Classical High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 15 text:

aeexeeaaexe:Lavs.vae:sa-ae-Q4-Q:vsegvgeivsnwewx.-Q--L4-L4use-Q4-Q4einxn:sux--Q-vm-wxa-xv-Qnsa-1uQ4 game with the former. One ofthe boys, running backwards to catch a fly, stumbled onto a baby carriage containing a small colored child. Boy, ball, and baby fell to the ground while an irate mother complicated matters by an assault with her parasol. The boy insisted he caught the ball, the umpire insisted he didn't, and the game ended with the matter still undecided. With the resignation of Principal Jacobus in 189-1 and the succession of Fred Washington Atkinson, the modern era had begun. The new principal was well fitted for the position, having had training in teaching in secondary schools, and study in France and Germany. Because of the increasing pupil membership, it was decided to build a new school east of where the old one stood. Plans were gone over with great care, and attention was given to previous needs of the school. In May, 1897 the corner stone of the building we all know and love so well was laid with proper addresses and ceremonies. lt was occupied in Sept., 1898, seventy years after the opening of the 1'Old High School. What a change those seventy years had brought! The new building, conf taining lunch room and kitchen, science labf oratories, art studios, observatory tower, library, and assembly, might well have justified the title Ueducational palace. It is interesting to note that because of the wide corridors and the simple plan of the building, pupils were al' lowed to pass freely to and from classes without the lock step requirement of the old school. There was one important addition to the school in Atkinson's term of ofhce'the come mercial courses, under the leadership of Carlos B. Ellis. These were so popular that they soon grew too large for the school, and were removed in 1906 to the newlyfopened Technical High School. ln 1910 the High School of Commerce was organized with Mr. Ellis as principal. Atkinson resigned in 1900 to become super, visor of education in the Philippines, and William Qrr succeeded him as principal. He had been a teacher of science since 1888 and vicefprincipal since 1894. Ar this time, gym work became re- quired for boys. At first the Y.M.C.A. was used with only an older student to instruct. When in 1923 the junior High School was built, plans were made to include gymnasiums for both boys and girls, and leaders were secured esf pecially for this work. Three of the oldest clubs in the school were begun in Mr. Orr's term. The House was for the lower classes, and was primarily interested in parlimentary procedure and speaking, the Senate's chief purpose was debating. Pierides, a literary society for girls, was also formed for debating, and held annual speaking contests. Mr. Qtr resigned in 1910 and became the deputy commissioner of education in Massa' chusetts. William Colver Hill became the new principal and has kept this position for 26 years. He has the distinction of serving the longest term of any of the 16 principals of the Spring- field High School. Z A Science Class Taught by William Orr.

Page 14 text:

THE BLUE AND WHITE v5.n14ox4vs4vQ4-Q4vxuQnxavx:vs:eLaex:es:ex:eL:vQ- vaaexavxaexsesavsavaavsnxaexawxavxavsinvxnvxaoxaoiniavxn Then in 1875, in the principalship of William Wallace Colburn, the school was moved to a position on State Street between the Church of the Unity and the county jail. The new build- THE OLD Cou nw JAH. N-Qs Y' The jail stood next to the school building and when a hanging was to take place the pupils had a day's vacation. ing, erected for the exclusive use of the high school, had three stories and a basement but still no gym. The principal, who had a dry sense of humor, good discipline, and a love of teaching, was wellfliked. He introduced an examination required of all who entered, regardless of their previous record. During Principal Colburn's term the Lyceum was started as a debating society for boys. Many heated debates were held weekly on such questions as mls Novel Reading Morally Helpfulfl and Should Women Have Votes? Despite much opposition, girls were finally admitted to the society, and, indirectly, this caused the settling of an ancient problem. For years separate en- trances had been set apart for use of boys and girls, and had become a subject for violent disf approval on the part of the student body. Petitions had been of no avail until at last one was granted and the idea of separation was dropped. Believe it or not-the reason ad' vanced for common entrances was that in winter when the steps were slippery, the girls were likely to have severe falls without the support of a male arm! The new principal in 1890, Charles jacobus, introduced the AfBfC-DfE system of marking in place of percentages, This plan has been in use for over forty years, jacobus also added courses in manual training and cooking, and laboratories for biology and physics. Social life centered around school activities, ending with the greatest event in the year, graduation, and the dance that followed. Prom- enades were really promenades in those days: 'kilt first the promenades were held in the High School hall, and the boys and girls did promenade and converse, choosing partners for the numbers on their programs and supposedly conversing on a subject printed thereon. In regard to the dances, a prominent woman considered the waltz objectionable and trusted the day would come when young people would dance only the square dances again. Its only defeat was administered by the Springfield League Team About 1890, track, Held, and other athletics began to take a recognized place in the school activities. Baseball and later football teams were soon in keen rivalry with Holyoke and Monson. There was an amusing incident which ended a

Page 16 text:

THE BLUE AND WHITE vsnQ-as--snsns.-sn'nf-xusosnvsunnws-vxni. -Q0QnQ4-xnsn1.-sux- 1. nxnq4.,,,x.,,, .Lug 1923 898- ,1 OOL SCH L HIGH A CENTR -10-