USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1923-1931 > Part 12
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Glimpses of Pioneer life
Livingston
Great American industries : Manufactures, Transportation, Products of the soil and minerals Holland stories-
Little lost pigs
Little black rabbit (given)
Land of really true (given)
Little Blue Man (given)
Lights off shore
Long Trail boys at sweet water ranch
Dale Wilkins
Long Trail boys and the Grey Cloaks
Dale Wilkins
Long Trail boys and the Scarlet Sign
Dale Wilkins
Long Trail boys and the Vanishing Ryder
Dale Wilkins
Mark Tidd's Citadel
Clarence Kelland
Mark Tidd's Editor
Clarence Kelland
Mark Tidd's Manufacturer
Clarence Kelland
Mark Tidd in Italy
Clarence Kelland
Midshipman all (given)
F. Green Carolyn Wells
Marjory's Vacation (given)
Measure of a boy (given)
Walter Nichols
Microbe hunters (given)
Paul DeKruif
Northward Ho! (given)
Stefenson & Schuartz James Morgan
Our Presidents
Our Little Danish Cousins (given)
Innes
Our Little Italian Cousins (given)
Innes
Our Little Japanese Cousins (given) Our Little Boer Cousins (given)
Innes
Our Little Polish Cousins (given)
Innes
Our Little Scotch Cousins (given) Our Little Dutch Cousins (given) Out Door Girls on Cape Cod
Innes
Laura Hope
Pony Rider Boys on Blue Ridge
Patchin
Pony Rider Boys in New England
Patchin
Pony Rider Boys in Louisiana
Patchin
W. F. Rocheleau Mary E. Smith Helen Horton K. Duffield Olmstead G. Fanciulli Charles Durell
Innes
Innes
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Pony Rider Boys in Alaska
Patty Fairfield
Patty at home
Patty in the city
Patty's summer home
Patty in Paris
Patty's friends
Patty's pleasure trip
Patty's motor car
Patty's success
Peggy's playhouse
Products of the soil
Ruth Fielding at Golden Pass
Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island (replaced) Silent Scott (given)
Secret of Coffin Cove (given) Skipper of the Synthia B. Story of a wooly dog
Sand man's twilight stories
Seeing America (Mill and factory)
Seeing America (farm and field) Two little women (given)
Two little women and treasure house (given) C. Wells Tuning in at Lincoln High (given) Tod Hale with the crew (given) J. Gollomb Ralph Barbour Tale of Cuffy Bear Arthur Bailey Tale of Frisky Squirrel Arthur Bailey Arthur Bailey
Tale of Tommy Fox
Tale of Fatty Coon
Under the story tree
Under the Rowan tree (given)
With the Indians in the Rockies Young Forrester Jose our little Portuguese cousin (given)
Patchin Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Carolyn Wells Clara Hunt W. F. Rocheleau Alice Emerson Alice Emerson Constance Skinner Clayton Ernest Charles Durell Laura Hope Abbie Walker Pitkin & Hughes Pitkin & Hughes Carolyn Wells
Arthur Bailey Mable La Rue Abbie Brown J. Schultz Zane Grey Innes
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Jim Spurling leader (given) Joan Morse (given)
Albert Tolman Elizabeth White
BLANCHE A. KEEFE,
Librarian.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Town of Eastham
FOR
THE
YEAR
1926
OF EAS
TOWN
INC
NAUSET 1620
1651.
PRINTED ON CAPE COD BY F. B. & F. P. GOSS, HYANNIS
78
School Committee
Charles F. Atwood, Chairman
Mrs. F. F. Dill, Secretary Mrs. James Knowles
Term expires 1928
Term expires 1929
Term expires 1927
UNION SUPERINTENDENT (Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham) William F. Sims-Residence Harwich
JANITOR
George Hardwick
Attendance Officer
Walter F. Nickerson
School Physician Dr. A. P. Goff
School Nurse
Ada S. Creelman, R. N.
Residence-Brewster
79
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1927
Winter Term: 7 weeks-January 3 to February 18, 1927 Spring Term : 7 weeks-February 28 to April 15, 1927 Summer Term: 9 weeks-April 25 to June 24, 1927 Grammar Graduation, Wednesday, June 22, 1927 Fall Term: 16 weeks-September 6, 1927 to December 23, 1927 Winter Term: 7 weeks-January 3, 1928 to February 17 1928
PUPILS ATTENDING ORLEANS HIGH SCHOOL
September - December 1926
Class of 1927
Bertha Keefe John Knowles Catherine McCommick
Class of 1928
Doris Lee Francis Saunders
Jennie Rogers Robert Whiting
Elizabeth Howes
Class of 1929
Joseph King
Esther Knowles
Class of 1930
James Brown Albion Rich Maude Rogers
William Mahoney George W. Saunders Marion Southard
80
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Eastham :
Our report is concerned mostly with finances. For com- ment upon other matters pertaining to the schools we re- fer you to the report of the Superintendent and other offi- cials connected with the School Department.
We are reporting an unexpended balance of $1,046.12. Against this balance are outstanding bills amounting to $408.70, leaving a net unexpended balance of $637.42. The items in the unpaid bills are Heatrola, door checks and labor $237.75, school supplies $20.95 and estimated cost of the new windows of $150.00.
Our financial statement on the next page shows the costs of the different phases of our school work, such as general control, instruction, operation of the school plant, maintenance, health, transportation, tuition, etc.
We also give a summary statement which shows the actual income of the School Department other than the regular town appropriation from which it can be readily seen what has been the net cost of the schools to the Town.
ESTIMATES FOR 1927
We have estimated the total cost of the schools for 1927 to be approximately $13,750.00 which exceeds our estimate
81
of last year by $1,515.00. This increase in the estimate is explained mostly by the increase in operating expenses, maintenance, transportation and tuition. Our school oper- ating expenses have been increased by the employment of one janitor to take care of all the Town buildings nearly $200.00. For maintenance on account of orders from the State Inspector of Public Buildings there is already an out- standing bill of about $150.00. For transportation the in- creased contract cost is nearly 800.00. For tuition the in- crease is due to a raise in the tuition rate at the Orleans High School. In 1926 we paid for high school tuition $113.70 per pupil. In 1927 we shall have to pay $159.75 per pupil which is the actual cost per pupil to the Town of Orleans for high school education. This will give us a total for tuition approximately $2,557.00 instead of $1,375.60, the amount paid last year.
It is apparent, then, that so far as we are able to tell, our increases, most of which are for transportation and tuition and which can not be avoided, will total approxi- mately $2,331.40. However, we should remember that the commonwealth reimburses us for most of the cost of high school tuition and transportation.
We estimate the 1927 total income from state aid and tui- tion from city and state wards to be about $4,601.49. This will give an estimated net cost to the Town for schools about $9,148.51.
Respectfully submitted, CHAS. F. ATWOOD, NELLIE M. DILL, M. LOUISE KNOWLES,
School Committee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Eastham School Committee-Expenditures for the Fiscal Year, Jan. 1, 1926, to Dec. 31, 1926
General Class
Specific Class
Amount
Total
Needed for 1927
Committee Salary
$108 97
Insurance
145 70
Superintendent
404 96
General Control
Attendance Officer
15 00
Clerical Service
7 75
Miscellaneous
60 10
$742 48
$800 00
Teachers' Salaries
$4,440 82
Books
79 96
Supplies
217 35
$4,738 13
$5,000 00
Wages of Janitor
$541 24
Operation of School Plant
Fuel
277 05
Janitors' Supplies
21 75
$840 04
$1,100 00
Maintenance
Repairs
$223 42
$223.42
$350 00
Health
$409 96
Auxiliary Agencies
Transportation
2,859 25
Tuition
1,375 60
$4,644 81
$6,500 00
Total Expenditures
$11,188 88
$11,188 88
$13,750 00
Appropriations
$12.235 00
Expenditures
11,188.88
Unexpended Balance
$1,046 12
82
Expense of Instruction
83
1926 SUMMARY
Appropriation
$12,235 00
Receipts
High School Transportation, 1925 $1,662 90
High School Transportation and Tuition, 1926
2,379 69
For Superintendent 229 05
Part I of School Fund, due and not paid 640 00
Tuition City Wards 654 55
Net unexpended balance
637 42
$6,203 61
Net cost to the Town for the year 1926 $6,031 39
S4
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
SCHOOL STANDARDS
Improvement in organization as well as improvement in scholastic standards show little variation from year to year in a well established system of schools. This year we are more than usually concerned with securing better work in the class rooms. This is a difficult and serious matter and requires something more than fine equipment and skill- ful teachers.
I am making most of my Eastham report identical with my Orleans report because what I have said about the elementary schools of Orleans applies with equal force to the schools of Eastham and since nearly twenty-five per- cent of the Orleans High School pupils reside in Eastham my High School remarks are likewise fitting.
VENTILATION
1
While we have recently improved the heating and lighting of our school rooms we need to remember that the need for a better system of ventilation is equally urgent. On some days window ventilation is good and on others it is more harmful than good.
AN INEXPENSIVE SYSTEM
The State Inspection Department now approves of a jacketed heater that will supply fresh air to the room in
85
such quantities as will greatly benefit the health of all the pupils. These cost approximately $160 each. In addition to this we would need to erect an exhaust flue to take off the foul air.
This is not the best system of ventilation but it is vastly superior to what we now have. I earnestly recommend this system to your serious consideration knowing that better health and better school work for all the pupils will follow.
ELEMENTARY GRADES
In the first six grades of our school a very good quality of work is being accomplished. This is due very largely to the fact that the teachers are well trained for their tasks and have had much experience in the work of their several grades. Much is also due to the interest of the pupils in the work of the school. In these grades school life is a new and interesting experience for the pupils and under the guidance of skillful teachers this interest seldom wanes. In these grades good work, splendid descipline and a fine school spirit are some of the outstanding charac- teristics of the school.
HIGH SCHOOL
To keep alive this interest in school work in the high school is a more difficult task. Yet it is absolutely essential if a commendable standard of high school education is to be obtained. Teachers without experience frequently do not know how to secure and maintain the pupils' interest in the daily work of the school. Experienced teachers some- times tire of the constant effort that is demanded to keep
86
the classes working at a maximum rate of scholastic effort. In the High School evidence of a lack of study and prepara- tion on the part of the pupils is too frequently brought to the attention of those who occassionally visit the class rooms. This lack of preparation of the daily work is due more to a lack of interest in the work than to any other cause. The remedy for this situation is not to be found by punishing the pupil in some way but rather in finding a way to create in the pupil a desire to learn the assigned lessons. To do this, especially in small high schools, is a task too great for the average teacher to accomplish unaided. All forces which the community affords, even though remotely concerned with the work of the school, should enlist in a constant en- deavor to have maintained a standard of scholarship that should properly prevail in a first class high school. As in- centives to better work on the part of the pupils we are ad- vocating two lines of activity. One, the use of graphs to indicate the progress each pupil is making in each of his studies and the other, prizes for attaining a certain standard of scholarship.
GRAPHS
Examinations are given once in two weeks and each pupil makes a graph showing the marks attained from time to time. The seventy or passing line is clearly marked on the graph paper so that the pupil's line of progress shows at once whether his work is above or below the passing standard. A duplicate of each pupil's graph in each sub- ject is posted on a large class graph sheet so that the pupils can readily compare with each other their progress from time to time.
We are trying this method this year for the first time. We have ample reasons for believing that it is producing
87
good results. Pupils are making better preparation for the examinations, thereby exhibiting a desire to carry the graph line higher. In some instances we note a decided im- provement in the work of the class room while many are maintaining a very good standing.
In this work we aim to eliminate as far as possible the personal judgment of the teacher so far as it applies to the pupils' rating. That is why we are having the pupil make his graph from marks acquired only by written exam- inations.
Reports sent out to parents once in two or three months have lost much of their incentive for good work. Both parents and pupils have lost their interest because the re- port comes so infrequently. I believe greater interest in the work of the school and more general satisfaction would prevail if our marking system was changed from one that may represent the snap judgment of the teacher to one based upon frequent tests. Parents complain to me more frequently about "marks" than about any other phase of our school work. Written tests and quizzes given fre- quently and carefully marked will eliminate much of this dissatisfaction and the too frequent charge of the unfair- ness of the teacher.
SCHOLARSHIP PRIZES
For the three high schools in this superintendency un- ion we are endeavoring to raise three first prizes of fifty, thirty-five and twenty dollars, one for each school, the larg- est going to the pupil who attains the highest average in three subjects of the College Entrance Examinating Board. This means that the pupil in the Orleans High School hav-
88
ing the highest average from the College Entrance Examin- ation Board examinations would be eligible for one of these prizes and would receive that one which corresponds to his relative standing with the pupils having the highest average in the other two high schools. That is, fifty dollars, if his average is the highest of the three, and so on.
These are prizes worthy of a strenuous effort. The competition with the pupils in the other two high schools enhances the interest. Pupils in private schools have many such prizes to stimulate their scholastic effort while the pupils in the public schools seldom have any such stimulus.
We are also raising a number of second prizes of ten dol- lars each to be given to the pupils taking the College En- trance Examination Board examinations in the order of their relative standing. We believe we shall have enough of these to give one to each pupil passing the College En- trance Board examinations. A number of these prizes have already been pledged. No pupil will receive a prize whose average is below sixty. These second prizes are not open to pupils in any other high school than in the town where the prizes are raised.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE ?
Every pupil in the three upper classes of the High School is eligible whether he is planning to go to college or not. In fact all pupils in these classes should be urged to take some of these examinations. A pupil who obtains from the College Entrance Examination Board fifteen credits has something infinitely more valuable than his high school di- ploma. For with that number of credits from the College Entrance Examination Board he would be admitted to any
89
university, college, or scientific school in the country. Not so with his diploma. Further, the aquisition of these cred- its shows a definite accomplishment while the high school diploma shows little more than four years of attendance and not always that. The fact that a pupil is not going to some higher institution of learning is not a sufficient reason for permitting him to dawdle with his high school work.
THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD
The College Entrance Examination Board is an organ- ization composed of representatives from colleges, scienti- fic schools and secondary schools. It was organized in 1899 for the purpose of maintaining standards. Pupils who are able to pass its examinations with fifteen credits are uni- versally accredited as being well prepared to continue study beyond the secondary school.
In offering prizes for scholastic attainments we have chosen the College Entrance Examination Board examina- tions for the basis of the award because of their real fitness and absolute fairness for all concerned. No pupil can in any way obtain an unfair advantage over another in taking these examinations.
OUR AIM
Until a goodly number of our pupils are able to pass these examinations we can not say that our High School is as good as we have a right to expect. This is the universal standard by which high schools are judged. This is the standard we must strive to attain. Nothing but the full co-operation of community, teachers and pupils can attain this standard. A lagging on the part of any one of these three forces will frustrate to a considerable extent the
90
efforts of the other two. The community must provide necessary equipment and teachers of adequate skill. The teachers must work assiduously for the attainment of cer- tain scholastic standards on the part of their pupils. The pupils must be willing to apply themselves faithfully to the accomplishment of the tasks set by the teachers. By such efforts only can we have a worth while high school.
SPELLING CONTEST
Chatham now holds the Silver Cup donated by the Edu- cational Department of the Orleans Woman's Club. Vir- ginia Harding, C. H. S. '26, won the gold key donated by the Chatham Woman's Club and at the same time the spelling trophy for the Chatham High School. Louise J. Williams, O. H. S. '28 won the gold key, donated by the Educational Department of the Orleans Woman's Club, and Arthur W. Tobey, Jr., H. H. S. '26 won the gold key, do- nated by the Harwich Welfare Association. The next con- test will be held Monday evening, June 6, 1927 in Chatham.
ALL NEW ENGLAND TEST IN ARITHMETIC
A test in Arithmetic, similar in every way to the one given last year, was given to grades five, six and seven on December 8. A comparison of the averages with those of last year shows a marked improvement, especially in grades five and six. These two grades in Chatham, it will be seen by the table of averages given on another page, attained five of the six highest averages in this superintendency union. The other highest average was obtained by the sixth grade in Orleans with the only perfect score by any grade. We also give another table showing the number of pupils in each grade getting a perfect score in the different
91
parts of the examination. The improvement over last year is due to more drill upon fundamentals. If these tests were given in June instead of in December they would probably show more accurately the real accomplishment of the sever- al grades in which they are given.
HIGH SCHOOL COMMERCIAL COURSE
For a long time a demand has been felt for a commer- cial course in the High School. It is safe to say that if such a course was offered more pupils would be found tak- ing it than could be found taking our general or college preparatory courses.
At first we would need to make an outlay for equipment and supplies while the continuance of the course would necessitate the employment of another teacher. I recom- mend that plans be started at once for such a course so that the work may be offered to the pupils next September.
OTHER WORK
Space forbids further comment upon the work of the schools. Music, drawing, health, physical training, lun- cheon service, scientific equipment, teachers with more ex- perience, transportation, as well as other matters of more or less importance, are all worthy of favorable comment.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM FISHER SIMS,
Superintendent of Schools.
Jan. 10, 1927
92
Report of Principal
Another year has elapsed-a year of harmony and its natural steady growth along all lines. Each room and grade has shown proper interest in its work and good re- sults have been accomplished. The public has been offered three opportunities to judge the merits of our work. The first was at our Music and Drawing Exhibition late in the spring. And here, permit me to say, that in no other sub- ject has the school as a whole tried to do its level best as in drawing. We have been doubly fortunate in having such excellent teachers as Miss Ryder was and as Miss Dowl- ing certainly is.
Our next public appearance was our novel graduation of 1926. Each did his or her share to carry out a program that was truly unique, fascinating, and really worth while. This fall at our annual entertainment, given for the benefit of the graduating class, we took advantage of and featured Thanksgiving throughout the evening. Judging from the patronage received we feel that we were well repaid for all our efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
OTTO E. NICKERSON,
Principal.
93
Report of Music Supervisor
Our work in the music department proceeds as during the previous year. Having three grade teachers instead of two has benefited the study of music in Eastham schools, as there were, of course, too many pupils in each room to allow time for much individual work. There are few mon- otones in the building, and among these few the larger num- ber are not incurable.
We accomplished some three-part singing in the higher grades, only to have to omit it again this year, because the larger number of altos graduated. However, the present upper class now has a group of singers of average pitch which bids well for future accomplishment. We are very proud of the note-reading in the first five grades. It is un- usually good.
The Drawing Exhibition gave the pupils of all grades an opportunity to show the audience some of the results of classroom work in song-singing and a demonstration of every day work in sight note-reading. The fine, helpful spirit of the Eastham teachers is a great source of satisfac- tion.
Respectfully submitted,
MABELLE B. DUMONT,
Supervisor of Music.
94
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
There is a common belief that a drawing of any kind must have some connection with Art, and is judged accord- ingly. The remote relationship is there, but it is no nearer than that of an ordinary letter to literature. An early drawing or one made by a person not specially gifted should be taken as a graphic statement, adequate if understand- able, but not to be tested by a standard beyond its purpose.
In all my work in both grades and high school I keep to this standard. The children are trained in Drawing, not to become skilled artists but to be able to use the sub- ject as a means of intellectual expression and artistic appre- ciation.
Problems based on the foregoing uses have been care- fully prepared by me.
In order to make the subject clearer and of greater inter- est to the pupils various methods are introduced, such as, dictation, observation, construction, and free expression. Exhibitions are arranged in each room and changed once a week so that the children can see for themselves just what progress is being made.
The Drawing department seeks to co-operate whenever possible with other departments in the school.
It is a pleasure to work with the teachers as they have all shown themselves willing to co-operate in every way.
Respectfully submitted, VIRGINIA DOWLING,
Supervisor of Drawing.
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Report of School Physician
I have the honor to submit a brief report of health work on Cape Cod for the year 1926. The regular work has been carried on as usual, and the services rendered by the Sanitary Inspector, secretary, and nurses have been efficient in every respect. The regular work as is well known, consists in general of sanitary inspections of food places, public places, private premises, etc .; special attention is paid to dairies and to tuberculosis among cattle; of school inspec- tions and physical examinations of all school children, cor- rection of defects, etc. Articles are furnished regularly for the local periodicals and every effort is made to spread in- formation regarding health matters. In fact the work might be divided into four divisions.
1. Health work in connection with communicable and other diseases.
2. Work in the school.
3. Sanitary inspections and control including sewage and garbage disposal, etc.
4. Inspection of dairies and general milk inspection.
Two meetings of the Cape Cod Health Bureau Associa- tion were held during the year which were well attended by town officials of Barnstable County. Among those from out of the County who discussed health matters were Mr. Wright, and Drs. Scamman and Champion of the State
96
Health Department, and Dr. MacKnight and Mr. Kirsch- baum of New Bedford. Two meetings of the Southeastern Association of Boards of Health were held on the Cape and one of the important matters taken up was that of uniform regulations for the control of communicable diseases.
Sanitary conditions at the Barnstable County Fair were very favorably spoken of by State Officials and others.
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