Wisconsin School for the Deaf - Tattler Yearbook (Delavan, WI)

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Students of The Wisconsin School for the Deaf Dglavan, Wisconsin

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THE YEAR LY TATTLER OUR SCHOOL HISTORY Mi88 Marccnc Oaks •OQO- •OQO As wc look upon the Wisconsin School for the Deaf as it is today, wc look with pride upon an Institution that has done much to make happ and useful citizens of the Deaf of Wisconsin Yet. a we look, wc cannot forget the nun, who years before slrueitlcd to make thi Institution what it is. We must not forget that first attempt made hv Increase A Laphum, L. L. D. of Palmyra. N. Y. and hi' early struggles horn of a philanthropic interest in a Milwaukee deal boy. Even though his petition to the Territorial Council in 184,1 was not acted upon immediately, his idea was carried out by the actual teaching of two deaf children for a period of four months We will then remember Mr. John A. Mills, and Miss Wealthy Hawes, whom he afterwards married, at the first teachers of the Deaf in Wisconsin This private school, maintained for eight years at the Chesebro home, which 'till stands, finally had to he discontinued for lack of funds, hut the need was felt, and through the efforts of the Dclavan District, the State Legislature granted the petition for the Wisconsin Institution for the Kdu-cation of the Deaf and Dumb in iHqj Hence, wc can rightfully call Mr. F.benoxcr Chesebro the founder of the Institution. This step is an important one and after the donation of Mr F. K. Phoenix of twelve acres of land just west of Delavftr, a State School had indeed become a reality The erection of buildings began at oner and under the principals hip of Mr. .1 R. Bradway and his successors the school, buildings ami grounds were rapidly improved. The ichool was indeed fortunate to have for its superintendents and teachers, men who were of the strength of character tint would build up a straggling Institution and who would overcome such obstacles as we can only imagine We do know that they were real pioneers, and deserve much credit for their perseverance in strengthening the work for which even thev have given the best vears of their lives. When wc turn our thoughts to the efforts on the part of both teachers add pttpih in those early days, we can not value highly enough the education we arc given, in these days of Ir-a't expenditure of energy, as compared to the days when deal pupils trudged forte miles to our own Institution in order that their handicap might be overcome. Yet all this opened up the road to success and it is through those verv hardships we can trace the gradual growth of the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. The year' prior to 1870 must have been hard ones when we realize 'hat the few railroads Acre far distant, and much time and labor were expended in reaching them to carrv the material with which the main building was erected. It was destroyed bv fire on September t6. 1870 The year succeeding must lnvr been still harder for a tumbling of hopes such as this was surely rnough to cause manv a brave man to turn back. But, instead, every available building was used to vo on with the school work and after several months an appropriation of $6;.ooo was secured. Plans having been submitted, the erection of new buildings was begun in the spring of 1880 During the following years many additions and improvements were made in the plan of buildings as well as in the Course of Study. It was during these years that we were given the name bv which wc are now-known. Tile Wisconsin School for the Deaf. • • • • •

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T n E Y E A R I. V T A T T 1. E K In recent years a well equipped Kiris gymnasium has added much to the social life of the school. A new school building, modern in every wav. gives added impetus to higher education for every deaf child who will stop to realize the great effort put forth to cause him to get the most out of life and to enable him to give lii best to the world. The completion of the remodelling of the boys dormitory in 1021, makes it the finest c'Miipprd building of its kind in the state. The building now provides a room for every two or three bovs, making it morr homelike and encouraging originality throughout. They appreciate it and arc happy in their new home. During the past bi-annual period many improvements have been made. The new hospital is just being completed. Tin officers’ and teachers dinin' room is a splendid addition to the school Manv new improvements have been made in both the .cl»oo buildings and dormitories We are indeed fortunate, through the untiring efforts of Superintendent Bray, to '•ccurr a $25,000 appropriation for a cottage for the smaller children. This, of course, will be a step in the right direction in favor of the Oral Department of our school In this building the smallest children will be segregated and if surrounded by an Oral atmosphere, continuously, it has been found that the teaching of language in the lower grades is an easier problem. Ample provisions has been made to make the school life and the social life of the deaf child who comes here as pleasant and homelike as it is possible for it to be. Each vear committees of teachers take charge of holiday parties for the younger as well as the older children. At Christmas time the buildings arc gav in decoration and cverv festivity is planned for those who must stav at school during the Christmas season. For five of the school months each class of both boys and girls spend two or three periods each week in the gymnasium. The larger girls and boys take an active interest in basket ball. The Gymnasium Exhibition given the first Friday night in April, is always large!) attended by Delavan people, not forgetting the moving pictures every Saturday night in the Chapel. These pictures arc of an educational value that some pupils would get in no other wav. Picnics and parties in the spring always end a year full of happy da vs. vet cause each child to look with anxiety to Home-Going Day. Look a few years into the future upon the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. The changes will he many. Beautiful new buildings will be nestling anion the wonderful trees, each venr adding to their beauty and Strength. The lawns, wide, green and well-kept will be an invitation for you to visit one of the beautv spots of Wisconsin and a place that you will be proud to know.