USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1951 > Part 12
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The team work between members of the school system, from the administration on down, is what makes the guid- ance service valuable to the pupils. My thanks are extended to all who have cooperated this past year.
171
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
C. Aileen O'Toole
In planning the art program for the elementary school for the 1951-52 school year, the problem of time had to be considered very carefully. There are only about 31/2 hours for art on Mondays and Wednesdays to be spent in the elementary school in eleven grades. This means that some classes are visited only once every two weeks, an average of 19 minutes per week for those classes.
At the Junior High School level, where art is required, there are four classes of one hour each. There is an elective High School art program, also an hour per week. This means five hours spent in classes in the High School during the week.
This is a problem that is hard to solve. It is too bad that the elementary school classes should have only about 1/4 of the time allotted to each junior high class during the week. These are the years when art is essential, when the natural creativeness of the child is being stifled by outside influ- ences. This is the time when there should be a great deal of time spent in art activities, not only drawing and coloring, but painting and three-dimensional work.
The limited time allowed for art makes only the use of crayons and paper feasible at the elementary level. There is not even time for preparation by the art teacher because of the tempo of the program-and, unhappy as the situation is, there does not seem to be a "way out." The classes have divided and grown to such an extent that the only practical answer would be either two people for the job or twice as much time spent in Harwich. This cannot be, as long as the art teacher is a part of the Union, with three other towns to visit, with many of the same problems appearing there.
It must be explained that the time allowance is not any one person's responsibility. There have to be five hours for the High School, leaving only the limited time for the elementary school.
In the High School there is a problem of too small a space for large groups. The handling of 27 children in a room where under 20 are comfortable is a serious hindrance to good working conditions. Most of the work we do in the
172
High School requires a large area of working space for each pupil, and we must manage with very little. Here too, there seems to be no answer at the present time, unless the classes are divided and this cannot be done at the expense of the rest of the High School programming.
With all of these serious problems and disadvantages, the pupils at all levels are cooperative and most enthusiastic. Not only are the children cooperative, but the teachers as well are carrying on a great deal of art work in their individual classes.
More and more educators and parents alike are realizing the importance of art in their schools, and perhaps Harwich, too, will have an adequate art program and facilities to compare with the needs of its children.
Report of the Instrumental Teacher Frederick A. Gricius
Since taking over the duties of instrumental teacher in Harwich, I have been pleased by the cooperation and assistance given me by the school department, parents and private teachers interested in developing public music to the fullest.
It is my sincerest hope that parents will take an active part in helping to build a bigger and better musical organ- ization in Harwich by organizing an Orchestra Parents As- sociation. This association is the one efficient means of rais- ing funds for a music scholarship each year so that a worthy graduate may continue his or her musical education. There are other worthwhile projects that can be carried out in conjunction with the school orchestra such as buying music and instruments, and financing trips of students to music festivals. This organization is prevalent throughout the country and has proved a success in music-minded com- munities.
We are fortunate to have help from private teachers who are indispensable in any public school music program. The need for a full time brass teacher in this school union has been my concern from the outset of the school year. I
173
have accepted the services of Mr. Charles Tourgee, who is a specialist on brass instruments, majoring in trombone. Mr. Tourgee, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and studied with Mr. Coffey, world famous trombonist. Mr. Tourgee has a Bache- lor of Music Degree in Instrumental Music and has taught in Plymouth and Hyannis.
The elementary instrumental program is as follows:
Grade 1 Rhythm Band
Grade 2
Rhythm Band
Grade 3 - Symphonette Classes
Grade 4-6
Instrumental Beginners and Intermediates
The various instruments being taught are :
Beginners Intermediates
4 violins
2 drums
3 clarinets
2 bass violins
4 trumpets
2 trombones
1 flute
1 saxaphone
1 drum
It is my desire to organize an elementary orchestra and band combination during the latter part of the year.
The High School orchestra is composed of students from grades 6 through 10. At the present time there are 19 members in the orchestra, three of those members in the elementary school. The instrumentation is :
4 violins
4 clarinets
1 saxaphone
1 flute
5 trumpets
2 drums
2 pianos
174
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC Webster Whitney Tileston
The progress of Vocal Music in The Schools of Harwich continues with ever increasing achievements, and results are gratifying. More and more, boys and girls from first grade thru High School are experiencing the pleasure of singing together and expressing the thrill and beauty of it all in such a way that they themselves are satisfied, and at the same time are allowing others to understand their feel- ing and share their experience with them.
At the present time, the first six grades are working on a musical fantasy adapted from the play-"The Red Shoes"-a Hans Anderson Fairy Tale-and many song and dances have been inserted to give the children a chance to give vent to the feelings and moods awakened by such a story.
Throughout the year I have kept in mind that the child voice is a sacred trust and that the forming of correct habits of singing in the grades is the laying of a founda- tion for the beautiful adult voice.
Soft singing within the compass of the voice will never harm, while loud singing will immediately lead to disaster. Tones must be pure and pleasing rather than powerful. Ex- pressive singing is impossible with forced tones-therefore- not only to preserve the voice, but also to assure meaning- ful interpretation, all tones must be pure and floating.
"The High School Chorus is showing the results of musi- cal seeds planted a few years back. The largest group yet, numbering 106-are working on Part Harmony songs and are achieving splendid results.
More specialized programs could be possible in the future if more time was allotted the instructor in a given Town.
175
REPORTS OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS Arthur J. D'Elia
All children in grades 7 to 12 were examined and found to be in good physical condition. The effects of a Dental Clinic in our schools are quite obvious. I found that the majority of the children have improved their dental hygiene. There are a few cases of enlarged tonsils and a few cases of defective posture. Posture can be improved by proper exercise. There were practically no cases of under- weight or malnutrition. Both squads of basketball players were given examination.
Dr. Norris G. Orchard
In September 1950 a different approach was taken in an effort to disclose physical defects of children entering the Harwich Elementary School. Parents were present by appointment when examinations were made enabling us to obtain a reasonably accurate account of the child's physical and emotional history. Parental interest was im- pressive to the extent that several mothers, far from well- to-do, and lacking transportation, engaged taxicabs in order to be present.
A condensed analysis of the examination of 231 chil- dren shows that 142 needed varying types and degrees of medical attention. General health was good, however. 15% were classified as malnourished. 10% came from homes in which poor conditions existed.
Inspection of teeth does not properly fall into the province of these examinations, but poor teeth were found in a high percentage - and with poor teeth almost invari- ably, unhealthy mouths.
The detection of visual and hearing defects is carried out by the School Nurse throughout the year but every child was tested for balance of eye muscles.
Mouth breathing was observed frequently. In a mod- erate number of children there was mechanical blocking of the nasal passages but in many it was felt to be habit rather than need. Enlarged tonsils were seen often but in- fected or diseased tonsils were rare. In passing it must be stressed here that the history of sore throats obtained from
176
the mother was invaluable in rendering an opinion upon the tonsil.
Evidence of heart disease was present in very few cases. In doubtful cases the child was brought back for more pro- longed study. No new cases or not previously known cases were found.
Eight cases of abnormalities of the external genitalia were noted. Of these in one instance only was the parent aware of it. Feet with structural faults were common and were present in more than one-third of those examined.
Between 33% and 34% of the 231 children examined showed rickets from moderate to severe extent. Not one single parent knew of it until it was pointed out.
A studious effort was made to avoid prescribing. Ev- ery parent was advised to consult the family doctor. To this rule two exceptions must be noted. Parents of flat-footed children were talked to about proper footwear, and parents of children with rickets were instructed in the prevention of rickets by adequate amounts of reliable cod liver oil. Every morning - that is, every school morning - Miss Peabody administers cod liver oil to 50 children who other .. wise would not get it. The consent of parents is secured first, naturally.
Follow-up-work - of vital importance - has been in the hands of Miss Peabody. Eighty, or more than one-half of those requiring medication attention, have received that medical attention.
SCHOOL HEALTH REPORT
by
Miss Adelyn J. Peabody, R. N.
In the structure-building during these succeeding years it is gratifying to observe substantial gains and definite improvements in the school children's health. Capable en- terprise on the part of Physical and Dental Examinations, Eye and Ear Tests and Follow-Up-Work has systematized and furthered such efforts into community values.
177
A "strip" physical examination has proved its worth, and with the co-operation of parents almost 80% of needed corrections have been made.
Another pronounced step in the health-improvement program has been achieved through the adoption of a Cod Liver Oil Clinic and its objectives. In such operation an average of 50 children have individually been given a spoon- ful every school day. The Nurse has visited the various school rooms each morning with a tray of C.L.O. and spoons that had been contributed by the Harwich Visiting Nurse Association. Dr. Orchard had felt there was a definite need of such a clinic.
Frequent reference is made to our formulated statis- tics concerning the children's teeth; it is a guidance in systematic control and recommendation. Dr. McIntosh in- creased the number of his visits, and altogether throughout the first six grades a great deal has already been accom- plished, including a few high school cases.
Last year 105 children were given the Fluoride Treat- ment for Teeth. This unit operated efficiently under the guidance of Mrs. Alice Dalzell of the Barnstable County Health Dept. As yet no statistics are available concerning results and values.
The Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs have been very generous with their assistance in our Tonsil problems and in the item of clothing for children. We would acknowledge also a community spirit manifested by the Salvation Army Fund and the Rotary Club in having sponsored two operations for eye cataracts, a boy in the Third Grade, additional provision made for a coming operation for cross-eyes, this case a boy in the Second Grade.
Throats are an extensive and extended subject - and the Common Cold is a persistent intruder - but we have indeed been fortunate in our guarded but happy freedom from epidemics of children's diseases.
Pediculosis has been forced into a substantial reduc- tion, but still asserts itself.
The Toxoid Clinic functioned under the personal di- rection of Dr. F. H. Moore of Barnstable County. Parents are realizing more and more the importance of this clinic.
178
In cold weather school children are given hot lunches supplied by the Harwich Visiting Nurse Association and the Town of Harwich.
We invite still larger public interest and public co- operation in furtherance of school-age health and well-being. It is a community investment which benefits the present and prophesies for the future.
179
SCHOOL CENSUS October 1, 1951.
Boys
Girls
Five years or over and under seven
55
54
Seven years or over and under sixteen
197
224
252
278
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ABOVE MINORS
In public day school membership :
Five years or over and under seven Seven years or over and under sixteen
59
410
In private school membership: Five years or over and under seven
18
Seven years or over and under sixteen
5
In State and County institutions and special schools for defectives and delinquents : Five years or over and under seven Seven years or over and under sixteen
0
5
Not enrolled in any day school :
Five years or over and under seven
32
Seven years or over and under sixteen
1
180
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES October 1, 1951.
Grade
Boys
Girls
Total
5
1
32
32
64
2
18
33
51
3
28
29
57
4
27
27
54
5
17
20
37
6
26
24
50
313
7
19
29
48
8
20
24
44
9
20
19
39
10
17
13
30
11
13
13
26
12
11
19
30
217
530
.
TABULAR STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP By Grades as of October 1941-1951.
Grade
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
:
1
36
37
32
4.5
48
47
50
61
59
51
64
2
35
26
32
31
38
38
43
35
58
58
51
3
47
29
31
32
36
43
41
38
40
57
57
4
41
43
27
26
34
36
42
42
41
43
54
5
45
35
36
27
26
38
32
43
45
48
37
6
34
43
32
31
38
30
39
39
41
47
50
Ungraded
11
9
4
13
34
28
36
34
34
39
38
48
47
43
48
8
28
28
23
33
40
32
40
27
29
43
44
9
45
25
25
19
29
38
31
33
32
30
39
10
27
32
18
24
13
21
20
29
33
30
30
11
23
26
22
14
19
12
22
27
25
33
26
12
32
17
18
20
12
11
11
24
29
24
30
P.G.
1
438
378
336
349
367
385
409
462
480
507
530
7-12
189
157
142
144
147
153
162
188
196
203
217
1-6
249
221
194
205
220
232
247
274
284
304
313
16
182
BROOKS MEDAL RECIPIENTS 1951
High School :
Kay Perisho-Grade 11
Junior High School :
Loretta Bassett-Grade 8
Elementary School :
Roberta Stowell Smith-Grade 6
SCHOOL CALENDER 1951-1952
September 5, 1951 to December 22, 1951
January 2, 1952 to February 16, 1952
February 25, 1952 to April 19, 1952
April 28, 1952 to June 20, 1952
School Holidays
October 12, 1951-Columbus Day-Friday
October 19, 1951-Barnstable County Teachers' Meeting November 11, 1951-Armistice Day-Monday, November 12 November 22 & 23, 1951-Thanksgiving Recess-Thursday & Friday
December 22, 1951 to January 2, 1952-Christmas and New Year holidays
February 16, 1952 to February 25, 1952-Mid-Winter va- cation
April 19, 1952 to April 28, 1952-Spring vacation
February 22, 1952-Washington's Birthday during Mid-Winter vacation April 19, 1952-During Spring vacation
Graduation :- Thursday evening, June 12, 1952. School opens for the year 1952-1953 on September 3, 1952.
A meeting of all teachers and supervisors will be held at the Eastham School at 9:30 A. M. on Tuesday, September 2, 1952.
183
GRADUATION EXERCISES Friday-June 8, 1951 CLASS ROLL College Curriculum
Marguerite Helen Cahoon Peter Tower Jacobs
Glenn Thomas Cotter
Morgan Harold Keefe
Robert Abbott Edmunds
Marjorie Elinor Leonard
Jocelyn Cyr Eklof
Doris Julia Marcellino
Carolyn Lois Gott
Theodore Small
Elizabeth Ann Grier
Elizabeth Ann Smith
Marilyn Joan Hanson
Beryl Mandeville Sprinkle
Commercial Curriculum
Ilene Mae Andrade
Joan Helene Rocker
Shirley Ann Emery
Rose Marie Vagenas
General Curriculum
Robert Douglas Fennell
Donald Reid Moran
Norman Roger Fleury
Kenneth Edward Ramos
Ronald Hood Gilmore
Albert Henry Raneo
Barbara Marcellino
Charles Henry Webb
TEACHERS WHO HAVE LEFT HARWICH SCHOOL SERVICE DURING 1951
Name
Dates of Service
Length of Service in Harwich
Elizabeth L. Adamson
9-7-1949 to 6-30 1951
2 years
Millicent C. Jarvis
9-7-1949 to 6-30-1951
2 years
Marion A. Burnham
9-8-1948 to 6-30-1951
3 years
Ellen K. Gott
9-7-1949 to 6-30-1951
2 years
Harriet C. Hall
9-7-1949 to 6-30-1951
2 years
Ralph I. Saunders
9-7-1949 to 2-15-1951
1 yr. 6 mo.
Richard G. LaPorte
3-1-1951 to 6-30-1951
4 months
CORPS OF TEACHERS, DECEMBER 1951.
Name
Position
Preparation
Paul A. Morris
High Principal
University of Maine
. 9-1928
29 Harwich Port
David W. Bailey
High Assistant
Springfield College
9-7-1949
2
Milton
Elizabeth A. Cashman
High Assistant
Mt. St. Mary College
9-6-1950
1
Newburyport
Scott A. Ellis
High Assistant
10-1-1942
9
Harwich
William W. Fish, Jr.
High Assistant
Hyannis S.T.C.
9-8-1947
4
Sandwich
Estelle Kimball
High Assistant
Radcliffe
9-8-1948
29
Harwich
Hillary M. LeClaire
High Assistant
Monson Academy
1-2-1919
36
Harwich Port
Janet Lewis
High Assistant
Framingham Teach. Col. 9-18-51
0
Harwich Port
Ada M. Lovering
High Assistant
Framingham
1927
33
Harwich Port
Anders R. Nelson
High Assistant
Fitchburg
9-1935
*16
Centerville
Leonard W. Peck
High Assistant
Harvard University
9-5-1951
0
Cotuit
Patricia M. Rood
High Assistant
Boston University
9-8-1947
4
Hyannis
Oliver C. Turcotte
High Assistant
University of N.H.
12-10-1951
0
Harwich Port
*Includes three years and three months in Military Service.
Ethalene B. Nickerson
Elem. Principal
Johnson, Vt.
1922
43
South Dennis
Hilda P. Adams
Elem. Assistant
Hyannis Normal
9-7-1949
12
Harwich Port
Cora D. Chase
Elem. Assistant
Hyannis Normal
1923
28
Harwich Port
Gladys R. Crosby
Elem. Assistant
Oberlin College
9-4-1944
19
Harwich
Granted leave of absence from September 1950, through June, 1951
Helen R. Drake
Elem. Assistant
Bridgewater-Columbia
9-10-1946
22
Harwich
Caroline Fife
Elem. Assistant
Ohio State Univ.
9-5-1951
13
Eastham
Sally Higgins
Elem. Assistant
North Adams Teach. Col. 9-5-51
0
Orleans
Lucy M. Keefe
Elem. Assistant
Boston University
9-1-1951
8
Pleasant Lake
Elizabeth S. Miller
Elem. Assistant
Buffalo Teach. Col.
4-1-1948
91/5
Harwich
Ethel M. Myshrall
Elem. Assistant
Portland Training
1925
48
Harwich
Ruth M. Nickerson
Elem. Assistant
Hyannis Normal
9-10-1945
20
South Harwich
Helen Perisho
Elem. Assistant
Penn College
9-6-1950
1015.
Harwich
Alberta T. Wicks
Elem. Assistant
Union Hill, N.J.
10-1-1947
71/4
Harwich Port
Frederick A. Gricius
Music Instrum.
N.E. Cons. of Music
9-1-1951
1
Orleans
David D .Lynch
Guidance Director
Boston University
9-8-1947
10
Orleans
C. Aileen O'Toole
Art
Pratt Institute
9-8-1948
4
Orleans
Webster W. Tileston
Vocal Music
N.E. Cons. of Music
1-2-1946
19
Chatham
Service in Harwich Began
Experience Prior to 9-1-'51
Home Address
185
INDEX
Accountant's Report ........ 31-48
Assessors' Report
8-10
Auditor's Report
51-53
Board of Health
102-103
Building Inspector
71-72
Cemetery Commissioners
72-74
Finance Committee
30-31
Fire Department and Forest Warden
89-100
Herring Committee
81-82
Highway Surveyor
86-88
Inspector of Plumbing
78
Inspector of Wires
81
List of Jurors
71
Moth Superintendent & Tree Warden
68-70
Park Commissioners
100-101
Planning Board
74-75
Playground and Recreation Commission
78-79
Police Department
64-66
Recreation Advisory Council
79-80
Registrars of Voters
74
School Committee and Superintendent
148-184
Sealer of Weights and Measures
66-67
Selectmen's Report
7
Shellfish Warden
76-77
Tax Collector
49-50
Town Clerk's Report
108
Annual Town Meeting 1951
109-128
Births
136-140
Deaths
145-147
141-144
Marriages
11-29
Town Officers
3-6
Treasurer's Report
104-107
Brooks Free Library
84-86
Veterans' Services
67-68
Water Commissioner's Report
53-57
Water Works Extension Committee
58-64
Welfare Department
82-83
Town Meeting Warrant for 1952
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