USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1952-1956 > Part 7
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The question still remains, do you want a Regional
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School ? Does it offer more than we are now giving the youth of our respective communities? Will the advantages of a Regional School outweigh the present school program enough to warrant the expenditure? Is it necessary for Cape Cod ? These are a few of the questions about which the Eastham Regional Committtee still holds an open mind, but as indivi- duals we cannot answer for you. We would like to leave the thought that this committee would favor a proposed Vo- cational School for this area since we feel that there is a definite need for the teaching of trades to both boys and girls on Cape Cod.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES K. B. ADAMSON JAMES E. SCHOEFIELD ELIZABETH F. COLLINS
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Expended 1952
Needed 1953
General Control :
School Committee :
Salary and Expenses
$ 319.74
Superintendent of Schools : Enforcement of Law-
Salaries and Travel
1,130.00
Office Expenses
136.95
$1,586.69
$ 1,555.00
Instruction :
Supervisors
$ 2,587.29
Principal and Teachers
11,919.33
Textbooks
342.13
Supplies
425.26
$15,274.01
$15,848.00
Operation :
Custodian
$2,333.32
Fuel
868.49
Electricity
231.09
Miscellaneous
506.11
$3,939.01
$4,535.00
Maintenance :
Repairs, Replacement & Upkeep
$621.06
$500.00
Auxiliary Agencies :
Library
$100.37
Health
512.48
Transportation
7,937.78
Tuition
10,165.16
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Miscellaneous
1,103.61
$19,819.40
$26,249.00
Outlay : New Grounds and Buildings New Equipment
$1,035.73
$ 500.00
Totals
$42,275.90
$49,187.00
Appropriated for 1952
$ 43,486.00
Expended 1952
42,275.90
Unexpended
$ 1,210.10
NET COST OF SCHOOL YEAR-1952
Total Expenditure
$42,275.90
Accounts Receivable :
School Funds and State Aid
for Public Schools- Chapter 70
$1,958.28
City of Boston-Tuition
and Transportation 837.54
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Tuition and Transportation 866.14
Reimbursements for : Account of Superintendent of Schools
435.56
Transportation-Chapter 71
6,455.62
Cash Collected-Dental Clinic
39.50
10,592.64
$31,683.26
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SCHOOL LUNCH DEPARTMENT
Available Funds :
Appropriation-1952
Transfer
$ 500.00 200.00
Refunds
10.58
$710.58
Sales of Lunches-1952
$3,264.65
*Federal Subsidies for 1952
1,453.89
4,718.54
Available Funds-1952
$5,429.12
Expended-1952
5,174.85
To be carried forward to 1953 available funds $254.27
*Does not include $270.01 claimed for November and December 1951 received in 1952. Does include $317.30 claimed in November and December 1952 not received December 31, 1952.
BALANCE SHEET FOR HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
For the Year ending December 31, 1952
Receipts :
Sales-1952
$3,264.65
Federal funds
1,453.89
Increase in inventory
Appropriation and Transfer
700.00
Refunds
10.58
$5,429.12
Expenses : Services
$1,411.00
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Operation
3,763.85 Food and Miscellaneous
Increase in surplus
254.27
$5,429.12
Requested for 1953
$1,000.00
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Appropriation-1952 Expended
$700.00 162.80
$537.20
Requested for 1953
$700.00
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee and Citizens of Eastham :
The last several annual school reports have stressed the fact that present chaotic world conditions render long-range educational planning virtually impossible. It has become in- creasingly apparent, however, that many of the conditions which keep our civilization in turmoil will be with us for a long time, and for that reason we must attempt to solve our problems to the best of our ability in the light of present conditions. We have been pursuing this policy for the past year and I herewith present my report together with my recommendations for the future.
REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT
It is a pleasure to report that the School Committee poli- cy of maintaining the school in first-class condition has been carried out to a large extent by our full-time custodian, Mr. Nathan Weber. During the summer all floors and furniture were cleaned and refinished, the walls were cleaned, window sills cleaned and refinished, and many small items of repair were taken care of immediately without calling in outside workmen. This procedure not only saves the town immediate expeditures but in many cases prevents the development of costly major repairs.
In addition to the routine repair work the activity room, the teachers' room, and the outside doors were painted, new basketball backstops were built and are being erected, the roof has been patched, book cases have been built in the class rooms, and metal pipe legs were put under the lunch room tables in place of the wooden horses. The savings realized by having Mr. Weber do all this work, plus the fact that he also assists Mrs. Prentice with the hot lunch program, thus making it possible to dispense with the extra lunch room worker, goes a long way toward paying Mr. Weber's salary.
New equipment purchased during the year includes twelve students' desks two musical instruments, a file for
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the health department, and new furniture for the teachers' room.
ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
Average Membership
'47-'48
'48-'49
'49-'50
'50-51
'51-'52
Elementary
65
84
93
104
115
High School
28
29
30
33
36
Total
93
113
123
137
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Percentage of Attendance
92.06
95.38
94.05
93.55
94.78
Enrollment by grades as of October 1st can be found at the end of the school report. Last year it was reported that our class rooms were overcrowded, especially when we con- sider that we have two grades in each room. The recommen- ded number of pupils per teacher is 25-30. When we consider the number of different subjects which a teacher must cover in two grades, it is obvious that with 35 pupils there is very little time for individual help. We had anticipated the need for more space in the near future, but our rapid growth this fall and our expected first grade enrollment for next fall make it imperative that some action be taken at once. As of this writing, we have an enrollment of 130 pupils in the East- ham School and we anticipate a first grade of 25 in the fall. This would mean a first grade of 25 and a second grade of 19 or 44 pupils in Mrs. Gould's room. This in an impossible situation, both educationally and from the standpoint of health. Some action must be taken to provide an extra class room in the fall. The only solution seems to be to send grades 7 and 8 to the Orleans High School, thus making it possible to separate the first two grades.
FINANCE
The total cost of schools continues to rise, but a study of the following table will show that our enrollment has in- creased at approximately the same rate. Thus our gross cost per child in 1952 is only $3. more than in 1951. This per child cost of $255.75 is below the average for towns of our size which is $259.26. Eastham's town valuation has also in- creased rapidly enough to keep the school tax below $10. per thousand which puts us in the lowest group in the state. The state average expenditure for towns our size is $15.02.
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1948
1949
1950
1951
1952 (1)
Total Cost of Schools
$ 28,212.40
$ 30,857.21
$ 35,304.17
$ 38,665.98
$ 42,220.00
Reimbursement
5,237.22
7,869.21
8,941.85
10,838.97
10,300.00
Net Cost of Schools
22,975.18
22,988.00
25,362.32
27,827.01
31,900.00
Valuation of Town
1,987,050.00
2,321,880.00
2,622,250.00
3,095,060.00
3,200,000.00
Tax for Schools
11.55
9.90
9.67
9.00
9.97
Number of Pupils
115
129
147
153
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Gross Cost Per Pupil
245.32
239.34
240.16
252.72
255.75
Net Cost Per Pupil
199.78
178.20
172.53
181.87
192.72
(1) Since this report is written in November some of these figures are estimates.
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IN SERVICE TRAINING
This program under the direction of Mrs. Knight has proved most beneficial to the elementary teachers of Union #19. Each month the teachers meet in one of the schools of the Union to work on the improvement of some phase of the curriculum. Mrs. Knight is a recognized authority in the field of elementary education and has been able to give many helpful suggestions on presentation of material, motivation of learning, and the use of visual aids. At present we are developing a course of study for the social sciences. The courses of study already developed have helped us to co- ordinate our efforts in the various subject matter fields.
LIBRARIES
We have continued our program of building home room libraries by our annual expenditure of approximately $1. per child. The books are carefully chosen with consideration for the interests of each grade and also the reading ability. In any group of children there is a reading ability range of about five years, so books must be chosen which interest the children but which range in difficulty from two years below the age level to two years above. In this way all the children can find books which will appeal to them, thus cultivating an enjoyment of good books.
NATURE STUDY
Mr. Levy of the Audubon Society has been coming to us for several years and his bi-weekly visits are anticipated with joy by the pupils because of his infectious interest in the world around us. He brings specimens which help to motivate the course. We feel that the interest thus aroused not only extends the immediate knowledge of the pupils, but in some cases many awaken permanent interests which may lead to a life occupation.
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CONCLUSION
In concluding my sixth annual report, may I express the hope that all the various school reports and the statistical reports will be read thoughtfully and carefully in order that all may have a clear picture of the school as it is today.
Again I express my appreciation to all school personnel and to the members of the School Committee for their co- operation during the last year. We have a good school be- cause we have interested, conscientious teachers and a fine group of boys and girls with whom to work. It is the duty of the School Committee and the Superintendent to furnish the tools of learning, to provide the necessary space, and to coordinate the efforts of the teachers that they may be able to devote their best efforts toward the development of future citizens. The School Committee has devoted many hours to the consideration of the routine problems which arise in the daily administration of a school and many additional hours to the consideration of our space needs. I feel sure that the citizens of Eastham will appreciate this effort and will give thoughtful consideration to the final solution of our space needs.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. HOYT
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REPORT OF THE EASTHAM SCHOOL Otto E. Nickerson, Principal
Because of no changes in our regular teaching person- nel, and but one in our supervisors, we have had a fine year of steady progress. Due to Mrs. Putnam's careful daily sur- veillance, no epidemics have occured and our percentage of attendance has been gratifying.
Mrs. MacPherson came to fill the vacancy in our physical education program. She has carried on the ideas of her prede- cessor, Mrs. Reed, and we feel that good posture and sports- manship are still capably stressed.
Words cannot express the degree of quality, as well as quantity, of the work done by our new building custodian, Mr. Nathan Weber. There seems to be nothing he can't and doesn't do cheerfully for anyone and everyone at school. Come in and see the results of our committee's wise step in hiring him !
Our main problem this fall is over-crowding in three of our four rooms. What can be done about this for another year will no doubt be thoroughly discussed at the forums and coming town meetings.
P. S. After attending the forum of December 2nd, I find the consensus of opinion is definitely toward sending Grades VII and VIII to Orleans, and against a kindergarten here. If this plan is adopted, why is it necessary to think of any building program here for a few years?
REPORT OF THE GUIDANCE DIRECTOR
David O. Lynch
The guidance service in the Eastham School consists of building the inventory for each pupil to contain all the
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useful data that accumulates through the grades. Testing is administered to individuals and to whole grades. We use scholastic capacity, achievement, personality and aptitude tests. Councelling is given each member of the eight grade and other students as needed. The eighth grade meets with the guidance director each week as a group and works on self analysis, vocational plans, and high school registration and orientation. Much time is spent with the eighth grade as this is perhaps the most important time in the school life of the pupil.
It might be noted here that space needs to be provided in the school building for guidance and health activities. It is impossible to test or counsel in the same room where a health examination is being conducted or the telephone is ringing. An all-purpose room should be considered for the use of the various supervisors if you are to get the most of your special teachers.
Recently the writer was asked by a member of an out-of-town audience to justify the existence of the guidance program. A guidance program may be evaluated by the ex- tent and quality of the services offered. Your program is the only state approved union program in Massachusetts so we must compare our program with that of the average single school program. The scope of the program is wide enough to embrace all the practical aspects of guidance in common use and nothing is left undone to help the individual pupil. We assist pupils to understand themselves and their prob- lems, to make good use of their personal and environmental resources and to choose and plan wisely in order that they may deal successfully with their problems and make satis- factory adjustments now and later.
If we evaluate the guidance service in terms of money, we find that the educational and placement activities have returned to high school graduates at least twice the cost of the entire program over the last several years. No other
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school service can justify its existence in terms of money re- turned. If we add to this the life time earning potentials of individuals who have been helped to plan wisely, the tangi- ble value must be counted in the thousands of dollars.
This has been a year of real achievement in Eastham. Your principal, Mr. Otto Nickerson has cooperated whole- heartedly, as have his teachers. The helpful spirit which pre- vails in the Eastham School is real, deep, and friendly. It is the sort of spirit that one expects but rarely finds in educa- tion today. Under the rare leadership of Mr. Nickerson pupils find a strength of spirit which stays with them for a lifetime. It is the most valuable aspect of education and you are fortunate to have it in Eastham.
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
C. Aileen O'Toole
The one element not lacking in the art classes in the Union is enthusiasm of the children. I sincerely hope that we are doing whatever is possible to build up a creative spirit in the young children which will not be broken in later years but will become a part of their everyday life.
Time and space are lacking for the most part in the week's art program. Some classes can be visited only every two weeks in other towns in the Union. Classes vary in length of time from twenty-five minutes to forty-five minutes on the elementary level. A period of 45 minutes or one hour a week in a typical elementary class would be ideal-with supplies available close by, and the children free to work un- hampered by time. Opportunities for painting, crafts, ex- pression and experimentation in untried media would be possible.
Today in our classes the children can respond for the
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most part only with pencil, crayon and paper. The results are rewarding, however, and all children are participating. The teachers of the grades also do much with their children -some of the work is directed entirely, and on the other hand, much is creative. Especially good are some of the murals connected with social studies and other activities which have been developed and carried to completion by the children themselves.
Some of the media possible to use and experiment with under the circumstances in the intermediate and higher grades in the elementary schools are tempera (opague water color), charcoal, colored chalks, and water color. We hope to use them in those classes and they are also available for the teachers who wish to try them on their own with their in- dividual class.
By participating wholeheartedly, the children have made this a pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable "job". I can only hope that they are receiving as much as they give in satis- faction. There is a long way to go in building up an adequate program in the arts, but as classes grow larger and increase in number, this becomes a more difficult job with one person to carry it out.
REPORT OF THE INSTRUMENTAL TEACHER Frederick A. Gricius
It became apparent after the first month of school that there was an increase in the number of instrumental begin- ners as compared to the last school year. To meet the needs of teaching this larger group of beginners, a new schedule was put into effect with the permission of the principal, Mr. Nickerson. This schedule allows the stringed and brass in- struments to be taught one week and the woodwinds and percussion instruments the following week. Instead of hav-
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ing a lesson every week, they now have a lesson every two weeks. This schedule has proved adequate and eliminates the time problem of teaching this larger group of beginners in one day.
The progressiveness of parents, other citizens, town and school officials has made it possible to greatly improve the instrumental department. Last year money was appropriated to purchase a new trombone and this year a baritone has been acquired. Both instruments are an important addition to the school orchestra and are being utilized.
It is encouraging to note the value of our private in- strumental teachers and the progress of their students in our orchestras. The new music store in Yarmouth has been indispensable to our music program in providing for the needs of school instruments, materials, professional teachers and repair work.
The success and growth of any instrumental program has always been due to cooperative effort and support by interested parents, teachers, school and town officials. I sin- cerely believe this effort and support has been gaining steadi- ly and will continue to do so in the future. The importance of an adequate musical education in public schools is being realized more and more by school boards throughout the country. It is an important part of growing up for our boys and girls.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF VOCAL MUSIC Webster Whitney Tileston
Especially fortunate is the youngster who is in a position to grow up with music. As a wholesome outlet for the child's expression, it is also a dominating force, creating desire and appreciation for general school activities. It has been au-
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thoritatively proven by music educators that the study of music will develop mental agility, breath control and better all-around character. It will provide the background for a warmer and more comprehensive appreciation of all of life's greatest moments-a broader, maturer outlook, enhancing many years of a life made richer and warmer by Music-the expression of the soul.
The procedure I am following more than ever this year, right through the grades, really boils down to what might be called an 8-fold program :
1. Singing for its own sake
ยท
2. Rhythmic experience
3. Development of skills in music reading
4. Creative experience
5. Combined instrumental and singing experience
6. Appreciation through listening and participation
7. Fusion of Music with the general curriculum
8. Dramatic experience
In these grades here, I feel that progress is very marked -enthusiasm high-and results gratifying and inspiring. Mr. Nickerson's seventh and eighth grades are particularly out- standing in their choral work as was definitely exhibited in the Thanksgiving program.
Hearing, observing and helping this fine school in the music field makes me recall reading material that so befits all this-to the effect that music is the voice of the soul-the one art that makes of all the world one great family. Isn't that true? Tired little eyes find rest to Mother's crooning of a lullaby. Hearts of stone soften to its spell. Dead ambi- tions take new life. But only those who can really sing or play know all of its wonderments. They choose the songs that fit their mood and speak their feelings with a burden- lifting power unmatched by words or actions and far beyond the reach of those who only listen.
So-realizing all this, I consider that music is God's
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best gift to man, the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth that we take to heaven. But music, like all our gifts, is given us in the germ. It is for us to unfold and develop it by instruction and cultivation.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Town of Eastham
During the latter half of the 1951-1952 school year physical examinations were completed on all newly admitted students and follow up examinations were indicated. A very small number of major physical defects were found and in each case the child was under the care of the family physician who obtained expert advice where indicated.
Minor physical defects found were largely confined to diseased tonsils and flat foot deformities of various degrees and in the former the parents are following the advice of their physician relative to treatment or operation. As the foot clinic at the Cape Cod Hospital has been discontinued we have considered establishing one as part of the school medical program with the approval and cooperation of the parents. The cost of such a clinic would be very low and could be established and maintained by the present medi- cal and nursing staff.
During the year we have had the usual number of colds most of which have been of short duration. The only epi- demic was that of chicken pox last spring and while many were absent from school no bad results were reported.
Playground accidents were few and of a very minor na- ture and only two required the services of the school physi- cian.
The fall physical examinations are nearly completed and it is gratifying to report that the vast majority of our pupils are in excellent health.
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Our school nurse continues to prove her value especially in teaching the pupils the necessity of personal hygiene and the results have been excellent.
Respectfully submitted,
LYSANDER S. KEMP, M. D.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Jean W. Putnam, R. N.
A full school year of the new health program at East- ham Grammar School has now been completed and it has been gratifying to work with the principal, teachers, and students there. We are fortunate in having such a capable physician available and so interested in the health of the school children.
Physical examinations were completed early during the last school year with the children being found in very good health .. Mild foot deformities seem to present the greatest problem and present plans are to work individually with these children in an effort to correct any abnormalities.
It was impossible to give the vision test before January, due to the lack of equipment. However, it was given at that time and future treatment encouraged wherever necessary.
A dental hygienist visited our school during February to administer Flourine Treatments to the teeth of those chil- dren whose parents desired to have this done. This is a most remarkable program being done throughout the country to preserve children's teeth by applying flourine, a substance which is obtained mostly in drinking water but whose supply is not always adequate. It would be encouraging to have 100% attendance at the 1953 clinic as it is such a helpful treatment given without any discomfort.
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Last year was completed with the new first graders and parents visiting the school, and among other things, learn- ing more about the health program which we are trying to enlarge upon because of its importance. My daily visit to the school commences at 9 a.m. and any parent wishing to discuss their child's health is encouraged to call at this time.
During the spring we witnessed an outbreak of chicken pox. In order to guard against things of this nature we are now enforcing the regulation that after five continuous days of absence, a written slip of examination must be presented before the child is re-admitted to school.
In September of this year the Massachusetts Hearing Test was given and it is good to know that we had no fail- ures.
The usual dental clinic was held for four days during September and any parent wishing to have their child's teeth cared for could do so at this time.
The Massachusetts Vision Test has been completed this fall and any failures will be reported directly to the parents in hope that they will carry on with necessary treatment.
At the present time, physical examinations are once again in progress and will soon be completed. We are find- ing healthy children in our school.
It is our sincere hope that this program will not only con- tinue, but grow in the future. Functioning as a team with parents, teachers, and students this goal will be obtained.
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