1037: PARKER SCHOOL SINGERS

Hey Mike Kuzma, in keeping with the spirit of this website's slogan, "Local History With A Personal Touch," I am posting this graphic which I combined with a beautiful Blake Bollinger photo of that grand old South Trenton Parker Grammar school. I would bet that Lillian is a relative, but that is pure speculation. At the present time, I am involved with the incredible history of the local school systems, concentrating at the present time of those of Trenton. The parker school was one of Trenton's oldest, going back to the 1860's when it was known as the Union Street School. Early Trenton educators named their schools based on the street on which they were located. The article in the preceding post tells the story of why  they decided to change that method of naming schools, and name them from prominent educators from that era.

1939: LAYING THE CORNERSTONE TO TRENTON'S PARKER SCHOOL

Parker and Grant Schools in Trenton were both built at the same time. Grant School was placed on the site of the old Normal School (State Teachers' College) on North Clinton Avenue near Perry Street.

THE MESSAGE BELOW FROM MIKE KUZMA WILL BE FILED UNDER "HEARTWARMING STORIES OF OUR YOUTH." MANY THANKS, MIKE. OUR TEACHERS HAVE LEFT AN INDELIBLE IMPRESSION ON US WHICH HAS SURVIVED THE YEARS!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tom:I am so impressed with your access to such a wide variety of photos showing the Trenton I knew, and grew up in.I previously commented on the photo of Skelton School a few months ago, this is where I attended kindergarten prior to entering into the new, and modern Parker School, just two months after this photo was taken. In addition to my old buddy Tony Ponticello from kindergarten, I was teamed up with Dan (Skipper) Cowell, whose mother was the third grade teacher at Parker, Mrs. Cowell taught my entire family, and had become friends with my mother.Ms. Smith, and Ms. Mc Cruden were the first grade teachers, I than had the raven haired beauty Ms. Joyce for 2nd grade. My life changed completely in 3rd when I I had Mrs. Cowell. Skpper her son was not allowed to be taught by her, so he transfered back to his neighborhood school. In his absence, I became her surrurgate son. Mrs. Cowell was my inspiration, and took me with her family on trips, my first dinner out in a fancy resturant, and bought me my first long pants suit.We stayed in touch throughout my adulthood, and I attended to her needs while her son who went on to Medical school, became the head of the Marshall University School of medicine. She never failed to send me a note with a "happy face" on it when she read of some accomplishment of mine noted in the Trenton Press. I gave the eulogy at her funeral at age 99. No one outside of my Mother and father had such a positive impact on me, and I owe any of my business success on her influence.Another 3rd grade teacher, was Lottie Dinkins, the mother of NYC Mayor David Dinkins.What a wonderful time of my life.If a teacher took a kid out to dinner today, there would be lawsuits, and criminal charges.Today, 3 weeks shy of my 76th birthday, I can still every line of the Parker School song.Thanks for the memories pal!Warm regards, and all good wishesMike Kuzma

Monday, November 22, 2010