Richburg Central School - Quill Yearbook (Richburg, NY)

Page 6 text:

The Board of Education Top Row: Frank W. Owens. Clerk: William E. Hammond. President; Gerald H. Wightman. Treasurer. Bottom Row: Henry L. Millis, Lyle M. Canlield. Jesse A. Burdick, and Floyd W. Saunders. Statement by the President It is anticipated that this booklet together with the one issued last year will picture the growth and completeness of Richburg Central School and present to both pupils and parents, the ever increasing value of this school as our most worth-while institution. It is our aim, within reasonable cost to the state and district, to always provide the best of equipment and a thoroughly efficient teaching staff so that the youth of this community may have every educational opportunity commensurate with the changing trends of our civilization. It is hoped that all residents of this vicinity will acquaint themselves with the advantages offered. WILLIAM E. HAMMOND President Board of Education Four

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History of Education in Ricfiburg Public Education in Richburg covers a period of about seventy-one years. During this time there have been three schools in the village: first the Academy, second the Richburg Union School, and third the Richburg Central School. At about the close of the Civil War or a little later, an Academy was constructed in Richburg. The land was donated by the Lester family and the building erected on the present site of Stone’s and Bartoo’s residences. This academy furnished an advanced form” of edu- cation. Those w'ho had finished the grade school came to the Academy to complete their educa- tion or as a preparation for teaching. This school took in pupils from a radius of fifty miles; the tuition was very low in comparison with that of today and this wras the only form of school in the village at the time of the 1882 oil rush. After the boom” the need for another school was presented to the public. It was at this time that the Richburg Union School was built. This was a form of high school for people who had come from the rural districts and wished to prepare for college. The first principal of this school was James M. Reed. At the end of its first year there was only one graduate so no graduation exercises were con- ducted. The next year, 1901. the Senior Class was raised to four so the first formal exercises were held. In 1926. the village of Richburg saw the need of a new and better school. The old Union being somewhat of a fire hazard and over- crowded was unfit for school purposes. Because of the length of the period needed for comple- tion of the new building, school was held m the Town Hall. Fire House, and the upper story of the Richburg Supply Company Store. In 1926 the building was completed. There was to be the eight grades of grammar school and two courses of high school study, namely. Academic and Commercial. But centralization took place and with the addition of Homemaking and Music in 1930 the building appeared once more over- crowded and so in 1936 an addition to the former building was constructed to accommodate Home- making. English. Art. Music, Second and Third Grades and kitchen. At this time the school library was made more efficient by being re- located next to the study hall. There have been, since 1900 up to. and in- cluding January 1935 about 410 preliminary cer- tificates given and about 95 regents diplomas. At this time the Richburg Central School has a faculty numbering twenty and approximately 350 pupils. Three

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A Corner in the Principal's Office The Principal’s Op inion This link in the chain of Richburg Central School Activities is the second of its kind to present in somewhat graphic detail a picture of much that is being accomplished as part of the school program. Many values should accrue from a publication of this nature. To the patrons who are unable to visit the school as they wrould like, it will explain many of our school activities. Practical experience in the use of English as a tool has been the good fortune of those who toiled to make its pages possible. Graduates and undergraduates have a record of the 1935-36 school year in a tangible form w'hich will serve as a stimulant to their v . . memories in years to come. Strengthening of school spirit; realization that we are primarily a part of Richburg Central School rather than simply a part of one ol its units; knowledge of other departments in order that we may be more tolerant or may wrant to sample other divisions of learning previously outside of our fields of experience; and many other equally important values might be ascribed to this publication. If. however, it does no more than start one energetic, aggressive young American on his or her way to higher educational endeavor and enjoyment, it will not have been published in vain. LOUIS R. ROSETTIE Principal Five