Springfield Trade High School - Beaver Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 7 text:

ES si RA Dee B. nels Vebed We wish to express our appreciation to the Print Department faculty. With- out their co-operation it would be impos- sible for us to have a year book. Mr. John J. Mack Mr. William L. McNeece Mr. Charles F. Gallagher

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4 TOE eee be AS LD Eien. Kien Value, Mr. George A. Burridge Principal A look backward to September, 1920, recalls to memory the first Continuation School girls in Springfield, who paved the way for girls to graduate from Springfield Trade School in 1937, as they discovered the need for training girls and women to meet the demands of industry. A look ahead, and I see this pioneer group of girls and women increasing each year, demanding training in the trades of today, the trades of years ahead—and not only training in how to earn a living, but related training in how to live. Margaret C, Ells It seems hardly possible that twenty- five years have passed since the first group of young men received diplomas from our school, yet the facts are before us. Those who have gone out as graduates during this period have become a credit to their school and their community and for this we are grateful. None of the original instructors of the school are on the staff today. All have accepted positions in wider fields of edu- cational service. At this time, we who have followed in the footsteps of those patient, noble pioneers, pay our humble respects. George A. Burridge Mrs. Margaret C. Ells Assistant Principal In charge of Girls’ Division

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6 Pee el eA) Shy ae elo, Vertue tt History of Boys’ Division of Trade School By George A. Burridge Recorded elsewhere on the pages of this Year Book is the inspiring story of the first graduating class of the Trade School, or the Vocational School, as it was then called. Twenty-five years have passed since the first group of young men went out as graduates. Twenty-five years of interesting development. There were times during this period in the history of the school when prospects for the future gave cause for apprehension. This was partic- ularly true during the years when our country was participating in the World War. The number of young men graduating in those days was small indeed when compared with the number graduating this year. In fact the records show that six young men received diplomas in 1918 and five in 1919. During these lean years the losses to the school were many. Un- trained and partly trained boys, easily finding employment, left and went to work. A number of the school’s ablest instructors entered the military service of their country while other s served most efficiently in the ranks as civilians. The Director, who had so efficiently laid the educational foundations of the school was called to render educational service in the great ship yards of the country. His going was a blow to the progress and efficien- cy of the school. It was the fond hope of his associates that he would return at the close of the war, but it was not to be. Small quarters and limited facilities at the disposal of the school were problems in those days. However, in spite of these adversities the school was steadfast in its objectives. At no time was there ever a doubt that some day these objectives would be realized. Post-war conditions exerted a stabilizing influence. Enlarged quarters, and added facilities gave it a new impetus and again the school went forward toward its objectives. The objectives toward which the school advanced and is still ad- vancing are, briefly, as follows: 1. To help worthy men and women both young and middle age, to prepare for profitable employment. To offer courses sufficiently diversified to enable those in need of training to find a place somewhere in the curriculum. 3. To recognize the industrial and commercial needs of the commu- nity and to so guide the program of the school that those completing courses will have reasonable assurance of securing employment. 4. In short to develop a schedule sufficiently flexible to serve all who feel the need for trade or any other employment education, regardless of age or previous educational background. There is much yet to be done before these objectives can be fully attained. Again limited quarters and limited facilities are retarding the progress of the Trade School, but we must be patient. The boys and girls who are receiving diplomas in 1937 may well look back with pride to the pioneers of 1912. It was they who laid the foundations upon which has been erected an institution to which the graduates of this year and each succeeding year may look with pride.