Woodstock School - Spirit Yearbook (Bronx, NY)

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THE SPIRIT 0F OUR SCHOOL 3 ' t For a while he went to the Sparkhill Public School, but he left there and went to a small private school, run by a man who later 'became a great friend of his. His parents were not wealthy and it was hard for them to send him there. In fact, his mother had to save and plan to meet this expense, as his father did not approve of his being too highly educated. After leaving Mr. Bauer's little school, Father went to Clarkstown, where he taught his first class for the large sum of twenty dollars a month. Despite this small salary, Dad saved enough to put himself through the nor- mal school at Albany. While at Al- bany he met a Mr. Ackerman and a Mr. Ireland who were selling law books for a well-known Albany law firm. They persuaded Father to join them, and, after having been graduated from the normal school, he traveled with them a few years. After he gave up travel- ing' he became a clerk in the old New York post office. He did not like his position in the office, and hearing that 'there was a vacancy in the school at Milburn, New Jersey, he went out there and secured it. It was there that he met Mother, who was a kindergarten teacher. They were married in March, 1891, and in December they moved to New York. .New York he secured the position o ' A grade teacher under Mr. E. D. r . In about a month he was found to be a teacher in excess and transferred to oldi P. S. 85 under Mr. Jonathon Hyatt. He was soon trans- ferred to old P. S. 10 under Mr. Evander Childs. While teaching, he took a course at New York University and was graduated from there in 1899. He took the principal's examination and passed. He was given a position 'way down in Manhattan. After working there a few years he was transferred to P. S. 23, the Bronx. He devoted the remainder of his life to building that school into a strong power which turned out 100 per cent American citizens. Father was quiet but stern. His ideals in life were high and beautiful. He worked for the good of mankind and not for the almighty dollar. I don't ' 1 think he made one enemy in his whole life that stayed an enemy. Many times , his decisions seemed unjust andrather Wil, harsh, but they always proved to be ' -,JL for the best. 'ggi 'ia He liked nothing 'better than to '- 5 travel with his greatest friend, Dr. Dwyer. All summer he would jour- I ney over the world, then he would re- turn once more in a much better condi- tion to continue his work. Or, when not traveling, we would all go up to Ogunquiet, Maine, and spend a month or so. But, there, Dad became restless and he often said the Wanderlust had him and then again he would gm A' off on a trip. r .ti . -a He was religious in an A ' hted way. One did not have to 'b ng to his church to be his friend. His ideal religion, like that of St. James, was To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself un- spotted from the world Games I, 275. His interest in children and human na- ture was supreme. He was fond of, s children, especially boys. Several boys have been fortunate enough to come under his most intimate guidance, and I am sure those few are far better men for that opportunity. , All the arts, particularly music, ap- pealed to him. One of the disappoint- ment of his life was that neither of his children played or sang. He wa a choir boy and organist himsel Sundays, while during the wet it 'e . was pupil and teacher. ' 1 But these outside interests never for a moment interfered with his work as a leader of children. The 'foremost thought in his mind was always How can I help them more ? Always, school filled his mind. His physician told him so often that he must forget school and think more of himself. But, he couldn't. His whole heart and soul were wrapped in the words, My work first, last and always. After his retirement he would rest in the 'beautiful chair the teachers gave him and plan what he would do when he got stronger to better his school. Then he would remember it was no longer his to plan for. It was not until just before he died that he seemed to realize he was no longer to , A u 1 ' .J W.. .- va- YN, y xx Q -

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'I If if 'F 2 U THE SPIRIT OF OUR SCHOOL , if was . f'7ff'iT 'i Q . f ' L I5 ' W- a wf4.z:55 1 '1 .rr ff zz, , T -vw. sae ' ,V F-. ,fhiv . 1- H -1 1 ' . i, .. .,,,, ,, I . :T.,15,-5511315 .-.ah at , K, , 'T x -' , T , 'fiffif' no ' rl A 1 . Y -. illw,l'lvl.l1'lmrllx'lvnl'1lllll'l ,Ivlw twin 1 ,wzllllll ir ri in ummm. 'um' 'i wlwu: am il n1'mw'wm W- mir RJ 'I tmlurin 1. , wi. um, gui, Owing to the serious illness of our late principal, Mr. john King Clark, no publications of the Spirit of Our School have appeared for three con- secutive terms, ending with june, 1922. ,For the preceding fourteen years, this school paper was published regularly once every term. Appreciating its im- mense yalue to the life of our School in the past, and realizing the inspiration it gave to our pupils, teachers and par- ents, the new administration desires to resume its issuance, and hopes to pre- serve all of its high literary standards. lt seems only fitting and proper that this issue, the first to be offered under the new principal, should 'be dedicated to the memory of him, who, for fourteen years, so ably, so faithfully, and so humanly devoted his life to the ser- vices of our School, and to the interests of its children. And so, in loving re- membrance of our former principal, we offer to his many friends and warm admirers, this In Memoriam num- ber. 'The sad news of Mr. Clark's death, announced, on the opening day of school, last September, was received with profound sorrow by teachers and pupils alike. At the first Senior As- sembly, Dr. John Dwyer, our District Superintendent, and very dear friend of our former principal, paid a beautiful tribute to his memory. With affec- tionate words, Dr. Dwyer described the lofty ideals and sterling qualities of Mr. Clark's character. The wave of rever- ence which swept over the Assembly manifestly showed that kindred feel- ings throbbed in every heart. The teachers of ZS, those who had labored in the same vineyard under his leadership-some for the entire fifteen years-held ai memorial meeting and unanimously voted to have the follow- ing set of resolutions adopted, en- grossed and presented to his family: P' Mrs. John King Clark: Whereas, It having been the wish and desire of our Heavenly Father in His Infinite Wisdom to remove from this Earthly Habitation and from our midst to that undiscovered Country from whose bourne no Traveler returns, your dearly beloved Husband, and our Esteemed Principal. It behooves us at this time to pay our homage of respect to one so near' and dear. Therefore be it Resolvedg That we sincerely lament the loss and demise of one you held so dear, well knowing that his death is a deep and sad loss, not only to you, but to the community of which he was such an uplifting influence, as well. And be it further Resolvedg That we extend to youg yourjimmediate relatives and friends, our deepest and heartfelt sympathy in this your hour of bereavement, com- mending you to the Great Spirit of the Universe, whose all-seeing Eyes guard us all, and whose Mercy and fiovver endureth forever. With deepest sympathy, we remain. The Teaching Staff of P. S. No. 23. Bronx. A Sketch of Mr. John King Cla'k's Life by His Daughter, Helen Father was born in the country towit of Sparkhill, Rockland County, New York, on August 30, 1856. He was the fifth child of eight. He was the younff- est and favorite son of his father, for whom he was named. But. unlike his father, whose interest centered on hunt- ing, fishing, and other outdoor sports Daddy's time was occupied in securing an education. I

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'fwrwfigfij'f+42a'g1a5 G- - ' nr ' nffar 'f ': -,gvw rt-mv--L W J' rf. .-',1 . fl- THE SPIRITO F OUR SCHOOL goton with his life work. Then all he said was i-what his mother said' when she wlied, I accept. ' The Old Order Passeth Away During the past year, important changes in the organization of 23 have been in progress, transforming thei gerstwhile, full-fledged eight-year school into the modern type of elemen- tary 6B school. VVe are gradually los- ing the upper, 7A-SB grades. Last year the 7A and 7B classes were taken away, and on Febrauary 1, 1923 we shall lose the SA grade. The girls who graduate this week from our 8B classes are the last gif a long line of graduates to re- ceive their diplomas from 23 . In june, the present two SA classes will consti- tute the last graduating-classes of boys. Aft'er June, 1923, ZS will send its 6B Graduatesf' to the neighboring Junior High Schools. ' jgggi'-I f'Our Teaching Staff During' the past term several new members have joined our School-fac- ulty. .Miss Katherine Middleton, for- rnefg- of P. S. 40, Bronx, has come to fill the vacancy created in the Kinder- garten Department by the transfer of QMrs. Margaret Bertin to a school near hier home in Brooklyn, Mrs. Alma Lyle, member of a family of teachers, has 'been appointed to 23 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mrs.. Feder. Miss Mona Williams, a well recommended teacher of P. S. 190, Manhattan, was transferred to our family to take the place of Mr. Frank Jackson, who has joined the ranks of P. S. 51, Bronx. We extend a hearty welcome to these new members, and hope that they will Find a happy schoolhome in 23 . To Mr. Jackson, so popular with the boys, we offer our best wishes for success. Of him we can truly say: 23's loss is 2'51's gain. 1' I CLASS OTE 8-A1 Bon-Ami Kaplan, our grammar de- ficiency cleanser. Our class boasts of a secret order rivaling the K. K. K. 'Tis the great I Am's,' fMatzkowitz pres.j ' Nat Schwedel, a baby up to his neckg from there up, a man. Paul Fisch, our great spellerg spells cucumber with a q. Matthew Freed: If disorder numbers were bric'ks he would own a factory by now. Morris Workman: Alas, he befriends his own name. We admit that he works hard to breathe, but thatis all. The Cripples' Clubv originated by Alfred Reisman is getting along fine. Centry fee, a 'broken armj. Jack Anes believes in the proverb Uneasy stands the boy that's gover- nor. 8-A2 SA2 of twenty-three, , Mental arithmetic was it's victory, In class spirit it'll never shirk, Be it major or minor work. 6-B1 Chewing gum? Of course n Hilfe save all ours for making relief s. 6-B2 Don't come late or tardy. We will fine you ten cents. We are following an established rule of the Virgin Islands. There every child, who is tardy or late, is fined ten cents. As a result the school have 100 per cent. in punctuality. 6-B3 I like to work for money To help in class 6B, I I like to work for everything, But best for twenty-three. 6-B4 I Here are a few knog,ks heard in our classroom : I7 .1 'H 1. ,s4XY3!.