USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1913-1922 > Part 16
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Claire A. Campbell, School Committee for three years.
Leslie E. Chase, Tax Collector and Constable.
H. T. Moore and W. B. Higgins, Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark.
J. A. Cobb and J. P. Knowles, Fence Viewers.
D. W. Sparrow, Pound Keeper.
J. A. Cobb, A. L. Gill, Obed Fulcher, Field Drivers.
A. H. Nickerson, E. L. Knowles and C. C. Daniels, Fish Wardens.
Voted 26 No, 7 Yes, on the question, Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?
Voted a vote of thanks to Miss A. May Knowles, the retir- ing School Committee, for her services to the town.
Voted that the Town Warrants be printed at the expense of the Town.
38
Voted that the rate for collecting taxes be the same as last year, i. e., 2%.
Voted the following appropriations :
Miscellaneous,
$1,500.00
Schools,
2,500.00
Bridges,
50.00
Oil Roads,
300.00
Sand Roads,
100.00
Soldiers' Relief Aid,
400.00
Snow,
200.00
Poor,
100.00
Town Hall Note,
200.00
Oil Roads Notes,
780.00
Interest,
200.00
Abatements,
100.00
Cattle Inspectors,
100.00
Public Library,
25.00
Voted that all money available in the treasury be used to reduce the assessment.
Voted that the refunded dog tax be given to the schools.
Voted that the care of the poor be left in the hands of the Overseers of the Poor.
Voted, That the care of the roads be left in the hands of the Road Surveyor under the direction of the Selectmen.
Voted, That the Collector of Taxes be given the same power which the Town Treasurer has when appointed Col- lector of Taxes.
Voted, That the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the taxes of the muni- cipal year beginning Jan. 1, 1918, to an amount not exceed- ing in the aggregate $3,000 and to issue a note or notes
39
therefor payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the taxes of said municipal year.
Voted, That the town appropriate the sum of $250.00 under the provisions of Chap. 264, Acts of 1917.
Voted, To appropriate $100 for suppressing the gypsy and brown tail moths.
Voted, To appropriate $50.00 to repair the bad place in the road near the residence of C. H. Robinson, the work to be done by the Road Surveyor under the supervision of the Selectmen.
Voted, To appropriate $75.00 for a stove to heat the Se- lectmen's room.
Voted, Not to accept the road as laid out by the Select- men from W. H. Forrest's land to the State Road.
Voted, To appropriate $50.00 to be expended by the Cape Cod Farm Bureau for boys' and girls' club, work on agricul- tural demonstration work in the Town of Eastham.
Voted, To appropriate $40.00 for the improvement of its old cemetery.
Voted, A Vote of thanks to the Eastham Grange for a service flag presented to the town.
Voted, To pay the moderator $5.00.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JULY 15TH.
Fred F. Dill, Moderator.
Voted, That the Town Treasurer honor orders of the School Committee to the amount of $400.00 over and above the town appropriation.
Voted, That the Town Treasurer honor orders of the School Committee to the extent of $290.00 to pay the tuition to the Vocational School.
40
Voted, That the Town Treasurer honor the order of the Selectmen to pay N. P. Clark's bill of $64.45.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE T. DILL,
Town Clerk.
Public Library
The Trustees of the Public Library respectfully submit their annual report including the Treasurer's and the Librarian's report. The Trustees considered it their duty during the progress of the war to mark time on expenditures other than the necessary repairs and routine expenditures of magazines.
The Trustees regret that the epidemic of Spanish influenza compelled them to close the Library for about six weeks.
About seventy-five new books have been purchased which should be ready to issue by the time the Library is reopened.
The Trustees extend their thanks to all who have con- tributed books or magazines during the year.
A. L. NICKERSON, Chairman, A. W. PARNELL, Secretary, F. F. DILL,
Trustees.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Cash in Treasury, Jan. 1, 1918,
$118.14
Dividend from New England Trust Co., Jan. 1, 262.50
Dividend from New England Trust Co., July 1, 280.00 Credit on returned books from C. W. Magathlin, Town's appropriation, 25.00
2.56
$688.20
42
Expenditures.
A. H. Nickerson, removing flag pole topmast, $4.00
L. G. Horton, transportation of books, 16.00
W. G. Smith, insurance, 7.10
Henry Harding, services at No. Eastham sub station, 10.00
George T. Dill, disbursements on $691.23 at 1%,
6.91
L. G. Horton, coal and delivery of same,
24.00
Julia M. Ryder, services as librarian,
13.50
Sarah B. Clark, services,
9.00
DeWolff & Fiske Co., books,
38.80
Gaylord Bros., supplies,
5.30
Library of Congress, cards,
10.00
C. W. Megathlin, books,
10.35
Clarington Smith, transportation of books,
25.00
Blanche A. Keefe, services as librarian,
39.00
Julia F. Smith, care of books and magazines, So. Eastham, 5.00
Sarah B. Clark, services,
1.13
Blanche A. Keefe, services as librarian,
13.50
Gas Engine Pub. Co., sub. to magazine,
.70
L. E. Chase, gasoline,
1.45
Pictorial Review Co., sub. to magazine,
3.00
Mrs. H. D. Nickerson, care of books and maga- zines, So. Eastham,
5.00
Hurd & Smith, supplies,
1.03
Harvey F. Moore, labor and stock,
12.50
Emma M. Garrison, magazine subscriptions,
50.50
Rose B. Nickerson, services as librarian, 39.00
E. W. Myrick, labor, 19.20
43
A. H. Nickerson, wood,
2.00
Rose B. Nickerson, services as librarian,
24.00
$396.97
Cash on hand,
291.23
$688.20
A. L. NICKERSON, Chairman, A. W. PARNELL, Secretary, FRED F. DILL.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Number of books in Library,
4,615
Added during year :
Adult by purchase,
32
Adult by gift,
18
Juvenile by purchase,
28
Juvenile by gift,
12
Total,
90
Circulation :
Adult fiction,
3,416
Adult non-fiction,
327
Adult magazines,
1,045
Juvenile fiction,
1,195
Juvenile non-fiction,
346
Juvenile magazines,
148
Total, 6,477
44
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1918,
$3.74
Received from fines,
12.00
$15.74
Paid for kerosene,
$8.00
For burners,
5.00
For mantles,
1,20
Miscellaneous,
1.00
15.20
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1919,
$ .54
ROSE B. NICKERSON, Librarian.
1
45
TREASURER'S REPORT.
In Trust
Robert C. Billings Fund, $14,000.00 Income to be used for the support of the Public Library.
Receipts
Jan. 1 Cash in treasury, $118.14
Jan. 15 Received New England Trust Co., div., 262.50
July 15 Received New England Trust Co., div., 280.00
July 24 Received C. W. Megathlin for books returned, 2.56
Dec. 31 Received Town Appropriation, 25.00
$688.20
Expenditures.
Paid orders of Trustees, $396.97
Jan. 1,1919, cash in treasury,
291.23
$688.20
GEORGE T. DILL,
Treasurer.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
School Committee AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE
TOWN OF EASTHAM
FOR THE YEAR
1918
OF EA
TOWN
INC
HAUSET 1620
651.
HARWICH, MASS. : H. M. SMALL, PRINTER 1919
School Organization
ALBION F. RICH, Chairman RUSSELL D. WILEY
CLAIRE CAMPBELL, Resigned
GEORGE T. DILL, Appointed
Term expires 1919
Term expires 1920
Expiration of term 1921 Term expires 1919
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT (Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham) LORING G. WILLIAMS
JANITOR FRANK ELLISON
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
LESLIE E. CHASE
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN R. J. MARVEL, M. D.
49
Pupils Attending Orleans High School Since September, 1918.
Seniors.
Nathan Kelley (left Sept. 25)
Raymond Mayo Lucille Mayo
Charles Knowles Vesta Gross Abbie Nickerson
Juniors.
John Crosby Maurice Moore
Ina Nickerson
Clayton Horton Emma Fulcher Doris Penniman
Sophomores.
Nathan Nickerson
Virginia Nickerson
Anna Habash Esther Sparrow
Cynthia Ellis (Entered Jan. 3, 1919)
Freshmen.
Charles Brown Abbott Knowles Sadie Chase Minnie Gill
Evelyn Mayo Lewis Collins Wm. Russell (Left Oct. 22) Emily Daniels
Ruth Habash
Attending Agricultural Department at Harwich.
Edward Gill
50
School Calendar, 1919.
Winter Term.
Monday, Dec. 30, 1918 to March 21, 1919-12 weeks.
Spring Term.
Monday, March 31, 1919 to May 30-9 weeks.
Note: The above is the regular schedule. On account of lost time this year such changes may be made as deter- mined by the committee.
Fall Term.
Tuesday, Sept. 2 to December 19-15 weeks.
Report of School Committee
Financial Report of School Committee for year ending, Dec. 31, 1918 :
Available Funds.
Massachusetts school fund,
$1,454.64
Refunded dog tax,
74.07
From City of Boston for tuition, 193.39
Rebate on Superintendent's salary, 125.00
Rebate on transportation of High School pupils, 1,014.00
Rebate on tuition of High School pupils, 1,600.00
Town's appropriation for schools, 2,500.00
Allowed to draw by vote of Special Town meeting, 400.00
$7,361.10
Expenditures.
Center School transportation,
$1,106.50
High School transportation,
920.00
Teachers' salaries,
1,956.00
Supervisor Music and Drawing,
83.34
Superintendent's salary,
315.03
Superintendent's expenses,
14.42
Janitor's salary,
306.00
Janitor's extra labor,
55.88
Supplies and text books,
234.22
Fuel,
140.40
52
Insurance,
38.00
Committee's salary,
100.00
Committee's expenses,
4.68
Miscellaneous,
66.77
Attendance officer,
15.00
Repairs,
192.81
High School tuition,
1,600.00
Medical examination,
25.00
Balance,
187.05
$7,361.10
Industrial School Account.
Rebate on Industrial School,
$145.00
Allowed to draw,
145.00
$290.00
Expenditures.
Agricultural School tuition,
$270.00
Balance,
20.00
$290.00
Estimated Receipts for Year 1919.
Massachusetts School Fund,
$1,400.00
Refunded dog tax, 70.00
City of Boston, tuition,
150.00
Rebate on Superintendent's salary,
125.00
Rebate on transportation High School pupils,
780.00
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Rebate tuition, 1,600.00
Town's appropriation for schools (recommended), 3,550.00
$7,675.00
Estimated Expenses.
Center School transportation,
$1,184.00
High School transportation,
1,040.00
Teachers' salaries,
2,150.00
Supervisor of Music and Drawing,
90.00
Superintendent's salary,
320.04
Superintendent's expenses,
15.00
Janitor's salary,
333.00
Janitor's extra labor,
55.00
Supplies and text books,
250.00
Fuel,
150.00
Insurance,
38.00
Committee's salary,
100.00
Committee's expenses,
25.00
Miscellaneous,
100.00
Attendance officer,
10.00
Repairs,
100.00
High School tuition,
1,600.00
Medical examination,
25.00
Grounds,
50.00
Balance,
39.96
$7,675.00
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Estimates for Vocational Tuition.
Rebate on Industrial School,
$135.00
Appropriation recommended,
65.00
$200.00
ALBION F. RICH,
Chairman.
GEORGE T. DILL,
Secretary.
RUSSELL D. WILEY.
Report of Superintendent
To the School Committee :
Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit my eleventh annual report for your consideration.
Census of School Children April 1st, 1918.
Boys.
Girls.
Totals.
Persons between 5 and 7 years. 8
9
17
Persons between 7 and 14 years. . 29
39
68
Persons between 14 and 16 years. 15
10
25
Totals
52
58
110
Attendance December, 1918.
Boys.
Girls. Totals.
Number pupils attending in Eastham .. 39
37
76
Number pupils attending Harwich Agri- cultural Department . 1
0
Number pupils attending Orleans High. . 9
15
24
-
Totals
49
52
101
56
Employees of School Committee
Superintendent, 1
Supervisor of Music and Drawing,
1
Principal,
1
Teachers,
2
Janitor,
1
Auto buses for transportation both High and Elementary,
2
Attendance Data, Year Ending June, 1918.
State and City wards attending,
8
Resident pupils enrolled,
83
Number enrolled, Orleans High, 26
Aggregate attendance, 10,879
Average daily attendance,
66
Average membership,
71
Average number days school was in session,
166
Percentage of attendance,
93
FINANCIAL.
High cost of living applies in the administration of the schools as well as in the home or the industrial world. Expenses and salaries have increased during the year. At a special meeting of the Town held in July $400 additional appropriation was granted for school expenses. But for this amount the appropriation at the annual meeting would have been overdrawn. The long time schools have been closed
57
because of the influenza epidemic has left unexpended a balance in the treasury. The amount recommended for the schools for the present year will be found at the end of the committee's financial statement.
A new law has been enacted regarding the distribution of the Massachusetts School Fund. A report of expenditures of the schools and also a report of total expenditures of the town must be made and returned to the State Board of Education on or before February 1st each year. The distri- bution is hereafter to be made March 10th instead of January 20th as formerly.
It is not known how the amount of this fund will be effected for Eastham. This income has been considerable in the past and it is probable no great change can be made in the amount.
A minimum teachers' salary law passed the legislature last winter to take effect Jan. 1, 1919. This law requires that every teacher must receive at least a yearly salary of $550. Towns of less than one million dollars valuation are exempt from the requirement. This then does not force Eastham to this measure, but it might as well have done so, and the committee have recognized this fact that Eastham can't compete for teachers unless we can meet salaries of towns around. We, virtually, are forced to adopt the law. Because of state exemption to Eastham and other small towns, the legislature has really committed itself to further state aid to these towns. That, of course, if considered at all, will come sometime in the future.
Another law which has been revised is one that no doubt will effect Eastham financially. We have been reimbursed in full for High school tuition and High School transporta- tion. By the revised law Eastham is entitled to full reim- bursement for High School tuitions, but not for High School
58
transportation. The law provides in substance as follows:
If the expenditure per thousand dollars valuation from proceeds of local taxation for support of schools, for the three town fiscal years preceding any school year, averaged more than four and not more than five dollars, the town shall be reimbursed one half the amount paid.
If the expenditure for same purpose and under same con- ditions was between five and six dollars three-fourths reim- bursement will be received, and full reimbursement if the average is more than six dollars.
Eastham's average for the past three years has been between five and six dollars. This will mean a loss of prob- ably $250 per year.
THE WORK OF THE YEAR.
TEACHERS.
Mr. Otto E. Makerson succeeded Mr. Feeney as principal of the school. Mr. Nickerson is well known to Eastham parents and , people. His preparation, personality and ability especially well fit him for the position. Miss Lucille Blanchard, a graduate of Fitchburg Normal succeeds Miss Abbie Nickerson in the Intermediate School. She is getting excellent results. And Miss Florence W. Keith remains in the Primary School.
In spite of the great scarcity of teachers, especially in men and to a large degree in women I feel that . Eastham is especially fortunate this year in being able to secure and keep such an able corps of teachers. Because of it, wood- working and sewing and cookery are continued this year, with all other courses and school activities under excellent supervision.
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MANUAL TRAINING.
The work in manual training has been mostly in finishing work that was started last year. The sewing closet has been finished and put up, and the cupboard has been com- pleted. Draining boards, a backstop, and a bench have been made. Some staining has also been done. Because of the lack of lumber a great many odd jobs have been done during this period both in the school rooms and outside. When the present work on hand is finished the building of at least two bird houses will be required of each boy. Prizes are to be offered and the best work of each one will be encouraged.
COOKING AND SEWING.
The work in sewing followed very closely the plan laid out a year ago. The children were taught patching, darning, button-hole making, sewing on of buttons, making of under- wear and dresses.
This fall, in addition to the work planned we are getting material from the Special Aid,-garments for children and patchwork for tops of crib quilts.
The main object in cooking has been to provide nourishing and palatable lunches as inexpensively as possible. The girls work in groups, planning, preparing, cooking and serving the lunches, washing the dishes afterwards. It is also their duty to keep an accurate account of each day's profit or loss. They are doing very well all the lines of work required and it is a great pleasure to be with them both in sewing and cooking.
. I have given the exact words of Mr. Nickerson and Miss Keith in their report of the Woodworking and Household Arts courses.
60
ATTENDANCE.
The attendance has been generally good during the school year ending June, 1918. The Roll of Honor shows a goodly number who have been neither absent nor tardy for one- half year or for a longer time. I know it is not easy to be perfect in attendance for a half year, and I know it is harder to be perfect in attendance for a whole year, and then for two, three or more years continuously, in perfect attendance, is, I am sure, a very difficult thing. Such pupils have been blessed with good fortune and possess a determina- tion and an attitude toward life which in the very beginning have pronounced ear-marks of success. I wish every boy and girl might read this and make a New Year's resolution to gain perfect attendance ; at any rate, let every one be just as near perfect as he can.
HEALTH.
In my last year's report I suggested a School or District Nurse. I do not know as such a suggestion is practical, be- cause of the difficulties to overcome. If the Union Superin- tendency District be considered as the unit, the distance and greatness of the field is to be carefully considered ; then the expense of it all, and possibly there are other obstacles. But in the light of our experience with contagious diseases of children in the schools and in the homes during the several years just past, isn't it worth while to attempt to overcome the obstacles ? The influenza has been an ex- ceptionally difficult thing. No one claims to know any remedy. Cape Cod has treated it probably as well as it has been done anywhere. But for the many children's dis- eases which interrupt our schools and our attendance year after year, it seems to me there is needed closer supervision
61
than school physicians have the time for. Let us all-town authorities, school committee, parents and people-think about it, and so find some method of better handling the matter.
HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY.
The good work of the Eastham schools along the lines of Practical Arts for boys and girls may be continued by them when they reach High School in Orleans. And may I say right here that Eastham has excellent schools? I feel strongly that there are none better in any rural section. And I feel, too, that Eastham pupils after finishing their elementary work are especially fortunate in their High School.
Orleans High School offers to these pupils strong four- year courses -- a Classical course, fitting for college ; a Scien- tific course fitting for college or Technical school, and & General course, with enough of English, mathematics, science, bookkeeping, history and Practical Arts subject to round them out educationally and prepare them for the duties of life, whether in the home or afield. The High school is indispensable almost in these days, and that the parents of Eastham realize this is true, for twenty-six East- ham pupils have been enrolled in the High School this present year.
REPAIRS AND EQUIPMENT.
The general repairs of the buildings have been kept up and necessary equipment has been provided. It was found necessary to re-cover the outside wall of the front end of the Grammar building and also to put in a new sill. New storm doors have been put on all outside entrances.
62
The rearrangement of the Intermediate and Primary rooms to give proper lighting is a very important matter. This was a policy adopted some time ago by the committee. One room in the Grammar was fixed-the others for financial reasons remain untouched. When making the appropriation we may feel that one more improvement is being made in the interest and welfare of the children.
Respectfully submitted,
LORING G. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools.
Eastham, Jan. 13, 1919.
Report of Agricultural Inspector
Superintendent L. G. Williams, Harwich, Mass. :
Sir :- I herewith submit to you the seventh annual report of the Harwich High School Agricultural Department.
For the past few years live educators throughout the coun- try have realized that the public school system as it exists, fails to educate the greater majority of pupils. As a result of their efforts experimental courses have been introduced in such practical subjects as Domestic Science, Manual Train- ing, Commercial Courses, Engineering and Agriculture.
Massachusetts has been one of the pioneer states in carry- ing out these suggestions, but even yet figures show that only five per cent. of the children who enter public schools con- tinue their studies through high school and college. In other words, ninety-five per cent. of the children of Massachusetts go out into life with no practical preparation for earning a living.
During the great world conflict the scarcity of labor was so great that even the uneducated and unskilled laborer received exorbitant wages, but now that the war has ended the un- skilled and uneducated man will be the first to be thrown out of employment.
It is the desire of the Agricultural Department in the Har- wich High School to give the boys and girls a practical educa- tion so that they may be able to compete with the exigencies of the time. Our system aims to combine the practical and
64
theoretical by requiring the student to carry on throughout the year a project with the course of study. During the past year one of the students carried on a large farm of his own with remarkable results, while a number of others did credit- able work on up-to-date farms.
We wish you all to realize that our Agricultural Depart- ment exists not only for the benefit of the pupils enrolled there, but also for the town's people as well, and it is our de- sire to make it of greater value to you this year than ever before.
Now that the war is over many people are prone to feel that there is no special need of producing more food than is required for home consumption, but we must remember that there are millions of starving people in Europe, who must be fed and that it is our duty to help feed them. This can only be accomplished by producing more and better crops, and to this end we must use every means at our disposal. We wish to make this department an information bureau for agricultural problems. We shall endeavor to encourage the planting of War Gardens by both the children and adults, and to do every thing possible to improve agricultural con- ditions in Harwich.
We have eight pupils enrolled in our department this year and expect several more. I am pleased to state that this number compares very favorably with the enrollment of larger towns of the state. Three of our students are from out of town; one from Eastham, one from Wellfleet, and one from Dennis. I believe that the students which we have at the present time comprise the most energetic and interested class that has entered the department for some time. We have recently added several new, authentic, up-to-date, refer- ence books to our library, and we anticipate a very profitable year for the students.
65
A new law which was recently passed makes it possible for any person interested in agriculture, and who is over four- teen years old, to enter the course. We feel that there are several young men in town, who do not attend-the High School, who would find this course very beneficial to them, and we will gladly give special attention to any who may wish to enter.
In order that our Department may conform with the other departments of the state we have re-arranged our schedule as follows :
HARWICH HIGH SCHOOL.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Course of Study, Subject to Revision.
First and second-year students for the year 1918-1919 and all even years following.
English
Farm Arithmetic
Kitchen Gardening (This subject will be taught during the reconstruction period of the war.)
Small Animals (Poultry, Swine, Sheep and Bees.)
Project Study
Project Management and Work
General Farm Experience
First and second-year students for the year 1919-1920 and all odd years following.
English Kitchen Gardening Small Fruits Project Study
66
Project Management and Work General Farm Experience
Third and fourth-year students for the year 1918-1919 and all even years following.
English
Farm Records and Accounts
Farm Measurements and Mechanics
Soils and Fertilizers
Market Gardening
Orcharding
Project Study
Project Management and Work
Third and fourth-year students for the year 1919-1920 . and all odd years following.
English Farm Management
Farm Crops
Dairying
Animal Husbandry (Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle and Horses.)
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