This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website

 

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Schools, Public

 

1838-40

               John Chadwick school somewhere between 1838 and 1840; the first teacher in Watertown.  Became brick maker.

 

1855

Patrick Rogan organized the school system here in 1855, having secured the passage of the act providing therefore.

 

1858

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

 

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

 

1866

Watertown High School established.

 

1870s c

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

 

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.

 

1887

--------     The average salary paid in 1887, including high school teachers, was $45 per month; in 1908 it was $60.50

 

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

 

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 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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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 icommunications system; includes installation of antennas at all city schools; Full text, WDT article   WDT

 

 

Cross References:

               Douglas School, chapter on

               Lincoln School, chapter on