Town of Eastham Annual Report 1932-1939, Part 22

Author: Eastham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: the Town
Number of Pages: 1040


USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1932-1939 > Part 22


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Town Accountant.


M. V. Excise Tax


Revenue 97 45


96


Report of Building Committee


EASTHAM GRADE SCHOOL


At the Annual Town Meeting, February 3, 1936, it was voted to build a Grade School and appointed a Build- ing Committee as follows, under Article 27 in the warrant.


"Voted that Stanley M. Walker, Chairman, Charles A. Gunn, Daniel W. Sparrow, Maurice W. Wiley, Harvey T. Moore and Leslie E. Chase, be and hereby are authorized and instructed on behalf of the Town to build and equip such school house, and are further instructed and authoriz- ed to do any and all acts and things necessary for the same. "


Leslie E. Chase was elected Secretary of the Commit- tee on February 10, 1936.


S. W. Haynes & Associates, Architects, of Fitchburg, Mass., selected and retained to plan and supervise construc- tion of school building under date of March 9, 1936.


T. L. Cottrell of West Dennis, Mass., was awarded the contract to build the school under date of June 10, 1936.


SUMMARY


February 3, 1936 :


School Building Appropriation


$28,500 00


Expended


28,458 59


Unexpended $ 41 41


97


December 12, 1936 :


Completing, Equipping School and


Improvement of Grounds Appropriation


$2,778 00


Transferred from Reserve Fund


30 00


$2,808 00


Expended


2,806 22


Unexpended


$


1 78


February 1, 1937 :


Improvement of Grounds Appropriation


$300 00


Expended


296 49


Unexpended


$ 3 51


Detailed expense shown in Report of Town Accountant in Annual Reports of 1936 and 1937.


The school was formally accepted by the Committee on behalf of the Town December 30, 1937.


In process of building the school house, the Committee visited various schools which have been built in recent years, held twenty-four formal meetings and several in- formal meetings as circumstances demanded, each member made individual inspections from time to time as the build- ing was being erected, aside from inspections by the Com- mittee as a body.


The Committee wish to state that they were most cour- teously received by Mr. Cottrell and the workmen upon their visits to the school building. Mr. Cottrell deserves much credit for the excellent school house which he has built for


98


the Town and for his helpful attitude throughout our deal- ings with him.


Much favorable comment has been received by the Com- mittee for the pleasing design of the building, to S. W. Haynes & Associates, Architects, our thanks for a beauti- ful building in keeping with our Cape Cod type of archi- tecture.


To Mr. Walter M. Gaffney, Architect, Hyannis, Mass., Cape representative of S. W. Haynes & Associates, super- visor of construction at the school, we wish to express our appreciation for his kindly advice and many friendly acts on behalf of the committee.


Last, I wish to thank the members of the Committee for their genial companionship and hearty co-operation in the interest of the Town. My association with these men has been most pleasant and at the end of two years, there has never been a harsh word, though at times there were differences of opinion.


Detailed records of the meetings of the Committee are on file at the Town Office.


Respectfully submitted,


LESLIE E. CHASE,


Secretary of the Building Committee.


ANNUAL REPORT


of the


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


and the


SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


of the


Town of Eastham


OF


EA


TOWN


INCO


AUSET 1629


1651


FOR THE YEAR


1937


100


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Stanley M. Walker, Chairman Mrs. James P. Knowles G. Austin Smith


Term expires 1940 Term expires 1939 Term expires 1938


UNION SUPERINTENDENT


Charles H. Pratt, Harwich


ATTENDANCE OFFICER


Walter Nickerson


SCHOOL PHYSICIAN


Dr. A. P. Goff


School Nurse


Miss Bessie I. Armstrong


101


EASTHAM FINANCIAL STATEMENT


Expended 1937


Needed 1938


General Control :


School Committee $200 00


Superintendent of Schools,


Enforcement of Law-


Salaries


472 29


Other Expenses 116 27


$788 56


$818 50


Instruction :


Supervisors


$790 50


Principal and Teachers


4,630 00


Textbooks


88 24


Supplies


240 58


5,749 32 5,825 00


Operation :


Janitor


$600 00


Fuel


478 54


Miscellaneous


276 21


1,354 75


1,450 00


Maintenance :


Repairs, Replacement and


Upkeep


$45 85


45 85 250 00


102


Auxiliary Agencies :


Libraries


Health


$202 31


Transportation


3,325 00


Tuition


3,714 44


Miscellaneous


190 81


7,432 56


8,669 67


Outlay :


New Grounds and Buildings


New Equipment


$233 21


233 21


250 00


$15,604 25 $17,263 17


1937 Appropriation


$16,595 00


Expenses


15,604 25


990 75


Refunds


7 20


$997 95


Vocational Tuition Appropriated-$210 00


Expended-$82 56


103


NET COST OF SCHOOLS, YEAR 1937


Expended for schools 1937 $15,604 25


Received from Mass. General School


Fund Part I


$655 00


Received, Boston Tuition


1,007 28


Received, Boston Transportation 376 13


Reimbursement for High School


Transportation 1,664 65


Reimbursement for Union Super-


intendent of Schools 223 08


3,926 14


$11,678 11


104


Report of the Superintendent of Schools


To the School Committee of Eastham :


Herewith I submit my annual school report for 1937.


In the school report a year ago I said that the year had been an eventful one. That was my feeling as I looked back over the year when a unanimous town meeting had ap- propriated funds for the new school and during which year we had witnessed the erection of the new structure. We were then living in anticipation of the new quarters soon to be occupied. From a more immediate point of view the year 1937 has been even more eventful than was 1936. Advan- tages in reality have exceeded the anticipations which we had conceived. I can not so well express it as in the words of Mr. Nickerson when he says: "Words cannot do justice to the change that took place in our school system on Febru- ary 1. It was not without a sense of parting from some- thing that had served us well in the past, and even today in passing, the old school seems like a garment that still might have much wear and holds many pleasant memories. We feel that the re-action of our youngsters to the up-to-date furniture, modern sanitary conditions, better heating and lighting, playground freedom and general all round higher 'atmosphere' is very commendable. Though we have per- haps had to maintain a little more careful plan of surveil- lance in and outside the building, we feel that the boys and girls have, in almost all cases, taken upon themselves a greater share in the responsibility of keeping things in their proper order. We think that a great deal of good citizen-


105


ship can be indirectly taught in this manner. To the differ- ent committees, as well as the taxpayers, we are truly grate- ful for the almost perfect conditions under which we now work."


Not only may the children spend the days in more healthful, sanitary and physically safe surroundings where things formerly done can be done better, but many new ac- tivities may be carried on.


Not the least valuable among the activities of the school is the assembly period. All the school participates in these assemblies and many of the parents and friends have enjoy- ed these programs. During the year there have been pur- chased seventy folding chairs and another piano for assem- bly and orchestra use. As time goes on I trust that a few more may be added to complete the seating for assembly periods and replace the less portable settees which were borrowed from the basement of the Town Hall.


The cement floor of the other section of the basement has now been treated to remove dust and I am sure that the space will be very useful as an indoor play room for inclem- ent weather.


The music room on the main floor is very convenient and useful for the music practice and as a place for small group general use. The class rooms are unusually pleasant and well lighted. The view from them is unsurpassed in natural beauty. The flower decked windows, the framed pictures on the walls with display boards filled with the finest of school workmanship gives one a welcome and cheer which is felt as well as seen.


106


Again in the words of Mr. Nickerson : "As a plant and flower loving trio, we teachers wonder if we are making our school too much like a conservatory. Never having had the chance to keep many plants indoors over winter, we trust we are not over-doing it. Our aim in this is to again in- directly teach a love for better things."


As an appreciative observer I do not share Mr. Nicker- son's fear lest decoration will be overdone.


We regretted the loss of an excellent Supervisor of Art when Mr. Greeley accepted a position in the City of Wal- tham. We rejoice that the work is still in capable hands. Miss C. Lucile Nichols, who succeeds Mr. Greeley, is a grad- uate of Massachusetts School of Art and is a source of in- spiration to those who learn to draw and appreciate the use of art. Miss Nichols thus expresses her evaluation of the accomplishments of Eastham children :


"In Eastham the first and second grades are making remarkable progress under the capable direction of Miss Keith who has a keen interest in the subject and who has procured for her classes some very fine books. These are 'Art Stories' in Books I, II and III, and are published in New York as part of the Curriculum Foundation Series.


"The fourth and fifth grades have shown evidence of their former training and of the fact that, phychologically speaking, drawing is a natural everyday experience.


"This can also be said of Grades six, seven and eight for these people are sometimes capable of work planned for older children. They do a great deal of art work in connec- tion with other subjects and they make many posters for community and school events.


107


"This is as it should be, yet it is very gratifying to find in a group of teachers such a keen appreciation of the use- fulness of drawing and such ready cooperation when sug- gestions are made."


Miss Patch and Mr. Nassi are equally enthusiastic about the work in vocal and instrumental music. To quote Miss Patch :


"The first grade child's introduction to vocal music is through songs sung by the teacher and imitated by the child. Those rote songs have for subject matter the sea- sons, special occasions such as Christmas and Hallowe'en, and those things of interest to a small child such as toys and animals. This work is continued through the second grade, and during the last three or four months note-reading is started by imitation. The third grade receives constant drill by the grade teacher in note-reading, laying the foun- dation for future sight-singing, and also learns occasional rote songs. The second or alto part is introduced in the fourth grade and continued in the fifth, while a third part is added in the last half of the sixth grade. Through a series of standard graded books the work is kept within the abili- ties of each class.


"In Grades 6, 7 and 8 part-singing is continued, while the general view-point of music is considerably enlarged. This year the main objective in those classes is an acquaint- ance with the old well-known folk songs of our own and other countries. Different groups from this class have sung on various concert and entertainment programs and always show the results of the careful and thorough work done by all the teachers."


108


Mr. Nassi surveys his department in the following form :


"I hereby submit my annual report as Supervisor of Instrumental Music.


The great concern of a supervisor is how to improve his classes every year so that he may attain better results than he formerly has.


"I think that at present, we have a school music system in our district which compares with the best in the country. One has only to compare our pupils with those who come to our schools from elsewhere in order to realize this fact. However, our aim is not to dwell on the present laurels, but to endeavor to improve the present conditions, to discover where the faults lie, take suggestions for their improvement and to remedy them. It will be my aim in this report to point out some means of improvement in our system with the hope that parents and those who are interested may ap- prove of them.


"One of the most important things in the study of mu- sic is a reasonable amount of practice at home. Music, as taught today in the schools in comparison with the subjects is at a disadvantage. Teachers of the so-called 'regular subjects' have the advantage of several periods during the week while the music teacher has only one or, at the most, two periods and several minutes of this short time necessar- ily have to be sacrificed to tuning, seating, repairing, etc. So, it is absolutely necessary under the conditions, that some reasonable amount of practice be done at home. This is the place where the cooperation of the parent, especially in the case of young beginners, is imperative. From long ex-


109


perience, it is proven that the progress of the child in music is correspondingly equal to the interest of the parents in the subjects.


"The next thing of importance for the success of music is the cooperation of the class-room teacher. In my teaching throughout the Cape schools; I am pleased to say that I have the cooperation of the principals and teachers and I am thankful to them for this cooperation.


"I believe that all of the teachers, regardless of the subjects in our educational system should be interested not only in their subject but in the education of the children in its broader sense and remember that their purpose, whether it is music, art, or literature that they are teaching it to help make life more sensitive to beauty. To make our sub- ject exalt the human spirit and make life richer and nobler.


"I think that pupils who devote a period of four or five hours per week to practice at home, in addition to their reg- ular period in school, should be given as much credit as in any other school subject.


"As I follow the careers of my pupils after they have graduated I am glad to know that most of them make use of their musical education by playing in their college or- chestras or bands and other ensembles. Some of them have taken music as their profession and those who did not con- tinue with their education still continue with their music in various civic organizations. Our musical season last year was very successful in its undertakings. Our two major dis- trict and Monomausett concerts as well as the local con- certs were very successful.


110


"The 28 selected musicians who participated last year in the New England Festival of Music in Hyannis had an experience that they will never forget. A similar group is being prepared to go to the Festival which is to be held in New London, Conn.


"There are 48 pupils who take instrumental music in the Eastham schools. Of these, the band has 18 members and the orchestra has 24. Mr. Nickerson, Mrs. Horton and Miss Keith have been most cooperative in my work and I wish to thank them. The success of the Eastham music is due largely to their hearty support."


Dr. Goff reports the following for the County in gener- al.


"The routine physical examinations have been made in all schools, and it may be stated that there is noted a gradu- al and constant improvement in physical conditions. In- creasing efforts are being made in all schools to the end that the matter of correction of defects may be taken care of. More attention is being given to the matter of nourishment and it can be truthfully said that conditions in the schools of the County are excellent.


"Special attention is being given to the use of the audi- omneter lately, with satisfactory results.


"A few cases of Anterior Poliomyelitis (Infantile Par- alysis) developed in certain places, causing the closing of some schools for a limited period. This is a rather terrify- ing disease in many ways, to parents especially, but it may be stated that many of the cases this year were mild with little after effect. Aside from this nothing unusual occur- red in the way of communicable disease.


111


"All of the regular clinics have been held as usual, such things as diphtheria immunization etc., now being accepted as routine matters.


"The usual and entirely satisfactory cooperation of all officials and organizations has been given and the nurses have been very active and efficient.


"Every effort will be made to carry on the work of the coming year in a manner satisfactory to all concerned."


Miss Armstrong submits the following statistical report for 1937.


No. schools 1


No. school visits 42


No. individual inspections


No. room inspections


11


No. teacher consultations


12


No. children consultations


4


No. weighed and measured


384


No. 10% underweight in June 15


No. 10% underweight in October


S


No. 20% overweight in June 2


No. 20% overweight in October


4


No. skin diseases 3


No. communicable diseases 22


(Mumps, 19-Infantile Paralysis, 3)


No. children taken home


2


No. nursery visits 1


"Dental clinic October 19, 20, 21 :


No. treated


31


No. fillings


65


No. extractions


112


No. temporary fillings


32


No. cleanings


22


No. pre-school children


2


Audiometer test on


71


No. retested


11


No. found defective 0


T. B. test conducted by Pocasset Sanatorium staff. There were reactions.


Assisted physician at physical examinations.


Home visits 10


Meetings attended


10


Respectfully submitted,


CHARLES H. PRATT,


Superintendent of Schools.


113


ENROLLMENT BY GRADES


October 1, 1937


Grade


Boys


Girls


Total


1


2


7


9


2


5


9


14


3


6


3


9


4


6


4


10


5


6


4


10


6


9


5


14


7


7


2


9


8


3


7


10


44


41


85


TABULAR STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES, 1927-37


Grade


1927


1928


1929


1930


1931


1932


1933


1934


1935


1936


1937


1


12


13


15


16


12


9


12


11


8


14


9


2


3


11


13


13


17


15


8


12


17


8


14


3


10


4


10


14


17


14


16


10


10


14


9


4


9


10


4


9


14


16


17


14


15


11


10


5


11


9


8


7


11


14


12


17


11


13


10


6


10


16


11


7


12


12


14


14


14


15


14


7


5


8


11


12


6


6


11


11


11


11


9


8


8


7


8


10


12


8


7


10


11


11


10


68


78


80


88


101


94


97


99


97


97


85


115


EASTHAM PUPILS ATTENDING ORLEANS HIGH SCHOOL September to December, 1937


Class of 1938


Ruby Gilman Irene Nickerson


Richard Nickerson Mary Turner


Class of 1939


Hope Hurd Irving Lee


Virginia Prince Frederick Savage


Ruth Scrivens


Class of 1940


Dorothy Atwood Betty Brackett Russell Chase


Robert Collins


Robert Pearson


Fenton Sparrow William Steele June Whiddon


Class of 1941


Carol Brewer Robert Brewer Phyllis Clark Louise Cobb


Merton Gill


Julian Hayes Arthur Kavel Robert Scrivens Barbara Sibley Edith Wilson


116


SCHOOL CENSUS


October 1, 1937


Boys Girls Total


Five years or over and under seven 1


18


19


Seven years or over and under fourteen


39


31


70


Fourteen years or over and under sixteen


11


14


25


Sixteen years or over and under twenty-one 4


3


7


55 66


121


Distribution of the Above Minors


In public day school membership :


Five years or over and under seven


14


Seven years or over and under fourteen


70


Fourteen years or over and under sixteen 25


Sixteen years or over and under twenty-one


7


Not enrolled in any day school:


Five years or over and under seven


5


121


117


FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE


Absent not more than three days during School Year 1936-1937


Mary Escobar


Intermediate


Phyllis Brackett


Grammar


Carol Brewer


Grammar


Beatrice Turner


Grammar


Charles Acorn


Grammar


CORPS OF TEACHERS, JANUARY 1938


Name


School


Preparation


Year


Appointed


Experience


Prior to


Sept., 1937


Salary


Home


Address


Otto E. Nickerson


Grammar


Hyannis Normal


1924


18 years


$1,700


Orleans


Virginia Horton


Intermediate


Bridgewater Normal


1925


14 years


1,450


Eastham


Florence W. Keith


Primary


Bridgewater Normal


1906


38 years


1,450


Eastham


Charlotte Patch


Music (Vocal)


Hollins College


1931


6 years


160


Stoneham


Thomas Nassi


Music (Inst.)


N. E. Conservatory


1929


9 years


500


Orleans


C. Lucille Nichols


Art


Mass. School of Art


1937


0


140


Westboro


119


EASTHAM SCHOOL CALENDAR


September 7, 1937 to December 24, 1937 *14 weeks


January 3, 1938 to March 25, 1938 12 weeks


April 4, 1938 to June 24, 1938 12 weeks


38 weeks


*Two week were lost -- schools closed on account of infantile paralysis.


Graduation exercises will be held on Friday evening, June 24, 1938.


September 6, 1938 to December 23, 1938-16 weeks.


A meeting of the teachers of Chatham, Eastham, Har- wich and Orleans will be held at Eastham School on Tues- day, September 6, 1938 at 9:30 A.M.


School sessions will begin Wednesday, September 7, 1938.


There will be no school on the following days :


February 22, Washington's Birthday (Tuesday)


April 19, Patriots' Day (Tuesday)


May 30, Memorial Day (Tuesday)


September 5, Labor Day (Monday)


September 6, Teachers' Meeting (Tuesday)


October 12, Columbus Day (Wednesday)


November 11, Armistice Day (Friday)


Thanksgiving Recess (Thursday, and Friday following) One day for Barnstable County Teachers' Convention.


One day for Teachers' Institute if called by the State De- partment of Education.


120


GRADUATING EXERCISES EASTHAM GRAMMAR SCHOOL


June 23, 1937


Program


March, "Processional"


Seventh Grade Orchestra


Invocation


Rev. C. Stanton Williams


Welcome, "Life of Horace Mann"


Robert Brewer


School Chorus


Music (a) "Spring Signals" (b) "The Birds' Singing School"


Selections


Seventh Grade Orchestra


Play


Class of 1937


"Let the Next Generation Be My Client"


Prolog


Chairman,


Merton Gill


Mr. Wayne,


Supt. of Schools,


Mrs. Brown,


Mary Judson,


Robert Scrivens William Watson Phyllis Clark Louise Cobb


Scene I.


Horace Mann,


Robert Watson Julian Hayes


Mr. Dederick,


Warren Turner


Mrs. Peters,


Edith Wilson


Sammy Peters,


Robert Brewer


Jennie Peters,


Barbara Sibley


Epilog (same characters as prolog)


Violin Solo. Louise Cobb Variations of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny"


Mr. Peters,


121


Class Will Merton Gill


Trumpet Trio Robert Brewer, Merton Gill, Robert Watson


Valedictory


Louise Cobb


Presentation of Diplomas


Supt. Charles H. Pratt School Chorus


Music (a) "O Worship the King" (b) "Duke Street"


Benediction Rev. C. Stanton Williams


"Recesssional"


Seventh Grade Orchestra


CLASS OF 1937


President-Merton Everett Gill Vice President-Robert Kingsley Scrivens Secretary-Louise Alice Cobb Treasurer-Robert Manning Brewer


Phyllis May Clark Julian Charles Hayes Barbara Ann Sibley Warren Bradley Turner Edith Louise Wilson


Robert Clifford Watson


HONORS IN SCHOLARSHIP


Louise Alice Cobb


Robert Manning Brewer Merton Everett Gill


Class Motto : "Start It-Finish It" Class Color : Blue and Yellow Class Flower: White Carnation


122


ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT


Including Recommendations of Eastham Finance Committee


FEFRUARY 7-8, 1938


Barnstable, ss.


To Harvey T. Moore, Constable of the Town of Eastham, in the County aforesaid : Greeting :


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall in Eastham, Monday, the seventh day of February next at 10 o'clock in the forenoon; then and there to act on the articles in this warrant, and to meet in the Town Hall in Eastham at 10 o'clock in the forenoon on Tuesday, the eighth day of February next, then and there to elect all necessary town officers.


Article 1. To act upon the Annual Report, including recommendations of the Selectmen and other Town Officers and Committees.


123


EASTHAM FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDA- TIONS FOR 1938


Office Supplies


$175.00


Officers' Salaries and Expenses


4,100.00


Surety on Bond


100.00


Assessors' Salaries and Expenses


650.00


Assessors' Abstracts


60.00


Certification of Notes


4.00


Legal Advice


75.00


Janitor


648.00


Town Hall


750.00


Suppression of Crime


30.00


Town Fires


50.00


Orleans Fire Department


150.00


Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires


20.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


50.00


Moth Suppression


500.32


Inspection of Wiring


30.00


Private Moth


40.00


Tree Warden


20.00


Bounty on Woodchucks


25.00


Health


400.00


Inspection of Animals


30.00


Dog Account


25.00


Highways-General


250.00


Snow


500.00


Public Welfare


1,000.00


Mothers' Aid


500.00


Old Age Assistance


1,500.00


State Aid


100.00


Soldiers' Relief


200.00


Town Landings


60.00


Memorial Day


125.00


Community Christmas Tree


35.00


Town Reports


250.00


Insurance


425.00


Finance Committee


10.00


Old Mill


75.00


Miscellaneous


150.00


Reserve Fund


1,000.00


Old Cemeteries


150.00


Interest


450.00


Schools


17,263.17


Total


$31,975.49


=


124


Article 2. To see if the town will elect a Town Direc- tor for the Cape Cod Extension Service.


Voted to make no recommendation.


Article 3. To see in what manner the town will dis- pose of its refunded dog tax and act thereon.


Voted unanimously to recommend that the refunded dog tax be turned into the Library Account.


Article 4. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the Public Library.


Voted unanimously to recommend an appropriation of $50.00.


Article 5. To see if the town will raise and appropri- ate a sum of money, provided the State makes a satisfac- tory allotment for the upkeep and maintenance of town roads, under Chapter 81, Sections 26-29, General Laws as amended.


Voted unanimously to recommend that whatever sum of money may be required by the State be appropriated.


Article 6. To see if the town will authorize the Town Treasurer with approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1938, and to issue a note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 17, Gen- eral Laws.




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