Warrensburg High School - Hackensack Yearbook (Warrensburg, NY)

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Page 20 THE HI-ROCK HISTORY OF WARRENSBURG SCHOOLS Although this region was covered with a thick pine forest broken only by lakes, streams and Indian trails, early settlers were attracted to come here because of the invigorating climate and the good drinking water. The first settler in this region was William Bond, who moved here in I 786 and settled on a tract of land bordering on Echo Lake, formerly called Bond's Pond. He passed away before the present town was formed. The immigration of Mr. Bond was quickly followed by the coming of other pioneers. Many of them came from the New England section to start life anew in this unpeopled wilderness. These early settlers had no sooner become located in their humble homes than they set about providing means for the education of their children. The school houses were built of logs taken from the forest. They were one room buildings having rough unpainted desks and a large wood stove in the center of the room. These schools often had fifty or sixty boys and girls in attendance during the winter months. The boys had to help with the farm work so the spring and fall terms had a much smaller enrollment. Under the most discouraging cir- cumstances in pioneer schools of this type were laid the founda- tions of education and character which enabled the growing youth to battle with life. During the years that followed, better school houses were erected about the township as soon as the people could afford them. These school houses in many instances sufficed also for some years as places for religious worship. In 1800 in the upper part of the present village there was but one building-—an old school house. This being the only school house within a radius of a number of miles, it was well attended. Select schools, as they were called, were maintained from early times. The parents of the children who attended these schools paid the teacher who was usually chosen because of his or her ability to teach the three R's. Next came the formation of the district school. One of these was built in the upper part of the village and at present is the house occupied by Earl Southwick. Pupils as far south as School Street attended this school. Another one was located across the river where Hugh Owens now lives. Pupils from the lower part of the village and those living on the south side of the river attended this one. Both schools were largely attended. In the fall of 1854 a portion of the academy was built at a cost of $4500. This was a two story structure built of stone. In order to finance the school a stock company was organized which became incorporated about 1857. The enroll- ment was from seventy-five to one hundred sixty pupils. However the district schools continued in session, as only those who were able to pay tuition could afford an Academy education. The first principal was Rev. Robert Clapp of Ches- tertown. The Academy did not. however, pay the Stock Com- pany too well, so in 1888 the Warrensburg Union Free School and Academy was organized by the consolidation of all the schools in the village. Fred N. Moulton was the first principal of this school. The school attendance increased so rapidly that they found it necessary to build an addition. This was built of wood on the south side of the main building. After the addi- tion of the wing the whole building boasted three class rooms on the main floor and four on the second floor. There were from thirty to fifty students registered in each of the first seven grades. The eighth grade and high school together en- rolled about sixty. Non-resident students came here from far and near, especially from the north and west of us. A small tuition was charged and this helped to defray expenses. There were few changes for the next few years.

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THE HI-ROCK Page 19 RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT In September 1942 when the reporters for the weekly news items, printed in the Warrensburg News, had been elected, a desire arose for our own school paper. Therefore the high school staff met and under the supervision and guidance of Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Gurney organized to produce this paper. The first time the staff met was in Octo- ber. to choose a name. There were three prospects—HI-NEWS, CYCLONE and HI-ROCK. The Hi-News and Cyclone were names of former school papers so to be original Hi-Rock was selected. The name Hi-Rock was derived from the historic huge boulder which used to overhang the road at the lower part of town, a familiar beacon for years. The first issue of the Hi-Rock was printed on December 21. 1942. It was a typewritten, dittoed paper with 19 pages. In March it increased to 23 pages, also a shake-up in the staff produced a much better paper all around. Much credit here goes to the art editor who did a superb job at handling the cover and all pictures. The material for both was collected by the staff from members of the student body and also special articles were written by Mr. Gifford. Miss Tubbs and Mrs. Frost. Students were generous with contributions and as they become more accustomed to a paper they will be even more cooperative. In April the Senior class began plans for a yearbook and the staff began plans for the June issue of the HI-ROCK. If the Seniors were to print theirs separately the staff would lose most of its members but if the two were to merge the cost would be cut and the HI-ROCK could keep its full staff— therefore they merged and it was decided that since ditto fades with age they would have it printed at the News office. This is the first time our yearbook has been printed since 1930, so an old custom has been brought back. Many plans have been discussed for next year in the new school, among them thoughts of a paper to take the place of the weekly news items appearing every two weeks, perhaps a seasonal magazine with it, or even a monthly paper. Next year the Seniors may also have a regular year- book. One thing is known though—we shall lose Mrs. Sullivan, one of the so-called guardian angels” of the HI-ROCK. The staff with Mrs. Gurney shall carry on to the best of its ability in an attempt to give the school a worthy publication. REVIEW OF Last fall a more complete guidance course than we have ever had before was started under Miss Fleet. Most of the fall Miss Fleet spent in collecting, reading and filing all the material on hand and making arrangements to secure more: high school schedules were straightened out by individual conferences, and some vocational movies were shown. In October and Novem- ber the scrap drive took place which turned out highly suc- cessful and $190 was earned: the students voted to buy an electric scoreboard with this money. Preference and aptitude tests were qiven to high school pupils who had not taken them previously. During the winter the tests were finished and with the second semester more schedules had to be straightened out. Individual conferences were part of every day activities. The eighth and ninth grades were given lectures by the special teachers once a week to give them an idea on what they were about and what jobs they lead to. Miss Roberts, history: Mrs. Gurney, French and Math: Mr. Cameron, science: Mrs. WAR STAMPS During the term of 1942- 43 our school has sponsored weekly the selling of war stamps and bonds. Mrs. Greer. Eugene Magee, and Florence Reynolds are the successful sellers. As an average, the students have been quite coopera- tive with the principal and teachers who have strongly urged us to invest every possible cent for victory. This year's total amount of war stamps and bonds sold through May I I for each grade are: 8A $1943.10 10 989.80 6B 315.90 3 294.85 5 275.10 4A 223.70 12 223.05 6A 205.40 2 201.90 II 190.35 IA 140.25 Kindergarten 7B 139.50 136.10 GUIDANCE Sullivan, English: Miss Fleet and Miss Semerad. commercial: Mr. Niles. Music: Mrs. Lipowicz, Art; Mrs. Guiles, Latin: Mrs. Farrar, library: Mr. Gifford, industry. Next a new plan was put into effect by Miss Fleet—from seventh grade to twelfth all students wrote their autobiographies. Each pupil will add to his autobiography every year in high school. In the spring the guidance department had charge of the Army-Navy tests given on April 2nd. Miss Ruth Rives gave a guidance talk to high school girls while Dr. Huntington gave one to the boys. Mr. Briggs from Pratt Institute gave a very interesting talk on Architecture to all interested. The remainder of the year Miss Fleet has spent in arranging schedules so next year's courses might be planned. Next year Miss Fleet is planning to begin Senior guidance early in the year and use the Youth Goes to War ' plan. Also in one of the classes she is planning a study of occupations both of which should prove very useful and interesting to the guidance pupils. AND BONDS 8B .............................................. 136.10 7 A . 103.70 4B................................... ‘ 99.40 IB.............................................. 56.35 8B 48.55 Total $5723.10 DIRECTIONS FOR REMODELLING OLD VERSE A comma or so, And a sinister row Of periods there in the middle, Might make it appear Rather subtle and queer And give it the air of a riddle. Italics are nice. So I’ll throw in a slice And leave off the capital letter; With a dash for suspense— If it doesn’t make sense. At least it may look a lot better.

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THE HI-ROCK Page 21 On December 7, 1897, Warrensburg Free School be- came a high school under the Regents. The trustees, being a progressive group, determined to maintain a thoroughly up- to-date first-class school, and increased the number of teachers employed to eleven. About this time the old Free School and Academy building proved too small to care for the ever in- creasing number ot children, so after much heated debating and voting it was finally decided to build the stone structure we now occupy. The frame part of the old building was sold and the stone part was torn down. While the present building was being built, classes were held in the Woodward block on the third floor for the inter- mediate grades. Morning sessions were held for the seventh and eighth grades and high school classes on the second floor of the Rist block, while the primary grades had afternoon sessions in the same room. The tirst grade was excused from classes entirely during this time. On March 5, 1900, the present school was opened. All classes including the first grade reported. Every child, pareri and teacher felt very proud. Everyone from far and near looked at the building and called it a beautiful structure. This building sufficed until about the time the districts were cen- tralized in 1938, although much thought had been given to erecting a new building for several years. When the schools were centralized all the rural schools of Warrensburg, two of Thurman and one of Caldwell were closed. Since then three more rural schools have closed. Pupils are transported by bus from each of these rural school districts to the Central school. Grades one through six are still taught in some rural schools and one teacher is in charge of each school. All of these schools are under the jurisdiction of the Warrensburg Central School. When pupils reach the seventh grade, they come to Warrensburg and enter Junior High School. Very soon after centralization, changes were made from the 8-4 plan to 6-3-3. This means that students graduate from Junior high at the end of the ninth year instead of the eighth grade or grammar school as heretofore, although preliminary certificates are still sent out from Albany upon the com- pletion of the eighth grade. The teaching staff has grown from eight in the eight grades and four in the high school to nine in the first six grades and sixteen in the junior-senior high school. Five teachers are also employed in the rural schools and belong to this school system. Thus has the staff grown in the last twenty years. In the early history of the high school, one had to earn an academic diploma in order to graduate. There was no choice of subjects offered except for a course in drawing and one in bookkeeping. There have been many changes in the last few years. Physical Education played a prominent place in our curricu- lum during World War I and for several years after. During that time a full time instructor was hired. As time passed by, less attention was given since we did not have the facilities to carry on and there was no place to care for the larger groups of children. This of course has been a great handicap since extra-curricular activities always help to build good school spirit. In the year 1930 a commercial department was added to our school. This has been worth all the extra cost, and the town folk as well as the students consider it a most worth while course. Music has always afforded pleasure to many students. In the Union school days Miss Lila Herrick gave instruction in song singing, and a few learned to sing by note as it was called at that time. Music has been taught each year to some extent. In recent years the music department was divided into instrumental and vocal sections. However, one teacher had charge of both for several years. A few years ago a band class was organized under the direction of R. R. Price. Under his skillful teaching, they made great progress and quite a name for themselves. Band mem- bers change from time to time but this grand work is being continued from year to year. An orchestra was also organized several years ago. Both of these have a large following. Nearly every child with musical talent has joined one or the other. A few belong to both. The vocal music classes are divided into a Boys Glee Club and a Girls Glee Club. Many boys and girls avail them- selves of the opportunity to spend a period each week in music class learning new songs. Some of these songs are sung at Commencement and at other public gatherings. In 1936 an Industrial Arts Instructor was hired. This course is compulsory for the junior high school boys. How- ever, in senior high school the course is optional. This has been a very popular as well as a practical study. In 1939 a Home Economics department was added to the curriculum. This course was made compulsory for junior high school girls. The senior high girls were allowed to choose their subjects. Again this course has given much pleasure, yet at the same time has taught the girls many lessons that can be used in their daily lives long years after their school days are over. Meantime all the old academic courses are taught. Many still prefer these, especially those who plan to enter college. Surely opportunities are much greater for boys and girls 'oc.'ay than they were in the early school days. Warrensburg Central School has gone a long way since 1900. Due to the crowded conditions in the main building sev- eral years ago the Board of Education hired the Odd Fellows Hall for school purposes. Six of the primary and intermediate classes are now held there. If one should visit these class rooms and note the conditions, poor lighting, poor ventilation, etc., they would readily understand why people in 1938 after many discussions pro and con finally decided to build a new school house. Under the careful guidance of Mr. Nathan Gifford, Supervising Principal, the new building is nearing completion, although many priorities had to be obtained to do so. This new building is built of brick and is outstanding in appearance. It is sure to place Warrensburg among the pro- gressive villages of this section. From the early days of the Warrensburg Union School until the present day, school has opened at 8:45. Two bells, fifteen minutes apart, have called students and teachers to their duties. This ringing will be missed by many, since the bell system will not follow us to our new building. Mr. Nathan Gifford will be the first Supervising Princi- pal of the new school. He has proved himself a very capable administrator in the past, so we look forward to the same guidance in the future. I am wishing him, his staff of teachers, and the students much happiness and prosperity in our new building. Now, we are about to say Good-bye to the many good times and happy days we had in what we shall call the old stone school house on School Street. Some of us will carry happy memories which we will always cherish. Others will leave without a thought. May Warrensburg Central School make a name for it- self in the history of the future. This is the wish of one who holds all of you as most dear friends. Anna W. Frost