Conshohocken High School - Echo Yearbook (Conshohocken, PA)

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In the spring of 1922 the Blue and Gold, Con-shohocken’s official school newspaper was established. The Home and School Association was organized in November 1922. The first regular meeting was held in December 1923. There were about 300 persons present. In 1923 an annex of fourteen rooms was built to the high school at Seventh and Fayette Streets for a Junior High School at the cost of $150,000. On the morning of May 11, 1923 the Harry Street Building was burned to the ground. The district erected a modern school building on the site and added two additional rooms to the building. The Principals of the High School from the time Professor Horace Landis was elected Superintendent of Schools are as follows: Caroline Niblo . . . . 1896-1908 Frank Cloud .... . 1908-1912 Irvin Noll . 1912-1915 L. B. Earhardt . . . . 1915-1917 H. S. Rausch .... . 1917-1919 C. S. Hottenstien . . . 1919-1920 B. K. Hunsberger . . 1920-1925 W. A. Weaver . . . . 1925-1926 E. W. Oermann . . . 1926-19fr E. O. Punchard . . (Acting Principal) . 1956-19? E. O. Punchard . . . 1958-19) E. W. Oermann . . . 1960-in Superintendents of the Conshohocken School trict are as follows; J. Horace Landis . . . 1896-1904 E. B. Ziegler. . . . . 1904-1911 Frank Cloud .... . 1911-1915 A. M. Weaver .... 1915-1918 Paul Y. Echert .... 1918-1920 C. S. Hottenstien . . . 1920-1926 Robert C. Landis. . . 1926-1956 Edward W. Oermann . 1956-1966 In 1938 M. Edmonds Dunlap was selected as the architect who would build the new annex to tfie present ConshohockenHigh School. The cost of the annex was $134,292.62 which was $20,000 over the expected price. On March 8, 1939 the chemistry and biological laboratories were ready for use by the students. Due to a complication that occurred after the completion of the annex the dedication did not take place until September 10. The principal address was delivered by Dr. Lester K. Olde, his subject: ’’Modern Facilities for the Secondary School”. Harry E. Fox, an associate of Mr. Dunlap made the presentation of the annex. Since the completion of the annex in 1938, there has been no additions, and Conshohocken High School has remained unchanged. Since the old must make way for the new, it has now been decided by our state government that the reorganization and re-districting of schools must take place for the betterment of the student in order to give him a more comprehensive education the school districts of Conshohocken, Plymouth and Whitemarsh will merge into the newly formed school district, namely; the Colonial School District. This new district has been in effect since July 1, 1966. We know that thousands of students have graduated from Conshohocken High School and because of them we know that even though this school is no longer in existence it will always have a place in our hearts.

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It is interesting to know that The Old School was located on the hill at Second Avenue and Fayette Street, extending back to Forrest Street. It was a four room building. In the center of the rooms was a big stove and the big benches were in use. It was considered a privilege and honor for the boys and girls to sit on these benches. The Conshohocken Borough Charter was approved May 15, 1850, and the School District was organized at the same time. The first election was on the third Friday of May 1850. There were six directors elected; two for one year, two for two years, two for three years; then two directors annually thereafter. Later when the town grew larger, fifteen directors were on the wuard. The Schools developed rapidly and in 1864 the Board of Directors elected a Principal of Schools. Reuben F. Hoffecker was chosen, and he organized the Conshohocken Public Schools into a system. He was the Pioneer educator of the Borough. In 1869, the Third Avenue Grammar School, now known as the ’Hoffecker Building was erected. The High School and grades were in the Hoffecker Building. Professor Hoffecker served as Principal of the Conshohocken School until 1878 when he was elected County Superintendent of Schools. J. W. Schlichter was then elected Principal of Schools. In 1885 the Harry Street Building was erected to accommodate the children of the growing school. This building consisted of eight rooms, and the old school house on the hill was abandoned. J. Addison Jones succeeded Mr. Schlichter and served one year. Mr. Jones was succeeded by the late John Harley who served until 1892. He was succeeded by J. Horace Landis, who was principal until 1896 when he was elected superintendent of Borough Schools, being the first to hold that office, in 1904. Mr. Landis resigned to accept the position of county superintendent of schools to succeed Reuben Hoffecker, resigned. An addition of six rooms was built to the Harry Street School in 1904 in order to provide larger quarters. The Manual Training Building was erected in 1898 for the introduction of Vocational Education in the schools. E. B. Ziegler was elected Superintendent in 1904 and served until 1911. He strengthened the academic condition throughout the entire system. In 1911-1915, Frank Cloud, Ph. D., a Conshohocken boy and a graduate of his home town Schools was elected Superintendent of Schools after serving as High School Principal for four years. In his administration the present high school building at seventh Avenue and Fayette Street was erected for secondary education. The Hoffecker and Harry Street Buildings were given over to elementary educational purposes. In 1915 to 1918, A. M. Weaver was elected Superintendent of Schools and he introduced Departmental Instruction and organized the school system to a high academic degree. Paul Y. Eckert was then elected Superintendent of Schools and served from 1918 to 1920. He developed Departmental Work and advanced the High School curriculum. In 1920 Charles S. Hottenstein was elected, acting Superintendent of Schools for two years, after serving as High School Principal for one year. In 1922 he was elected Superintendent of Schools for a full term of four years. 2

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EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF 1871 CONSHOHOCKEN JUNIOR - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1966 The members of the faculty of the Conshohocken Junior-Senior High School cognizent of the responsibility which rests on them as teachers of the youth of the town, and realizing their duty toward parents and all adults of the borough herein record their educational philosophy. Recognizing the public school system as a democratic institution for reaching in its effects upon the community, state and nation, the faculty is aware that it is within its realm to assist in the molding of young characters and to equip the children enrolled in their classes with the means of becoming worthy citizens. With these thoughts before them they cite their aims as follows: To develop a sense of right and wrong in matters pertaining to God and Country. To demonstrate a belief in the equality of all mankind by upholding the principles of freedom and tolerance. To instill a respect for the rights of others by promoting proper association with administrators, faculty and schoolmates and to provide the climate for this field with field trips and other extra-curricular activities. To prepare academic students to progress confidently to higher levels of learning. To supply an adequate knowledge of trade and industry to those enrolled in practical arts courses. To develop competence and assurance in those who plan to enter the business world. To open avenues to appreciation, enjoyment and creation of beauty, expression and leisure activities. To build healthy bodies and minds, producing thereby a wholesome attitude toward oneself and others. To develop an understanding of and a proper attitude toward the processes of physical development. To develop an appreciation of the family unit and prepare for the acceptance of future responsibilities. To stimulate young minds to proper analysis and independent choice in problems of living and government. To furnish a basic understanding of the sciences as they pertain to the universe. To bring about an awareness of history as it pertains to our cultural heritages and to develop an understanding of local, state and national governments and international relationships. To assist in the formation of a well-balanced concept of culture, refinement, and socially acceptable behavior. To maintain a library adequate to provide students with materials and services necessary to meet and stimulate the interests, appreciations and curiosities of youth. Motivated by the ethics of their profession, the faculty will strive in conjunction with home, church, and community, to perform these duties which are specifically theirs. They will support a curriculum geared to the development and adjustment of each individual to a desirable environment.