USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1953 > Part 11
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June:
15.
3
Laurence Sumner Peck
80
16. 29 Mary Chase
17.
21
Sidella G. Burrill
July:
18.
19.
12 Baby Boy D'Abre 16 Herbert Whise
44
Prematurity Congestive Heart
September:
20.
Stephen Kodak
62 Cerebral thrombosis
21.
12
Elizabeth Frances Kendrick
89 Heart Disease
22.
16 Carrie Elva Pate 23. 23 Katherine Devine Kendrick 24. 31 Merry B. Bussey
72 Arteriosclerotis
72 Congestive Heart
October:
25.
11 Henry Anton Platt
57 Carcinoma stomach
53 Accidental drowning
76 Coronary Thrombosis
November:
28. 7 Albert E. Small
75
63 Carcinoma abdomen
62 Pneumonia
Stillborn
81 Arterio coronary
Pine Grove, W.H. Island Pond, H.C. Catholic, H.C.
Evergreen. E.H. Evergreen, E.H.
Evergreen, E.H. Pine Grove, W.H. Evergreen, E.H.
Catholic, H.C. Pine Grove, W.H.
Pine Grove, W.H. Evergreen, E.H. Pine Grove, W.H. Pine Grove, W.H. Evergreen, E.H.
147
Mt. Pleasant, H.P. Mt. Pleasant, H.P. Island Pond, H.C.
Island Pond, H.C. Evergreen, E.H. Mt. Pleasant, H.P.
December: 31. 24 Baby Girl Baker 32. 30 Daniel Bassett
70
6 Leukemia Hypostatic pneumonia
76
Glomerubonephritis Uremia
14.
71
80 Heart Disease
82 Coronary occlusion
1 hr.
80 Acute cardiac decompensation
26. 11 Charles Howard Doane 27. 29 Edna Freeman (Baker)
29. 16 Ida Mae Hoxie Robbins 30. 14 Gladys Doane
Evergreen, E.H. Evergreen, E.H.
24 Pamela Jones 12.
148
Report
of the
School Committee
and the
Superintendent of Schools
For the Year Ending December 31, 1953
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1953
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Channing N. Baker, Chairman Term Expires 1954
Mrs. Margaret Leonard, Secretary Term Expires 1955 Term Expires 1956
E. Gorham Nickerson
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Herbert E. Hoyt, A.M.
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Edward E. Taylor
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
Arthur J. D'Elia, M.D. Norris G. Orchard, M.D.
SCHOOL NURSE
Adelyn J. Peabody, R.N.
149
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Expended 1953
Needed 1954
General Control:
Superintendent of Schools
Enforcement of Law- Salaries
$4,250.00
Other expenses of General Control
893.97
$5,143.97
$5,510.00
Instruction:
Supervisors
$6,327.79
Principals and Teachers
84,863.66
Textbooks
2,000.74
Supplies
3,791.54
$96,983.73
109,029.00
Operation:
Janitors
$8,485.04
Fuel
5,124.08
Miscellaneous (Electricity,
Gas, Janitor Supplies)
4,343.41
$17,952.53
20,195.00
Maintenance:
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
3,019.35
3,000.00
Auxiliary Agencies:
Libraries
$508.44
Health-Nurse & Supplies
868.65
Transportation
9,982.80
Miscellaneous: (Graduation, Telephone, Rubbish disposal,
Teachers' expenses, etc.)
1,396.51
$12,756.40
15,675.00
Outlay:
New Grounds and Buildings
New Equipment
1,065.78
1,350.00
Totals
$136,921.76
$154,759.00
Appropriation-1953
$136,855.00
Refunds
68.29
$136,923.29
Expenditure-1953
136,921.76
$1.53
150
NET COST OF SCHOOLS-1953
$136,921.76
Expenditure
Accounts Receivable:
School Funds and State Aid Chapter 70
$16,482.41
Transportation-Chapter 71
5,098.84
City of Boston:
Tuition and Transportation
454.92
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Tuition and Transportation
414.18
Rental of High School Auditorium
20.00
Miscellaneous (Shop materials
60.94
Telephone Refunds:
Town of Chatham
130.00
Town of Eastham
38.85
Town of Orleans
87.68
22,787.82
Net Cost-1953
$114,133.94
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ACCOUNT-1953
Appropriation-1953
$500.00
Carried over from 1952
100.51
Receipts-1953
677.25
$1,277.76
Expended-1953
752.02
Carried over to 1954 available funds
$525.74
Requested for 1954
$500.00
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION-1953
1953 Appropriation Expended
$1,000.00
253.90
$746.10
Received on account of Vocational Education for the year ending August 31, 1952
$370.47
Requested for 1954
$1,000.00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
$450.00
Appropriation-1953 Expended
450.00
Requested for 1954
$450.00
SPECIAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACCOUNTS-1953 High School
Receipts
Expense
Carried forward from 1952
$2,461.02
Sales of School Lunches-1953
5,838.19
Federal Subsidies-1953
1,749.95
Salaries
$2,357.75
Equipment
100.13
Food & Supplies
4,792.24
Totals
$10,049.16
$7,250.12
to Pupils, Lost Books, etc.)
151
Elementary School
Carried forward from 1952
$1,809.23
Sales of School Lunches-1953
12,060.71
Federal Subsidies-1953
3,752.75
Visiting Nurse Association-1953
242.25
Salaries Equipment
$4,767.14
Food & Supplies
542.04 11,390.33
Totals
$17,864.94
$16,699.51
REPORT OF THE JOHNSON-ULM MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Total of Fund
Working fund, January 1, 1953
$835.51
March dividend
437.50
April Interest
5.29
July Refund
50.00
September dividend
437.50
October interest
12.23
$1,778.03
1,778.03
Expended for Scholarships
950.00
Statement of account as of Dec. 31, 1953
$35,828.03
Tuition scholarships have been granted to the following persons for the school year 1953-1954.
Edna Baker
Wheaton College
Mary Belle Barker
Bridgewater College
Sally Boynton
Fitchburg College
Estrid Eklof
Boston University
Marilyn Hanson
Framingham College
Elaine Hopkins
Univ. of Pennsylvania
Josephine Keefe
Mt. St. Mary College
Marjorie Leonard
Bridgewater College
Charles Monterio
Boston University
Patricia Tobey
Bates College
PAUL A. MORRIS, Chairman CHANNING N. BAKER MRS. E. JAMES LEONARD E. GORHAM NICKERSON HERBERT E. HOYT, Secretary Johnson-Ulm Memorial Scholarship Committee
$35,000.00
$36,778.03
152
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Harwich:
Mr. Channing Baker was elected chairman, and Mrs. Margaret Leonard secretary at the February meeting of the School Committee. We have met twice a month during the year, and had special meetings as often as necessary. We have also met with the Union School Committee twice this past year.
The problem of increased enrollment and the solution was one of great concern, and the committee was grateful to the townspeople for voting an addition to our building to take care of our housing needs. We are in hopes that this addition will be ready for occupancy in September, so that we may not have to resort to double sessions for some of the grades.
The crowded condition which now exists in the elemen- tary school will reach the High School by 1958, and the com- mittee is in favor of giving a regional High School a great deal of consideration.
With the retirement of Mrs. Clarence Nickerson, prin- cipal of the Elementary School in June, and Mr. Paul A. Morris, Principal of the High School in November causing vacancies, the committee met with Superintendent Herbert E. Hoyt and interviewed candidates for these positions. Mr. Benjamin J. Bump was elected to replace Mrs. Nickerson, and Mr. Chauncey Mackay was elected to replace Mr. Morris.
An additional music supervisor was recommended by the Union School Committee, and Mr. Salvatore Piccolo was elec- ted to this position. He will have charge of the instrumental program and will develop school orchestras, and also a Union orchestra or band.
We refer you to the reports of Mr. Hoyt, and the reports of the supervisors, because we believe that they present a clear picture of our schools and their accomplishments. The growth in our school population means a growth in our school
153
budget, and we, as a committee, realize the importance of our work to provide the best education and to spend wisely the funds appropriated for this purpose.
Our teachers, through their organization, the Harwich Teachers' Association, have approached the School Commit- tee with a salary schedule they would like to have adopted. We have met with the teachers' committee several times, and have their proposed schedule under consideration.
We take this opportunity to thank the townspeople for their cooperation with us in our effort to give the town the best possible return educationally for the money they invest in our school system.
Respectfully submitted,
CHANNING N. BAKER MARGARET LEONARD E. GORHAM NICKERSON Harwich School Committee
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee and Citizens of Harwich:
I take pleasure in submitting my seventh annual report as your Superintendent of Schools.
For the last several years, the country-wide growth in school population together with increased costs have accen- tuated certain problems which have been discussed in every annual school report. The most pressing of these problems have been the ever-increasing need for more space, the grow- ing shortage of teachers due to the fact that we need more and more teachers each year as our numbers increase and that fewer young people are entering the teaching profession because of more attractive financial returns in other fields, and the increased cost of education with its resulting burden of tax on real estate.
In Harwich, we have gone a long way toward solving our problems, but the following pages will show that we must not rest complacent in the belief that we have solved all of them.
154
SPACE NEEDS
The completion of the new elementary addition will solve space needs at that level for many years to come., but we should keep in mind that we have relieved the high schoool problem by housing the seventh grade in the Brooks Building. The seventh grade will be housed in the elementary building, but eventually space needs for the first six grades will make it necessary to return the seventh grade to the high school which will necessitate increased facilities at that level. The following table shows the enrollment of the various grades at the time this report is being written, and each year moves the grades along one position on the chart. Our pre-school census indicates that our first graders will number from 75- 85 children, so the figure of 80 has been taken as an estimate. At present, we are using 15 classrooms for grades 1-7 plus 1 room for our special class, and each year as we enter classes requiring three divisions, we shall need one more class room. This means that by the fall of 1958 we must make other pro- visions for the seventh grade.
By using the small art room and the laboratory at the high school, we shall have room enough until 1958. While the special needs mentioned in previous reports-a central li- brary, an adequate gymnasium, and a modern science labor- atory-are important, our accommodations will suffice until 1958.
Grade
1953-54
54-55
55-56
56-57
57-58
58-59
59-60
1
85
80
80
80
80
80
80
2
64
85
80
80
80
80
80
3
56
64
85
80
80
80
80
4
52
56
64
85
80
80
80
5
52
52
56
64
85
80
80
6
57
52
52
56
64
85
80
7
42
57
52
52
56
64
85
8
42
42
57
52
52
56
64
9
42
42
42
57
52
52
56
10
31
42
42
42
57
52
52
11
35
31
42
42
42
57
52
12
29
35
31
42
42
42
57
Rooms Needed
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
High
8
9
9
10
10
10
10
Elem.
16
17
18
19
20
21
'22
155
Rooms Available:
High: 5 large rooms with capacity of 35 3 small rooms with capacity of 20 1 Art room
1 Laboratory
10
Elem .:
20 regular rooms
1 all-purpose room
21
FINANCE
Each year the annual school report has contained a table comparing school cost over a five year period.
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953*
Total cost of schools-
$121,885.52
$127,663.83
$117,807.16
$136,509.06
$136,800.00
Reimbursements-
33,767.20
27,086.69
17,306.74
20,487.53
22,300.00
Net Cost to Town-
88,118.23
100,577.14
100,500.42
116,021.53
114,500.00
Valuation of Town-
9,746,480.00
10,463,530.00
11,273,720.00
12,281,040.00
12,500,000.00
Tax for Schools-
9.02
9.70
8.91
9.45
9,16
No. of Pupils, Oct. 1-
480
507
530
543
591
Gross Cost per Pupil- 253.92
251.80
222.32
251.40
231.47
Net Cost per Pupil- 183.58
198.37
189.62
213.67
193.74
* Since this report is written in November, these figures are estimates.
A cursory study of this table will show that our school costs have increased in proportion to other costs. A more careful study will show that our valuation has increased so rapidly that the tax for schools has not increased appreciably during the last five years. It will also show that our increased enrollment has kept our per pupil cost down to a reasonable figure.
The total cost for schools in 1953 is about the same as in 1952 because of the fact that in 1952 we had heavy expenses for the re-conditioning of Brooks Building. Our budget for 1954 will show a larger increase because of the necessity of
156
opening two more rooms, larger expenditures for books and supplies, and an increase in salaries. If we are to attract and hold good teachers in Harwich, we must pay adequate salaries. For the last several years, we have had a rapid turnover in teachers, and while there have been many reasons for losing these teachers, salary has been a contributing factor.
PERSONNEL
The retirement of both Principal Paul A. Morris and Prin- cipal Ethalene Nickerson, together with several resignations in each school resulted in a 40% turnover in our faculty.
Mr. Benjamin J. Bump, our new elementary school prin- cipal, is a graduate of Bridgewater State Teachers' College and is at present working for his master's degree from the same college. He has taught and served as principal in the schools of Middleboro, Hanson, Whitman, Lakeville, and Natick.
Miss Maude Chase of Eastham was employed as teacher of Grade 1. She is a graduate of the Bridgewater State Teach- ers' College and taught in Greenfield for two years. Mrs. Hazel Knight and Mrs. Elizabeth MacArthur teach the two divisions of the second grade. Mrs. Knight holds both B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from Boston University and has studied at Bridge- water State Teachers' College and at Harvard. She has taught in several Massachusetts communities, and was formerly Ele- mentary Supervisor in the town of Barnstable. Mrs. Mac- Arthur is a graduate of Bridgewater State Teachers' College and has had several years of teaching experience in the schools of Wayland and Foxboro. Miss Elizabeth Baker who teaches grade 5 is a graduate of Emmanuel College. She is a resident of Yarmouth and did her practice teaching in Yar- mouth High School. Mr. John Smith was elected to teach in the departmentalized 6th and 7th grades at Brooks Academy. Mr. Smith is a graduate of Boston University and taught one year in Worthington, Massachusetts. Because of the increase in numbers in the 7th grade, Mrs. Anders Nelson has been employed to teach a second division. Mrs. Nelson taught in Harwich for several years prior to her marriage.
Mr. Chauncey MacKay was elected to replace Mr. Morris as principal of the High School. Mr. Mackay holds both a bachelor's and master's degree from Boston University and has served as principal and science teacher at Wellfleet, Mer- rimac, and Littleton. Mr. Charles E. Dunbar was elected to replace Mr. Bailey as boys' Physical education teacher and coach. Mr. Dunbar was graduated from Boston University in
157
1950 and had two years of experience at Perkins Institute. The girls' Physical education teacher and coach is Mrs. Joanne F. Brooks, a graduate of Bridgewater State Teachers' College in 1951 with two years of experience at the Norton High School. Mr. Ronald Dunn, a graduate of Boston University in the class of '52 did his practice teaching at Lynn English High School. He is teaching history and English. Miss Linette Tri- anjolo is our new commercial teacher. She is a graduate of the Bryant College in Providence.
Miss O'Toole, our Art Supervisor, resigned and was re- placed by Mr. C. Leo Ferris, a graduate of the Vesper George School of Art. Mr. Ferris taught art in Nantucket for five years prior to coming to the Cape.
The rapid growth in the towns of Union #19 has made it necessary to add a second instrumental music teacher to our supervisory staff. The new supervisor will be responsible for the whole program, but will devote his time to the high schools, while Mr. Gricius works in the elementary schools. The aim is to develop an orchestra in each school and a Union orchestra and band for all the towns of this Union. Mr. Salavatore Piccolo who was elected to this position is a graduate of the Molkin Conservatory of Music. He had sev- eral years of experience in Foxboro, Mansfield, and East Milli- nocket, Maine. For four years prior to coming to the Cape he was Supervisor of Music in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.
REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT
In addition to the routine repair items, the two-room commercial suite has been modernized and improved. The old fixed furniture has been removed and replaced with furniture better adapted for the work in these rooms. Mr. Halligan did a fine job of refinishing the floors in these rooms, and this work, together with the painting done a year ago, plus the new furniture has resulted in an attractive, efficient com- mercial department. The increased participation in typewrit- ing made it necessary to increase the number of typewriters and to move them into the larger of the two rooms, leaving the other for smaller commercial classes. All of the duplicat- ing machines have been moved into this department and are available for teaching purposes. During the next few years we hope to add other machines such as an electric typewriter and a dictaphone in order that the pupils may become famil- iar with all types of machines used in a modern office.
It was also necessary to purchase new equipment for the elementary school and the Brooks Building because of in- creased enrollment.
158
HOT LUNCH
It is doubtful whether many people realize that the hot lunch program has grown into a $15,000.00 business in the elementary school and an $8,000.00 business in the high school. Mrs. Ellis and her helpers at the elementary school and Mrs. Long and Mrs. Regan at the high school deserve much credit for the efficient manner in which they conduct their depart- ments. Not only do they serve appetizing, balanced meals which meet the requirements of 1/3 to 1/2 the daily nutrient requirements of a childl for the nominal charge of .25 per meal, but they have been doing this for the last several years without asking for any appropriation from the town. Exami- nation of the financial reports of both programs through November 1 will show that both have a slight profit and a sufficiently large balance so that again no appropriation will be requested.
Elementary School:
Balance brought forward for 1952 $2,476.11
Receipts January 1-November 1,
1953 $12,885.94
$15,362.05
Expenditures January 1 --
November 1, 1953 12,767.46
Balance November 1, 1953 $2,594.59
High School: .
Balance brought forward from 1952 $2,757.30
Receipts January 1-November 1, 1953 6,136.81
Expenditures January 1-
$8,894.11
November 1, 1953 5,961.64
Balance, November 1, 1953 $2,932.47
Of course, it would be impossible to show the favorable balance if it were not for the fact that the Federal Govern- ment subsidizes this program at the rate of .09 per meal and also gives the schools large amounts of surplus commodi- ties. It would appear to be poor management to carry such large balances, but this is necessary because our Federal subsidy checks are always several months in arrears and we need working capital while waiting for these payments.
159
CONCLUSION
In closing, I call your attention to the other reports and statistical tables. Careful reading of these will give a clear picture of your school department. No mention has been made of the Audubon Nature Study or the Driver Education Course, because these have become an accepted part of our school program and are understood and approved by all. I call your attention to the report of Mr. Piccolo concerning the high school instrumental program. Both Mr. Piccolo and Mr. Gricius are working hard toward the development of individual town orchestras and a Union orchestra. The rising interest in instrumental music made it necessary to hire a second insstrumental supervisor and we expect to have orchestras which will be outstanding in this area.
This has been a successful year. The School Committee has devoted many hours to the careful consideration of all problems and no decisions have been reached until all aspects of the case have been considered. The teachers have given their best to their jobs and our schools have run smoothly. The high school ran smoothly and efficiently for three months without a principal. Mr. LeClaire and Mr. Nelson are to be congratulated for their work as co-principals during this period and the rest of the faculty for their splendid co- operation.
We who are directly connected with the important busi- ness of education realize that nothing could be accomplished without the active support of the citizens of the town. That we have had this support is evident in the fact that during the last few years the Town of Harwich has spent $825,000.00 to provide adequate elementary school space needs. We are doing, and shall continue to do everything in our power to develop the best possible educational program for the children of Harwich.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. HOYT
Superintendent
160
Report of the Principal of the High School
As I write this report, I have been associated with the Harwich High School for just four days. Obviously, during that brief period I have been unable to learn very much concerning the progress of the high school during the past year.
On Friday, November 20, I completed my service with the Littleton High School. Monday, November 23, found me in Harwich. I came into a school which had been organized and started over two months before. I knew neither the faculty nor the students. I was not, acquainted with the proceedures or the customs. As a result I feel unable to render the usual principal's report. Rather, I have chosen to report upon some observations of the past few days.
I found the high school running smoothly. Important to me was the fact that apparently everyone knew what to do and when to do it. This is a compliment to the acting princi- pals, Mr. LeClaire and Mr. Nelson, who had carried on until my arrival. They had together made the many necessary decisions and had attended to matters which required attention.
I consider that the faculty of the high school deserve to be complimented. The teacher is the school. Modern school plants and abundant facilities aid the capable teacher in his or her work. I have read from previous town reports and have been otherwise informed that past graduates have done exceedingly well. This is distinct evidence of the effective teaching of the high school faculty.
I must confess that I am not yet sufficiently informed to report on many aspects of the various departments and activi- ties of the high school. I have been impressed however, with the enthusiasm and co-operation of the student council. Here is an organization in which the student members have the opportunity to manage and supervise their own activities. The student council in the high school has been organized only since September yet is well on the way toward becoming a forceful influence in democratic student participation in
161
school affairs. In no better way may students learn to conduct themselves properly than by actual practice such as is gained in this organization. I congratulate the student council upon an excellent beginning toward what should become increased participation, with consequent responsibili- ties, in school government.
The facilities of the Household Arts Department are unusually fine especially for a school the size of Harwich High School. I consider it wise to provide all the opportunities possible for those taking this course.
I have already observed that the library facilities are not adequate. The library should be in a room where it can be supervised and properly cared for. Adequate high school library facilities are invaluable in providing enriching mater- ial to the class room work.
The Science Department requires equipment for labora- tory work. It is impossible at present to find sufficient equip- ment so that the students may individually perform the necessary experiments.
It has been brought to my attention that there are not separate showers for boys and girls. This is most unfortunate. This situation should be remedied as soon as possible.
This report would be incomplete without tribute to the excellent work of Mr. Paul A. Morris, my predecessor. His guidance and administrative ability must have been of the highest quality for the Harwich High School reflects his influence in a most commendable way. From the results that I have observed, Mr. Morris has reason to be proud of his work as he left it.
Respectfully submitted,
C. D. MacKay
Principal of the High School
162
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The question, "What's wrong with our schools?", arises so often that is seems as if we should speak of some of the things that are RIGHT with our schools.
We have a modern twelve room building staffed by an excellent corps of teachers of whom the citizens of Harwich have good reason to be proud.
Our school has caught the "Disease" of overcrowdedness but the people of this town have been farsighted enough to take care of these conditions by voting to add ten more class- rooms and an all purpose room to the present building. Com- pletion of this addition is promised by September 1954.
A School Safety Patrol has been organized to help pro- mote good citizenship and safety. Girls as well as boys are members of the patrol and their duties range from messen- ger service to playground safety supervision and lunchroom assistance. The Massachusetts Safety Council is sponsor of the project.
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