1923 Et Seq: JUNIOR FOUR - AKA GRACE DUNN MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few of the graphics to be found in the Hamilton Library's Local History "JUNIOR FOUR" folder. I just found the article at the top of this post which told of the genesis of that legendary Dayton Street school. A close friend of mine, "Gus" Perilli is a member of the Junior Four Alumni Society" and I have promised to let him have my folder on Junior Four for the use of the Society.

1937: "ARGUS" JUNIOR 4 YEARBOOK

I have "Photoshopped" the above graphic, superimposing an autographed photo of Miss Grace G. Dunn at the bottom of the cover. Junior 4 has proven to be a very popular historic subject, and the Local History Database has upwards of 50 files and continues to grow. Thanks for this yearbook donation goes out to Ms. Doris  Petruska, whose aunt, Betty Elizabeth Susko Basarab saved it all these years from being destroyed.

1932: PAGE 3 OF JUNIOR 4'S "REVIEW"

It was called the "Junior Four Review" and was a snappy little monthly which was published at that legendary Trenton school. Unfortunately, the front page has a torn out portion which removes 1/4 from the front page. However, page 3 has some interesting articles and the ads are also in that category.

1938: ANOTHER LOCAL EDUCATION LEGEND

This lady is mentioned often in my many hours of mining for local history. Grace Dunn, like my favorite Principal Emily Reynolds was from the old school, where she stood on the firm foundation of a complete education. She was also active in community affairs.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....DURING MY DAYS AT JUNIOR 4 IN 1932, 33 AND 34, MISS DUNN HELPED MANY STUDENTS I KNEW WITH PROBLEMS THEY HAD WITH GRADES AND OTHER ACTIVITES. SHE WENT OUT OF HER WAY TO ASSIST STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY GRADUATED.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

1926: JUNIOR 4; A JEWEL IN TRENTON'S EDUCATIONAL CROWN

Among the treasures in my Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection is a 4 page LAMINATED Trenton Times newspaper packet detailing the new Junior 4 school. I have extracted and scanned a few choice items and they are presented herewith. There will be future posts on this and other local schools as time permits. This is a re-post of an earlier entry that was deleted by Google in an ongoing problem with their blogging software.

1963: JUNIOR FOUR'S LOVELY CHEER LEADERS

Back in 1963, 90+ percent of students were there to learn "3r's."Those organized sports programs, cheer leading, print shop, metal shop, and other elective courses were also important part of our education. When I went to school a decade or so earlier, History as a subject was known as "History;" not "Social Studies."

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

1925: JUNIOR FOUR UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Every good thing has a beginning. This is the beginning of one of Trenton's finest schools. I have a very soft spot in my heart for the educators and the schools of my generation. In all my years at grammar school and high school, the only time a policeman came was to give us safety tips in the auditorium. We had school fights during school hours out on the playground, but by the time Emily Reynolds was through with the trouble makers, they wished the police were called instead of being subject to Emily's Prussian discipline.

Mack said...

WOW Tom:)Great picture. And Junior 4 still looks good both inside and out:)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM. SPEAKING OF SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE BUILDING OF JUNIOR 2. MY FATHER WORKED ALL THROUGH THE PROJECT IN THE 1930'S FOR NOTHING BUT A FOOD ORDER. IT WAS PART OF A LARGE FEDERAL GRANT DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND GAVE THE KIDS OF VILLA PARK AND CHAMBERSBURG A MUCH SHORTER WALK THAN GOING TO JUNIOR 4. I CAN RECALL MY BROTHER "CHUCK" GOING THERE AND THE BEGINNING OF A GREAT ERA OF SPORTS FOR HIM. WE OLD TIMERS IN THE BURG AND ELSEWHERE SPEAK FONDLY OF JUNIOR 4 BUT I'M SURE MANY YOUNGER PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME ABOUT JUNIOR 2. BEST REGARDS.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

1938: THE STAFF OF THE "ARGUS" YEARBOOK

My friend Gus Perilli is an active member of the Junior 4 Alumni Association which meets here at the Hamilton Library on a monthly basis. I have been printing these photos out for Gus, at the same time encouraging him to get into computing and enjoy endless trips back to not only Junior 4, but the Chambersburg of his youth. He and his brother Maury are dear friends, and have a wealth of memories growing up in the Chambersburg area of their youth. As to the photo above, those in the photo are probably in the 17 year old age bracket, and in their late 80's today. God bless them.

1940: JUNIOR FOUR SPRING CONCERT

Music and other cultural activities were alive and well in the Junior 4 of yesteryear. Here we have a write up telling of the school's presentation of "Musical Moments."

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.

1938: Ca. 1938 GIRLS' DANCE RECITAL

Aren't they lovely? Back when the feminine mystique was in fashion. Unfortunately, the date and actual source on this photo is missing. However, I am sure it is from the Trenton Times, and it was on a scrapbook page with other clippings dated 1938.

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.

1938: JR, 4 PRESENTS "BABES IN TOYLAND"

The beautiful young ladies are all set to entertain you as they pose for publicity pics of their upcoming operetta, "Babes in Toyland." Like all of the music I grew up with, operetta music and pop music with understandable lyrics now grace the cobweb shelves of the media,

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

1930'S JUNIOR 4 NINTH GRADE PRESENT LELAWALA

Strange to say, the print shop at Junior 4 neglected to include the year of this presentation. Note that there is just a cryptic "March 2,3,4" I am guessing that this program is from the 1930's, probably 1935 to 1939, but perhaps a visitor has a relative who can be more precise.

1936: STUDENT ELECTIONS AT JUNIOR 4

My friend Gus Perilli advises me that there is a Junior 4 Alumni Association which meets monthly in the Hamilton Township Public Library. I have advised Gus that I will save and post any and all interesting Junior 4 material which I encounter, and save the material for posterity. I also know that there are a number of visitors to this site who hold fond memories of old number 4. Above are two articles on the same page from a school page in the Daily State Gazette.

1938: Junior 4 Playground, Winter 1938

I believe that's Dayton Street in the background. If not, let me know. The caption for the original news photo was quite confusing. Those two distinctive homes on the left should confirm that we are looking across the field to Dayton St.

THIS FROM "SJ BILL:"
Tom,

'Tis Jr Four for sure! The two swings may have been present in the late fifties and early 60s. Lesko's Tomato Pies would have been to the far right, off the field of view, and the school itself would have been directly behind the photographer (close to the ramp where coal was unloaded.

You can also see the soccer goalpost. The soccer field extended behind the school close to to the baseball backstop. Kalman Csapo scored some amazing goals on this field in the late fifties, early sixties. I think he was still active as a coach for the DelVal Aggiee as late as 2003.

Look at the photo, the adjacent street from the middle "vee" of the tall swing set and proceeding leftward is Remsen Ave. From the tall swing set to the right is Lalor St. which ran diagonally along the property.
The buildings in this image are still visible in current www.Bing.com Maps Birdseye views of the Jr Four property. The four visible telephone poles were and still are on the Jr. Four side of Lalor St., according to the satellite images.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

(SJ BILL)

((MANY THANKS, BILL; YOUR INPUT IS APPRECIATED))

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.