Centennial Celebration Seely Place Memories from the past 100 years Dear Reader, Seely Place School is turning 100 years old this year. When the cornerstone was set way back in 1922, it was the beginning of something magical. Known originally as the Edgemont School, Seely Place has welcomed thousands of students through the doors and countless memories have been made. Please take some time to enjoy reading memories from those who have passed through the doors over the past century. Sincerely, Mrs. Eve Feuerstein Principal Seely Place School z Click here or scan the QR code to watch our Student Council members tell the stories of memories over the past 100 years. Table of Contents The 1940s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The 1950s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 The 1960s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The 1970s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 The 1980s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 The 1990s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 The 2000s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 z The 1940s 4 5 6 Excerpts from the “News Jots” newspaper Edited by Karl Panthen in 1947 (6th grade) Elizabeth Braunhut remembers her ninth and tenth grade math teacher, Miss Luce in 1945. One thing she found endearing was the way she led the class in the "Happy Birthday" song...in a jazzed-up version of her own! That was something she later borrowed from her for her own Biology classes when she taught for some 20 years at neighboring Ardsley High School. Susan van Horn remembers dances, celebrating February 22nd by having fathers come into classes, June field days and picnic lunches, home economics classes for sewing and cooking, playing the National Anthem in the orchestra when Eleanor Roosevelt came to speak, and being excused from classes to walk down to Central Avenue to wave American Flags for Eisenhower’s motorcade. Jill Libman remembers that in 1944, she was the director of traffic control at dismissal time in the middle of the corridor. Unfortunately, a classmate came running down the hall right into her Thermos bottle and broke it, and she went home crying! George Held remembers that in 1942, William Moyle, the principal, and Martha Sternal, the vice-principal, hosted him and his mother to discuss whether he should skip second grade. The administrators were cordial, and they politely declined. Karl Panthen remembers that in 1943, he was a “Speedy Accurate Divider” in Ms. Tewilleger’s 2nd grade class- it said so on the blackboard. Bob Hall remembers pickup baseball games and touch football in the 1940s, playing outside until it was dark or he got hungry (whichever came first), sledding in the winter, running for student counsel in the 9th grade, and the time Miss Luce threw her shoe at Mr. Stonesipher just as he closed the classroom door - and broke the window! 7 Karen Stessin Harmelin remembers when students were able to go to school early and sing Christmas carols with Mr. Dunsmore the week before Christmas in 1949. She also recalls how all of the teachers created a warm, friendly atmosphere for learning as well as for friendships. Pat Chapman remembers Mary Darlington’s 1st & 2nd grade class in 1943-44, because she instilled a sense of joy and appreciation for learning & love of reading. What a gift! At 85, she is so grateful for the start Miss Darlington gave her class. Michael Kevil remembers that in 1945, at Christmas time, a piano was set up in the hall near Principal Moyles' office. Mr. Dunsmore, the music teacher, would play Christmas carols before class every morning the week before Christmas. 8 George Russell remembers the children on his street, Overton Road, convening to celebrate the end of World War II in 1945, being in the Scarsdale Baseball League and receiving medals for terrific performance in 1949, and running home with great joy to announce to his mother that his first grade teacher was Ms. Darlington. The Edgemont Junior League, 1949 V-J Day on Overton Road, 1945 9 The 1950s 10 11 12 The Student Council, 1950 Poems about the old Edgemont (Seely Place) School Mr. Traver What furrowed your brow and bubbled the foam In the corner of your mouth at thirty? Was it teaching spoiled kids whose dads and moms Asked why a Phi Bete taught biology And didn’t “get a real job”? Did your wife’s Nagging about your puny pay drive your mind Adrift? Bix said the Church had spoiled your life, But that was his idée fixe. When Tony Blew up the beaker and disappeared behind The work bench, you roared like Lear in the storm, Fearing your career, like phlogiston theory, Had blown away. After Tony peeked Over the counter top, you hugged him like a son, Then cursed the fate that made you carry on. Mr. Dunson How you must have despised me, blessed with the voice You needed for Ralph Rackstraw but scornful Of your unmanly ways, a Dead End Boy To your neurasthenic maestro. Careful Not to touch the boys you yearned to touch, you Taught me to breathe from the diaphragm like Caruso, not quite touching my torso. You couldn’t cast your crippled acolyte, With purer voice than mine, but with less range, So you were stuck with this Sinatra fan. Did you weep to your wife, hardly less strange, Over my rudeness? Now a teacher, can I ever shed the shame of my disrespect, Give as much as you to those that I direct? Miss Lucid You brought the light of geometry to those Who had a mind for it and helped the boys Who played up to you, but for me it stayed Undecipherable as algebra, And I sat more hopeless than a stargazer On a cloudy night; Id strain to perceive How the axioms fit the forms you chalked So clearly on the board, then give up to watch The interplay between you and your bright Boyfriends; I was assigned to an acute Angle, while they plied the shortest distance Between two points. But after class we all Recalled the image of your thumb running Along your own inverted triangle. Mr. “Mac” Meglathery, your toothy smile still Irks me fifty years later. It said, I know It all. You screw up as a teen, you’ll blow It all in later life. You’ll be a clown till It’s too late to right yourself. You’ll fail. Just the attitude a teacher should show— Get down on a kid, ride him, even though He’s captain of your basketball team: he’ll Shut down the valve of his feelings but play Hard for you all the same. He’ll fall in love, Go to college, maybe become a teacher And a coach. But he’ll hold himself above Your example, encourage his kids to play For love, never threaten them with failure By George Held, class of 1951 13 Joe Leighton remembers when the heating system was fueled by coal. Betty Blau Commanday remembers when Ms. Sternal, the current principal, wanted to put her in second grade since she was so young. Her parents told her no. Ms. Sternal said she needed to know how to write in cursive, and most schools didn’t teach that in second grade. She told her she had learned cursive, and Ms. Sternal put her on probation and she stayed there. She was in probation in third grade! David Goldfrank remembers his first history research paper, a project for Mr. Seeley on baseball in American life in 1953. Mr. Seeley wanted him to include industrial leagues, and he disappointed him in this regard. Too bad he did not ask for help from a reference librarian or some other staff at the Scarsdale Public Library (a 1.7 mile bike ride from home for him). He wonders what sources Mr. Seeley expected him to consult -- a quick internet search for pre-1954 publications doesn't turn up anything! Gwen Briggd Guthrie remembers fondly calling Seeley Place School the Silly Play School. Mr. Seeley’s 6th Grade Class, 1954 14 Jack (John) Morris remembers that in 1951, school was a half-day affair. Students were all assigned to one day when they'd return in the afternoon for reading sessions. Once school became a full-day "thing," he would walk home for lunch and return. On Saturday mornings, he remembers going to the gym for indoor court games. He also recalls Mr. Mac, the "auditorium projectionist," who would show classic, serial action movies. Jay Jaffe remembers the football and baseball teams in 1959. Les Wiesenfelder remembers playing baseball on the diamond in front of Seely Place with Jim San Marco on weekends and over the summer, just the two of them, one pitching and then the other hitting, and then reversing, in 1954. Pat Smith remembers having Ms. Wells in the first grade in 1954. When she broke her leg that year and was on crutches, Ms. Wells let her use the side door coming in from the teachers' parking lot. Many of her classmates also signed her cast. Patricia Nicolais (Patty McCann) remembers that in 1958, she and her friend went to Mr. Moyle requesting permission to go on the roof into the "widow's walk." They got permission! As far as she knows, they were the only ones ever! EPIC! 15 Patti Landman Gersh remembers that in 1958, her family moved to the Edgemont District as she was entering sixth grade. She had heard about Mr. Kelly, the sixth grade teacher, but nothing could have prepared her enough to experience this phenomenal teacher! Jon Dunkle remembers good times during field days and Saturdays in the gym from 1950-1956. Sally Rothwell Crocker remembers that in 1957, she moved to Scarsdale with her family when she was in fifth grade. She had Ms. Rochon. The next year, Ms. Rochon taught sixth grade, so she had her for that grade as well. She was a good teacher! Loraine Obler remembers Field Day in 1958, where the students danced to something like “Mosquitoes on Parade” and wore mosquito costumes such as a white towel dyed brown in tea that her mother involved her in making! Anita York Sawyer remembers that in 1955-1960, before school at Christmas time, the music teacher would play piano as students entered and the music would resound throughout the stairwell with everyone singing. It was amazing! Helen Smiler remembers her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Gormley, teaching English to a new girl from Norway in 1950. She put labels on desks, chairs, etc. One day, she strode across the room saying, “I am going to the windows.” 16 Margie Flaccus Fenander remembers playing bombardment in gym in 1952-1955, especially on Father's Day. She also recalls that on February 22, the students competed reds against blues with fathers in the gallery. Charles “Ghuck” Smiler remembers lining up by the auditorium to be a Polio Pioneer in spring 1954. Helping end polio and getting the real vaccine was good, and the students were proud. Nancy Webster Ware remembers that in 1955, she wrote the words to the Seely Place school song. It was to the tune of “Love Me Tender.” Jim San Marco remembers that in 1953, he often played baseball after school on the front field. If there were not enough players, the students played roll the bat, or an older student would hit fly balls. 17 Bob Ferguson remembers that at lunch time in 1957, he would run home, wolf down lunch, and be back just as everyone was leaving the lunchroom for the ballfields. He would play pick-up baseball or basketball depending on the season, and loved it. Gwen B. Guthrie remembers Field Day with red vs blue teams, sledding on property, Christmas celebrations in the front hall, and receiving the polio vaccine in the gymnasium. Paula Celeste Bilyieu Velho remembers the huge sandbox in her classroom, practicing tying shoe laces, red and blue bird reading groups, Dick and Jane and Spot books, naps, and teacher Nora Weinblatt in 1956. Alfred Goldberg remembers that in 1958, as a captain of the Safety Patrol, one of his duties was to serve as a crossing guard to guide students crossing in front of the entrance to the teachers’ parking area. One day, just as he had signaled some students that it was OK to cross, a car approached the intersection rather aggressively. He rushed into the crosswalk to shield the students, and the car screeched to a halt. After the students had cleared the crosswalk, the car slowly passed him. The driver glared, chagrined, frightened, and embarrassed. He meekly waved to the driver, the Principal, Miss Sternall. John Elliott remembers that during the summer between fourth and fifth grade in 1953, he was enrolled in a crafts class and made a napkin holder which he uses to this day. Susan Barkhouse Daroff remembers that in 1955, Seely Place was called the Edgemont School. When the high school was built and given the name of Edgemont High School, students were allowed to vote on a new name for the Edgemont School: Robin Hill or Seely Place. As a second grader, she was priviliged to vote- and as we all know now, the name Seely Place won! 18 John Elliott’s napkin holder Martin Roth remembers Mrs. Howe, who was an exceptional inspiration! She set him up to run the class store, taking care of the bank and sales of pencils, erasers and etc. She treated him with trust and respect. Mrs. Howe gave him his first business experience, which was very positive and never forgotten. To this day, he is still an entrepreneur, currently starting and directing several businesses. Mrs. Howe brought the wisdom of the ages to her class, a truly wise and kind matriarch. He hopes others will remember her and suggest she be honored. Mrs Howe gave him encouragement that has lasted a lifetime! 19 Mrs. Howe’s 4th Grade Class The 1960s 20