USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1947-1951 > Part 27
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One of the long felt needs in Eastham has been the establishment of a physical education program. We are happy to say that we have been able to employ Mrs. Ethel Reed on a part time basis to conduct this program. Mrs. Reed has had considerable experience in physical education and we feel that she is making a real contribution to our over-all health aims.
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Another feature of the health program is the dental clinic. It is regrettable that some parents do not realize the importance of having their children's teeth cared for during their school days. A great deal of trouble in later life could be prevented if the teeth were given careful attention during the critical growing period.
Included in the physical examination of each child is a test of the eyes using the Massachusetts Vision Test equip- ment, and a test, of the ears, using the pure-tone Audiometer purchased by the towns of Union No. 20. This instrument is used in turn by all the towns of this school union. Dr. Moore has been most helpful in setting up a training pro- gram for the teachers and nurses who are to use the Audio- meter. In Eastham both the eye and ear tests are adminis- tered by the school nurse, Miss Wye.
Still another school project which directly affects the health of the children is the hot lunch program. Although this is now a familiar story to most, occasional comments come to our ears indicating that not all people do under- stand the function of the program Every lunch served in our schools must supply one-half to one-third of the daily nutritional needs of the child and must contain minimum amounts of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. One-half cup of fruit or vegetables and one-half pint of milk must be included with each meal. These standards are strictly en- forced with spot checks from time to time, and parents can be assured that every meal served contains these elements in the correct proportions. Another feature of this program is that we take pride in the cleanliness and good sanitation practiced in the kitchen. It is a pleasure to report that in a test conducted by Dr. Moore's office, our dishes showed an extremely low bacteria count.
It seems to me that we can consider that we have a very well-rounded program for insuring the health of the children.
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REPAIR
We have continued our policy of maintenance with the aim of putting the school in first class repair and keeping it that way. We carried out our objectives for the year of painting the toilets and the lunch room. We also found it necessary to strap some of the ceilings, build more lunch tables, and replace the water pump. These expenditures, together with minor repairs, made it necessary to postpone the painting of the auditorium. This should be done in 1951.
Another unexpected expenditure for 1951 develops from the discovery of termites in the building. This is a condition which must be remedied at once in order to save the building from further damage.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Course of study work. The program started last year under the supervision of Mrs. Knight has been continued. A course of study in English in grades one through six has been completed and is now in the hands of the teach- ers. While our long range objective is to develop courses of study in all parts of the curriculum and thus insure coordination throughout the grades, the incidental values derived from working together and with Mrs. Knight is of inestimable value. Suggestions for motivating and presenting various phases of the work are presented at each meeting.
2. Libraries. We have continued the practice of budgeting $150.00 for the home room libraries, and this investment is beginning to pay dividends. It should be realized that this sum represents only$1.30 per child, and that it will take several years to build up the libraries to really satisfactory standards.
3. Nature Study. We have continued the program offered by the Audubon Society again this year. The pupils look forward to Mr. Levy's visits, and the course does much
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in developing an interest in, and respect for, the world of nature.
4. Handwriting. The Rinehart System has been continued, and both teachers and parents agree that the system has improved the children's writing.
5. Report Cards. Since there seems to be some misunder- standing concerning the new report cards adopted this year for the school, I should like to emphasize that a great deal of study and thought was devoted to the de- velopment of this card. Hundreds of different cards were studied by the teachers of Union No. 20, and the card which was developed was the result of the combined opinions of all the teachers. This card was used last year in grades 1 - 3 with apparent success, some improvements were made, and it is being tried in grades 1 - 6 this year. The purpose of any rank card is to give the parent a clear understanding of his child's progress in all phases of the program, including his development in those very important characteristics which we group under "citi- zenship". We feel that it is a mistake to grade element- ary children with the initials, A, B, C, etc., because first, it gives the parent no indication whether the child is working up to his capacity, and second, it tends to de- velop competition for marks which is not beneficial at this age. It is true that the old method worked well for the child of high mental capacity, but we do not believe that any child who works up to his capacity should be penalized with low marks. We shall welcome criticism of this card throughout the year, and shall be glad to change any part of it if the change will improve the card as a conveyor of information to the parents.
CONCLUSION
In concluding my fourth annual report, I wish to ex- press my appreciation to the members of the School Com- mittee, the townspeople, principal, and teachers for their
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support and cooperation over the last four years. With co- operation we have continued to improve our school building and our educational methods. As long as this cooperative spirit is maintained, we shall continue to make progress in this most important of work-the education of children.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. HOYT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL .
EASTHAM SCHOOL
With no change in its personnel our school has accom- plished another good year of progress. Our enrolment has increased about 20%, but it has so spread itself throughout the rooms that none is overcrowded. The first grade, which was predicted to be our largest in years, is outnumbered by the second, third and fifth.
Mrs. Gertrude Moore resigned as lunchroom manager in mid-September. Mrs. Dorothy Prentice has capably filled this position, and established an enviable record for re- markable cooking, love of childhood, and each month is showing a steady gain financially. It is my desire that she be given an assistant before she becomes too weary in her well-doing.
It is pleasing to both children and teachers to have so many parents and friends attend our bi-monthly assem- blies. These will be continued throughout the year.
For the second season, the Grammar School anticipates every other Wednesday morning for it brings Mr. Levi, our natural science instructor from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Ask any member of this class why he enjoys it, and learns so much from it.
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Mrs. Ethel Reed's work as our physical education director is excellent. Improvement is already noted in pos- ture, many new games have been taught and square dancing is especially enjoyed indoors when the weather is inclement.
I still hope to live and teach long enough to see a real kindergarten functioning in our school.
Respectfully submitted,
OTTO E. NICKERSON
REPORT OF THE GUIDANCE DIRECTOR David O. Lynch
How long have children and young people been recog- nized as individuals? How much information concerning human variations has been accumulated ? A quick survey over the past 2500 years provides a brief, but convincing answer.
About 450 B.C. Socrates was concerned with the nature of the individual and his place in social organization. Plato recognized the individual in his Republic. Quintilian, a Roman teacher, said "It is generally, and not without reason, regarded as an excellent quality in a master to ob- serve accurately the differences of ability in those whom he has undertaken to instruct, and to ascertain in what direction the nature of each particularly inclines him; for there is in talent an incredible variety, and the forms of mind are not less varied than those of bodies."
Vitorrinio da Feltre of Mautua, Italy, conducted a school in the 15th century. He ignored class differences and concentrated on ability differences, adapting his teaching to individuals.
John Locke, 17th century English philosopher, recog-
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nized the importance of studying individual children. Rous- seau, 18th century French philosopher, considered the use of children's native talents to guide instruction almost self-evident.
Francis Galton, an English scientist, made a study of 977 eminent men to determine if they had eminent fathers, brothers, and sons. He devised tests to determine differences in the various senses. Binet, a Frenchman, brought forth the first intelligence scale in 1905. Terman, an American, revised the scale and made it a basic instrument for study- ing individual differences in 1916.
Thus, the speculations of philosophers have slowly been confirmed by the scientists. Individuals do exist. We now know his general characteristics, specific traits, we have developed numerous methods for helping him achieve his own uniqueness.
Guidance is an attempt to put into educational practice a respect for the individual, his personality, his interests, his peculiar urges and ambitions. It is an attempt to develop an educational technique of working with individuals rather than loose groups or age classes.
We use the inventory folder on all grade levels to gather information relating to the individual in order to assist the teacher to acquire helpful information quickly. This year the sixth grade teachers took their completed folders to the Junior High School and met with the teachers there in an attempt to make the transition from the sixth to the seventh grade an easier task for the pupils. The experiment evidenced much value and will be continued in the future.
Standardized tests in reading, a 12 grade school achievement tests, scholastic capacity tests, mechanical aptitude, clerical aptitude, musical aptitude, art aptitude, manual dexterity, vocational interest inventories, person-
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ality inventories, and special relations aptitude are used to gather information about the individual and the results are placed in the pupil folders.
One or more counseling interviews are furnished for each high school pupil each year. The eighth graders are counseled before the selection of high school subjects. It is planned to send to the parents the recommendation of the guidance director so that all concerned will know what is best for the pupil.
Occupational information is still being gathered. As soon as it is possible to secure pupil clerical assistance, this practice will provide valuable office experience and much more information for our files. Career Day is planned for Chatham High School on March 14, 1951 and again we will have twenty or more specialists to furnish inspiration and information for our pupils.
Placements in further education and on jobs continues at a higher level than last year. Field trips are made with pupils to acquaint them with the facts not obtainable from printed material.
A follow-up study has been made of our 1949 high school graduates and we have learned that almost 100% have carried out plans made in high school and are well satisfied with the results. Our college preparation seems adequate but most of the college students say that typing should be required of all high school pupils planning a college career. Our commercial training is good enough for our pupils to pass Civil Service exams but some grad- uates claim that business machine instruction would be very helpful. The social studies seem to need revitalization. There was a great deal of free comment added to the sur- vey blanks which is hard to tabulate, but most valuable when studied and acted upon by the teachers and ad- ministration.
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Life adjustment classes are no longer under the ad-
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ministration of the guidance director but are left to the discretion of the high school principal. The activity in this area is under the scrutiny of the State Committee on Life Adjustment, which is a part of the National Com- mittee.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Education has done some excellent work with our physically handicapped pupils. Mr. Wm. King of New Bedford is the representative for this area and he has been most conscientious in following out his duties.
The guidance attitude of the teachers is growing more intense. This is especially noticed when a teacher takes grad- uate work in guidance. More people, in and out of the schools, have accepted the idea that adequate education is individualized education and requires the information fur- nished by the Guidance Service. The cooperation of the teachers with the guidance activity is excellent. Painstaking contributions to the individual folders and early referral of problems to the guidance director has resulted in a much more valuable program.
Parents are again invited to present their school prob- lems to the guidance director. We can all work together to improve individual adjustment and the educational program.
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
Each year in the Town of Eastham proves to be a bet- ter one than the year before regarding interest and re- sults on the part of the children of all grades in the field of art. It is a happy experience for an adult to see children create. If a parent provides materials for them at home- i.e., crayons, paint and paper, he will see the child create. From a blank sheet of paper (a difficult thing for anyone to face without an idea !) you will see a thought or idea evolve through the medium of crayon or paint.
The opportunity for parents interested in art at home
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seems to be unlimited with the many different media avail- able for creative expression.
The time element in the elementary schools of the Union makes it difficult to do much more than work with crayon. However, almost all of the teachers of the grades provide projects and related work for their children cor- relating with their social studies, etc. In this the children do a large amount of work.
The most important phase of the art activities in every grade and age group is the child's growth, and a knowledge of the fact that his own worthwhile efforts are appreciated. The student's results are not measured by a pre-set scale- rather he is allowed to progress at his own rate and is judged by his ability, interest and effort.
A comparison of the work of the children of Eastham with other schools in the Union and on the Cape, may be seen each year in June at the exhibit of art work of schools, sponsored and held in the gallery of the Cape Cod Art Association in Hyannis.
Respectfully submitted,
C. AILEEN O'TOOLE.
REPORT OF
THE SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Eastham
This year the study of instrumental music begins in the third grade. The children are allowed to choose an .in- strument to study and receive individual instruction.
The beginners started this year are as follows:
(5) Violins
(3) Trumpets
(2) Clarinets
In addition to the above, the school orchestra members
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receive individual instruction and show promise of being a fine, well balanced organization.
(4) Violins
(1) Cello
(2) Trumpets
(1) Saxaphone
(4) Clarinets
(1)
Oboe
(1) Piano
I would like to thank Mr. Nickerson, all the pupils, teachers, and parents for the splendid cooperation that has been extended to me.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH I. SAUNDERS
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC
Webster Whitney Tileston
Town of Eastham:
Boys and girls in the Eastham School really enjoy their music ! It is evidenced more and more as each week goes by and the musical achievements and accomplishments mount up through the mastery of the various songs with their tone, time and theory problems and the finished pro- duct enthusiastically presented on my weekly visit to each class.
I realize-as most of the parents and school board members do,-that a great part of this is due to the earnest, devoted, and inspirational zeal of the class room teacher, and I am deeply grateful that we have such an efficient corps.
The outstanding results of last school year's work in music were unquestionably the various semi-monthly pro. grams in which different grades were in charge each time,
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and the final spring concert in which every grade per- formed, from the first through the eighth. In this, the de- velopment of the child's singing voice and the furthering of his musical knowledge and attainment was delightfully exhibited through the presentation of the Rote songs of grades one and two; the note reading songs of grades three and four; the two-part work of grades five and six; and the three part work of grades seven and eight.
There is no doubt that in America now-more than ever-there is an exceedingly widespread interest in music. Musical organizations, ranging all the way from pretentious and costly symphony orchestras, opera companies, and choral societies to our own small-town bands, glee clubs, and church choirs, flourish everywhere. Conservatories and schools are not only introducing music into their programs of studies, but are busily enlarging their curricular offer- ings in the field.
This can mean only one thing. It means that we are coming to see that musical culture can play a great part and possess a great value in human living; that musical education, whether given formally by teachers or inform- ally by concert courses, by participation in musical organi- zations, and so on, is exceedingly desirable. Such a strong popular demand imposes a great obligation, and constitutes a great opportunity for musical leadership.
I sincerely hope a good many of our boys and girls will follow through with their love of music to this field of endeavor.
Respectfully submitted, WEBSTER WHITNEY TILESTON
REPORT (1950-1951) OF EASTHAM SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
The earlier examination of the Eastham school students was accomplished this year in a manner somewhat different
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from that of the previous year; the surveys were conducted on a number of separate dates. It was accordingly possible to examine smaller groups of the children devoting more time to the individual. It seems reasonable to draw certain conclusions from the examinations this year.
The entire school group was found in excellent health ; the very few instances of physical defect or disorder were in each case quite obviously correctable. It is significant to note that the older children seem to have a remarkably clear concept of the meaning and importance of good health and the hygiene necessary to obtain and keep such good health. The superior appearance of the school children is doubtless a reflection of the use, in recent years, of better varieties of antibiotic treatment by the family physicians and it seems scarcely necessary to mention that a great part of the reason for this excellent, health record is directly due to the alert and effective efforts of the County health Department in prophylaxis, preventative and immunization methods. No little credit is due to the continuing accom- plishments of the School Nurse; clearly many of the ton- sillectoniies, vision correctives, and general hygenic pro- cedures which have heretofor been merely contemplated as perhaps an interesting collection of good ideas, many of these have now been actually carried out through her effort. The benefit to the various children is immediately apparent during the examinations. Long periods of school attendance without sickness-interruption is the rule.
No case of contagious disorder was found; health rec- ords are in good order. No epidemic was encountered and the incidence of disease of the ears, nose, and throat was almost negligible. The few transfer students received at Eastham had, on the whole, excellent accompanying rec- ords. No special or significant problem appears to exist in the Department of School Health.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. WRIGHT, M.D.
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REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE Mildred Wye
During 1950 we made 1097 visits in Eastham to carry out our public health program, but still we lacked time to see all families with preschool children.
This is our sixth annual report for the town, and we find it increasingly difficult to write something new and interesting. However, our zeal never lessens in our efforts to produce results. We still feel that the great cooperation given by the Eastham School personnel, the town officials and the Eastham families provide any nurse with a happy and productive field.
Problems under these conditions are about non existent. The gallant Red Cross continues to provide transportation to clinics whenever we call upon them, and the town offi- cials are most charitable when we approach them in behalf of children needing corrections whose families cannot foot all the bill.
Dr. Fred L. Moore, County Health Officer, has pro- vided a series of immunization clinics where preschool children were given the combined triple antigen to protect them against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus and vaccinated against smallpox. School children ten years old and under were also included for booster doses of the com- bined diphtheria and tetanus antigen. Three monthly clinics have been held with 80 attending. So far in Eastham we have encountered only two fathers who through fear, ignor- ance or prejudice have refused to have their children pro- tected, and we feel very sorry for their children.
We were most happy the way in which medical exam- inations were conducted at the school this year. The nurse and school physician met several times as prearranged so that fewer children were taken each time and less hurried examinations given. Dr. Wright is especially equipped to
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give good examinations, with a great understanding of individual problems, physical, mental and emotional. Later on we shall get together to examine any new children com- ing into the school.
Eastham's three-day dental clinic was again offered with capable volunteer assistance given the dentist. Mrs. Otto Nickerson has given much of her valuable time to this project year after year, and we take off our hat to her. In fact, we would throw in our hair if we had more of it. We feel this clinic is an exceptional opportunity for children to have dental care if they do not have a regular dentist.
In the school we tested 109 children's vision with the Massachusetts Vision Test, and as soon as we can pro- cure the equipment again, we plan to retest those failing. During the year 10 children were examined by Dr. Karl Riemer, Boston oculist, who comes to the Cape Cod Hos- pital weekly. Four other children were seen privately by specialists.
Other corrections included nine children who had ton- sillectomies. There were no serious epidemics, but exper- ence has taught us that any infectious cold in the school means a run of absence. This fall we've had a prevalent twenty-four hour grippe. Until we can control colds through education, we shall continue to have whatever illness the "cold" precedes.
The Massachusetts Pure Hearing Test was used in the spring, and individual audiograms were given 37 children. Miss Ann Thompson of the State Dept. of Health, loaned us an equipment and instructed us in its use. The nurse also attended an audiometer institute arranged by Dr. Moore to instruct, Cape nurses in its use. As soon as we can borrow the necessary equipment, we shall do hearing tests and try to formulate a plan for corrections or treat- ment.
We had three Well Child Conferences attended by 42. These were conducted by Dr. Kemp, one being held in con-
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nection with Registration Day at the school, one at the Town Hall, and one at the home of Mrs. Bradley Steele, Massasoit Road. We are most appreciative of her gener- osity, and thank her heartily in behalf of mothers in that neighborhood who found it informal and easier to solve the transportation problem.
The Eastham School hot lunch continues to flourish. This year with an enrollment of 110 children, all except 8 take advantage of this project, and occasionally three of those eight also have hot school lunch. This is a big im- provement over some other years, and we hope when next year's report rolls around, we'll be able to say : "Every single child has a hot school lunch, so Eastham is 100% educated to this opportunity."
Further statistics follow :-
Sixty-seven visits were made to the Town of Eastham, and 1097 calls made as follows :
36 Antepartum
53 Postpartum
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