USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1957-1961 > Part 36
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Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs.) Velma MacPherson, Sec'y. Edward J. Brown, Chairman Leonard E. Tarvers Richard Mulholland (Mrs.) Louise Campbell Recreation Commission
113
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
-
To the Board of Selectmen :
Number of registered voters January 1, 1961 845
Removed from voting list because of removal to other towns or death 34
Added to voting list by registrars 29
Total number of registered voters, January 1, 1962 840
Enrolled totals :
Republicans 335
Men 399
Democrats
45
Women 441
Independents 460
840 840
Any female who has married during the year must re- register in her married name, as her maiden name is auto- matically removed from the voting list on January 1 fol- lowing her marriage.
Meetings for the registration of voters are held at stated times during the year. Notices for these meetings are posted in the post offices and Town Building.
Residents may also register any week day, except Satur- days, at the office of the Town Clerk during regular office hours.
Respectfully submitted,
AURORE V. KING, Chairman
HENRY J. McCONE ELEANOR P. DALEY Board of Registrars
114
1
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Board of Selectmen ;
I hereby submit my report for the year 1961.
Scales over 10,000 pounds
Sealed 1
Scales under 100 Pounds Non-sealed 1 Sealed 10
Gasoline Meters 1 inch or less Non-sealed 1
Sealed 21 Adjusted 1 Sealed 1 Adjusted 1
Vehicle Tanks
Kerosene, Oil, Grease
Sealed 2
Gasoline Retest 2
Package Goods Retest 1
Totals Retests 3 Non-sealed 2 Sealed 35 Adjusted 2
Total Amount of Fees collected $34.25
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY M. WALKER
Sealer of Weights and Measures
115
REPORT OF THE SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
To the Board of Selectmen :
During 1961 a total of 4281/2 bushels of quahogs were planted in Salt Pond to supplement the natural supply in this area.
We have a good set of quahog and clam seed in the Salt Pond, also a set of clam seed in the Salt Pond River.
Commercial shellfishing continues to show an up- ward trend, particularly in Cape Cod Bay. The following are conservative estimates of shellfish taken from Eastham waters in 1961 by commercial fishermen.
Quahogs
Clams
Mussels
16,000 bushels No estimate 4,000 bushels
Estimated take of shellfish on family permits 500 bushels.
Permits were issued at the Town Office as follows:
Resident Non Commercial 1077
Non Resident Non Commercial 165
Commercial 30
Scallop 1
Respectfully submitted,
LLOYD A. MAYO,
Shellfish Constable
116
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Selectmen :
The scouting and trapping program was carried on during the past year to assist the Conservation Department of the Commonwealth in tracing the movement of the Gypsy Moth.
Fortunately, no Dutch Elm Disease has been detected in the Elm Trees in town. Constant vigilance is maintained to guard against this disease coming into Town.
The spraying program was successful and the budget for this appears adequate for the ensuing year.
Again, the Department did more brushing and limbing on the town right of ways, where most needed. This is done as a protection to the motorist and it is believed that road hazards are reduced by this work.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Mr. Nathan A. Nickerson, Road Surveyor, for his donations of brush spray and assistance to the de- partment.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES P. ESCOBAR Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent.
117
REPORT OF THE EASTHAM VACATIONISTS' HANDBOOK
-
The 1961 Handbook was distributed just prior to the Memorial Day weekend, and proved to be as popular as earlier issues. Each issue seems to grow in popularity with our visitors, and the committee is continually trying to maintain this.
Once again we are indebted to some of the citizens of Eastham, and also to other friends, for their assistance in the preparation of the Handbook by the offering of pic- tures, and text articles. Your committee would like to have you know that we solicit this help, and any suggestions you might have.
The Handbook for 1961 again contained 44 pages, and the printing was 25,000 copies. All copies were distributed by Labor Day, which probably indicates the need for a larger printing in the future. The distribution was to the many advertisers, the Town Hall, the Windmill, all the information centers of the Cape Cod Chamber of Com- merce, the New York Information Center of the Massachu- setts Department of Commerce, and to the information booth of our own Eastham Board of Trade.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard J. Vander May, Chrm.
Charles Borgarello
Varena R. Daley
Harold D. White
Wallace S. Woodworth
Louis K. Gregory
Frederick H. Jewell
118
REPORT OF VETERANS AGENT
Town of Eastham
To the Board of Selectmen :
The year 1961 has been very favorable to the Town of Eastham in regards to Veterans' Benefits paid by the Town. However, this cannot be considered a standard for the future. As in all cases and phases of Public Aid to the needy, changes take place momentarily and for amounts impossible to determine in advance for any length of time. As the years go by, many Veterans now self supporting are stricken with an illness which prevents them from working or cuts off their resources partially or entirely and they must be aided through some means of Public Assistance.
I would like to emphasize the fact that all aid such as Food, Shelter, etc., after a thorough investigation by the Veterans' Agent, is administered by the Town of Eastham and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sharing equally in the cost. Also, that such aid as Hospitalization, compen- sation, pensions, death benefits, G. I. Insurance, etc., are ad- ministered by the Veterans' Administration of the Federal Government. The Veterans' Agent will furnish advice and directives whenever he can for any business connected with the V. A., but cannot make any direct decisions concerning this type of aid.
I wish to thank all the Town Officers for their coopera- tion during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE A. BAKER
Veterans Agent Town of Eastham
119
WELFARE WORKER'S REPORT
-
To the Board of Selectmen :
There is an increase in Welfare this year due to the addition of the new category, Medical Assistance for the Aged, and the fact that transportation allowance was in- creased as well as rates in Rest Homes.
The amount expended in 1960 for the five Welfare categories was $36,315.60 and in 1961 the amount was $46,598.41, an increase of $10,282.81, the Medical Assist- ance for the Aged being $9,758.16. This category fluctuates and some months is around $400.00, other months $3,000.00. The cost of unexpected illness and hospitalization is an unknown quantity. The medicals in all five categories amounted to $19,391.58.
The payments for the five categories was divided as follows :
Federal
$22,175.61
State
15,672.14
Local
8,750.66
$46,598.41
Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs.) DORRICE M. MAYO Welfare Worker
120
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN of EASTHAM
OF
EAS
NMOJ
HAUSET 1629
FOR THE YEAR
1961
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1961
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Theodore L. Hicks. Chairman
Term Expires 1963
Mrs. Dorcas Gill
Howard Brewer
Term Expires 1962 Term Expires 1964
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Sydney G. Pierce
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE Winfred Knowles
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dr. Walter F. Whitright
SCHOOL NURSE Mrs. A. May Dunphy, R.N.
122
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
General Control:
1961
1962
School Committee Expenses
$ 301.95
Superintendent of Schools Enforcement of Law Salaries and Travel
2,516.48
Other Expenses of General Control
201.81
$3,020.24
$ 3,090.00
Instruction :
Supervisors
$ 6,194.57
Principal and Teachers
37,931.86
Textbooks
405.50
Supplies
1,393.84
$45,925.77
$48,186.00
Operation :
Janitors
$3,999.96
Fuel
1,381.12
Miscellaneous-Electricity,
Janitors' Supplies, etc.
1,198.75
$6,579.83
$ 7,400.00
Maintenance :
2,161.54
2,000.00
Auxiliary Agencies :
Library
$ 566.15
Health-Physician, Nurse, Supplies
2,103.94
Transportation
14,073.35
Miscellaneous-Telephone, Films,
Insurance, Tuition
3,112.17
$19,855.61
$20,410.00
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Outlay : New Equipment Contingencies
$1,516.29
$1,830.00 1,000.00
Totals Appropriation 1961 Expended 1961
$79,059.28
$83,916.00
$81,758.00
79,059.28
Unexpended 1961
$ 2,698.72
SCHOOL LUNCH DEPARTMENT
Receipts
Expenses
Sale of School Lunch-1961
$3,579.52
Federal Subsidies
1,784.88
Salaries
$2,117.04
Equipment and Food
3,293.81
$5,364.40
$5,410.85
1961 Appropriation
800.00
Expended
800.00
Requested for 1962
800.00
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Appropriation 1961
$3,000.00
Expended 1961
2,167.41
Unexpended
$ 832.59
Requested for 1962
$2,000.00
OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL
Appropriation 1961
$100.00
Expended 1961
67.50
Unexpended
32.50
124
EASTHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
To the Citizens of Eastham :
The Eastham School Committee hereby submits its annual report.
This year saw the completion of our classroom re- decorating and modernizing program. All that now remains in up-dating the old section of the school is new lighting in the hall and redecorating the hall and ante-rooms. This improvement heads the list for 1962 along with the begin- ning of a shade curtain replacement of at least one room a year.
On the exterior, we have installed an outside bubbler for playground use and asphalted part of the play area in the rear of the old section of the school. This project in- cluded a new drain under the rear stairs to keep rain water out of the basement. Chinning bars were erected on the playground by Mrs. Gill and Mr. Brewer and it is gratifying to see the use they are getting. The physical fit- ness tests have revealed a weakness that the use of these bars should improve. This coming year we have budgeted for the clearing of underbrush around trees, both in front of the building and the wooded area between the rear of the school and Minister's Pond.
The new reading and math programs are moving ahead well with the efforts of our teaching staff. Ability group- ing of students continues to be one of the major changes taking place in elementary schools across our land. The advantages this method offers to slow, average and ad- vanced students as well as the improved utilization of our teachers' time makes us certain we will allow this system to spread to courses other than the present reading program.
125
Another facet of elementary education being widely discussed currently is foreign language in elementary school. We are presently introducing French in our school ( 11 a small scale. Whether this should be intensified is a matter for more discussion and investigation.
The addition of these aforementioned improvements together with the strong foundation of tried and proven methods and implemented by a cooperative and able staff result in a school of which this community may well be proud. Your school committee. in subsequent years, hopes to be able to say, "It is even better now." Increased de- mands on our graduates each year makes this goal a neces- sity. This is a challenge we, as committee members, accept as our responsibility. There are times when some members of this community may disagree with our ideas or objec- tives and these criticisms are welcome. It is this interest on the part of the people of Eastham which produces the desire to do our very best for the betterment of our chil- dren's education. The continued trust in the judgment of our decisions is greatly appreciated.
In closing. we should like to remark on the fine attend- ance at our Elementary and High School programs by par- ents and others. This seems to improve each year along with the programs themselves. The pupils and teachers involved put much effort and time in their preparation and it is gratifying that they are getting the necessary sup- port of the general public.
Respectfully submitted,
THEODORE L. HICKS, Chairman DORCAS M. GILL, Secretary HOWARD E. BREWER
126
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Eastham:
This is my seventh in the series of the school reports of the school superintendents for this town. .
Following custom, a five-year comparison of the cost of school operation is presented.
COST OF OPERATION
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
Local
$ 87,113.11
$ 97,206.97
$ 86,895.68 22,007.71
$ 79,578.58
$ 81,294.19
Region
57,263.04
63,944.81
Reimburse-
ments
18,991.86
20,665.59
20,855.84
23,023.63
33,171.59
Net Costs
68,121.25
76,361.38
88,047.56
113,817.99
112,067.41
Valuation
4,766,415.00
5,107,075.00
5,509,030.00
6,011,635.00
6,572.790.00
Tax for School
Operation
14.29
14.95
15.98
18.93
17.05
No. of Pupils
196
212
217
235
237
Gross Cost Per
Pupil
444.54
457.67
501.86
582.30
612.82
Net Cost Per
Pupil
347.55
360.20
405.75
484.33
472.86
It will be noted that in the past five years the gross cost of operation has nearly doubled. This is due largely to the advent of the regional school organization with its improved educational opportunities. Not only is a wider program offered, but more pupils are taking more sub- jects than ever before, and, naturally, more teachers are required. Also, Eastham now pays a full per pupil cost share instead of a favorable tuition rate. At the local level, the establishment of kindergarten and an increase in some of the supervisory services, along with salary improve-
127
ments and general rise in price levels, have kept the cost of local school operation from receding as much as one might expect it should, with the tuition item removed from the local budget, after entering upon regional district oper- ation.
However, net cost figures present a brighter picture. Due to increased reimbursements from the state level, our net operating costs have increased less than 65% during this period.
Our per-pupil-cost figures are very high when com- pared with state averages. This is due partly to better than average per-pupil expenditure (please see Mrs. Wright's report for evidence of an indication of better- than-average results), and it is also an indication of size. Small communities, with small schools and small classes, offering comparative services, invariably have higher per- pupil rates than urban and suburban communities. Trans- portation alone, in a town like Eastham, may account for more than $50.00 a year of the gross per-pupil cost. But, after applying the state reimbursement, transportation comprises only about $5.00 of the net per-pupil cost. It should be noted that the net per-pupil has increased only about 36% in the period mentioned.
Factors that operate to our decided advantage are the large proportion of non-resident taxpayers and the steadily increasing total valuation of the town.
The former is estimated to comprise about half of the total valuation, yet they do not require public school ser- vices. The effect is that school costs for the local resident are about half what they would be otherwise.
The total valuation of the town has been increasing on an average of more than $400,000 a year recently. This has served to place Eastham among the highest communi-
128
ties in the state in terms of valuation per pupil, and among the very lowest communities in the state in regard to rate of tax for school operation. The percentage of the tax dol- lar expended for school operation ranks just about average for Eastham, among the 163 Massachusetts towns under 5000 in population.
The following figures show a comparison of all costs for school including buildings, between 1961 and 1962.
COSTS
1961
1962
Local Operation
85,658.00
85,941.00
Local Building
7,680.00
7,560.00
Regional Operation
63,944.81
61,997.31
Regional Building
24,889.47
24,269.47
3,000.00
3,000.00
185,172.28
182,767.78
CREDITS
Chapter 70-State Aid
16,075.75
16,650.75
Chapter 71-Transportation
12,405.57
12,845.37
Special Class
930.58
766.56
Superintendent Reimbursement
855.99
917.24
State Building Grant
1,729.78
1,729.78
Vocational Education
813.92
750.00
Tuitions
360.00
33,171.59
33,659.70
NET COST
152,000.69
149,108.08
Valuation
6,572,790.00
6,800,000.00
Tax Impact
23.13/1000
21.93/1000
Some of the credits for 1962 and the valuation for that Year are necessarily estimated, but allowing a margin for error, it appears that the total tax impact for schools will
129
be less in 1962 than it was in 1961, and the 1961 figure was lower than that of 1960! This means that in the last year or two gross and net costs have levelled off considerably, while total valuation increased, with the result that the average taxpayer actually is paying less dollars for schools than he did in 1960.
PROGRAM
A primary objective of the school is to help each child to develop his talents as much as individual capacity will allow. It seems that we are in a favorable position for the pursuit of this objective.
We have small classes. Only one grade numbers as many as 22 pupils. This provides opportunity to assess the needs and abilities of each child and to plan work assignments accordingly.
Special class facilities are available for children with learning problems that in the regular classroom situation either would be neglected or require an unfair share of teacher time. This service, with a specially trained teacher, is available at the Wellfleet School through a tuition arrangement.
We have kindergarten class. Although this is some- times looked upon as play school, the modern program in- cludes much more of learning experiences than most peo- ple may realize. Children develop number sense, reading readiness, language arts, color recognition and manipula- tive skills, in addition to the songs, games and other social activities, all of which give the child a head start in the process of educational development.
A school library is being devoleped in the cafeteria, and a substantial number of new books and replacements are added each year, to encourage recreative reading and
130
some independent study, along with the development of library skills.
Late publications of elementary school text books are evidence of current improvement in instructional materials. They contain much helpful information and valuable sug- gestions that have been developed out of recent research in the learning process. There is emphasis on increased understanding of subject matter as opposed to skillful manipulation and memorization without understanding. This is expected to provide a stronger foundation upon which to build with the new knowledge that is appearing in profusion. Our recent textbook selections have provided with up-to-date material in most of the subject areas, and plans prepared for additional purchases as soon as they can be made with care.
On the broad scene this is a period of experiment and development, new methods are being tried; new materials are being developed. We have an important responsibility to be informed about such things as team teaching, team learning, educational T-V, teaching machines, programmed learning, the spiral curriculum, the new mathematics, among other developments in methods and materials. With so much going on in the field it is more important than ever to have experts come in to talk to us, to send our teachers out to conferences, and to promote meaningful inservice training. Otherwise either we shall miss some- thing important or seize upon something without sufficient knowledge.
APPRECIATION
In his report Mr. Otto Nickerson has stated his in- tention to retire at the close of this school year. Mr. Nicker- son has served the youth of this community for more than f rty years. I remember well the students who came into Orleans High School from Eastham when I was a pupil.
131
They were well prepared scholastically and they reflected high respect for the principal and the school from which they came. Over the years this attitude has pervaded the community to a degree where I think it may be said that Mr. Nickerson is an institution. Literally, to generations of Eastham people he stands for diligence and high standards in the classroom, sportsmanship and fair play on the school grounds, patriotism and reverence from the customs prac- ticed through the years in the operation of his school. In- estimable, but inevitable, is his contribution to those who have gone out from, or remained in Eastham to forge suc- cessful lives for themselves. I pause with the many who will pause this year in an affectionate salute of gratitude to Mr. Nickerson and a wish for much happiness in the years ahead.
Respectfully submitted,
SYDNEY G. PIERCE
132
EASTHAM SCHOOL REPORT OF 1961
It is with a feeling of both relief and regret that I tender this my last report, as Principal of the Eastham School, for I intend to retire this coming June after forty- four years of service.
The past year has been much like many others, one of consistently good work by both teachers and pupils. Mrs. Wordell joined us only this fall as supervisor of vocal music, but it seems from her attitude as well as the chil- dron's, that she has always been here. Her tireless energy in assisting with our monthly assemblies is greatly appre- ciated. Miss Hebden is doing equally well in our art de- partment, and her youthful incentive in class project work is proving so worthwhile during our extra half day of her work.
Mr. Fred Jewell is greatly enriching our school curri- culum by his excellent movies and subsequent discussions of them. I trust that something more than thanks will be extended to him some day for all his time and expense.
May I add a word of praise to Mrs. Howes for her fine work in this our long looked-for kindergarten, as well as her help in many other ways. She has spent countless hours filing and cataloguing the library books throughout the entire school. Each grade now has its weekly library period with her, and I feel that a renewed urge to read has been fostered by her.
In conclusion may I extend my sincere thanks and best wishes to all my teachers, supervisors, and school personnel who have so wholeheartedly supported me these many happy years.
Respectfully submitted, OTTO E. NICKERSON, Principal
133
REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SUPERVISOR -UNION #54
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I hereby submit my fifth annual report as elementary supervisor of School Union #54.
As an outgrowth of last year's study of the language arts program, new texts were purchased for grades two through six for the three towns of Union #54. This series, published by Laidlaw Brothers, entitled Using Good Eng- lish was put into use this September.
The Joplin Plan of Reading seems to be progressing nicely. Last year we had 5 pupils reading on Level 2. This year no pupil is below Level 31 (1st part of 3rd grade).
The number of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade children currently receiving instruction on the following levels are as follows :
6 pupils
Level 7
10 pupils
Level 6
18 pupils Level 5
20 pupils Level 4
12 pupils 8 pupils
Level 32
Level 31
Pupils have been moved up and down during the school year when individual ajustments have appeared in order.
It is hoped that during the summer months the re- mainder of the uncatalogued library books in the building can be catalogued. Mrs. Howes has been putting in a great deal of time at this task, plus teaching a kindergarten session, instructing a reading group in the Joplin Plan, acting as school librarian the remainder of the school ses- sion. This is time consuming and we would like to see the library completely set up at the opening of school in September 1962.
134
Since we plan to initiate a required summer reading program for pupils of grades IV - VI this year, the school library books could be made available to students through- out the summer during the time the librarian is catalog- uing the books.
For the third consecutive year we have taken advan- tage of Title III, Public Law 85-864, which provides match- ing funds for the purchase of science and math materials to strengthen the curriculum in these areas. This year the teachers have taken a greater part in the selection of these materials. This has resulted in obtaining materials that more closely meet our needs.
The Science Research Associates Achievement Series which were administered in the fall of 1960 on an experi- mental basis were re-administered in May of 1961 for all grades. The results were gratifying, as not only was each school above the national norm, but in comparison with a sampling of 52 schools from the New England Area with a high socio-economic and cultural background, Union #54 rated in the top 10 percent.
Each child was provided with a profile in graph form of his scores in each subject area, which helped both pupil and parent to compare the child's achievement with the national norm on an objective standardized basis.
Periodic measures of mental abilities are continued to be administered on the same schedule as follows :
Grade I -September. Science Research Associates Primary Mental Abilities for Ages 5 - 7.
Grade III-October. Otis Quick-Scoring Mental Abili- ties : Alpha AS
Grade VI-October. Otis Quick-Scoring Mental Abili- ties : Beta Test.
Individual tests are administered as pupils are referred by teachers for further evaluation and diagnosis. Last Jan- uary, I completed the course for certification to administer the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and the Wech- sler Intelligence Scale for Adults. This test has been an
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