USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1940-1946 > Part 19
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Auxiliary Agencies :
Libraries
10.73
Transportation
3,606.00
Tuition
4,769.20
Graduation, Phone,
Insurance, Lunch, etc. 2,041.22
10,427.15 11,407.50
Outlay :
New Grounds and Buildings
New Equipment 7.83
7.83
Total
$17,949.77 $18,802.00
Appropriated for 1944
$18,562.00
Refund
17.35
$18,579.35
Expended in 1944
17,949.77
Balance Unexpended
$ 629.58
90
NET COST OF SCHOOLS, YEAR 1944
Total Expenditures
$17,949.77
Accounts Receivable :
Mass. General School Fund Part I
$655.00
City of Boston Tuition 537.40
City of Boston
Transportation 209.58
746.98
Mass. Reimbursement for High School Transportation 2,013.37
Mass. Reimbursement on account of Supt. of Schools 220.31
Receipts from Federal Aid for School Lunch
560.70*
Receipts from School Lunch
583.69
Receipts from Milk Sold
164.80
Telephone Toll Calls
.85
4,945.70
$13,004.07
*This amount includes $113.61 due from claims for Novem- ber and December, 1943 but does not include claims which are due as reimbursement on lunches sold in November and December 1944.
91
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF 1944 SCHOOL
LUNCH SERVICE
Expended for Supplies during 1944
$1,025.42
Expended for Salaries
934.60
Expended for Gas
25.50
$1,985.52
Received for Lunches sold in year 1944 $583.69
Received for Milk sold in year 1944 164.80
Federal Reimbursements received for sales January to October 447.09
Federal Reimbursements due for
November and December not received
during year 126.91
1,322.49
Expenditures above receipts $663.03
92
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of Eastham :
The Annual School Report for 1944.
The past year has been a difficult one for schools as well as for homes. Every one has been carrying extra work and extra cares due to the stress of war. Eastham School has fared better than most during the year. The October first enrollment was one less than a year ago, the lowest in many years.
Mrs. Virginia Horton was granted a year's leave of absence at her request beginning September 1944. Her per- iod of service dating from 1925 would certainly entitle her to consideration when release from her work is a matter of health.
We have been most fortunate in securing Mrs. Cath- erine M. Skinner during Mrs. Horton's absence. In words of Mr. Nickerson, "she is well trained and popular with everyone with whom she has come in contact. She is doing much fine remedial work in Grades IV and V."
Mrs. Gould has grades I. II and III. Mr. Nickerson has grades VI, VII and VIII. Classes are small, instruction is excellent and progress of individual pupils has, in most cases, been most satisfactory.
There were thirty-two Eastham pupils in attendance at Orleans High School in the 1944 period from September
93
to December inclusive. This is one less than were in attend- ance for the same period a year ago. You will note that five Eastham seniors are expected to graduate at Orleans next June and five are expected to complete the eighth grade at the same time. This would seem to indicate a similar high school enrollment next year.
A good education was never so essential as it is today. Our survival as a nation in these critical days depends on young men and women who know what to do and how to do it. Patriotism requires preparation for tomorrow as well as work for today. Would that more enthusiasm at home might result in greater accomplishment at school. Achieve- ment is waiting for him who earns it. Teachers, buildings and equipment are aids to learning but they do not insure results without effort. There is no easy and careless way to success in any school.
This fall our schools were urged to collect milkweed pods and dry them in order that they might be used to make life jackets for our fighting men. The need was caused by enemy control of kapok which had previously been used for this purpose. Eastham School made a fine contribution. Thirty-eight bags were collected and shipped. Acknowledge- ment and appreciation of this good work has been received from the State headquarters. Twenty cents per bag was paid for the pods but the greater reward should be the satisfaction of service.
Repairs : Besides minor items incidental to general upkeep during last year the building has had paint on the exterior trim, the flag pole has been painted, the front door has been replaced by one of another kind of wood and different construction. This was done to stop leakage around and through the door. Repairs in the corridor floor were made necessary because of entrance of water.
94
The new storm windows and entrances installed a year ago have proved to be a very good investment in comfort and fuel saving.
Next year I hope that radiation in the lunch room may be relocated so that more heat can be had in that department.
MUSIC
Music has continued to hold a prominent part in the life of this school and the education of the children. Mr. Nassi gives a report of this department as follows:
"In music, actual participation has no substitute, how- ever immature and unsatisfactory may be the results to the participant at first. Those on the sidelines cannot possi- bly acquire the thrill and excitement of the one who is actually making the music. With this in mind our task is to give to every child possible the opportunity of musical training.
I am glad to report that in spite of the war our music, in the school has not suffered. Our small town music sys- tem is a challenge to many city systems. Our children re- ceive more individual attention than pupils in most large cities. In our school music system every child is urged and encouraged to study music. His musical education begins from the first grade with elementary notations and rhythm patterns. This is continued in the second grade with the Rhythm Band Orchestra. From the third grade on pupils may take up a regular musical instrument and when pro- ficient may play in the band and orchestra.
When pupils graduate from the Eastham School they continue their musical education at the Orleans High School
95
as a member of the high school band and orchestra and other ensembles.
Eastham School pupils are fortunate in having enough school instruments for all of them to take up. Eastham is the only school on the Cape, to my knowledge, to offer to pupils so many instruments. These instruments have been obtained from proceeds of concerts, private donations, and through the untiring efforts of Principal Nickerson. The school committee has not been asked to contribute from the school budget towards instruments until this year when we needed some repairs.
The Eastham School is unique in that practically 100% of the pupils take up some instrument. This means more work for Mrs. Nassi and myself as we have to stay after school to give each pupil the necessary attention, but it is worth the extra effort when we see such great interest."
Miss Anifantis interprets her objectives and the work of vocal music as follows :
"We know of the necessity of music in war time-it will be even more needed when our war veterans return with shattered nerves and souls. Since the children in our schools will be the citizens of the peace era to come and will be relied on to reconstruct our war-torn world, we must not neglect their training. The world is in dire need of harmony. General Coleman Dupont says, 'There is no greater harmonizing influence than music, particularly choral music.'
Much enthusiasm has been aroused in choral singing during the last fifteen years inspired largely by the visiting Vienna Choir Boys, Russian Cossack Singers, the English Singers and many other choral groups. The singing in our
96
schools is too often left to expert choirs. This should not be so, because it should reach everybody. When the chil- dren sing and make music themselves, it is of double value because it becomes a means of self expression.
Every child is born with some degree of musical talent and if given a chance will show itself as naturally as that of speech. A child must learn to feel rhythm before he can sing or play rhythmically. In the intermediate grades if the children have difficulty in reading a song, I ask them to put their books down and give me their attention. Using my left hand to represent the staff and index finger of my right hand to point to the line or space to represent the notes, I lead them through the song. They sustain each note until I move my hand for the next one. Usually there is a fine response. Then we read the song from the book. From this we find that the rhythm interferred with their note reading. The better the background of rhythm, the easier the note reading. That is why in the first grade we begin immediately with our rhythm work.
Also in the first grade we attempt to eliminate the so- called monotones by tone matching games and drills. Rubin- stein said, 'The study of the musical language is like that of all other languages. He who learns it at infancy can be- come master of it.' Two of our pupils, one in the fifth grade and another in the third grade were monotones up until this year. I am very happy to report that they are now con- sidered some of the best singers in their classes.
However, we are not concerned so much what children will do in singing as we are with what singing may do in children. Because music nowadays has such an influence on industry, religion, economics and government, it plays a very important role in every day life. In other words, it should go beyond the singing class into the community.
97
An example of this is the school providing good singers for their local church choirs. I am also very happy to re- port that many of our boys and girls are now serving in this capacity. Since Christianity is a singing religion and many young people taking part in the services, we may be sure that there are many good future citizens in the making."
"God sent his singers upon earth With songs of sadness and of mirth That they migh touch the hearts of men And bring them back to heaven again."
ART
Mrs. Margery C. Grier assumed the responsibility for art instruction following the resignation of Mr. Clarence K. Brayton who resigned last summer. Mrs. Grier has done much to stimulate enthusiasm for this work. Mrs. Grier gives us the following :
"It is my endeavor to have everyone know that art is not for a favored few but for all. Drawing, painting, and design in the classroom are not the only art activities. Individuals are expressing themselves artistically when they dress well, arrange their homes attractively, contribute to the esthetic phase of civic improvement, or appreciate the work of masters in design, sculpture, and painting. Art is more than mere handwork. Real art experience comes with self expression whether it is in the kitchen or in the arrangement of a bouquet of flowers, or on a canvas.
Art in the elementary school stresses the creative prin- ciple as the most constructive in child education. The chil- dren are given the satisfaction of making something they themselves have thought of, for which they feel respon-
98
sible and will carry through to completion. Drawing, con- struction, and appreciation are taught in the grades through guidance, encouragement, emphasis, and help.
In the Junior High School the creative principle gives way to one of concrete endeavor. Here the pupil is definitely more interested in specialized art activities. Commercial and industrial art work take the place of creative illustra- tion. Posters, lettering, designing, notebook covers, making murals for the school lunchroom, laying out plans for the landscape gardener, are the various projects entered into by the Junior High School.
Here in Eastham every child is helped to live happily and deal effectively with his environment-the highest aim of real educators-and it is a pleasure to have even a small part in such a program."
HEALTH
Dr. A. P. Goff, our county health officer, who is our school physician, submits submits the following :
"All of the regular school work for the year 1944 in the County has been conducted as usual by the nurses, physicians, and others concerned with this work, and all of the duties have been performed satisfactorily. All the regular clinics are being held, including the diphtheria im- munization. Communicable diseases have not presented any particular difficulty during the year.
There have been demonstrations of a new apparatus for testing vision in some of the schools, special attention having been given to this testing for some time.
The usual tuberculosis clinics have, of course, been held, and local doctors and nurses have aided recently in reading the tests which are given.
99
Dental clinics have been held by visiting dentists, or by local men when these are available.
Every effort is being made to correct physical defects where possible, and improvement in this work is evident.
On the whole, it is believed that work in connection with the schools has been conducted satisfactorily, and every effort will be made to so continue the work for the coming year.
Cooperation of all officials and others has been most complete."
Miss Mildred Wye, Public Health Field Nurse, reports her work in the town as well as in the school:
"The following report represents the public health nurse's work in Eastham from April 20 to December 26, 1944 on a one-day a week basis. With a change in person- nel a new nurse took over. Thanks to the understanding people of Eastham, the cooperative Board of Health and other officials, a remarkable school set-up and willing vol- unteers, there has been no disruption in public health work in Eastham.
An eight-year public health nursing demonstration re- moves the need for a formal definition of public health nursing because 'actions speak louder than words'. Our aim has been to do all in our power to keep Eastham well and to delegate the responsibility where it belongs. Public health is not just a community matter but a very personal one as evidenced by the spread and control of contagious diseases.
Due to the wartime restrictions, it has been necessary to carefully analyze the nurse's job and function and to call
100
upon trained organized volunteers to assist or substitute for the nurse. No more is it considered a nurse's function to assist at dental clinics or to transport children to clinics when this service could well be given by a non-professional person, thus sparing the nurse's time for essential activi- ties. While our Health Council has not held formal meet- ings, they have given valuable help with transportation, the dental clinics and well child conference. The Women's Defense Corps of Orleans has transported children to Hy- annis clinics and are glad to give this service. We expect to call upon them in the future for transportation to the orthopedic and speech therapy and eye examination clinics.
No formal health talks were given in the schools ex- cept at the request of teachers to interpret special projects, such as the dental clinic, toxoid clinics and tuberculin patch tests which were offered to the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. It is felt that the teachers are better equipped to teach health in correlation with other subjects.
Physical examinations by Dr. Goff showed very few children with any defects, which means that parents are alert to corrections. The audiometer was used for all grades except the first and second, no children being found with impaired hearing. We hope that soon an audiometer will be available for use with the first and second grades. Vision tests for all grades showed nine additional children in need of further examination by an eye specialist, two being first graders. In the near future it is expected all school superin- tendents may desire to purchase their own vision testing equipment so that teachers may test their own pupils vision. Demonstrations in the use of the audiometer and vision testing were offered to the teachers with this in view.
Before Christmas plans were made for a toxoid clinic to be held on January 5th. At this time one booster dose will be given to children immunized more than two years
101
ago and the regular three inoculations to children never done. Parents are consenting 100% to this immunity.
In presenting the following statistical report we wish to mention that at present there are only 44 grammar school children in Eastham and just 27 pre-school and infants. That saying, 'Good things come in small packages' must surely apply to the Eastham children and Eastham itself. My thanks are offered to all who helped along the health program.
STATISTICAL REPORT
School Hygiene :
School visits
25
Inspections
55
Admitted to nursing service
25
Field visits
71
Interviews :
Teachers
30
Pupils
61
Parents
5
Tuberculin Patch Tests
21
Referred to Chest Clinic
4
Referred to Child Guidance Clinic
2
Referred to Orthopedic Clinic
2
Vision tests
44
Corrected vision
6
Physical examinations by Dr. Goff
44
Hearing tests with audiometer
37
Weighed and checked for nutrition
89
Dental Clinic :
Children treated
38
Extractions
4
Fillings
39
Prophylaxis
38
Total operations
81
102
Maternity Service
Antepartum : Admitted to nursing service
7
Field visits
18
Postpartum : Admitted to nursing service Field visits
2
7
Child Welfare Service
Infants :
Admitted to nursing service
6
Field visits
19
Preschool :
Admitted to nursing service
32
Field visits
102
Attendance at Well Child Conference
9
Tuberculosis Service :
Admitted to nursing service
1
Field visits
2
Visits with social workers
2
Visits with nutritionist
1
Interviews and visits in promotion of work 29
Visits to the Town 40
SCHOOL LUNCH
This department has shown itself to be no small part of the school health activity. For a demonstration of its popularity and its value one needs only to observe the children as they give active testimony of their apprecia- tion of the appetizing lunches served by Mrs. Clara Fuller. Mr. Nickerson has daily contact with it. He tells us:
103
Mrs. Clara Fuller has assumed full care of our lunch room, and the ease with which she prepares superior food in her limited time is almost miraculous. Ask the children if they are satisfied with school lunches this year!"
This is indeed "The proof of the pudding." A state- ment of costs of this department is shown in connection with the section "Net Cost of Schools." It is a pleasure to be able to state that the Eastham School is in excellent condition. This statement applies to physical plant and equipment as well as to a good program of studies and a very fine corps of teachers. This condition does not just happen. It is the result of purposeful planning over a period of years. Let us hope for a continuance of good faith accom- panied by work.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PRATT Superintendent of Schools.
104
EASTHAM ENROLLMENT BY GRADES October 1, 1944
Grade
Boys
Girls
Total
1
2
0
2
2
1
3
4
3
2
2
4
4
4
3
7
5
1
5
6
6
5
2
7
7
3
6
9
8
0
5
5
TABULAR STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES 1943 - 1944 October 1, 1944
Gr. 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944
1
11
8
14
9
9
12
9
11
3
4
2
2
12
17
8
14
13
10
7
6
11
3
4
3
10
10
14
9
13
9
7
9
5
7
4
4
14
15
11
10
7
11
11
7
8
6
7
5
17
11
13
10
12
8
8
13
7
4
6
6
14
14
15
14
11
9
8
8
9
8
7
7
11
11
11
9
15
10
9
9
6
6
9
8
10
11
11
10
6
14
10
9
10
7
5
99
97
97
85
86
83
69
72
59
45
44
105
EASTHAM STUDENTS WHO ATTEND ORLEANS
HIGH SCHOOL
During the Period Sept. 6, 1944 to Dec. 22, 1944
Name
Grade
Muriel Brewer
12
Charles Chase
12
Wilfred Gunn
12
Norma Nickerson
12
Martin Reimers
12
Dorothea Benner
11
Donald Brewer
11
William Hayes
11
Loretta Meunier
11
Gordon Nickerson
11
Teresa Stoke
11
Helen Stowe
11
William Sturtevant
11
Norma Acorn
10
Maude Chase
10
Patricia McMakin
10
Virginia Steele
10
Leonard Brewer
10
Francis Brown
10
Richard Clark
10
Kenelm Collins
10
Thomas Hayes
10
Harry Hopkins
10
Joseph Putnam
10
Robert Wiles
10
106
Judith Brackett
9
Robert Cross
9
Alice Doughty
9
9
Irene Eldredge Manuel Escobar
9
Jean Knowles
9
Reginald Moulton
9
EASTHAM SCHOOL CENSUS
CHILDREN RESIDENT IN TOWN OCTOBER 1, 1944
Boys
Girls
Total
5 Years or Over and Under 7
3
3
6
7 Years or Over and Under 16
11
6
17
Illiterate Minors 16 Years or
Over and Under 21
1
1
24
Distribution of the Above Minors
In Public day school membership:
5 years or over and under 7
4
7 Years or over and under 16
17
In State and County Institutions : 16 years or over and under 21
1
Not enrolled in any day school :
5 years or over and under 7
2
7 years or over and under 16
0
107
SCHOOL CALENDAR
September 4, 1944 Labor Day
September 5 Meeting of teachers of Union No. 21 at Chatham School at 9:30 A.M.
September 6
Classes meet for first session
Sept. 6, 1944 to Dec. 22, 1944
16 weeks-74 days
Sept. 4 Labor Day
Sept. 5-Teachers' meeting 9:30 A.M. at Chatham
Oct. 12-Thursday-Columbus Day
Oct. 13-Friday-
Nov. 11-Armistice Day-Saturday
Nov. 30-Thursday-Thanksgiving Dec. 1-Friday-
Jan. 1, 1945-Feb. 16, 1945 Jan. 1 New Year's (Monday)
7 weeks-34 days
Feb. 26, 1945-April 14, 1945
7 weeks-35 days
Apr. 23, 1945-June 15, 1945
8 weeks-39 days
May 30-Memorial Day (Wednesday)
Elementary 38 weeks-182 days
High School keeps Feb. 19, 20, 21 3
High School 185 days
108
Graduation Dates : 1945
June 13-Wednesday
June 14-Thursdays
June 15-Friday
7:30 P.M .- Eastham Graduation 8:00 P.M .- Orleans Graduation 2:00 P.M .- Chatham Graduation
June 15-Friday 8:00 P.M .- Harwich Graduation
Sept. 3, 1945-Labor Day
Sept. 4, 1945-Teachers' meeting-9:30 A.M., Harwich
Sept. 5, 1945-Classes meet for first session
Sept. 5, 1945 to Dec. 21, 1945
16 weeks
109
CORPS OF TEACHERS, JANUARY, 1945
Name
School
Preparation
Year
Appointed
Experience
Prior
Sept. 1944
Salary
Home
Address
Otto E. Nickerson
Grammar
Hyannis Normal
1924
25 yrs.
$1800
Catherine M. Skinner
Intermediate
Bridgewater Normal
1944
12 yrs.
1200
Eastham So. Chatham
Vesta Gould
Primary
Hyannis Normal and Exten. Courses
1943
9 yrs.
1200
Eastham
Eleanor Anifantis
Vocal Music
Lowell Normal
1942
2 yrs.
180
Arlington
Thomas Nassi
Inst. Music
N. E. Conservatory
1929
16 yrs.
500
Orleans
Margery C. Grier
Art
Washington U., St. Louis
1944
11 yrs.
180
Harwich Port
Virginia F. Horton is on one year's leave of absence from September 1, 1944 to June 30, 1945. Mrs. Catherine M. Skinner began her teaching in Eastham with the opening of school, September 6, 1944, taking grades IV and V in absence of Mrs. Horton.
Clarence K. Brayton resigned August 12, 1944. His period of service as Supervisor of Art in the towns of Union No. 21 covered the period of five years-September 5, 1939 to June 30, 1944.
Mrs. Margery C. Grier, who succeeds him, began her work with the opening of school September 6, 1944.
110
CLASS OF 1944
Graduation Exercises were held at the Eastham School June 14, 1944
Judith Isabelle Brackett
Irene May Eldredge
Robert Cross
Manuel Perry Escobar
Reginald Bertram Moulton, Jr.
Norman Wesley Reimers
111
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Including Recommendations of the Eastham Finance Committee
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Eastham in the County of Barnstable :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town, qualified to vote in Elections and Town Affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Town on Monday, the fifth day of February next, at ten o'clock in the fore- noon, then and there to act on the following articles in this Warrant, and to meet in the Town Hall in said Town at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, the sixth day of February next, then and there to elect all necessary Town Officers.
Polls to be opened at 1:00 P. M. and may be closed at 5:30 P. M.
Article 1. To act upon the Annual Report including Recommendations of the Selectmen and other Town Officers and Committees and see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the following sums of money to defray depart- mental expenses for the ensuing year :
113
Depts. Heads' and Finance Com. Recommendations
SALARIES:
Moderator
$ 25.00
Road Surveyor
50.00
Constable
50.00
Secretary, Finance Committee
50.00
Selectmen
1,100.00
Board Welfare
800.00
Assessors
700.00
Town Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector
2,000.00
Accountant
500.00
EXPENSES :
Selectmen and Assessors
175.00
Accountant
30.00
Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector
350.00
Officers' Traveling Expenses
100.00
Election Department
100.00
Surety on Bond
100.00
Assessors' Abstracts
75.00
Certificate of Notes
10.00
Legal Expense
150.00
Janitor
1,400.00
Town Hall
600.00
Police
150.00
Prevention and Suppression of Fires
300.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
40.00
Inspection of Wiring
30.00
Moth Suppression
800.00
Tree Warden
20.00
Health
200.00
Inspection of Animals
40.00
Dog Account
20.00
Highway General
500.00
Snow
300.00
Public Welfare
800.00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,500.00
Old Age Assistance
6,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
300.00
Schools
18,802.00
Tax Title
350.00
Town Landings
300.00
Memorial Day
70.00
Community Christmas Tree
35.00
Town Reports
300.00
Finance Committee
10.00
Insurance
500|00
Miscellaneous
125.00
Reserve ....
1,000.00
Old Cemeteries
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