USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1947-1951 > Part 36
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It is also interesting to note the growth at the high school level. Since the tuition rate is also increasing, this has meant an increase in our total school costs during the last few years.
Finance
The cost of schools continue to increase as all other costs are increasing, but a study of the following table will show that the burden upon the taxpayer has not been exces- sive in Eastham. The town's valuation is so high that the tax for schools of about $9.60 compares very favorably with the state average of $14.41. Eastham's valuation of $19,000. per pupil compared to a state average of $12,272. makes Eastham one of the town's best able to support its schools. Our net cost per pupil is slightly above the average because we have a comparatively small school.
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1947
1948
1949
1950
1951 (1)
Total cost of schools
$21,903.11
$28,212.40
$30,857.21
$35,304.17
$38,701.00
Reimburse-
ments
4,584.45
5,237.22
9,941.85
10,846.00
Net cost
17,318.66
22,975.18
7,869.21 22,988.00
25,362.32
27,855.00
Valuation
of Town
1,793,580.00
1,997,050.00 2,321,880.00
2,622,250.00 2,900,000.00
Tax for
schools
$9.65
$11.55
$9.90
$9.67
$9.60
Number of
pupils
97
115
129
147
150
Gross cost
per pupil
$225.80
$245.32
$239.34
$240.16
$258.00
Net cost
per pupil
178.54
199.78
178.20
172.53
185.70
(1) Since this report is written in November, it is necessary to estimate some of the figures.
(1) Since this report is written in November, it is necessary to estimate some of the figures.
Personnel
It is again gratifying to report a small turnover in personnel with no losses among our regular classroom teachers. Mr. Frederick Gricius, who replaces Mr. LaPorte as teacher of instrumental music, is a graduate of the Bos- ton Conservatory of Music and has had one year's experi- ence in Maine. We feel that the addition of the school nurse who comes to the school each morning, is a long step forward in our health program. I refer you to Mr. Nicker- son's report for a more complete explanation of Mrs. Put- nam's work.
Miscellaneous
(1) Course of Study Work. This program under the super- vision of Mrs. Melvin Knight is being continued and is proving very beneficial to the teachers. We hope that eventually we shall have a complete course of study for all parts of the curriculum.
(2) Libraries. We have continued to add to our libraries, allowing an expenditure of about $1.00 per child per year for this purpose. We have built library shelves in the rear of three of the rooms in order that the
165
books may be displayed and be readily accessible to the children.
(3) Nature Study from Mr. Levy of the Audubon Society has proved most helpful in interesting the children of grade 6 in the world of nature about them.
(4) Handwriting. The Rinehart System has become an ac- cepted part of our curriculum, and everyone seems to be in agreement concerning the beneficial results in improving the children's handwriting.
(5) Guidance. For a report of progress in this field, I refer you to Mr. Lynch's report.
(6) Music and Art. I trust that the reports of Miss O'Toole, Mr. Gricius, and Mr. Tileston will be read with thought- ful care for a better understanding of these important phases of the school program.
Conclusion
In concluding my fifth annual report, I wish to again express my appreciation to the members of the School Committee and also to the teachers for their continued sup- port and cooperation throughout the year. The efficiency of our educational services depends very largely upon the classroom teacher, and individually and collectively, the Eastham teachers have devoted their time conscientiously and unstintingly to the educational welfare of the children under their guidance. The long hours devoted by the School Committee to planning and developing school policy and the conscientious devotion of the teachers - lacking either we would fall far short of our goal of bringing to all children of Eastham the very best in education.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. HOYT
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REPORT OF THE EASTHAM SCHOOL
Otto E. Nickerson, Principal
Not many changes have taken place in our teaching personnel for the past year. Our loss, by death, of Mr. Ralph I. Saunders was keenly felt by everyone with whom he had so faithfully worked. His position was temporarily filled by Mr. Richard LaPorte who was invited to join the next upper Cape union this Fall. Mr. Fred Gricius, a grad- uate of the Conservatory of Music, came to us in Septem- ber, and is very successfully carrying forward the good work of his predecessors.
Eastham can well be proud of its choice of Mrs. Joseph L. Putnam as our first independent school nurse. She cheerfully visits us each morning at nine, and checks on all health matters. Any parents wishing consultation with her may call any morning at this hour. The boys and girls, older as well as younger, have grown to love her quiet but efficient ways, and feel perfectly free to go to her for help or advice. It is also very satisfying to know that Dr. Kemp is ever ready on call for any emergency which may arise. It is indeed a pleasure to have our school nurse and doctor so mutually cooperative.
Mrs. Barbara Eddy has replaced Mrs. Grozier as Mrs. Prentice's assistant, and the school lunch department is smoothly functioning in the regular and well-patronized way. So far, our lunch price is the one nation-wide com- modity which has not been raised.
The attendance remains about the same as last year, and according to the latest census there will be no great change for 1952 - 1953. If we can be as sure that the ter- mite census is on the wane, our school housing problem should not be too difficult for the year to come.
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REPORT OF THE GUIDANCE DIRECTOR
David O. Lynch
"Why do we hear so much about guidance today whereas once it did not seem so necessary or important?" This is a question which keeps occuring when people are first making the acquaintance of school guidance.
This question may be answered by stating that guid- ance has always been necessary, but is .more so now Through the years all good teachers attempted to help youngsters be well adjusted and to make intelligent plans for their own futures. In the simple society of the horse- and-buggy days it was comparatively easy to help the relatively few youngsters in our secondary and higher in- stitutions. Times have changed and schools have changed, and these two factors have greatly increased the need for guidance. Society has changed. Whereas in 1870, 52 per- cent of the wage earners of this country were engaged in agriculture, that now has fallen to 16 per cent. With the decline in the number of persons earning their living through agriculture, we have found a decided shift of population from the country to the city. A country boy could not help but learn about at least one occupation. He might learn that he did not like it; but this, though a negative fact, was a most important one. Too, the home is much less the center of vocational and economic life, and also of social life, than it was in the past.
Furthermore, there has been a great increase in the amount of training which is required for different types of work. For example, dentists used to be considered trained after 18 months of school. Today, it requires six years beyond high school, and many of our better dentists are taking seven or eight.
We have seen industry becoming more and more specialized. The school, too, has become larger and more specialized. We have added to the number of subjects
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taught in the schools. Whereas often this is very good, it makes guidance much more necessary. It is very good to have a wide choice of subjects but if the student is to get the kind of education best for him it is necessary that someone study him and try to help him select those studies and activities which will be of greatest value to him as an individual and as a member of society.
What we call guidance today has come about through attention to vocational guidance, consideration for the mental health of the individual, the growth of personnel work in industry, the attention of the many aspects of the child and his development, and finally the need for helping a pupil make normal progress through the school.
Each pupil continues to have his inventory folder and each year the information becomes more valuable. Stand- ardized testing is being continued; pupils from grade eight through twelve are being counseled; occupational informa- tion is constantly being collected; placement of graduates is continuing with good success; follow-up studies are made as needed; and Career Day has become an annual fixture.
The high school graduates of 1951 obtained more money in scholarships than in any previous year. News of the progress of our graduates who continue their training is encouraging. Especially those with physical handicaps who have been helped by Mr. King of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Education prove that a physical condition need not hold them back in their search for success in the world of work. The Com- monwealth pays for the training of all who are eligible under the law. Mr. William King follows each one through his training and assists in placement upon the completion of the training.
Your Guidance Director continues to serve as a mem- ber of the planning committee for the Massachusetts Association for Mental Hygiene Institute for Teachers. The Commissioner of Education selected him to serve on a
169
state committee to study the life adjustment education for youth in the Commonwealth.
Parents are urged to present their school problems to the Guidance Director. The information needed to solve problems can be found in the guidance files and a con- ference is usually all that is needed to solve a problem.
The team work between members of the school system, from the administration down, is what makes the guidance service valuable to the pupils. My thanks are extended to all who have cooperated this past year.
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
C. Aileen O'Toole
The pupils, teachers and environment of the Eastham school make it constantly a pleasure to visit that building Friday mornings. The enthusiasm of the children and their love of drawing make it complete. Also, the cooperation of the teachers permits experimentation and the usage of new and varied art media. Art has a place in Eastham- all classes work during the week on other phases of art under the direction of their teachers and in relation to their other subject matter, i.e., reading, history, science, etc.
This enthusiasm and cooperation on the part of both pupils and teachers allow work with materials usually not possible in an elementary school. For example, in the 7th and 8th grades we can work with linoleum, the students producing excellent block prints. Mr. Nickerson gives his pupils additional time in which to work more fully on their designs and do more printing than would be allowed in a 40 minute period, once a week.
Because of illness in the school this past spring, the annual exhibit was not given. We hope that this year there will be an opportunity for the work to be shown to parents
170
and friends of the pupils. The work of this school com- pares more than favorably with that of other schools, as was shown in the exhibit held in the Spring at the Cape Cod Art Association Gallery in Hyannis in an exhibit of art work of students on the Cape.
It is really a pleasure to be a part of the "family" of the Eastham School-that is the way one is treated there.
REPORT OF THE INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER
Frederick A. Gricius
Since taking over the duties of instrumental teacher in Eastham, I have been pleased by the cooperation and assistance given me by the school department, parents and private teachers interested in developing public school music to the fullest.
It is my sincerest hope that parents will take an active part in helping to build a bigger and better musical organi- zation in Eastham by organizing an Orchestra Parents Association. This association is the one efficient means of raising funds for a music scholarship each year so a worthy graduate may continue his or her musical education. There are other worthwhile projects that can be carried out through the association in conjunction with the school orchestra such as buying music and instruments, and finan- cing trips of students to music festivals. This organization is prevalent throughout the country and has proved a suc- cess in music-minded communities.
We are fortunate to have help from private teachers who are indispensable in any public school music program. The need for a full-time brass teacher in this school union has been my concern from the outset of the school year. I have accepted the services of Mr. Charles Tourgee, who is a specialist on brass instruments, majoring in trombone.
171
Mr. Tourgee, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and studied with Mr. Coffey, world famous trombonist. Mr. Tourgee has a Bach- elor of Music Degree in Instrumental Music and has taught in Plymouth and Hyannis.
The increase in the number of girl and boy beginners learning to play an instrument made it necessary to cur- tail the rhythm band and symphonette classes so that sufficient time could be spent in training beginners and re- hearsing the school orchestra. This change was approved by Mr. Nickerson. Oddly enough there are eighteen in the orchestra and the same number of beginners. At present this is the instrumentation :
Orchestra
Beginners
1 piano
2 violins
4 violins
1 cello
1 cello
4 clarinets (Bb)
3 clarinets
1 clarinet (Eb Alto)
1 saxophone
4 trumpets
4 trumpets
5 drums
1 mellaphone
3 drums
1 mellaphone
The condition of school-owned instruments is improv- ing since plans are being carried out to repair instruments that can be repaired. I would like to add the "ole sayin" that "A man is as good as the tools he has to work with and no better."
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC
Webster Whitney Tileston
The progress of Vocal Music in the Eastham School continues with ever increasing achievement and results are gratifying. More and more, boys and girls from first
172
through eighth grade are experiencing the pleasure of sing- ing together and expressing the thrill and beauty of it all in such a way that they themselves are satisfied and at the same time are allowing others to understand their feelings and share their experience with them. Frequent programs to which the parents are invited aid in this expression.
Throughout the year I have kept in mind that the child voice is a sacred trust and that the forming of cor- rect habits of singing in the grades is the laying of a foundation for the beautiful adult voice. Soft singing within the compass of the voice will never harm, while loud singing will immediately lead to disaster. Tones must be pure and pleasing rather than powerful. Expressive singing is im- possible with forced tones. Therefore, not only to preserve . the voice, but also to assure meaningful interpretation, all tones must be pure and floating.
More specialized programs could be possible in the future if more time was allotted the instructor in a given Town.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Town of Eastham
My appointment, as school physician did not begin until September of this year so I cannot report on the preceding months of the school year. I do know, however, that there were a considerable number of school children ill with whooping cough and measles and a few with mumps last spring. So far as I know the recoveries were uneventful.
We are now in the process of giving each child a physical examination. These are being done in small groups in an endeavor to devote as much time as seems necessary with each child. This work is over half completed and up to the present time physical defects have been found largely
173
to be of a minor and correctable nature. The general health of the children is excellent and they have a fairly good working knowledge of the principles of personal hygiene which they apply well.
With the beginning of this school term a change in the nursing program has been made. We now have a part time nurse for the Eastham School children who makes a daily visit to the school and we have been most fortunate to obtain one who has had excellent basic training, has a very pleasing personality and one in whom the children have complete confidence. The testing of vision and hearing will be one of her functions. Her assistance during the physical examinations has been invaluable and much appre- ciated. The fact that she is at the school daily to investigate any illnesses or minor accidents that may be brought to her attention, to give first aid where needed, to call the physi- cian relative to any of the above and daily to instill the principles and application of personal hygiene will, I am sure, prove to be of great value.
Respectfully submitted, LYSANDER S. KEMP, M. D.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Jean W. Putnam, R.N.
It is with pleasure that I submit my first report as school nurse for the Eastham Elementary School. Since my assignment became effective this past September, my re- port will include the work carried on from September 5, 1951 to December 1, 1951.
My routine work includes a daily visit to the school to consult with the teachers and take care of any illnesses that may arise. The teachers are also being very observant
174
of each child's daily health. The health of the children in Eastham is remarkable and no serious sickness has arisen this year. In order to notify the parents concerning the health of their children, home visits are made after my visit to school and the parents have been most cooperative and interested in our program.
Physical examinations commenced promptly at the be- ginning of the school year with our new school physician, who is extremely interested in the health of the children. Records are being kept so that treatment may be en- couraged if necessary and also so that each parent may be notified of his child's health.
It has not been necessary to send many children home with colds or rashes proving the alertness of the parents to guard against the spread of any disease. I hope we will continue to have such a good record throughout the year.
A dental clinic was sponsored on October 1, 2, 3, and 4. All children wanting treatment received capable dental work with permission being obtained from the parent. Sixty-five children attended the clinic.
The Massachusetts Hearing Test has been given to all students with follow up work being done.
Dr. Fred L. Moore, county health officer, visited the school on November 14, 1951 to give booster doses for diphtheria and tetanus to the first grade children re- quiring it.
The health program is progressing and I wish to thank Mr. Nickerson and the teachers for their keen observations and willingness to function as a team in this program.
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ENROLLMENT BY GRADES
October 1, 1951
Grade
Boys
Girls
Total
1
5
7
12
2
10
6
16
3
8
11
19
4
5
10
15
5
7
1
8
6
11
9
20
7
7
6
13
8
8
3
11
61
53
114
TABULAR STATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP
BY GRADES
1941 - 1951
Grades
1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951
1
11
3
4
2
6
16
3
15
17
15
12
2
6
11
3
4
3
7
17
6
17
19
16
3
9
5
7
4
4
4
8
16
7
20
19
4
7
8
6
7
7
7
5
11
15
10
15
5
13
7
4
6
10
9
6
8
11
16
8
6
8
9
8
7
6
8
11
7
11
13
20
7
9
6
6
9
5
7
8
10
7
11
13
8
9
10
7
5
8
5
9
14
12
8
11
72
59
45
44
49
63
67
87
97
112
114
176
EASTHAM PUPILS ATTENDING ORLEANS HIGH SCHOOL
School Year 1951 - 52
Period September 5, 1951 to December 31, 1951
Name
Grade
Janet Cathcart
9
Judy Collins
9
Helen Emond
9
Shirley Johnston
9
Peter Schwind
9
Philip Smith
9
Bradley Whitmore
9
Elizabeth Carey
10
Helen Cathcart
10
Donald Christopher
10
Robert Harper
10
Kenneth Higgins
10
Stanley Keene
10
Betty Macomber
10
Cornelia Rogers
10
Walter Selenius
10
Sharon Tarvers
10
Theodore Tibbals
10
Gregory Turner
10
Charles Wiley
10
Alice Carey
11
Robert Carey
11
John Clark
11
John Eatough
11
Priscilla Lincoln
11
John Ohmann
11
Diane Pierce
11
Beverly Shakliks
11
Esther Tibbals
11
Leonard Vogel
11
177
Peter Walker
11
Carole Anderson
12
Edith Emond
12
Janet Gould
12
Edward Macomber
12
George Moore
12
Donald Ohmann
12
Joachim Schneider
12
Nancy Schofield
12
SCHOOL CENSUS October 1, 1951
Boys
Girls
Five years or over and under seven
11
57
Seven years or over and under sixteen
15
46
26
103
Distribution of the Above Minors In public day school membership :
Five years or over and under seven
12
Seven years or over and under sixteen In private school membership:
102
Seven years or over and under sixteen
1
Not enrolled in any day school :
Five years or over and under seven
14
129
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1951 - 1952
September 5, 1951
to
December 22, 1951
January 2, 1952
to
February 16, 1952
February 25, 1952
to
April 19, 1952
April 28, 1952
to
June 20, 1952
178
School Holidays
October 12, 1951-Columbus Day-Friday.
October 19, 1951-Barnstable County Teachers' Meet- ing.
November 11, 1951-Armistice Day-Monday, Novem- ber 12.
November 22 and 23, 1951-Thanksgiving Recess- Thursday and Friday.
December 22, 1951 to January 2, 1952-Christmas and New Year holidays.
February 16, 1952 to February 25, 1952-Mid-Winter vacation.
April 19, 1952 to April 28, 1952-Spring vacation.
February 22, 1952 - Washington's Birthday during Mid-Winter vacation.
April 19, 1952-During Spring vacation.
Graduation : Tuesday evening, June 10, 1952.
School opens for year 1952 - 53 September 3, 1952.
A meeting of all teachers and supervisors will be held at the Eastham School at 9:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 2, 1952.
GRADUATION EXERCISES Eastham Grade School
Wednesday, June 6, 1951 - 8:00 P.M.
CLASS ROLL
Eckhard M. C. Balthasar*
Shirley Ruth Johnston
Janet May Cathcart Judith Anne Collins*
Helen Lorraine Emond*
Peter Hatch Schwind Bradley Gray Whitmore
*Honors in Scholarship.
179
CORPS OF TEACHERS, DECEMBER 1951
Name
Position
Preparation
Date of Beginning Service
Experience prior to September
Salaries
Home Address
Otto E. Nickerson
Principal & Teacher Grades 7 & 8
Hyannis Normal
1924
$3500.
32 years
Orleans R.F.D.
Delia L. Macomber
Teacher Grades 5 & 6
Bridgewater
9-9-1946
2700.
24 years
Orleans R.F.D.
Esther K. Handel
Teacher Grades 3 & 4
Hyannis Normal
9-7-1943
2700.
14 years
No. Eastham
Vesta L. Gould
Teacher Grades 1 & 2
Hyannis Normal
9-8-1943
2700.
16 years
Orleans R.F.D.
C. Aileen O'Toole
Art
Pratt Institute
9-8-1948
320.
4 years
Orleans R.F.D.
David O. Lynch
Guidance Director
Boston Univ.
9-8-1947
650.
10 years
Harwich
Frederick A. Gricius Instrumental Music
N. E. Cons.
9-5-1951
600.
1 year
Orleans R.F.D.
Webster W. Tileston Vocal Music
N. E. Cons.
1-2-1946
340.
19 years
Chatham
Teachers Who Have Left Eastham School Service During 1951
Ralph I. Saunders
Dates of Service
Richard G. LaPorte
3-1-51
- 6-30-51
Service in Eastham 1 year 6 months
9-7-49 - 2-15-51
4 months
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DISTRIBUTION OF THE 1951 TAX RATE OF $27.00
GENERAL TOWN ADMINISTRATION 30% OR $8.10
HEALTH AND
RECREATION 10% OR $2.70
PUBLIC WELFARE
8% OR $2.16
ROADSY TOWN LANDINGS
11% OR 27€.
4% .R $1.08
MISCELLANEOUS
SAFETY (POLICE, FIRE DEPT.) 4% OR $1.08
EDUCATION 43% .R $11.61
APPORTIONMENT OF THE VARIOUS DEBITS AND CREDITS OVER THE SEVEN ACCOUNTS IN THE 1951 PIE-CHART
GENERAL: Debit with: Accountant, Clerk, Officers' Travel, Selectmen and Assessors' Expense, Assessors' Abstracts, Finance Com. Exp., Legal, Certification of Notes, Election & Registration, Treasurer's Expenses, Surety on Bonds, Town Hall, Plan- ning Board, Building Inspector, Tax Titles, Town Reports, Insurance, Janitor, Secretary F. C., Tax Title Property Sale, Tercentenary, Salaries of Moderator, Selectmen, Assessors,
182
Treasurer, Collector and Clerk, Auditorium Note and Inter- est and Reserve.
Credit with: Receipts from License Fees, less assessment for State Audit.
HEALTH AND RECREATION:
Debit with: Ambulance, Tree Warden, Moth Truck Expense, Moth Suppression, Wood Ticks and other insects, Dutch Elm disease, Poison Ivy, Health, Town Dump and Land, Inspection of Animals, Dog a/c, Hospital Bed, Shellfish a/c, Woodchucks, Tent Caterpillars, Windmill, Baseball, Town Advertising and Library.
Credit with: Receipts for Health and Sanitation, Dog Officer and Library fines. Debit with: Assessments for State Parks and Mosquito Control.
WELFARE:
Debit with: Public Welfare, P. W. Administration, Old Age As- sistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Veterans' Services, - Old Cemeteries, Soldiers' & Sailors' Lots and Board of Welfare Salaries.
Credit with: Charities, Old Age Assistance, Old Age Meal Tax, and Veterans' Benefits.
ROADS AND TOWN LANDINGS:
Debit with: Highway General, Snow Removal, Town Landings, Chapter 81, Chapter 90, Town Roads and Road Surveyor's Salary.
Credit with: Receipts from Excise Taxes on Autos.
EDUCATION :
Debit with: School Budget, School Lunch Budget, Vocational Education and Termite Extermination.
Credit with: State Receipts for Schools.
SAFETY :
Debit with: Police Dept. Expenses, Fire Dept. Expenses, Sealer Weights and Measures, Wire Inspectors and Salary of Constable.
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