USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > Woodbridge > An Educational History Of The School District of Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey 1666 - 1933 > Part 13
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Supervising principal of schools provided with auto transportation.
CHAPTER XIV WAR-TIME DOINGS AND EVENTS
The township schools, as elsewhere in the State, were called upon to cooperate in the great crisis of the World War.
The entry of the United States into the conflict had been foreseen and the rising spirit of patriotism had led the citizens in many places to put into motion plans for being in readiness. In connection with this, public spirited individuals in Woodbridge donated enough money with which to purchase a number of rifles, and a volunteer group of high school boys enrolled for military drill as a part of the physical education work which, under the new law, went into effect on September of this year.
Two groups of boys were formed, and at stated intervals each group was taken to a rifle range on the property of Mr. W. H. Cutter and instructed in the care and use of the rifle. Many of the boys qualified as marksmen under the same rules used in the military training at Sea Girt.
A system of military certificates was devised which developed great interest among the students.
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"The Dial", published by the high school students has the following notice under date April 27, 1917:
"In June there will be held an examination open to seniors who desire to qualify for military certificates. At the same time all boys trying for the military Cup for Best Drilled Cadet will be examined. " -- 1
"In a recent report received at the office it was stated that in the following high schools, military instruction was given: Englewood, Trenton, Hoboken, Red Bank and Woodbridge. From the viewpoint of percent- ages Woodbridge led the list with nearly one hundred per cent volunteers. " -- 2
Registration Day, June 5, 1917, was a legal holiday by proclamation of the Governor of New Jersey, but the teachers and pupils met in their respective schools at the usual hour in the morning and held patriotic ex- ercises which were followed by parades.
The following extract is taken from the issue of "The Dial" for June 20, 1917:
"Barron Avenue School and School No. 7 united in a grand demonstration. Headed by volunteers from the Citizens Fife and Drum Corps preceded by Supervising Princ- ipal John H. Love and Mr. B. A. Dunigan in his fire chief uniform, the children above the third grade and including the high school students started from the high school at 10 A.M. and covered the follow- ing line of march ...... Included in the parade were the high school cadets officered by Lieutenant H. M. Prentiss and Second Lieutenant Victor N. Love, who gave a splendid exhibition of marching and drill work. The Red Cross girls
1 The Dial, April 27, 1917
2 Ibid
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carrying their stretcher were much admired. Following the Red Cross contingent were the members of the cooking class in caps and aprons typifying preparedness. Then came the teachers and the various grades. At the conclusion of the parade, the children gathered on the steps of the high school and sang the 'Star Spangled Banner', led by Mr. Wm. Inslee on the cornet. " -- 1
Similar parades were held in other sections of the township under the leadership of the principals and teachers.
At the suggestion of the Fuel Administrator, the schools were closed from December 21, 1917, until Jan- uary 23, 1918, because of a coal shortage.
Patriotic activities were very much in evidence throughout the school year. Teachers and pupils were unsparing in their endeavors to "do their bit" in the war by buying Thrift Stamps and Liberty Bonds; sub- scribing to the several "drives" for the Red Cross, the Y. M. C.A. and the Knights of Columbus; collecting books for the soldiers' camps; sewing and knitting for the Red Cross; making furniture, sorapbooks etc., for the rest rooms at the camps and for the hospitals.
The work in English was correlated with these act- ivities, many excellent speeches being prepared and de- livered as "Four Minute" speeches in all of the township schools, some of which would have done credit to any of our well-known "Four-Minute" men.
1 The Dial, June 20, 1917.
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The Household Arts Department correlated its work with the Red Cross requirements. Over 2000 garments were made by the pupils and much other assistance given the regular Red Cross workers. Sweaters, helmets and socks were turned out in large quantities.
The Art department of the schools prepared many beautiful scrap books with decorated covers and pre- sented them to the Base Hospital at Colonia.
School Gardens
To help in the food shortage, several of our public spirited citizens gave the use of large tracts of land to be used by the students as school gardens. Implements
and seeds were furnished by the Board of Education and large quantities of vegetables were raised on the land which is now entirely covered by homes on High Street and vicinity.
The following statistics taken from the annual report of the Supervising Principal of Schools 1917-18 will give some idea of what the township schools did to "Help Win the War" !:
"War Saving Stamps and Thrift Stamps purchased by teachers and pupils. . 6831. 90 Liberty bonds owned by teachers and pupils. 42350.00 Collected by pupils for New Jersey Library War Fund. 179.63 Subscribed by pupils during Red Cross Drive, May 20-27, 1918 .. 241.65 Subscribed by pupils to Junior Red
Cross. 272.00
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Sale of Xmas Seals, Middlesex County Tuberculosis Branch of Red Cross .... 49.67 Total $49924.855
During the year the County Superintendent of Schools requested a report regarding the children of foreign parentage attending the Woodbridge Schools and the results were quite interesting. The report showed among other nationalities:
"Hungarians 711
Danish 182
Italian 252
German 113
Slavish 214
Polish 83#
In addition to these, the leading groups, there were Russians, Irish, Swedish, English, Scotch, Norwegians, French, Greeks, Hollanders, Roumanians, Canadians, Syrians, Swiss, Spanish, Bohemians, Servians, Finns, Mexicans, Filipinos, and Austrians.
In 1918, the question of additional school accommo dations came to the front again and a suggestion that the old Woodbridge Athletic Association building be secured for use as a school was referred to Mr. Herbert N. Morse, Business Manager for the State Department with the request that he visit Woodbridge and make an in- spection of the building. Instead of Mr. Morse,
Mr. McDermott, State Building Inspector was sent to make the inspection, the gist of his report made later being unfavorable to the use of the building for school purposes.
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Mr. Frank R. Valentine, one of the prominent citizens of the community, sent a communication to the Board recommending that the study of the German language in the high school be discontinued. As this course was being followed in many other schools of the State, the Board decided to allow the Senior Class to continue the study of German for the remainder of the school year and then it was to be dropped from the curriculum.
Two high school instructors, Mr. Walden Mollair becoming a Major in the training camps, and Mr. Meredith going to France with the Bucknell Unit becoming a Lieutenant, had enlisted in the service.
A report made to the County Superintendent shows that twenty- three high school pupils enlisted for War Service, one, Mr. Ira Dunn being killed in action in France.
Notwithstanding so much excitement, regular school work was carried on with unusual zeal. The stimulation afforded by two high school literary societies, the Olympians and the Adelphians, which carried on a series of debates and individual platform speeches, did much to sustain the educational spirit of the pupils. County Superintendent H. Brewster Willis, organized a spelling contest between Middlesex County and Monmouth County
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which was held in the high school in Perth Amboy June 1, 1917. A prize of $100 was offered to the winning team by Mr. Melvin Rice of the State Board of Education. The Middlesex team won the contest with a score of only three errors to their opponets 15.
David Coddington of the eighth grade, Woodbridge, made a perfect score and was awarded a ten dollar gold piece as his share of the prize money.
The high school orchestra, the volley ball tourn- ament, a track team, cadet corps, basketball and debating societies and the splendid high school paper kept every- body busy and happy.
The aims of the school paper as given by the students are here quoted:
"The development of useful, intelligent, refined, healthy citizens, through sound scholarship, clean athletics practical debating, dramatics, school polities and sensible social attractions."
After the resignation of Mr. A. C. Sides as prin- cipal of the high school, the Supervising Principal again became principal, carrying on the duties of both offices until June 17 of the same year when Mr. O. P. Butterrick was appointed principal.
At the July meeting, the Board decided to grant a bonus as follows to all teachers completing the full school year of 1918-1919:
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#8% on salaries of $800 or less per annum 6% 3801 to $1000 inclusive 4% # H above $1000"
Spanish was introduced in place of the German which had
been discarded.
"The Dial" Staff for 1916-17 consisted of
"Miss Lillian Hirner -- Editor-in-Chief Mr. Michael Golden --- Manager
Miss Ruth Tappen
Miss Ruth Noe
Mr. Norman Lee
Associate Editors
Mr. Harry Baker
Mr. Andrew Desmond
Mr. Erich Shuster
Mr. David Coddington
Miss Mary Walsh
Reporters
Miss Sara Mooney
Miss Mary O'Neil
Mr. W. H. MoNair -- Faculty Advisor"
The enrollment in the township schools had in-
creased in every building over that of the preceding year. The following is taken from the Supervising Prin- cipal's annual report for the year 1917-18:
"School Enroll-
Number of
Prin-
ment
Teachers
cipal
Barron
Avenue
288. 11 ... 0.
Butterwick
No. 1. 708. 18 ... E.
Barth
Avenel 209 4. .. A.
Packard
Iselin
94 3 ... G.
Bayliss
Fords.
416.
8. . . H.
Sharp
Keasbey
364
8. .. A.
Richards
Port
Reading. . . 364.
8. . . V.
Coover
Hopelawn .. . . 228
5. . . R.
Galaida
Total
2671
65
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On August 19, 1918, Mr. J. M. McElroy succeeded Mir. John Dockstader as Manual Training instructor at the Barron Avenue School.
On November 18, Mr. Lester Dix was appointed as principal of School No. 1 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. E. Barth during the terrible epidemic of influenza that had been sweeping the country causing the death of thousands of people.
The terrific explosion at the munitions plant at Morgan near South Amboy, in October, had devastated the immediate vicinity and had damaged places for many miles around. Hundreds of people driven from their homes in fear of further explosions had fled into the open spaces of the surrounding country where, subject to exposure, they more easily fell victims to the influenza.
Public buildings in Woodbridge as well as in many of the other places were thrown open to the refugees. Cots were set up in the high school gymnasium and other rooms in the Barron Avenue School and the local Red Cross with the assistance of many citizens did noble work help- ing the large number of men, women and children, many of whom were ill with pneumonia who had taken advantage of the hospitality of the school. Schools throughout the township were closed. until all danger was past.
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CHAPTER XIV SUMMARY WAR-TIME DOINGS AND EVENTS
High school boys given instruction in use of rifle. Excerpts from high school paper, "The Dial".
Registration Day, June 5, 1917 a legal holiday. Extract from "The Dial" re -- Registration Day parade.
Schools closed by Fuel Administrator, December 2, 1917 to January 23, 1918.
The township schools "Do Their Bit". Statistics showing how pupils "Helped Win the War".
State Building Inspector Mr. McDermott, refuses to sanction use of old "Club House" for school purposes. German dropped from the Curriculum.
Report made to County Superintendent regarding enligtments from the high school.
Spelling contest held June 15, 1917. David Coddington wins ten-dollar gold piece.
Aims of the high school paper, "The Dial".
Mr. O. P. Butterwick succeeds Mr. A. C. Sides as principal of the high school.
Bonus granted to all teachers completing years 1918-19.
Spanish introduced instead of German.
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Extract from Supervising Principal's report year 1917-18.
Mr. J. M. McElroy succeeds Mr. John Dockstader.
Principal E. A. Barth, School No. 1 dies of in- fluenza and Mr. Lester Dix succeeds him.
Morgan explosion closes schools temporarily.
CHAPTER XV SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ENDS
As the years went on, the annual school budget in- creased, and in 1919 the appropriations called for at a special election in the early part of January were as fol- lows:
"Building and repairing schoolhouse. 7500.00
Current expenses.
75000.00 Estimated deficit in current expenses June 20, 1919 10000.00
Manual Training.
2500.00
Sinking Fund.
5337.60
Total. $100337.60
Although such a large amount was requested, -there were only fifteen votes cast, all being in favor of the budget. An occupational classification of the fifteen voters shows that eight of the fifteen were school officials or school employees, the others, probably workmen doing repair work on the build- ing in which the election was held.
"Classification
3 janitors
1 mason
1 president of the Board
1 contractor
1 vice-president of the Board
1 assistant to contractor
1 manual training teacher
2 plumbers
1 attendance officer
carpenter
1 supervising principal of schools
1 no occupation"
Mr. John V. Burke succeeded Mr. Ellsworth Ferdon as prin- cipal of the Keasbey School and Mr. Alfred Hann took the
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place of Miss Galaida at Hopelawn.
Mr. William H. Demarest, a member of the Board, re- signed because he was leaving the district, and Mr. Fred Bohlen was elected to fill the unexpired term at the an- nual election on March 18.
The committee previously appointed to secure a price on property at the rear of School No. 1, now reported that a plot of land 192' x 190' could be purchased in that lo- cation for $4000 and recommended that the Trustees secure 1t. A motion to accept the offer was passed unanimously and a committee was at once appointed by the president to get figures on the approximate cost of a new twelve-room school to be placed on the lot. Another committee was ap- pointed to find the probable cost of an eight-room brick addition to Fords School No. 7.
The Woodbridge School Committee consisted of Mr. H. R. Valentine, lir. Charles Farrell, and Mr. E. C. Ensign. The Fords Committee consisted of Mr. Melvin H. Clum, Mr. Benjamin Walling, and Ifr. M. P. Dunigan.
At the Board meeting of May 5, resolutions were passed calling a meeting of the voters for May 27 for the purpose of presenting the following propositions:
"(a) The purchase of the E. W. Valentine lot for $4000 and the erection of a 12-room fireproof building on it at a cost not to exceed $96000, including furniture
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and necessary equipment. (b) The erection of an addition to Fords School #7 at a cost not to exceed $65000, includ- ing furniture and equipment. "
In addition to taking steps for providing more school accommodations, a motion was introduced by the Chairman of the Teachers' Committee and passed unanimously, to have more time devoted to the special subjects such as art, music, manual training, and domestic science.
When so much pressure is being brought to bear on many Boards of Education at the present time to eliminate these subjects from the school curriculum, it is refreshing to come across such a sane item in the Woodbridge school re- cords.
Two weeks later, it was decided to continue the Bonus System for another year and the General Ceramics Company was given permission to use No. 7 school for evening Amer- icanization classes.
When the special election for the new school at Wood- bridge and the eight-room addition to No. 7 occurred, 43 ballots were cast, all in favor of the appropriation of $165,000.
The election being held in the afternoon, was pro- bably the cause for such a small number voting. This is a contrast to present day elections which are held in the
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evenings, when sometimes two thousand or more voters turn out to vote.
Up to this time there had been no school nurse em- ployed, the regular township nurse being called upon when needed. The action of the Board in appointing Miss Marion Lockwood as township school nurse, January 16, 1919, at a salary of $125 per month, thus marks the beginning of a most important phase of a modern school system.
Miss Mary Fee (Mrs. John Duff) was appointed princi- pal of the Hopelawn School in place of Mr. A. Hann at a salary of $1200, which position she has continued to hold to the present date.
The amount of money raised for the erection of the new school at Woodbridge was found to be insufficient, thirty- five thousand dollars being the estimated deficit. It was also found necessary to raise an additional fifteen thou- sand for the addition to the Fords School. A special elec- tion was held October 7 and the resolutions presented by the Board to the voters for the above purpose were adopted.
Another worthwhile item to be noted, is the granting of a 10% salary increase to the janitors of the township schools. It was also decided to commence Americanization classes in School No. 1 and other township schools if desired.
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Keasbey fire house was being used now for an extra class. When the new bids for the erection of the Wood- bridge school were opened at the meeting of the Board on November 24, Fred Christensen Construction Company re- ceived the general construction contract; George Still- well, the general plumbing contract; E. J. Coffey, the general electrio contract; and the Johnson Heating Company, the heating contract.
On December 15, the following resolution was passed unanimously :
"Resolved: that from January 1, 1920, in- creases be granted teachers in accordance with the Bonus Law amounting in the aggre- gate to $11,125 for the balance of the pre- sent school year -- said increases to be ap- portioned as follows:
Teachers receiving under $1500. 15%
in service $1500 or over 10%
= 5 to 10 years. 27%
M 10 to 15 " 5% 20 years or more. 10% and salary of John H. Love be $3500 per year. The bonus previously agreed upon to be on the present contract salary and no bonus to tea- chers employed after January 1. " -- 1
The year 1920 opened with a request from the Avenel residents for additional school accommodations in that section.
1 Minute Book, Board of Education
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Teachers' salaries received another boost. All tea- chers who had taught in the township from 6 to 20 years, were given an increase of 7% based upon their salary as previous to percentages being added for length of service, and teachers in service five years only, received a 5% in- crease.
The manual training department was extended by the addition of another teacher owing to the increased number of olasses. The summer school allowance to teachers who attended was continued for the next year.
An increasing interest of the Board in the subjects of music, art, and construction work, led to the follow ing resolution:
"Moved and carried that teachers who claim inability to teach their grede music or the art and construction work, and who elect to take advantage of the Board's offer to pay them $50 extra for attendance at an approved summer school or college, must elect these specified subjects as part or all of their summer school course to be eligible for the additional compen- Sation, and no course shall be approved unless it bears directly upon the regular class room work, and a copy of the re- cords obtained at the summer school or college, showing course or courses and standings shall be presented to the Board of Education as soon as possible after the said records and standings have been issued by the school or college authorities. " -- 1
1 Minute Bock, Board of Education.
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Transportation contracts for school children were made as follows:
"John Melis -- Iselin to Woodbridge -- $800 for school year. Charles Peterson -- Locust Grove to Aven- el -- $1250 Van Fleet Hewitt -- New Dover to Iselin for $700 A. Cerbo & Son -- Hopelawn to Fords $6.50 per school dey -- also -- A. Cerbo & Son -- Allowance of $1.00 per school day to transport pu- pils from No. 7 and 8 to high school each morning. " -- 1
Medical inspectors appointed for 1920-1921 were Dr. Joseph Mark, Dr. B. W. Hoagland, Dr. I. T. Spencer, and Dr. Edward Hansen.
Manual training was extended to several other schools within the township.
The treasurer of the Free School Lands of Woodbridge (Mr. E. C. Ensign) notified the School Board that he had turned over to the Board $5000 in cash, and Liberty Bonds of a face value of $2500.
We find 1921 another building year. No. 11 was still in process of construction and a special election was held for a school st Sewaren.
The supervising principal was given permission to attend the convention at Atlantic City. Mr. Lester Dix, principal of School No. 1, was given charge also of School No. 11 for the ensuing year.
1 Board Minutes
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Mrs. Irene Shay was appointed helper at School #10 at a salary of $700 per year but resigned in February.
As no provision had been made in the tax ordinances for the amount of $11, 125.50 required by the teachers' bonus, emergency notes for this amount were issued and arrangements were made for the amounts of the several notes issued to be included in the tax levies of the re- spective years wherein the notes fell due.
The regular annual township district school meet- ing was held on February 24 when the following appropri- ations recommended were adopted by the voters:
"Building and repairing school houses. 8000 Current expenses 150000
Manual Training. 3000
Total. $161000
The school Trustees were also empowered to issue a note for $35,000 to meet current year deficits of that a- mount.
Principal O. P. Butterwick of the high school re- signed to enter business, and was succeeded by Mr. Fred C. Shotwell. The request of Mrs. C. R. Brown to plant a permanent Xmas tree on the high school grounds was granted and the tree was set in the northeast corner of the campus.
An appropriation of $150 was made for the purchase athletic equipment for the high school. This was the f
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first time such action had been taken and it definitely settled the position of high school athletics as a leg- itimate part of school work and as such, entitled to fi- nancial assistance, a principle which has continued ever since.
An important step in educational policy was taken by the Board when the following resolution was passed in April.
"Resolved: that the minimum salary of high school teachers for the coming year (1920- 1921) be $1800 and for primary and grammar grades $1200, and all teachers attending an approved summer school or college and taking one or more subjects be allowed $50 at the end of their year. Furthermore -- Resolved: that teachers in service in Wood- bridge township for five or more years re- ceive for the coming year, 1% of their sal- ary (extra) for each year in service up to a maximum of 20%. " -- 1
Business had been receiving its share of the prosper- ous times following the war, and the request of the fea- chers to be given a share in this prosperity was met by the foregoing resolutions.
Sewaren residents appeared before the Board at the April meeting and requested the Trustees to take steps for the erection of a school in their part of the township.
1 Minute Book, Board of Education.
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Messrs. Fred Bohlen, E. C. Ensign and Benjamin Walling were at once appointed a committee to act in the matter, reporting to the Board on April 19 regarding a plot of land offered to them by the Baldwin Realty Company, situ- ated on Sewaren Avenue and Sherman Street.
The necessary steps were then taken by the Board for a special meeting of the legal voters to be held May 18 at the high school to secure their consent to pur- chase the plot of land specified and to erect a school- house thereon which, with furniture and equipment, should not exceed $50,000, the cost of the plot to be one dol- lar.
The resolutions presented to the voters were car- ried and at the July meeting of the Board, Mr. Fred Boh- len moved the passage of resolutions authorizing the pur- chase of the land, the erection of a four-room, fire- proof schoolhouse, and the purchasing of the necessary furniture and equipment, the whole to be financed by a bond issue for $50,000. The resolutions were adopted and Mr. J. K. Jensen was appointed architect.
Mrs. Frank Edgar was appointed as grade teacher at a salary of $1300. Mrs. Edgar, at the present time (1933), is principal of School No. 11.
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The usual commencement exercises, annually held in Woodbridge for all of the fourth grades, were directed to be held in the respective schools. Thus came to an end the custom of having the children brought in stages to Woodbridge, usually to the Methodist Episcopal church, and taken back home to the different sections from whence they came.
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