USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1962-1965 > Part 13
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Out-of-State-Travel
47.57
100.00
SCHOOL LUNCH DEPARTMENT
RECEIPTS EXPENSES
Sale of School Lunch 1963
$3,203.33 2,095.22
Federal Subsidies
Salaries
$2,370.73
Equipment and Food
4,495.77
$5,298.55
$6,866.50
1963 Appropriation
900.00
119
EASTHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
To the Citizens of Eastham :
The Eastham School Committee hereby submits its annual report.
The Cuban crises in 1961 raised questions of plans for school children in the event of a national emergency. After many months of discussion within the committee, with Mr. Downs, and with the Town Civil Defense Director and Dir- ector of Sector 2C, a plan was offered by Mr. Downs and was adopted as a policy by the committee.
"In case of national emergency or natural disaster the main objective shall be to evacuate the school by pro- cedures as near normal as feasible to avoid confusion.
"If for some reason evacuation becomes impossible, the alternate procedure shall be to protect the pupils as completely as possible within the building."
Thirteen new tables were purchased for the lunchroom to replace the scarred and often repaired old ones. These tables have metal folding legs and a formica type top. Also, a new refrigerator was purchased for this department.
The possibility of having a speech therapist serve the three towns has been discussed within the Union Committee. Though no plans have developed in that direction as yet, Philip Wakstein, a speech therapist, and his wife, were hired to make a survey of eleven children in our school who have speech deviations. Reports of their findings wer ; contained in speech forms sent to their parents.
120
At the suggestion of the Orleans School Committee, a representative committee from each of the three towns met jointly to formulate some needed policies. Eastham has adopted some which pertain to formulation of policies, field trips, formulation of administrative regulations, parents visiting school, purchasing procedures, promotion and place- ment, and reporting to parents.
Mrs. Howes was elected to tenure, and Mr. Downs was elected to a second term.
During the summer several projects at the school were accomplished. The trim on the exterior of the school was scraped, primed and painted. The corridor of the old build- ing was also painted. Several desk tops were refinished, the kindergarten floor was tiled, and brush was cut down in front and in back of the building and carted away.
The teachers attended a reading workshop held in Orleans during the last week in August, and conducted by Gwen Horsman, reading supervisor for the public schools in Detroit. At a meeting with the committee in October the teachers reported on the reading workshop and other pro- fessional improvement courses for which they have received semester credit hours during the year.
During National Education Week an innovation of parents' visits to school was introduced. Scheduled parent- teacher conferences were set up for three evenings. The sixth grade pupils served efficiently and courteously as guides. These conferences were well attended by parents, and this method of observing National Education Week was enthusiastically received by both parents and teachers.
1963 will be remembered as the year the United States Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the requirement to read passages from the Bible or to recite the Lord's
121
Prayer during classtime. Eastham Grammar School complied with the ruling, and the teachers read or recite meaningful stories or poems and observe with the pupils a moment of silent meditation.
The committee feels the operation of our school has run smoothly, that the teachers and all personnel deserve the thanks and praise of the people of Eastham. The committee would also like to urge any citizen who may have a question or a problem to present it either to the Superintendent or the Committee so that an answer may be given or any action may be taken.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD E. BREWER, Chairman
MRS. MARCIA C. NICKERSON, Secretary
THEODORE L. HICKS
122
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Eastham School Committee :
We continue to be fortunate in that we have classes that are small in number. Among the greatest advantages is the opportunity to teach and meet individual needs that is found in a class of about twenty pupils, so long as the range of ability within the group is not excessive.
As our enrollments grow, this advantage will decrease, of course, but the gradual nature of past growth and pre- dictions based on that experience indicate that we have several years before we shall be faced with the problems attending over-sized classes, A projection made in the spring of 1963 predicts that no grade will reach an enroll- ment of thirty pupils during this decade. It must be borne in mind however that this is based on past rate of growth in the town. A variety of factors could change the picture in a short time.
The cost of operating schools is the major item of expenditure for most communities, and it is natural that in the minds of taxpayers there should arise questions as to whether our town's expenditures are reasonable in terms of what we can afford and in terms of expenditures in com- parable towns. The information given here is taken from data compiled by the research department of the Mass- achusetts Teachers Association. The complete survey pro- vides data for the sixty-five towns in Massachusetts under 1425 in population and without their own high school, and the information is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1963.
123
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Equalized
Valuation
per Child
1963
Official
Tax Rate
1963
Equalized
Tax Rate
School
Support
per Pupil
1963
School
Tax Rate
Percent of
Taxes for
Public Schools Pupil-
Teacher
Ratio
Eastham Data
$73,032
$38.50
$13.34
$496
$18.63
48
19.2
Rank order
among 65
8
55
61
24
52
42
22
Percentile Rank
89
17
8
65
22
37
68
Median for the 65
$23,003
$69.00
$28.40
$442
$37.04
54
21.3
Column 1. Our town ranked eighth among the sixty-five in equalized valuation per pupil, the valuations equalized on the basis of the work of a state Special Commission on Equal- ization and Apportionment in 1961. Our position, more than three times the median, indicates a high level of financial ability.
Column 2 and Column 3. The official tax rate and the tax rate adjusted to the equalized valuation show respectively that 17% and 8% of the towns in the group had a lower tax rate.
Column 4. In support (or expenditures) per pupil we rank- ed better than nearly two-thirds of the towns in the group, the median being $442.
Column 5. More than three-fourths of the towns had a higher school tax rate.
Column 6. Eastham was near the middle of the group in the percent of its tax money expended for public schools. The range for the entire group was from 28% to 83%. Column 7. Our 19.3 pupils per teacher placed us twenty- second in the group where the median was 21.3.
Comparison is made among towns in this particular grouping because they are comparable in organization.
124
among 65
Other survey data are available for cities, towns with grade 1-12 organization, and regional school districts.
Our position appears to be a generally favorable one : classes are small; we provide a good level of support; and the burden does not require a heavy tax.
Turning to a comparison of our own costs from year to year, the customary five-year table of operating costs per calendar year is presented.
1963
Local
$
1959 86,895.68 22,007.71
$
1960 79,578.58 57,263.04
$
1961 81,294.19 63,944.81
1962 $85,941.00 61,997.00
$ 85,471.00 76,759.00
Reimburse- ments
20,855.84
23,023.63
33,171.59
33,974.00
Net Costs
88,047.56
113,817.99
112,067.41 6,572,790.00
33,660.00 114,278.00 6,922,810.00
7,440,305.00
Tax for School
Operation
15.98
18.93
17.05
16.51
17.24
No. of Pupils
217
235
237
253
283
Gross Cost Per
Pupil
501.86
582.30
612.82
584.73
573.25
Net Cost Per Pupil
405.75
484.33
472.86
451.69
453.20
The figures show an increase of about $14,000. in oper- ating costs from 1962 to 1963. The simultaneous increase in valuation in the town has kept the increase in the tax rate for this purpose to 75c, and this is lower than it was three years ago when Eastham received its heaviest impact from the switch to the regional school district.
Number of pupils noted in the table above includes ele- mentary and high school pupils. It may be observed that substantial increases show in 1962 and 1963, with the result that, although total costs have increased, the cost per pupil is lower than it was three years ago.
A 2% increase in the proportion of Eastham pupils at Nauset Regional High School along with a moderate local operating increase, is expected to cause a fairly sharp rise
125
128,256.00
Valuation
5,509,030.00
6,011,635.00
Region
in net costs for 1964. The impact may bring a rise of about $1.50 to the tax rate even if total valuations increase the half million that has become the usual recent rate of growth.
This was the year the United States Supreme Court ruled that it is contrary to the Constitution to use prayers or the Bible for devotional purposes in the public schools. Whether or not we agree with the Court's decision, we have accepted its authority. And, lest anyone fear that God has left the classroom, let me hasten to point out that, if God is spirit, and His spirit is revealed in human values, there is yet and always will be time and place for God in the class- rooms of our schools. We still have a few minutes at the beginning of the day to use with greater freedom of imag- ination and creativity than ever before. The challenge upon our teachers is the use made of this opportunity to teach the values of love, integrity, brotherhood and the many other matters of human importance to be found expressed throughout the literature, art and music of the ages. And, not only in this brief period, but throughout every day, I am confident that the good people who staff our classrooms can be counted on as much in the future as in the past to exemplify those values which help the youth to relate constructively their learnings to their lives.
As the other reports here reveal, a good effort is being made in our school to pursue excellence. I think the leader- ship of the principal and the elementary supervisor is notable.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY G. PIERCE Superintendent of Schools
126
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL
The past year has been most satisfying in many ways. I feel the teachers and other members of the school staff have made a very real effort to provide Eastham with a school of which it can justifiably be proud.
Our school library has been increased by approximately 125 volumes. This brings the total number of volumes in circulation to about 980.
During the spring of 1963 two highly valuable field trips were taken. The fourth and fifth grades visited Ply- mouth Plantation and the sixth grade went to the Peabody Museum at Harvard University and Babson Institute.
This fall, largely through the efforts of our art super- visor Miss Dorothy Hebden, the sixth grade made a worth- while tour of the Chrysler Art Museum in Provincetown.
Parent-teacher conferences were held on three evenings during National Education Week. These very well attended conferences were beneficial to both parents and teachers in many ways. Sixth grade students volunteered to usher the parents to the proper room at the appointed time. They performed their task admirably well.
Most of the teachers were able to take part in a Science Research Associates Reading Institute. This course had the desirable effect of reinforcing and expanding our establish- ed methods of reading instruction.
Currently, all of the teachers are actively participating in a Modern Mathematics course of study. This extensive in-service training course requires eight months to complete.
127
At the conclusion of this program the teaching staff will be well oriented in the latest concepts of elementary mathe- matics.
There has been a continuation of education through television. The programs currently being utilized are listed below :
GRADE
TITLE
One Sounds To Day, Music 2
All About You
Two Neighborhood Explorers, Music 2
Three Wonder of Words, Land and Sea, Literature 3
Four The Space Around Us, Visiting New England
Five
Exploring Nature, Visiting New England
Six Science 6, Places in the News
Our science curriculum has been up dated through the purchase of excellent new texts on several grade levels. Other materials have been obtained to further implement the teaching of science, mathematics and social studies under the National Defense Education Act.
In conclusion on behalf of the faculty, I would like to thank the School Committee, Mr. Pierce and Mrs Wright not only for the opportunity to attend excellent workshops but also for the fine educational climate within which we work.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN D. DOWNS Principal
128
REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SUPERVISOR SCHOOL UNION No. 54
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I hereby submit my annual report as elementary super- visor of School Union No.54.
Classes were dismissed at noon during the first three days of school this year and the afternoons were devoted to fa- culty meetings with the special subject supervisors. This procedure was designed to promote a better understanding of the supervisor-teacher role in the field of art, music and physical education. Topics for discussion included aims and objectives, time-allotment, integration of special field with total school program and procedures for classroom follow- up. Schedules of classroom visitations by the supervisors were also worked out.
The result of this planning period appeared to bring about a smoother beginning for all. The gradual transition to the routine of a full school day appeared to provide a better adjustment for the pupils. It would seem advisable to continue this practice at the beginning of each school year.
The pupil enrollment in School Union No. 54 has in- creased this year by over sixty pupils. Approximately one- half of this growth is reflected in Wellfleet where forty pupils entered kindergarten this fall. The necessity for pro- viding additional space is immediate and it is satisfying to know that a committee is being formed to take a serious look at the needs.
129
It is my hope, also, that Eastham will give consideration to planning space for a more functional kindergarten and central library.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of participating in 21" Classroom was made at the close of the school year. The teachers throughout the system felt that the programs provided enrichment which could only be obtained through this media, and were unanimous in their desire to continue our membership another year. The broadcast schedule this year has been augmented by the addition of three new programs of particular value. Places in the News, a weekly current events series, highlights important news events and makes more meaningful to intermediate grade children th? major issues that shape the news. Wonder of Words - Grades 3 and 4, is a weekly language arts series designed to stimulate the child's interest in the English language, to extend his appreciation of its development, beauty. functions, and significance as a tool of learning and a median of communi- cation. Visiting New England takes intermediate grade child- ren on field trips of historical and cultural value to places they are currently studing in the social studies program.
In addition to the broadcast schedule for pupils an in- service course entitled, Mathematics for Elementary Teach- ers, is being viewed by all but two elementary teachers throughout the system. Several teachers from Nauset Regional High School are joining us in this course. These half-hour programs are broadcast for a period of sixteen weeks from October through May. Teachers are provided with guides including reinforcement and follow-up materials which are studied and discussed after each viewing.
Each teacher has also subscribed to Mathematics Ex- tension Course published by Science Research Associates, Inc. This project involves eight monthly units which dovetail in content with the TV course. Both programs are centered around the same key topics which form the core common to all the major modern mathematics programs.
130
Both programs require careful study and preparation for by-monthly meetings in which the material is discussed and considered. This opportunity to learn through a variety of approaches should prepare us with a qualified back- ground to evaluate materials for adoption of mathematics program for next year.
Teachers who participated in the 1962 summer work- shop in Mathematics conducted by Dr. Jo McKeeby Phillips have a background which is of great help to those who are being exposed to the new concepts for the first time.
The folly of adopting a mathematics program in the elementary grades without a full understanding by the teachers of the structure of mathematics and its inherent relationships cannot be over-emphasized. ,
For the past two years teachers have been required to spend three days beyond the close of the school year performing closing out activities involving cumulative re- cords, registers, report cards, etc. This procedure has re- sulted in freeing the classroom teacher for full teaching time at the close of the school year, and has provided the time for a more orderly, systematic and accurate completion of all records. It is hoped that this policy will be continued in the future.
During this period an analysis and evaluation of SRA Achievement Series scores were interpreted to the staff by Robert E. Hoye, Staff Associate.
Listed below is a report of average scores obtained by grades 4-5-6 of School Union No. 54.
-
Grade
Number of
Pupils Tested
Average IQ
Composite SRA
Grade Equivalent
National
Norm
Number Months
Above Nat. Norm
IV
78
106.8
6.0
4.9
11
V
86
110.4
7.0
5.9
11
VI
72
108.5
8.6
6.9
17
131
A glance at the following table reveals very little diff- erence in the range of average IQ's of each grade through- out the system. It is also interesting to note the inapprec- iable discrepancy between the lowest and highest com- posite grade equivalent scores of the three schools.
Grade
Average IQ Range (Within System)
Composite Grade Equivalent Range (Within System)
TV
101.7
- 110.5
7 months
V
109.0
- 112.9
3 months
VI
105.7
- 111.6
4 months
An analysis of the average grade quivalents obtained on the subtests of the three grades of the system reveales the highest discrepancy between schools to be nineteen months : the lowest discrepancy, one month.
Parents are continuing to be informed of their child's achievement through pupil profile charts in terms of per- centiles which are sent home with the final report card.
We are especially pleased to have Mrs. Florence Noyes working on a part-time basis as remedial reading instructor in the Wellfleet Elementary School. Mrs Noyes comes to us with years of successful experience in this field and we only regret that the time she has to offer is limited.
The Art Workshop conducted by Miss. Dorothy Hebden, Art Supervisor for School Union No. 54, was held the last week in June at the Orleans Elementary School. This ex- perience presented an excellent opportunity to gain in- sight in and appreciation of. the art work of the elementary school child.
The areas covered in the workshop were :
1. Characteristics and evaluation of child's art work in relation to his growth
2. Experience in use of all media through participation.
3. Evaluation of the use of materials at grade levels.
4. Figure, space and color concepts.
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5. Topics which stimulate creativity at particular grade levels ; methods of motivation.
It is regrettable that only fourteen teachers from the school system participated, for this was indeed an excellent course. We must not neglect to recognize and foster creative thinking in our youth. Too many of us connect creativity with the arts alone, not realizing that creative thinking has influenced every forward movement of our society. To quote Dr. Albert Einstein, "Imagination is more important than knowledge."
The Reading Institute conducted by Miss Gwen Hors- man, Supervisor of Reading in the Detroit Public School System, was held the last week in August at the Nauset Regional School. This institute, co-sponsored by Science Research Associate, Inc., drew sixty-two participants from all over the United States, and two teachers travelled from Newfoundland, Canada, to attend.
The Lectures presented by Miss Horsman included :
1. Techniques in the Teaching of Reading.
2. Fundamental Principles in the Teaching of Reading.
3. . Reading Readiness.
4. Teaching the Basic Reading Skills.
5. Basic Reading in the Primary Grades.
6. Ability Grouping.
7. The Place of Reading in the Language Arts Program.
8. Locating, Diagnosing and Interpreting Difficulties.
9. A Developmental Reading Program - Basic Reading in Grades Four through Eight.
10. Reading in the Content Fields.
11. Methods of Word Attack (Contextual, Word-form, Structural)
12. Methods of Word Attack (Phonetic and Dictionary)
13. Book Reports; When and How?
The success of this institute was reflected in the eval-
133
uations which each participant was asked to submit at the closing session. Every individual seemed to have been per- sonally inspired to begin the school year with a better understanding of the child and a more thorough knowledge of the teaching of reading.
The opportunity to come in contact with educators from outside our own school system was comparable to bringing the campus to the school.
Although no definite plans are underway at the mo- ment, I feel strongly that the next area for examination should be the social studies. We need to take a good, long hard look at our goals; then re-examine content, method and organization in terms of meeting these goals when de- fined. The understandings, concepts, attitudes and skills developed through the social studies program are of ut- most importance toward training for responsible citizenship.
During the week of April 8th a book exhibit arranged through Library Publishers, Inc., was held at the Eastham Elementary School. This comprehensive selection of library books was available for teachers to peruse and recommend for purchase for their school library. Several publishers are being contacted to arrange another exhibit to be held this spring, as teachers find this a most advantageous way of selecting library materials.
It was my privilege to serve on the Planning Committee for the 33rd Annual State Conference of Massachusetts Ele- mentary Principals and Supervisors held at the University of Massachusetts on March 25, 26, and 27, 1963. Working with the twenty-five members of the committee over a per- iod of months was enlightening as we discussed current projects and practices throughout the state.
As a member of the General Supervisors of Public Education of Massachusetts it has been profitable to attend
134
quarterly meetings held throughout the State. This is a stimulating group whose programs are planned around new frontiers in education.
The New England Reading Association Conference held at Bretton Woods this fall was a particularly valuable experience. Noted persons who addressed the group included Bennett Cerf, Drew Pearson and John Ciardi.
It is a privilege to represent the schools at so many splendid conferences.
Respectfully submitted,
BARBARA N. WRIGHT
135
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools, the School Committees and the Citizens of Eastham, Orleans, and Wellfleet :
I hereby sumbit my third annual report as Director of Music of School Union No. 54 and the Nauset Regional School District.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Each year in the early fall the John Coffey Company of Boston, Massachusetts demonstrates, at each school, the more popular orchestra instruments at an assembly for the pupils of grades four, five and six. Because of this and a very successful rental program the number of students at the beginner stage increases year by year. Instruction is by the class method (during school hours) by the Director. The classes are too big. The drop-out rate is too high. There are many and varied reasons for drop-outs. I feel however that the large class is the main reason. There is not enough time for individual teaching. Addition of personnel to the teaching staff is a solution being investigated.
After the four month rental period and during the first year of class instruction outside private instruction is sug- gested. The number of known qualified private teachers in our immediate area is limited. I suggest that a survey of private teachers be made and after reviewing the findings of the survey that a list of available teachers be made known to parents.
The most advanced type of instruction, during school hours available to students, is the formation of a band / orchestra in each elementary school. Variety of instrum- entation at each individual school limits the type of study
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