1926: THE NEW JUNIOR 4: A TRIBUTE TO TRENTON'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The  Kuser School post below this graphic deals with a comment I posted when I heard of the shenanigans allegedly going on in the Atlanta Public School system, where certain teachers and certain Principals are suspected of "cooking the books" to give a false report on student grades in order to pass the stringent requirements of the "No Child Left Behind" government program. Over the many years since I left high school, I have noticed a trend that I feel has deteriorated the possibility of a student gaining the full benefits of a complete education. Before we donned the caps and gowns to graduate, we were expected to be proficient in American and world History, Geography, Spelling, English, Arithmetic, Science, and other non-elective courses like common courtesy, music, the arts, manual training for boys, and cooking and home economics for girls. History has morphed into "Social Studies." I don't know what happened to the current subject we all called "Geography," but I still remember that HUGE "Stull and Hatch" geography book I carried home nightly with homework from Miss Julia McClain. There is much negativity in the education climate in this year of 2011, where reports of students not getting a full education, students lacking the very basics of world geography, lack of knowledge of our American historic heritage, and unfortunate reports that some text book publishers are revising American history to be more in line with those on the left side of the political spectrum. Another very noticeable vestige of my educational past is the removal of the familiar portraits of George Washington on the upper left wall in our school room, Abraham Lincoln on the right. Have they both have been relegated to the storage bin?  

Anonymous said...

And I still wonder if the Russian march through Afghanistan was the old notion of the quest for an ice free port? Geography was perhaps my favorite. Skipper

Friday, July 08, 2011

1938: TYPING AWARD RECIPIENTS TO COMMERCIAL STUDENTS

My friend Gus Perilli is active in the Junior 4 Alumni Association which meets monthly here in the Hamilton Township Public Library lower meeting room. I have been saving these post and printing them out for Gus. (Few of the older Jr. 4 alumni are on the computer, and this is the only way I can get them to visit their various years at Jr. 4 and Grace Dunn.

1928: JUNIOR 4 - TODAY'S GRACE DUNN

This graphic is an extract from the 1928 issue of "THE ARGUS," the school yearbook. I felt that the heritage of that legendary school deserved a bit of enhancement and have added a bit of color to give you just the essence of the school as it looked 82 years ago. Legends never die. Today, Grace Dunn's Junior 4 carries on the tradition. I felt that this graphic was worthy of conversion to a hand-colored version, and took the time to change the drab gray scale to red bricks on the school and a colorful dress on Ms. Dunn. Enjoy!

From Ralph Lucarella:

Hi Tom: I attended Jr. 4 shortly after it was built and it was the best 3 years of school that I spent. Miss Dunn, Miss Lawrence and all my other teachers were the greatest and along with the other facilites, it made school seem more bearable. I played on the baseball team with Mr. Wood as coach and took advantage of the swimming pool often. It was quite a walk from Villa Park but we always endured.

Best Regards,

Ralph

1963: JUNIOR 4's "ARGUS"

I just received this yearbook within the past 3 months or so and haven't taken the time to extract other photos and memorabilia from what is a very "classy" yearbook. The front facade is quite attractive in this yearbook, still using the "Junior Four" name prior to the Grace Dunn change.

Ralph Lucarella has left a new comment on your post "1963: JUNIOR 4's "ARGUS"":

Hi Tom: I attended Junior 4 at a time when Miss Dunn was the Principal and saw what a big difference she made compared to the teachers we had in elementary school. She made the kids feel like they were more than just students but part of the whole system to get them accustomed to life after their school years. I knew of many she helped to improve their grades and get ready for high school.

Best regards.

1940: JUNIOR FOUR FRESHMEN CLASS PERFORM SIGMUND ROMBERG'S "MY MARYLAND"

Those of our younger citizens who didn't have the privilege of being subjected to those great operettas we had in high schools all over the country have truly missed out on an incredible cultural experience. Gilbert and Sullivan, Sigmund Romberg, Vincent Youmans, Rudolph Friml, and many other composer brought us music that will live forever in our aging hearts. Those who would like to once again hear those wonderful operettas of yesterday can purchase a full CD MP3 of operettas as performed on radio by the "Railroad Hour." I have the CD and spend hours listening to Gordon MacRae as he lends his beautiful baritone along with numerous female vocalists. If you are interested in a disk, go to Google and enter OTR THE RAILROAD HOUR MP3. You should be able to find a place to purchase the CD. You won't be sorry! By the way: "My Maryland" is included in the many operettas on the CD. (OTR stands for old time radio!)

THIS FROM MY HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL SINGING BUDDY LEE BELARDINO. LEE AND I WERE IN LOUISE BAIRD'S ROOM 300 VOCAL MUSIC CLASS BACK IN THE LATE '40's and EARLY 50's:

Tommy:

Thanks for the tip about "The American Radio hour". I immediately took your suggestion and went to that site. Wow! All kind of operettas and my favorite singer Gordon Mcrea. I started scribing the shows and all of a sudden "Sally" appears. I couldn't believe it. I haven't heard that show since I was a 14 year old freshman who was given a chance to sing in the chorus by a sainted woman named Louise Baird. Tom,I remember the words to every song and nowadays thats tough for me. Aunt Louse tought us well. I remember some of the leads; Jack Hartmen,Don Kraft, Florence Lanzi. Gee, what a great gang. I will listen to all those shows Wasn't Mcrea great? Once again Tom, you made my day. I Stay well buddy.

Lee

1927: MOVIES DURING FREE PERIODS

Mr. Howard Morrison introduced motion pictures into the daily events at Junior 4. As can seen in the article, only those movies with redeeming value were presented. Note that the movies were also shown on days with inclement weather.

1941: JUNIOR FOUR SAFETY PATROL

My old friend Gus Perilli has informed me that the Junior 4 - Grace Dunn Alumni Association will be meeting here at the Hamilton Township Public Library. I have assured him that I will save each and every article and photo which I uncover as I peruse thousands of newspaper pages. Above is a sample of the type of material I am sure will be of interest to the Association.

1996: THE GRACE DUNN-JUNIOR 4 ALUMNI ASSN

Here's a photo from the Times from 1996 showing the officers of the Grace Dunn-Junior 4 Alumni Association, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of Junior 4 on Dayton Street. The association is still active, with 221 members, and they meet every second Tuesday of the month in the Hamilton Township Public Library meeting room at 1:00 PM.

1930: JUNIOR 4 AKA GRACE DUNN MIDDLE SCHOOL

The digital age is absolutely wonderful for those of us who are interested in history. Through the magic of digital imaging, a droll set of 3 yearbook pages can be cut, re-sized, re-positioned into an artistic vignette, and posted as an historic look back at the early years. Unfortunately, those who woud be most appreciative of this concept are senior citizens, the majority of whom are not interested in learning the computer. However, all is not lost. I will be exposing many seniors to these historic pages using on screen presentations at Kuser Farm mansion in the future. Indeed, when these pages are projected on the huge Kuser Farm theater Cinemascope screen, there are many "ooohhh's" and "Ahhh's."

1925: CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW "JUNIOR 4"

Today it's known as the Grace Dunn Middle School. Many of my visitors are alumni from the old Junior 4 on Dayton Street in Trenton.