.
135
INNOVATIONS
In reading the reports of the last few years, I note that the emphasis seems to have been on the innova- tions which have taken place in the school department. Lest this create a false impression, I hasten to point out that fundamentally education has not changed. Teaching methods change, but the basic purpose of education has always been the same-to prepare boys and girls mentally, morally and physically to solve their problems in a complex world. To be successful, the students need skills, they need healthy bodies, and they need a firm moral code. Keeping this thought in mind, however, we must realize that our society is not static, and if education is to serve the needs of its students, our methods must change from time to time to meet their needs. We feel that the following inno- vations of the past few years have contributed to our educational plan in no small degree.
1. Guidance. For a report of progress in this field, I refer you to the report of the Guidance Director.
2. Rinehart System of Handwriting. This has been explained in past reports, and I believe that most parents will agree that it has contributed to the im- provement of writing in our town.
3. Courses of study. Our committee work on the development of courses of study has been continued through the last year. At the elementary level, Mrs. Melvin Knight has been employed to assist the teachers in the study of the language arts and the writing of a course of study in this field. Mrs. Knight was formerly elementary school supervisor of Barnstable. She meets with the teachers once each month, and all teachers are in agreement that this work has been most helpful by suggesting new methods of approach and in decid- ing upon points of emphasis in each grade. I believe that this work is more valuable than many credit courses which are given for in-service training of teach- ers, and I hope that it may be continued in the future. All courses of study should be examined and re-ex- amined periodically, to be sure that we are meeting the needs of the children.
136
4. Development of Libraries. For the last two years we have budgeted $500. for the addition of books to our school libraries. While this is not a large sum, it will, over a period of years, give us an adequate library in each building. At present, we are building shelves at the rear of the study hall in the high school to accommodate additional reference books. Mrs. Doane, librarian of Brooks Library, has been most helpful in giving the children training in the use of the library.
5. Conservation and nature study. This year we have contracted with the Audubon Society to teach nature study at the sixth grade level. An under- standing of our natural surroundings not only gives us pleasure, but leads to a realization of the need of con- servation. The Audubon teacher comes to the class room once every two weeks. He brings specimens, pictures, slides, and movies which are of great interest and educational advantage to the students. We believe that this course will prove a most beneficial experience to the young people.
6. Driver education. Most people have heard of the nation-wide movement to teach young people to drive automobiles. In this state, the work is being sponsored by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the Massachu- setts State Automobile Dealers' Association. The pur- pose of the course is to teach correct attitudes and techniques of driving. It consists of classroom work and behind-the-wheel instruction given by one of our teach- ers who receives special training for the purpose. The cost of the course would be exorbitant if it were not for the fact that the dealer-in this case, Chase Chevrolet of Chatham-sells the dual-control car to the town for $1.00 and buys it back in June for the same amount. Therefore our expense consists of the cost of instruction, gas, oil and insurance. Mr. Fanning of the Registry of Motor Vehicles came to Harwich to give special instruction to our teachers. Mr. Fish will be the instructor of the course in this town. Experience has shown that practically all of our students drive cars, and from the results in other towns, it has been found that trained drivers are safer drivers.
-- --
137
CONCLUSION
In concluding my third annual report, let me say that I feel that the last few years have shown splendid progress in our schools. We can point with pride to the material progress such as the new school and the play- ing fields, but I believe that we have made equally valuable progress in less tangible areas. We are learn- ing that the education of children is a cooperative enterprise which requires the best efforts of teachers and parents working together. This spirit of coopera- tion is evidenced by the increasing popularity of our "Open House" and by the number of parents visiting our schools. As long as this spirit is prevalent in our community, our schools will continue to be institutions of which we can be proud.
In closing, I should like to express to the members of the school Committee and to the citizens of Harwich my gratitude for the whole-hearted cooperation which I have received these past few years. We have all worked hard for better schools, and I look forward to the new year as one of continued progress.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. HOYT, Superintendent of Schools
138
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Paul A. Morris
The most abused and overworked word in the educa- tional vocabulary of today is "evaluate". Uncounted vol- umes have been written pro and con on the evaluation of almost everything from the sublime to the rediculous, until any significances it may have been obscured in a maze of hodgepodge.
How are we to evaluate a school ? The primary purpose of education is to teach a way of life. The purpose of a high school is to prepare each individual for his right- ful place in the community, only part of which is earning a living. A student in school develops in accordance with his application, aptitudes, and abilities. His abilities are determined by his ancestors, and we can't evaluate them. His aptitudes are largely controlled by his personal contact with certain factors of his own environment, which are outside our sphere of influence. His application is directed by the immediate total atmosphere which surrounds him at any one particular time, and is in some degrees measurable.
If we eliminate "evaluation" and ask instead, "How are we doing?", the answer is, "We are doing pretty well." If a student will attend school regularly, con- sciously try to master the tasks which are set for him, and make a real effort to adjust his personality and sociability to the accepted modes of the society of his fel- lows, I see no reason why a normal individual should not do well in our school.
Our school has made many changes throughout the years. We have added courses, we have changed courses, we have eliminated courses, trying to get educational adjustment regulated to the life problems of the pupils. It is impossible to train every boy and girl for some specific end. There are too many trades and vocations. We seek to serve as many as possible by giving courses which will help the largest number. But this is a world of specialization, and many of the boys and girls who will go into specialized fields are unable to receive spe- cialized training. It is impossible to take care of every
139
need. So we try to give such a boy or girl the best possible general preparation so that he or she will have a good foundation on which to build when specialized training or experience is encountered after high school days.
Of course, if a boy or girl doesn't attend school reg- ulary, has no particular interest in what is going on, and makes little attempt to learn, there doesn't seem to be much the school can do for him or her. We might just as well admit it.
The only fair way to judge the effectiveness of the school is to judge its products : those persons who applied themselves to the task at hand, and tried to learn. Look around you and see what kind of citizens you find, both those living in town and those who have gone away. The kind of persons you will see will tell you the kind of homes we have, the kind of churches we have, and the kind of schools we have.
I think the various departments of the school are run- ning satisfactorily. I am particularly pleased with the results we have had in the Remedial section. At this early date several of the students have been able to make up deficiencies and resume their places in the regular classes. To me it is a matter of primary importance, when a child regains a year in his scholastic life.
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.