Hammond Central School - Spotlight Yearbook (Hammond, NY)

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HAMMOND HIGH HAPPENINGS 13 mary room boasts the least. cold that school had to be closr ed, probably much to their sat- isfaction. The heating system certainly was inefficient and the ventilating system also, gave some trouble. In 1915 an attempt was made for improvement and, steam heat was added, replac- ing the hot air system. This helped a great deal and, two years ago, several extra radia- tors w;ere added, which seem- ed to solve the heating prob- lems. There was no lighting sys- tem in the school except large brass lamps which hung from the ceiling. These were so in- convenient that they were sel- dom used. The janitor often carried a lantern so that he could see to sweep the floors. In 1912 an electric light was put in the boiler room. The same year another wire was, extended up to the library. Two years later the high school was wired and later the grade rooms. This was a great help for it made the school brighter on dark days. The janitor work was also made easier for electrical appliances could be used. Of the many teachers who have been employed, the pri- Only four teachers have occu- pied that room. The former Miss Ethel McClelland holds the record of ten years teach- ing there. Miss Bertha McClel- land has enlightened youth for twelve years, first in the inter- mediate room, later advancing to the high school, where she is now our well-loved precep- tress. Last but not least, Miss Ada Allen has taught the gram- mar grades almost as long as the building has stood. She came in 1909, making a total of 22 years of unquestionable service. Something should also be said of our present janitor who has kept the building clean and warm to the best of his ability for sixteen years. Such services as these are well worth appreciation. Improvements are being made each year. An efficient pressure water system was in- stalled last year. New equip- ment has been added yearly. A modern electric radio has also done much toward making school days brighter. Such has been the past. What will be the future ? Who can tell ? Erva M. McLear;

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12 HAMMOND HIGH HAPPENINGS LITERARY HISTORY OF THE BUILDING Some interesting notes have been found concerning the his- tory of the present high school building. A small handbook published the first year of its use, 1907, gives some facts which will awaken the memory of many of the older gradu- ates. The book says, “It is a mod- ern structure and in every way up to date. It was erected at a cost of $18,000. The heating and plumbing system is mod- ern and sanitary. Drinking fountains are located on each floor and everything has been arranged with special refer- ence to the health and comfort of the pupils.” The first library contained 600 volumes for general circu- lation. A collection of rocks., minerals and fossils was also purchased for the use of the school in teaching Natural Science and Nature Study. The courses of study were somewhat differently arranged from what they are at present. Modern Biology was divided into three classes, Botany, Zo- ology and Physiology. German, Cicero and Virgil were also taught. English was separated into Grammar and Rhetoric. Among the students regis- tered the first year were: Sen- iors, Helen Roger, Bessie Felt, and Lottie Shindler; Juniors, Pearl Franklin, Vera Moore, Helen Moore and Mary Haley; Sophomores, Stanley Nicol, Caroline Wyllie and M,argaret Brown; Freshmen, Florence Wilson, Clarence Derby and Roscoe Mills. The appellations of many other well-known Hammond- ites are to be found in the lists of those in the grades. In fact, way down in the second grade, we find Morris Felt, Murry Henderson and Flossie Nicol. These people, all local resi- dents, have no doubt witnessed many changes and improve- ments since they were students. Perhaps they will recall the fact that, despite the quotation concerning the efficiency of the heating system, it was often so

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14 HAMMOND HIGH HAPPENINGS WHAT THE SCHOOL CLOCK SEES The wise old clock hangs on the wall. It has no eyes but sees it all. It hangs there quietly through the day, And never thinks of giving anyone away. At nine o’clock they all file in, And then these thrilling sights begin. It watches the doings of every- one, And let me tell you sometimes it’s fun. They’d like to whisper, but no one dares Until perhaps someone ap- pears with a note from down stairs. Mr. Northrup suddenly starts For a certain room in lower parts. The atmosphere now seems to change, And the room indeed looks very strange. A movement here, a whisper there, And there’s a sudden stir most everywhere. It watches one pupil as she starts to chew, And if others had candy, they’d chew, too. All of a sudden there’s a creak on the stair. Up comes “Prof.”—silence in the air. Miss McClelland’s turn comes now. Does she watch ’em ? And how! Then comes Miss Charter as you know, Into the library she does go, And so on and on throughout the day, That wise old clock ticks the time away. It knows a lot it won’t tell, And keeps all secrets very well. Hilda Dake. As the pendulum methodi- cally swings to and fro on our old school clock, it sees long, lanky Donald Dunham, who has been chosen as the all- scholastic center of our league, and it says to itself, “No doubt, Don some day will be playing center on the famous New York Renaissance team.” Next in line it sees Erva McLear, our school artist, but it also notices that Erva’s hand is not so steady, since her trip to Og-