Hopedale History June 15, 2011 No. 182 Hopedale Schools – The Early Years Hopedale in June Memorial Day parade Hopedale High graduation The G&U Railroad yard in Upton Hopedale Fire Department See links on the left side of the home page for pictures and information on current apparatus, plus pictures from the past, and much more. Hopedale's property assessment data Enter a name in the blank by Owner or Street name in the form at the top of the page to view information. History of Mendon Recent deaths <><><><><><><><><><> Early Years in the Hopedale Schools After the 1886 separation from Milford, Hopedale had to establish its own school system. Elementary classes were held in the Chapel Street School and the South Hopedale School. For a while, high school classes were held the Chapel Street School and later at the Town Hall. There were two graduates in the first class, the Class of 1887, and one in 1888. The following paragraphs, except for the sentences in italics, are from annual reports of the Hopedale school committee. All of these reports were signed by longtime committee member, Frank Dutcher. 1886 – The outhouse (at the South Hopedale School) was so far gone that we had to replace it with a new one. One of the first problems to be solved after the incorporation of Hopedale was that of High School accommodations. There were seventeen pupils from Hopedale in the Milford schools, but a canvas showed that more would attend our own. The vacant room in the north part of the school house (the Chapel Street School) was partitioned off, giving a room with seating capacity for about thirty scholars, and a recitation room for the assistant. A few scholars living in the extreme northern part of town have been received in the Milford schools, near their homes, and we have taken an equal number of Milford pupils as an offset. 1889 - The most important event of the year is the completion of the new High School building. This is a gift from the Hopedale Machine Co., George Draper & Sons and the Dutcher Temple Company. (In 1896, these three companies and several others were reorganized and operated under the name, Draper Company. In 1916, it became the Draper Corporation.) Its cost was $6200, exclusive of land and furnishings. To secure an artistic structure which should contain all the requisites for school work and keep within the amount stated, seemed quite difficult, but by making certain modifications we finally succeeded. Nearly all those furnishing materials or labor made specially low prices, and our thanks are due to them for their hearty co-operation. The building has ample accommodation for fifty scholars, and should meet the wants of the town for many years to come. It is a matter of regret that our High School grounds have been invaded by the new railroad. A fill of twelve to fourteen feet passes diagonally through the premises creating a blemish upon the landscape, and spoiling what would otherwise have been a desirable ball-ground for the boys. There seemed no alternative but to make the best of the situation, and in our arrangement with Mr. E.P. Usher, President of the Grafton & Upton R.R. Co. we have aimed rather to have the grounds left in the best practicable condition than to simply obtain pecuniary award of damages. A planting plan of the front school yard will soon be ready, and it is expected that the scholars will assist in beginning the work this spring. There were six graduates of Hopedale High School in 1889; three in the English and French course, one in the classical course and two in the English, French and Latin course. Arrangements have been made with the Hopedale Machine Company to have a storm signal struck upon the shop bell in case of very severe weather necessitating a close of schools. 1891 - The graduating exercises of the senior class in the High School were held in the Town Hall, and reflected great credit upon both teachers and pupils. We have again to report the loss of teachers who have left us to take more important positions elsewhere at increased salaries. Miss Barrows, who had charge of the High School from its start, resigned at the end of the spring term. To her untiring efforts is due much of the present success of the school, and pupils, parents and the committee alike regretted that she decided to make a change. As Miss Bancroft was familiar with the general routine of the work she was promoted to the head of the school, and Miss Grace E. Sprague, a graduate of Wellesley College, elected assistant. Miss Low, who had done excellent work in the South Hopedale School, also resigned in June, following the example of her predecessors, who had each taught but one year at the building. Miss May C. Collagan, a graduate of the Framingham Normal School, was secured to fill the vacancy. (Teacher turnover was high, and paragraphs such as this were part of each report of the school committee in the early years.) Our textbooks have been in use longer already than was prophesied to be the average life of a school book in constant use, at the passage of the free text book law. Two changes have been made in the town by-laws in regard to schools during the past year. The first, in accepting the new county truant school at Oakdale, West Boylston, Mass., as the place to which our truants, in case we have any, are to be sent, instead of the school at Lowell, with which we had formerly made an arrangement. The second change inserts the words, “And such children as persistently violate the reasonable rules and regulations of the common school,” into Section 1, Article 5, in accordance with the acts of 1889, Chapter 249. Under this bi-law, as now revised, a child who persistently annoys the teacher and disobeys the reasonable rules and regulations of the school, may be sentenced by the court to the truant school the same as in case of truancy. 1894 - Because of the overcrowding of the primary room, we have engaged an assistant in that department, as is required by the law in every room having more than fifty pupils. For this reason, we would ask an increase of $150, making the entire appropriation $5,750 for the year 1895. 1895 - There has been but one case for the year of corporal punishment. While this is still allowed as a last resort in extreme cases, the committee discourages its use, and in the long run feels that the result is more satisfactory without than with this means of correction Now and Then at the Original Hopedale High School Now and Then at the Chapel Street School Block The South Hopedale School Hopedale History Email Menu HOME . |
The original Hopedale High School. In 1935, it became Sacred Heart Church. |
The Chapel Street School |