Sheffield High School - Sentinel Pines Yearbook (Sheffield, MA)

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Sheffield High School Our Sheffield school system was firmly established in the early eight- een hundreds. There were private institutions known as The Old Academy situated on Pine Knoll Reservation and Sheffield Academy established in 1837 on the Plain. During the year 1870, Miss Ann Fitch became the first Principal of a new high school which was located in Ashley Falls and later permanently moved to SholTield Center. In 1871, the town decided to erect a building to accommodate the needs of the increasing number of students. We note the following transaction from a town meeting held in April of that year: Voted — that the selectmen be instructed to cause a building for high schools to be erected of size convenient to seat 75 scholars and to cost not more than $3»500. The first formal graduation took place in June 1885. Diplomas were presented to Mary Wright Leffingwell and Frank H. Caude, who had completed a three year course of study. When the Alumni Association was organized in 1902, honorary degrees were conferred upon those who had graduated prior to 1885. During 1903 the four-year plan of High School was adopted. After the erection of the present high school building in 1908 many changes were made to accommodate the growing needs of the school. In 1926 it became quite apparent that a larger school was needed. Public opinion was so aroused that a building committee was appointed to study conditions and provide a plan. This committee in February, 1932 recommended the con- struction of a new Junior and Senior High School. This would have accom- modated the upper six years of study leaving the other building for the lower grades. It would have afforded the Sheffield boys and girls educa- tional opportunities of a standard equal to those of other small towns in our state. This proposed new school was voted down in town meeting in March, 1932 in spite of the fact that $8,000 had been pledged by private subscription, and instead an addition was built to relieve the crowded condition tempor- arily. Under the Principalship of Mr. Clarence A. Merritt, the state Depart- ment of Education raised the rank of Sheffield High School to A . Mr. Merritt who retired in 19 (after a period of 23 years of service at Sheffield High) was ever interested in the betterment of the school, not only scholastically but in that all-important phase of life, character building. Mr. William Hartley, who followed Mr. Merritt, was principal from 19 + +- 19 1 +8. In these years, a splendid spirit of sportsmanship was built up in our school. In September 19 +8, our present principal, Mr. Howard Hennigar, came to Sheffield. Mr. Theodore Williams, assistant principal, with four other teachers now make up the staff of the Junior and Senior High School. The present building is far from adequate for our needs both for space and equipment. We hope in the near future that our town will provide a modern building with improvements to benefit the growing numbers and needs of Sheffield ' s young people.

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