website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Schools, Public
Union School No. 1 became the high
school (later armory) on East Main
Union School No. 2 now Lincoln school
Union School No. 3 now Douglas school
Union School No. 4 now Webster school
City's
School System Dates Back to Year 1844
WDT 01 27 1949
Watertown's school system
dates back to 1844, four years before Wisconsin was admitted to the Union.
In 1844 organized action for
the support of education through a school was first undertaken here. The record
on this important step is clear. It is to be found in the report of school
district No. 1 of. Watertown in the following words:
"At the annual meeting
of the legal voters of school district No. 1, held at A. Hoffman's shop in
Watertown on the first Monday of October, 1844, Timothy Johnson, the first
white settler in Watertown, was appointed moderator. The following named persons
were chosen officers for the ensuing year:
"John C. Gillman,
Michael Murphy, and Haven M. Morrison, trustees; John Gibb, collector; Jacob J.
Enos, clerk.
"On motion of P. Rogan
it was resolved that the year be divided into two terms, called the summer and
winter terms, and that two-thirds of the public moneys be applied to the winter
term and one-third to the summer term."
$30 for Room
At a similar meeting held
April 28, 1845, it was resolved that a male teacher be employed. In October of
the same year it was decided to raise $30 by taxation for the purpose of
securing a school room "for the coming winter."
To illustrate the scarcity
of money for school purposes those years, the annual meeting held in 1846
directed that "the trustees be empowered to sell stove pipe, the proceeds
to go into the contingent fund."
The first teacher engaged
was a man named Ozro Brackett. Scarcely anything is recorded of him, where he
came from, where he had studied, where he lived, how long he taught.
Report in 1850
On April 1, 1850, William C.
Fountain, the clerk, made the following report to the board:
"To Rev. Malancthon Hoyt, chairman: I hereby certify that the number
of school children between the ages of four and 20 years residing in district
No. 1, is as follows: Male, 138; female, 166; total, 304. I also certify that
the school has been kept in said district by a qualified teacher for three
months during the year ending with the 31st day of March, 1850."
According to old records,
the teachers in 1850 were C. A. Abel, who was paid $28 per month, a Mrs.
Newcomb who was paid $3.33 a week; H. P. Chamberlain who received $28 per month
and Miss Jane Burnham who received only $8 per month.
In March, 1856 the state
legislature passed an act authorizing the organization of the schools in
Watertown under the system known as the union school system, and on April 12 of
that same year these provisions were put into effect here.
Under the state act, the
schools of the city were controlled by the board of education, consisting
originally of 12 commissioners, the city then having only six wards and the
board being composed of two members from each ward.
First School Board
The first commissioners were
appointed by the council on April 7, 1856 for the term of two years.
The first board, under the
new setup, included the following:
First ward—L. R. Cady and
Myron B, Williams.
Second ward—Lawrence Fribert
and Herbert Smith.
Third ward—Siemon Ford and
Peter Rogan.
Fourth ward—James Cody and
Patrick Rogan.
Fifth ward—Jacob Baumann and
William M. Dennis.
Sixth ward—John Ford and
Fred Hermann.
Today Watertown has a school
board of 14 members, one from each of the wards which now make up the city.
William M. Dennis, who was
prominent in Watertown's pioneer years, was chosen the first president of the
board at its first meeting which was held April 12, 1856.
The late James W. Moore, who
was a postmaster here and for many years editor and publisher of the Watertown
Gazette, served as a school board member for 26 years, 13 years of which he was
its president. But the late William F. Voss, banker, set some kind of record,
serving for something more than 40 years.
First Superintendent
Daniel Hall was the first
school superintendent. He was succeeded in 1854 by James Cody and in 1855 John
Ford served in that capacity. He went out of office when the new system was set
up in 1856. Since then the following men have held that office:
C. B. Skinner, C. R. Gill,
F. E. Shandrew, Matthew Norton, William Bieber, William H. Rohr, T. Bernhard,
C. F. Ninman, Charles F. Viebahn,
W. F. Roseman, Thomas J, Berto, R. A. Buell, who earlier had been high school
principal, and the present superintendent, Harley J. Powell.
In a charter election held
here in 1876, the city decided to introduce free textbooks in its school
system, thus becoming the first city in the state to do so, and this practice,
now universally adopted, has been in force here ever since.
Grade School Built in 1863
A grade school, which was
known first as Union school No. 1, was erected in 1863 and enlarged and
improved in 1898. Union school No. 2, now known as Lincoln school, was erected
in 1867. This building became far too small, with the growth of that school
district, and in 1910 a new school was built. It was the finest school and the
most modern in the city and served until its destruction by fire on Feb. 23,
1946. School No. 3, known as Douglas school, was built in 1871.
Webster school, located in
Western Avenue dates back to 1883. It served as a high school for many years.
Watertown's first high
school building, located at Jones and North Fifth streets, is no longer
standing. It was last used as a residence and was the home of the late Herman
Heinz.
EARLY
SCHOOLS
FIRST
SCHOOLHOUSE IN WATERTOWN
Watertown Daily Times,
date unknown
The late Mrs. Anna Thomas
related that she attended the first school in Watertown. Classes were held in a
log cabin on the site of the present E. Miller residence, near the east end of
Memorial bridge.
The first record of a school
directors meeting in the city was that of one held in 1844.
Melanchton
Hoyt was the first superintendent of schools.
The Union School system was
organized here in 1856. In 1878 the cash value was placed at about $31,000; at
present, the valuation of school property in the city (depreciation allowed) is
about half a million dollars.
In addition to our public
school system, quite a number of religious denominations in the city have
maintained their own schools since the early days of Watertown, and these have
become well known for the superior educational standards they maintain.
The annual school picnic was
a tradition in our public schools until abolished by Superintendent Roseman.
Professor C. Viebahn, for many years superintendent of Watertown
schools, was the first teacher in Wisconsin to receive a life certificate to
teach.
Northwestern College began
its activities in Watertown in 1863 in the "Gardner" house on North
Fourth street.
From a report card of 1866,
we find the following list of subjects taught in Class A of the Union School
No. 1: Reading, Spelling, Grammar,
Composition, Mental Arithmetic, Written Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Writing,
Drawing, Geography, U.S. History, Physiology, Latin, German and Bookkeeping
(all required subjects). The report card
was that of a fourteen year old pupil.
Theodore Bernhard first
taught school in the old Music hall, corner Cady and North Second streets, ;
and later in the Ducasse House.
As a special reward to his
pupils he permitted them to look through the school microscope. The high school in the Ducasse building
offered a commercial course to its students. This was the first time in
Wisconsin history that a commercial subject was taught in a high school.
1838-40
John Chadwick school
somewhere between 1838 and 1840; the first teacher in Watertown. Became brick maker.
1847
06
30 A number
of female teachers have recently arrived in this territory from the east. They are under the patronage of the National
Education Society. WC
1854
or later
RICHARDS’ SCHOOL
Former Richards’ school, built by John
Richards in the late 1840s.
1855
Patrick Rogan
organized the school system here in 1855, having secured the passage of the
act providing therefore.
07 08 Bible reading, Superintendent Gill WD
08 12 Examination
of teachers WD
09 09 Teachers
for fall term of the public schools WD
09
09 Miss P. G. Jones conducts private school WD
09
23 Failure to build two union school houses WD
1858
06
03 Article about Watertown
teachers coming 15 min. early to read Bible to children. WD
06
10 Supt. of schools
Draper has letter about religion in the schools in 2 German papers of
Wttn. Article calls him all sorts of
names. WD
1859
02 10 Cancel
contract by P. B. Basford with the City of Watertown for the erection of
two Public School Houses WD
06 02 Charges
against members of Board of Education; Jacob J. Enos; Charles R. Gill,
removed from office WD
09 01 Select
school proposed for city WD
1860
05 17 Ashley D.
Harger keeps one of the best schools in this city. WD
10 12 Miss Susan Perry opened private
school WR
1861
07 18 The summer term of our public schools will close next Friday, after which
the teachers will have a vacation of six or seven weeks at least, and the
scholars a playing spell of the same length of time. In consequence of the forfeiture of school
lands and the failure to pay interest, the fund derived from the state has been
greatly reduced. We learn that it is
quite uncertain when the schools will open again. It has been usual to commence the fall term
on the first Monday in September. WD
08 22 The fall term of the common schools of this
city will commence on the 16th of next September. From a notice in this paper, it will be seen
that the examination of teachers will commence on the 9th of the same
month. There has been some fear that our
public schools might be suspended for want of means to continue them. We are glad they will go on as usual. The Board of Education will do all in their
power to make them efficient, useful, and in all respects what they should
be. WD
1863
01 01 VACATION IS OVER
The winter term of the
public schools of this city will commence next Monday, the 5th. The boys and girls have had a fine spell
during the holidays and now they should take to their lessons and books with a
new interest and determination to learn all they can. It may not be quite so pleasant to be shut up
in the school room as it is to be out on the ice skating, but it is necessary
and best they should be at school, though it may be hard for them to believe
it, when they think they are losing so much sport. They cannot always be young and the duties
and business of life require that they should be intelligent and well informed
men and women. WD
01 15 VISIT YOUR SCHOOLS
The man or woman who drops
into the school house often and shows an interest in the pupils and their
comfort is a public benefactor. Both
teachers and scholars are encouraged to good behavior and to extra efforts.
A school visited two or
three times a week, the visitors insisting that no show or change of program be
made, but that all things go on in regular course, will generally be twice as
prosperous as the school never visited.
No one should leave others
to attend to this matter. The public
school should be the pet and pride of every good citizen of the district.
Visit it often as a
recognized friend – not a miserable critic.
If, during your visit, the
good deeds of the school be sought out and appreciated, an occasional hint for
improvement, in a kind tone, will be kindly received and acted upon by both
teachers and scholars. Speaking evil or
disrespectfully of the teacher, [with]in the hearing of your children, or to
those who will repeat the words in their presence, inflicts a lasting injury
upon them. Get the best teacher possible
and uphold him, or her, so long as employed, for the children’s sake.
A dollar to two a piece
extra from each parent to secure and stimulate a good teacher is repaid a
thousand fold in the present and future.
Just as the twig is bent,
the tree is inclined. WD
02 19 BRICKS FOR NEW UNION SCHOOL
Common Council Proceedings: Ald. Cody, chairman of Committee on
Education, reported in favor of the petition of the School Board for the
100,000 brick which the city is to receive from D.
S. Chadwick and recommend the adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLVED that the Mayor be
authorized to deliver to the Board of Education of this city an order for
100,000 brick agreed to be delivered to the city by Mr. Chadwick, said brick to
be used by said Board in the erection of a Union School house as contemplated
in their communication to this Council.
Report and resolution adopted. WD
06 18 UNION SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION STATUS
The brick walls of the new
Union School building are going up. The
mason work is of a firm and substantial character and looks as if it would do
good service. When completed, this will
be a fine and commodious structure and a credit to the city. It is to be finished off in the best style
and furnished with the latest improvements of modern school houses. WD
08 20 THE LAST DAY AT SCHOOL
The closing of school is an event joyfully anticipated
by all children and in the country the ending of the summer term is always
welcome in harvest times. There is so
much sport in the fields and woods for them, but in our district it was a day
of great anticipation and little tongues rattled on during sleep as well as in
waking hours.
Their teacher, Miss Ellen Gillett, had projected a
treat for them and sent out invitations for their parents to attend. Such a thing was unknown to them at the close
of their school, and when the day came pleasant and bright their happiness was
unbounded.
Miss Gillette welcomed them to a neat, cool room,
embellished with green maple boughs and a fair sized tamarack tree in the
center, hanging full of all sort of “goodies” for her young pupils and they
joyfully sang the patriotic songs and the “Happy Land” in English and German,
and many others she had taught them daily during the term. In their studies they exhibited a surprising
proficiency in the first rudiments of the higher branches, taught by a routine
altogether new to them.
We could not help contrasting last Saturday afternoon
with many another last days of school we had witnessed; and when the exercises
were all over, the children dismissed and ready to leave, it seemed regretfully
on their part, we concluded that a highly educated teacher was a good thing,
but a winning and successful teacher is, in our humble opinion, much to be
preferred. At least, give us a teacher
who is not above making studies attractive to children and whose sole aim is
not merely the money they are paid. WD
1865
05 11 “SCHOOLMAMS”
An Old Watertown
Printer. Mr. George Hyer, formerly
newspaper publisher in this city, who has recently been traveling in Oregon,
writes as follows about Mr. S. H. Taylor, whom some of our older citizens may
remember as the proprietor of a paper in Watertown, though we have never heard
that a journal called the Jeffersonian
was published here. We copy the extract
below from a letter written by Mr. Hyer dated “Astoria, Oregon, Feb 25th, 1865”
as it may be interesting for some to know what becomes of those who wander from
our midst to the Pacific shores:
“The old printers of
Wisconsin will remember a printer by the name of S. H. Taylor. He was for a time, while working as a jour
[?], engaged as editor of the Madison
Statesman, was afterwards employed on the Milwaukee Sentinel, and later published for a time the Watertown Jeffersonian, succeeding Judge
Butler. He came overland to this, then a
territory, with his family and died near Portland some five or six years
since. He left a “printer’s fortune” and
his children have been educated by the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an
honored member. I happened to meet with
his widow a short time since, who, among other incidents of early times
remarked the difficulty with which “schoolmams” were kept at their calling, and
in illustration of it showed me a contract drawn by her late husband between an
applicant for a school and the district board, from which I copied the
following as an item.
“And it is further agreed and
understood that if the applicant fails to fulfill her agreement, or should
marry during the time, and from that cause abandon her school, she shall
forfeit 20 per cent of her wages, which sum the school board are hereby authorized
to retain until this contract has been satisfactorily fulfilled on the part of
the applicant.”
“This, I was told, was a
condition common to all similar contracts – the teachers were seldom engaged
for a second term, they having contracted other and more acceptable
alliances. Many a man here owes his
prosperity in life to his good fortune in securing a Yankee school marm for a
wife. There is now in this state a Mr.
Higgins purporting to be the agent of a Massachusetts society for colonizing a
portion of the excess population of that state.
Families in want of help are engaged to receive the girls thus sent out,
detaining a portion of their wages until the passage money is refunded. In this way, the Oregon bachelors will
eventually be supplied with help mates.”
WD
1866
WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ESTABLISHED.
1870s
Mr. John Ford
was first Superintendent of Schools under the union plan, afterward
Commissioner of Schools for the Sixth Ward for one year, and in 1878 was
Commissioner of Schools for the First Ward.
1873
08 14 A.
Luboueveau resigned as Principal of Union School No. 2; John Kaltenbrumm
appointed WD
1876
08 23 Mrs. H. Gallup's
private school, fall term begins WR
08 23 School
census for the present year shows 3,678 children between the ages of 4 and
20 WR
1879
06 18 COMPULSORY SCHOOL LAW
The compulsory school law which was
passed last winter goes into effect next September and it behooves parents to
heed its requirements. In brief the
statute requires all guardians of children between the ages of seven and
fifteen years to furnish them instructions at least twelve weeks in each year,
unless excused by the board on account of physical disability. It does not require parents to send a child
to any particular schools, but the twelve week's instruction the child must
have. WD
1880-1904
Prof
Charles Viebahn, Principal and Superintendent of
School (1880-1904)
While he was principal of the schools of
Manitowoc in 1873 he established the first kindergarten
in the state to be operated in connection with a public school.
1883
07 13 PROF. WHITING
The School Board has
made arrangements for Prof. Whiting to remain as principal at Union School No.
2 for the coming year at a salary of $800.
We are pleased that the School Board has seen fit to retain Mr. Whiting
in our schools giving him the salary asked for, and we believe every friend of
our schools will feel well pleased on hearing of this information.
07 13 EDITORIAL
[same date] Many of
our citizens seem to be dissatisfied with the action of the School Board in
concluding to build another school house, claiming that the present school
accommodations are sufficient to meet the requirements of the number of
children here, believing that the expenditure of so many thousands could be far
better utilized. Among the many reasons
brought forward in support of their claim are the following: In case of fire Union School No. 1 is badly
provided for, sufficient water not being attainable in that locality to quench
an ordinary blaze, although a cistern was sunk there for that purpose, but of a
kind that is almost useless. A few
hundred dollars might be well expended for the purpose of remedying this. Others want a bridge across the river at the
foot of Washington street on the west side, it deemed of far greater importance
and necessity than the erection of another school house at the present time. Still other portions of our citizens consider
the necessity of providing a suitable "lock-up” and a better and safer
building than that now used by the Pioneer Fire Co., for the use of the
company.
We might use a
whole column in giving the different views of the citizens of Watertown on this
subject, but believe the above sufficient to show what the sentiment is in the
matter. It is our opinion that a new
school is not an absolute necessity and the money expended in it is needed more
for other purposes: we do not condemn the School Board for the course taken by
it. We believe that it has acted conscientiously, and the money expended will
be well invested.
1887
-------- The average salary paid in 1887,
including high school teachers, was $45 per month; in 1908 it was $60.50
1890
04 02 CHANGE IN WATERTOWN SCHOOL CALENDAR:
GRADE PROMOTION TO BEGIN IN FALL, NOT SPRING
The year of
instruction, which hitherto began with the spring term, will hereafter begin
with the fall term, in September. Then
will take place the promotion of classes and the reception of beginners. Though this change defers the regular
promotions for one term, school work will be so conducted that the progress of
the pupils will not suffer.
While promotions of
entire classes occur but once a year, special promotions are made whenever
pupils are found able to do the work of a higher grade.
New pupils, already
possessing some schooling, are received at any time and placed into the proper
grade.
As to beginners, it
is advised not to send them to school until they are about six years of age and
let them begin with the opening of the fall term, for, only then will new
classes be started.
The spring term
will open Tuesday, April 8.
C. F. Viebahn
Superintendent of
Watertown Schools Watertown
Republican, 04 02 1890
07 16 SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Three
thousand three hundred and twenty—six children are recorded in the city this
year between the ages of 4 and 20 --- 1,717 males and 1,609 females. Of these 730 between the ages of 7 and 14
have attended the public schools the required twelve weeks, and 637 the private
and parochial schools.
08 27 FALL TERM TO BEGIN
The
fall term of the public schools, except the grades in the High School building,
which will open a week later, will begin next Monday, September 1. Then is the time for beginners to enter. Pupils of the Intermediate, Grammar, and High
School grades who were not present at the examination last June, will be
examined for promotion next Saturday, August 30, at Union school No. 1. New pupils for any of the grades named may
also attend this examination.
1897 UNION SCHOOL No. 1 BECOMES HIGH SCHOOL
1898
03 19 UNION SCHOOL NO. 1, 700 E Main,
drawing, Weltberger
Demolished and replaced by motel
04 06 TEACHERS' CONVENTION
On
Friday and Saturday last Watertown witnessed one of the most interesting and
auspicious gatherings in her history. It
was the annual convention of the southeastern Wisconsin Teachers' Association,
and a thorough success it proved to be.
Not for more than fifteen years when the state association met here, had
such a large number of convened in our midst, and the importance of the
occasion seemed to be manifest on every hand.
Watertown, with its excellent railway facilities, should have more of
such conventions, and they are profitable both morally and naturally. The evening trains of Thursday brought in the
advanced guard of the teachers and the hotels were rapidly filled. This force of early delegates were largely
augmented Friday forenoon, when it seemed that every monarch of the school room
from Jefferson and the surrounding counties was pouring into the city to take
in the expected "feast of reason." . . . WR
04 06 TEACHERS' CONVENTION -
UNPLEASANT IRREGULARITIES
The
committee who had charge of the teachers' convention wish to thank most
heartedly those citizens who so kindly offered entertainment to our
visitors. The committee regret that
owing to circumstances beyond their control some unpleasant irregularities
occurred. Some of the teachers that had
announce themselves did not come; others came without previous
announcement. Nearly all of those that
applied did so between the hours of 9 and 12 Friday forenoon, making it very
difficult to assign all to their proper places before the dinner hour. Some did not go to the places assigned to
them, but went with friends whom they happened to meet. But, notwithstanding some little disappointments
and annoyances, the gathering was a great success and our visitors went away
highly pleased with the reception Watertown had given them. WR
05 11 War on the Abominable Blackboards
1899
04 14 SUMMER SCHOOL PROPOSED
A party
from outside the city are trying to arrange the School Board of this city to
have a summer school next summer in one of our public school buildings, and the
probabilities are that one will be held here.
It would be a very nice thing for this city, as it would bring here
quite a number of people during the months of June and July. WG
07 11 NEW ADDITION TO SCHOOL No. 2
The
contract for erecting the new addition to School No. 2 has been let by the
board of education to Ferdinand Behlke.
His bid, $1,694, was the lowest, and includes the entire construction
except plumbing. Work will begin at
once. WG
11 28 TEACHER’S INSTITUTE
It is
expected that about three hundred teachers will attend the institute to be held
here Friday and Saturday of this week.
Many of them will have to be provided with board and lodging. Persons willing to entertain teachers at a
fair price will please notify any of the city teachers. WR
12 05 TEACHERS TAKEN CARE OF
The
city was quite lively with teachers last Friday and Saturday on account of the
joint institute for Dodge and Jefferson counties held at the high school. Over three hundred were in attendance. As a rule the teachers from out of town were
entertained in private homes during the meeting, their comfort being looked
after by City Superintendent Viebahm. WR
1900 ANNUAL SCHOOL PICNIC, Concordia Island
06 26 Owing to
the threatening weather of Friday, the annual picnic of the public schools was
postponed until the following afternoon.
The necessity of postponing it was a sore disappointment to the
children, but they were nevertheless handsomely rewarded for waiting, as a more
perfect day for picnicking than last Saturday could not be imagined. The pupils marched to Concordia Island shortly after 1 o’clock in charge
of their teachers and to the music of the Sinnissippi band, and during the
afternoon parents and friends joined in the festivities. There was plenty of good things to eat and
drink, and what with various games and pastimes the hearts of all were made
glad and happiness reigned supreme. This
yearly outing provided by the board of education for the special enjoyment of
the scholars after their school-room labors is long anticipated with a great
degree of pleasure, and it is an institution which it is hoped may always be
maintained. WR
06 26 EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATION
On
Wednesday evening last the graduating exercises of the two eighth grades of the
public schools were held in the high school auditorium. As year after year passes the interests in
the work of this department advances until it is now nearly on a par with that
of the high school itself. The
attendance was very large, the auditorium being crowded with the friends of the
pupils and patrons of the schools. An
entertaining program of declamations was excellently rendered by members of the
class, interspersed with musical selections by some of our local artists. Before presenting the diplomas Superintendent
Viebahn gave an address to the graduates, in which he advised them of their
course in the studies of the high school upon which they will enter next fall,
and highly complimented them upon their uniformly good work thus far, and upon
the creditable manner in which those participating in the evening exercises had
acquitted themselves. WG
06 29 The annual
picnic of the public schools was held on Concordia Island last Saturday afternoon.
The picnic had been arranged for Friday, but the day being rainy, it was
postponed to Saturday, which was an ideal day for a picnic. About 1600 children were in line, accompanied
by their teachers and the Sinnissippi band.
The children of the different schools met at the Main Street bridge,
where the procession was formed, and all marched to Concordia Island, where a
fine feast was in waiting, and all passed a most delightful afternoon
together. A large number of parents were
present as well as friends of the school.
WG
1901
03 27 REMODEL
AND ENLARGE PUBLIC SCHOOL No. 3
Providing
satisfactory bids for the work are secured, the board of education will build
an addition to School No. 3 this spring and furnish the entire building with a
water system. The addition will give two
more rooms, which are much needed. WR
03 29 REMODEL
AND ENLARGE PUBLIC SCHOOL No. 3
At
the meeting of the Board of Education last Saturday night it was decided to
remodel and enlarge Public School No. 3, work on which will begin the fore part
of June next provided satisfactory bids are received. WG
05 10 BIDS
FOR REMODEL AND ENLARGE PUBLIC SCHOOL No. 3
Sealed
proposals will be received by the Board of Education of the City of Watertown,
Wis., on or before May 20, 1901, for building an addition to and remodeling
School House No. 3, in the 6th ward of said city, including all materials. Materials and labor for the foregoing shall
be furnished and executed in accordance with the plans and specifications
prepared by F. L. Linsay, architects, copies of which may be had at the office
of said F. L. Linsay, 212 Main Street, Watertown, Wis. Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified
check in the amount of two hundred dollars.
The right is reserved by the Board to reject any and all bids, or parts
of bids. WG
05 10 28 PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
Watertown
has 28 public school teachers, two of them gents and 26 ladies. Superintendent Viebahn has been connected
with our public schools for 20 years; Prof. Whiting 17 years; Miss Ella
Reubhausen 13 years; Miss Laura Barber 8
years; Miss Nellie Shinnick 3 years; Miss Bertha Marquart 18 years; Miss
Ella Wilder 15 years; Miss Anna Holland 12 years; Miss Mary Weise 11 years,
Miss Ida Kopp 22 years, and the Misses Emma Schoechert and Celia Boughton each
23 years. The other teachers have served
from 6 months to 9 years. Among the
corps are teachers holding college and university diplomas, three are Normal
school graduates, eight hold First-grade certificates, six second-grade
certificates, and seven third-grade certificates. The monthly pay roll of teachers amounts to
$1316. The attendance at the present
time is 1067, a fraction over 38 pupils for each teacher.
07 19 MISS MARIE KILLIAN
At a
meeting of the Board Education held last Wednesday evening, Miss Marie Killian
was transferred from 5th grade, No. 4 to the position of high school teacher,
at a salary of $40 a month, leaving a vacancy in the 5th grade in that
building, which will be filled at the next meeting of the School Board. WG
08 30 FOUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN CITY
Four
school buildings will hereafter be used in this city for public school
purposes. School No. 1, in the 2nd ward,
school No. 2 in the 4th ward, school No. 3 in the 6th ward, and school No. 4 in
1st ward.
School
No. 1 will hereafter be used for 8th grade and high school classes
exclusively. For all classes below the
8th grade the city is divided into three district as follows: The district of school No. 2 comprises all
west of the river and that part of the east side which is west of Second and
north of Milwaukee Street. The remainder
of the city is divided by Main Street into the other two districts, the
district of school No. 3 lying north, and the district of school No. 4 south of
this street. Each of three district
schools will have seven grades.
All
the schools except school, No. 3 which is not yet ready for occupancy, will
open Tuesday. Pupils that belong to 7th
grade No. 3 may for the present attend one of the other schools. The other pupils of that school must extend
their vacation.
Now is the time for new beginners to enter
school. Parents are advised not to send
children that are too young and too immature.
As a rule children that are less than six years of age or who will not
be six years old within the next six months, are not fit subjects for formal
instruction. WG
12 21 A SANTA CLAUS LUNCHEON
The
teachers of our public schools were treated to a most pleasant surprise last evening
at the High School building where they were congregated for the regular monthly
meeting, a Santa Claus luncheon having been prepared for them by the Misses
Ella Wilder, Mabel Fletcher, Lucile Bertram, Marie Killian, Myrtle Huber and
May Kelly. When the meeting was
adjourned the teachers were requested to present themselves in the assembly
room, and upon entering the same they found it converted into an attractive
dining hall, festively trimmed with holly and bright with paper lights and
handsome candelabra. A handsome
Christmas tree in all the glory of shimmery ornaments and waxen light formed
the center of attraction and shed its beauty upon the surrounding tables so
tastefully set for this Yule spread.
Expressions of delight and appreciation were uttered by all of the
surprised ones and the fair perpetrators were the recipients of gallant thanks.
1903
Death
of Orlena Moak (and sister); taught at No. 4 School
1904
10 16 Superintendent
of Schools William D. Roseman gives the following excellent advice to parents
relative to signing the monthly report cards of students:
"You
are earnestly urged to examine the cards carefully and sign them in English or
German. Please do not delegate this duty to your child. The interest which you
show in examining the cards will, to a great extent, determine your child's
progress in school. If the marks are low, inquire why, and encourage them to
earn higher marks next month. It takes much time and energy, on the part of the
teachers, to issue report cards and unless you examine them, and sign them
personally, the result will not warrant the expenditure of the same. It can be
spent to a greater advantage in other directions."
1904
11 12
Some
day, perhaps, we will return to sane methods in the teaching of children: Speed
that day. At the present time the little ones are the victims of education gone
mad. Their small heads are troubled with things beyond their understanding and
they are made to say things like a parrot. Fancy a little grammar student of 10
attempting to diagram a sentence taken from a history of mythology! And fancy a
child of 9 struggling to read ancient history with all the latter's
unpronounceable names! It is all - all wrong. We are not teaching children in
these days. We are simply attacking their nervous systems and racking their
undeveloped brains. WDT
1905
09 13 LOW ENROLLMENT NOT DUE TO “RACE SUICIDE”
The
enrollment of the city schools according to the report of W. P. Roseman, city
superintendent of schools, is as follows:
High
School ………... 217
Eighth
Grade ….…..… 40
School
No. 2 …….… 228
School
No. 3 …..….. 185
School
No. 4 …..….. 340
Total
…………..…… 1,010
It
is a light enrollment, owing no doubt to the existence of parochial and private
schools in the city and not a “race suicide,” for the people here are healthy
and love children.
1907
10 17 New compulsory education law WL
1908
02 05 Truant Officer appointed
-------- The average salary paid in 1887,
including high school teachers, was $45 per month; in 1908 it was $60.50
09 11 Eighth grade transferred from High School
to vacant room in School No. 4 WG
10 16 Public
school teachers entertained by Board of Education WG
11 20 Public night school twice a week began
in the High School building WG
11 27 The Horace K.
Turner art exhibit will be under the auspices of the public school teachers
and pupils WG
12 04 Diphtheria in public schools, report
on cases WG
12 08 
“Rules Defining Duties of Janitors – adopted
by the Watertown Board of Education, December 2, 1908.”
12 18 American National Red Cross campaign;
stamps placed in schools WG
1909
02 19 Pupils of 4th grade No. 4 School enjoyed
a sleigh ride; teachers of No. 2 School gave a valentine party WG
06 25 Eighth grade graduation at Turner
Opera WG
1910
04 15 Visiting day at public schools WG
1910c
1911
05 25 No Public School Picnic This Year
Almost
from the beginning of the public school system in this city it has been the
custom here for the teachers and pupils of the public schools to hold an annual
picnic at the close of the school year:
a band was engaged for the occasion and the pupils and teachers marched
in a body to some central picnic ground and enjoyed the day (at least so it has
been thought) in feasting and in merrymaking.
The pupils carried U.S. flags and banners, and in gay holiday attire
presented one of the happiest-looking sight's that could be witnessed anywhere.
For
some years past, however, there has been considerable murmuring against the
picnic from teachers, parents and pupils, and this year again much
fault-finding was heard regarding the holding of the picnic, and even going so
far as to say that only the Board of Education wanted the picnic.
Just
how this custom first originated we know not, but during our long experience on
the Board of Education, we know the Board simply arranged for music, the place
of holding the picnic, and furnished lemons, sugar and ice in behalf of the
people, and always supposed that a great majority of the teachers, pupils and
parents were so set on having this picnic that the members of the Board thought
it was as much as their lives were worth to think of abandoning the same.
Some
two weeks ago, however, the Board decided to test the matter by having a vote
taken of the teachers and pupils on the matter and instructed the
superintendent to first have the pupils lay the matter before their parents.
The
result of the vote was as follows:
School For
Against
Lincoln 41
207
Douglas 169
9
Webster 69
279
High School 68
216
Total 347
711
Teachers in favor of having
picnic 5
Teachers opposed to having
picnic 28
On
the announcement of this result at an adjourned meeting of the Board last
Thursday evening, it was decided to do away with the picnic this year.
At
the same meeting of the Board Superintendent W. P. Roseman
submitted his resignation to take effect July 1st. WG
1911
06 01 Trained Nurse for Schools / One
Will Be Furnished By Red Cross During Month of June.
As a
result of the sale of Red Cross seals last Christmas, Watertown draws a
prize. Miss Lydia Pease and Supt. W. P.
Roseman, who conducted the campaign, announce that 25,725 seals were disposed
of, and as a result the city is to have the services of a trained nurse free of
charge during the month of June.
Miss
Sarah West Ryder, employed by the State Anti-Tuberculosis Society, is in the
city today and is giving such assistance as the city authorities, charitable
societies and individuals direct. It is
her mission to visit the public schools and parochial schools and give counsel
in all cases directed by the authorities of those institutions. She will also visit the homes of parents
whose children are found to be suffering with diseases common to their age and
give such advice as the various cases demand.
In cases where children are suffering from tuberculosis, the parents
will be advised on points appertaining to the care and treatment of such
children. Where medical treatment is
deemed advisable, the family physician will be consulted and in cases where
parents feel unable to call a physician,
Miss Ryder hopes, by cooperating with the local physicians, they will
take care of such cases.
It is
estimated that there are from 20 to 30 cases of adenoids in the public schools
and, no doubt, there are fully as many in the parochial schools. This is a defect that can be easily remedied,
and the children removed from the embarrassment of being classed with the
backward or dull pupils.
It has
been stated that there are several cases of tuberculosis in the incipient
stages in the schools which if attended to in time may be cured, and the spread
of the disease among other children in school checked. Miss Ryder's headquarters are in the lecture
room of the public library building and she asks the cooperation of all our
citizens. Further information may be had
from Miss Lydia Pease or Supt. W. P. Roseman.
WD
08 26 Visiting
Nurse in Watertown
The
follow report was made by Sarah West Ryder, who visited the schools in
Watertown last June:
“The
month of June was spent in Watertown, where I gave almost the entire time to
medical inspection in the three grade schools, that being the work desired of
me by Mr. Roseman, superintendent of schools, who, together with Miss Lydia
Pease, was actively interested and instrumental in making the record Christmas
seal sale. The method of work was
similar to that done in Chippewa Falls and consisted in studying the children
while at their studies from that “point of vantage,” the teacher’s desk.
It was
not difficult to pick out ailing children.
During the course of my investigation I learned that a number of
children had been out for illness – measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, etc. –
which accounted in part for their anemic appearance. There were children who are undoubtedly
pre-tubercular, if not already in the incipient stage. According to the list, 326 children of an
enrollment of 920 are either physically defective or anemic. Of these there are:
56
with probable defective sight;
3 with
defective hearing;
70 who
are good subjects for tuberculosis;
27 and
probably more who come from tubercular families;
5 who
are tubercular (and probably more);
2 who
have formed immoral habits (there are probably more);
30 who
need oversight of a truant officer (they would keep an officer busy
constantly);
139
mouth breathers;
27 who
are backward because of probable physical defects or because of rapid growth;
16 who
are plainly backward;
7
unmistakably feebleminded.
The
habit of coffee drinking and the keeping of late hours is common among the
children in all of the grades to an alarming extent. Sitting up late would not be so bad if
practiced in the open air, but too many of the children’s evening are spent in
poorly ventilated nickel theatres.
Thirty
children are reported as attending school irregularly without sufficient
reason. Many half days of each school
month are lost because of slight ailments, sore throat, etc. The chronically sore throats usually occur in
children who are suffering from enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Were a physician consulted he should soon
discover the source of the trouble.
Two
sisters lost, one 81 days, the other 57 1/2 days, out of the school year. Both are suffering from enlarged tonsils and
adenoids, two out of the many who are handicapped in the same way. Their brother, 15 years old, is in the fifth
grade. He is ambitious and has been
constantly humiliated by his inability to keep up with his class. He has been the despair of his teachers. He was operated upon and tonsils and adenoids
removed. The tonsils, according to the
doctors, were each as large as a small hen’s egg, while the adenoids
constituted a mass equal to both tonsils put together. There was very little space for the admission
of air, as the nasal cavity and throat were almost completely filled with these
morbid growths. Improvement after the
operation was almost immediate.
Three
girls in another family were taken to a physician, one had a goiter, all three
had defective eyesight. One of the three
was tuberculosis.
Three
children in another family, a boy and two girls, are sadly in need of
attention. The boy needs the attention
of a nerve specialist. Two have enlarged
tonsils and adenoids. Both will be
operated upon as soon as there is room at the hospital.
These
cases were taken at random and there are undoubtedly many more who would be
benefited in many ways by timely attention to such defects . . . “ WD
1912
03 14 CLASSES BEING ORGANIZED BY THE EXTENSION
DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
The
recognized need for more widespread training for people who work demands that
some form of education be provided for their benefit equivalent to that which
may be gained in the schools and universities.
To this end it is necessary not only to carry the educational
opportunity to them wherever they may be, but frequently to arouse and
stimulate their interest by demonstrating to them the value of an increased
fitness . . . There exists in every community a considerable class of people
whose early education has been neglected.
Such people have a claim upon the state for educational opportunities
outside the regular form.
If a sufficient number
interested in any one subject can be secured the university Extension will send
an instructor at regular intervals to meet the class and give them such
personal help as they may need. WG
c.1913
EARLY KINDERGARTEN
1916
03 31 Prof.
W. P. Roseman elected superintendent at Sheboygan; served at Watertown for
seven years.
1921
11 02 William Voss [1847–1921] served a number of terms
embracing two long periods as president of the school board. His interest was almost passion.
1922
06 08 8th GRADE GRADUATION
COME TO AN END
No
graduation exercises for 8th grade pupils of public schools will be held
anymore because of a state law which provides that children attend high school
or industrial school until they have reached the age of 18 years. (at the time, graduation must have meant the
end of ability to learn)
1949
-- -- HANDBOOK
FOR PARENTS
Your Child in the Elementary Grades
Derived
from Archived_Digital_Reference_File: Elementary_School_Handbook_1949.pdf
1950
09 06 SEVENTEEN
NEW TEACHERS IN WATERTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
09 02 TWENTY-THREE
NEW TEACHERS IN WATERTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
First
row [L-R]: Kathleen Murphy, Emily Herrmann, Virginia Block, Dolores Pirlot,
Kathryn Dunning, Patricia Ormsbee, Heather Dopkins.
Second: Amy Perry, Hilda Kaercher, Eva Warner,
Barbara Shunk, Marion Spangler, Audrey Lamp, Dorothy Strayer, Lenys Dietzrman,
Top:
Audrey Herbrand, Charlotte Pischke, Ramona Peardon, Glenn A. Schwoch, Jim
Thompson, Lucille Biege, Frances Bright, Joan Pierson.
1957
07 12 Margarethe
Schurz School, construction of WDT
1958
04 23 Watertown
Citizens Council for Better Schools formed
WDT
1959
02 06 Roger
B. Holtz, Superintendent of Schools, resignation of WDT
05 05 Board
of Education organization meeting WDT
08 22 New
hot lunch service equipment; three elementary schools WDT
08 29 David
R. Ross, new principal, Junior High School
WDT
10 14 Open
House, Schurz Elementary WDT
10 28 Watertown School District expected to
increase WDT
11 16 Buildings and Grounds Superintendent,
new position created WDT
1960
02 22 Proposed
seven man board of education,
elected from school district at large
WDT
03 17 Position of
elementary supervisor abolished WDT
05 05 Henry Winogrond
elected president of board of education, succeeds A. E. Bentzin WDT
1961
12 22 The Watertown Board of Education last
night discussed informally several moves which may herald the start of far
reaching changes in the Watertown school operation setup. The plan, if
implemented and carried to a conclusion, would establish a unified school
district made up of the city of Watertown and the areas annexed to the city for
school purposes. Last night’s informal discussion had been preceded in recent
months by brief mention of a unified school district possibility but not until
last evening was the issue brought squarely into the open. WDT
1962
08 25 The school bell here rang for all
Public School students of the Watertown School District this morning. With the start of the 1962-63 school year, a
new epoch in the history of the Watertown school system will have begun. Up to 1955 the Watertown School District had
as its school district boundary the city limits of Watertown. In 1955 the township of Emmet and part of the
township of Watertown were annexed and the school district grew from 10 square
miles to 52 square miles. In 1959 the Wisconsin State Legislature passed the
bill requiring that all areas of the state be in a high school district by July
1. 1962. Thus began a period of three
years within which people of unattached areas laid plans and petitioned to attach
to a high school district. Today the
Watertown School District comprises an area of 150 square miles, having grown
three times its size within four years.
WDT
09 24 The first step calling for the
creation of a new position — that of an assistant superintendent of schools —
for the Watertown School District was taken at last night's meeting of the
board of education. Spearheaded by
School Commissioners Lee Block and Claude Towne, the subject was brought to the
floor of the meeting by Mr. Towne and was supported by Mr. Block. They called for support for such a plan. Following lengthy discussion, Mr. Towne
finally offered a resolution to create such an office and defining the duties
of the office. WDT
1963
06 12 The Watertown Board of Education last
night, in an effort to break the deadlock which exists between the Common
Council and the board over expanded school facilities determined to request the
council for approval of an outlay of $1,500,000 for the construction of a three
grade junior high school. The board’s
action was taken following a two hour discussion on the school building problem
with a committee of the council which had been designated to discuss the building
problem with the board. Council members
who met with the board were James Bloor, Wallace Block and Ronald Moser. WDT
06 13 Eugene W. Tornow has resigned as
superintendent of Watertown Public Schools, effective Oct. 1. The letter of
resignation was submitted to James Craine, president of the board of education,
following Tuesday evening’s board meeting with a committee of common council
members. Mr. Tornow in his letter said
that he is resigning in order that he may enter the University of Wisconsin on
a full residence basis this fall to complete his work on a doctor’s degree. WDT
1964
04 21 SCHOOL
SAFETY PATROLS
Lt.
Alfred Krahn of the Watertown Police Department told the Watertown Safety
Council last night at the Legion Green Bowl how the city saves $36,000 from its
budget every year. Local School Safety
Patrols, protecting crossings near all elementary schools accomplish this. These school children, conscientiously doing
their volunteer jobs every school day, in good weather or bad, have never had
an accident occur while they were on duty, the officer said. WDT
1966
-- -- RIVERSIDE JR. HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTED
1970
09 26 INSTRUCTIVE
DISPLAY / WE LIKE IT HERE !
1983
08 21 Computerized
braille word processor for blind students . . . example of mainstreaming
handicapped students into regular classrooms
WDT
1984
02 14 Special
Education Program, Watertown School District will run its own in
1984-85 WDT
03 17 Asbestos in ceilings at Watertown High
School and Schurz Elementary may be removed
WDT
07 07 Reuben Feld surprise retirement
reception WDT
10 09 Enrollment lowest in two decades WDT
1985
01 12 Wayne
Strayer scholarship fund, former vocal teacher WDT
02 14 Special
Education Program, Watertown School District will run its own in
1984-85 WDT
1986
05 03 Mrs. Jeanne P. Reed, a 17 year veteran of
the board of education of the Watertown Unified School District, was re-elected
president at the reorganizational meeting of the. Other officers elected at the meeting were Ron
Strege, vice president; Kenneth Berg, clerk; LeAnne Fredrick, treasurer; and
Angeline Scheid, deputy clerk and secretary to the board of education. Reed was
first elected to the board in 1969 and has been re-elected every three years
since that time. WDT
1990
01 23 Dr. Suzanne Hotter, director of
curriculum and instruction for the Watertown Unified School District, has been
named acting superintendent of schools.
The board of education named her to that position Monday evening. As acting superintendent, she will fill the
position of Dr. Richard Stolsmark, who is on a leave of absence while at a
hospital for impaired professionals.
Hotter came to Watertown as principal of Douglas and Concord Elementary
schools in May of 1988. A year later she
was named director of curriculum and instruction for the school district. She holds a bachelor’s degree in home
economics, a master’s degree in special education and a doctorate degree in
educational administration. WDT
1997
08 25 30-year-old school
completes$250,000 facelift WDT
1998
03 26 All-day
kindergarten proposal WDT
08 01 Proposed laws concerning student
conduct in public schools WDT
09 25 Riverside
Middle School is bursting at the seams with an eighth-grade class numbering
325 pupils. WDT
10 18 Federally
Subsidized School Breakfasts; half of schools in Watertown
Unified School District participate WDT
10 23 Educational foundation dedicated to
promoting and strengthening public and private schools in the Watertown
area WDT
1999
02 27 Former Douglas School
property; land division and changes to an existing conditional use permit
approved WDT
04 21 Two full-day
kindergarten sections may be added next school year WDT
03 25 Feed Your Brain;
after-school homework WDT
05 21 Network schools;
District received loan of almost a half million dollars WDT
08 28 Enrollment,
Watertown Unified School District WDT
10 02 Asbestos; class-action suit to recover
the cost of removing WDT
2001
03 29 Declining
enrollments in Watertown public schools will mean cutting approximately
$400,000 from the proposed budget for the 2001-02 school year. If enrollment projections hold, the budget
will have to be reduced by $2.5 million in the next five years. Elementary enrollments have declined 62
students in the past five years and live births are on the decline, the
director said. The estimated
kindergarten enrollment for the 2001-02 school year is 210 students and the
estimated average for the next three years is 195 students. WDT
2002
01 11 KEISER NEW DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
Dr.
Douglas Keiser, director of curriculum and instruction in the Watertown Unified
School District, will become the new district administrator on July 1. He will succeed Dr. Suzanne Hotter who is
retiring at the close of this school year.
WDT
2005
11 13 CERTIFIED FOR FOOD HANDLING
The
Watertown Unified School District nutrition staff is one of the first in the
nation to be certified for food handling after participating in a two-day
program earlier this week. “We have a wonderful staff throughout the district,”
Jackie Walsch, director of nutritional services, said. “We make it a priority
to hold in-services and offer courses to the food staff throughout each year
that enhances their knowledge and keeps them informed on different aspects of
food and food service.” The program called Healthy Edge included a curriculum
on nutrition, nutrition education, preparing and serving healthy school meals
and building partnerships and marketing. More than half of the 40 nutrition
staff members attended the voluntary program. The middle school staff had all
but two attend. WDT
2006
07 25 REMODELING OF WEBSTER AND SCHURZ
SCHOOLS
The
Watertown Unified School District Board of Education reviewed conceptual floor
plan designs for the remodeling of Webster and Schurz schools and the proposed
new elementary school during a special meeting Thursday night. Matt Wolfert, of Bray Associates Architects,
Inc., updated the board on the preliminary plans for the schools. These designs were created to give the board
of education a start and a plan from which to work. Miron Construction representatives also
attended the meeting and gave an estimated cost of all three projects as a
range of $28,822,394 to $29,367,369.
Conceptual floor plans for the new elementary school included 108,975
square feet, an increase from the first projection, for an estimated total cost
of about $17,436,000 to $17,980,975. WDT
2008
10 04 Vision
of more college classes taught in Watertown. “We need more people with more
education.” WDT
11 05 $22,385,000 referendum
approved for additions and renovations; second referendum to exceed revenue
limits defeated WDT
2010
06 15 School district to upgrade in communications system; includes
installation of antennas at all city schools; Full text, WDT
article WDT
Cross References:
Douglas School, chapter on
Lincoln School, chapter on
History
of Watertown, Wisconsin