South Middleborough, 1940s

This photograph dating probably from the late 1940s depicts a gasoline pump and sign at Sisson's Garage at Wareham and Locust Streets in South Middleborough. In the background is the South Middleborough School, now being rehabilitated by the South Middleborough Protective Association. The vacant lot to the left of the school is now occupied by the South Middleborough fire station.

Teachers of the South Middleborough School, 1882-1991

“Rock and South Middleboro schools are self-contained teaching units whereby the teachers are with the pupils from the moment they arrive by busses until they depart in the afternoon. The teachers teach the pupils, supervise them on the playground, and eat with them. Their instruction transcends the academic. Such close contact affords many lessons in good citizenship and a proper sense of moral and social values. A warm word of praise goes to these teachers for this vital aspect of helping boys and girls to grow.” Edward W. Sawicki, principal, 1958.
 
Clara F. Robinson (1882 or prior -1883)

Cora P. Lobdell (1883-1884)

Charlotte Hezlitt (1884)

G. C. Humphrey (1884-85)

Carrie F. Sampson (1885)

Bertha I. Mason (1886)

Nellie F. Thomas (1886-87)

Luranna W. Thomas (1887-88)

Eleanor G. Shaw (1889)

Isa L. Deane (1889-90)

Helen G. Cutter (1890)

Mary E. Deane (1890-91)

Ada D. Anthony (1891-93)

Nellie T. Alden (1894-95)

Bessie B. Gibbs (1896)

Mary E. Deane (1897)

Bertha E. Vaughan (1897-98)

Veretta F. Shaw (1899-1902)

N. Louise Kimball (1902-1904)

Mrs. Marian Sisson (1905-06)
     Her “removal” was very much regretted.

Donna F. Luce, Quincy, MA (1906)
     Resigned

Miss Hattie M. Chace, Middleborough (1906-08)

Miss Joise L. Russell, Wareham (1908-09)

Miss Christina Pratt, Middleborough (September, 1909 –

Miss Clara Cushing

Miss Helen Prescott, Arlington

Margaretta A. Wallace (September, 1910 – August, 1912)
      “For years the popular efficient teacher of the South Middleboro school.”

Miss Irene J. Hatch (1912-18)
      She died in December, 1918. Previous to South Middleborough, she had taught at the Highland School in Middleborough. She “was interested in her school work and gave the best of her efforts to advance her pupils.”

Miss Frances L. Squarey (1918-20)
     She was the teacher at the time of the Armistice. “Too much cannot be said in praise of the patriotic entertainment she trained the pupils to give, which was really something fine.”

Miss Eileen/Elena Manley, Plympton (1920-21)

Henry Bengt Burkland, Middleborough (1921-25)
     Burkland is undoubtedly the best known of the South Middleborough teachers, thanks largely to his later role in the educational life of Middleborough. It is for Burkland for whom one of Middleborough’s elementary schools is named. 

Mrs. Veretta F. (Shaw) Thomas, South Middleborough (1925-28)
     She had substituted, previously, during Burkland’s absences.

Miss Madeleine A. Duncklee, Middleborough (1928-30)
     She resigned shortly after marrying Bernard J. Owens

Miss Elsie A. Cahoon, Harwich (1930-35)
     A graduate of Harwich High School and North Adams Normal School. She taught two years at Harwich. She “comes here well recommended.”

Miss Hazel Long, Middleborough (1935 -38)

Miss Mildred K. Bowman (September, 1938-41)

Miss Arlene Nolan (1941-43)
     She resigned to marry John Doran of New Haven, Connecticut.

Mrs. Edward Keith (1943)
     She resigned when her husband entered the Army.

Miss Phyllis E. Johnson, Newton (1943-44)

Elsie LeBlanc (1944)

Third and Fourth Grade 
Mrs. Elsie LeBlanc (1944-52)

Third Grade
Mrs. Laura B. Grota (1952-1953)

Mrs. Margaret Mitchell, Lakeville (1953-1973)

Miss Margaret M. Higgins (1973-1991)

Fourth Grade 
Mrs. Elsie LeBlanc (1952-1953)

Mrs. Veronica Hawkins (1953-1967)

Miss Margaret M. Higgins (1967-1973)

Mrs. Delina M. Majuri (1973-1974)

Second Grade 
Catherine Chausse (1974-1983)

Delina M. Toal (1983-1991)

Illustration:
Courtesy of George Eastman House 

South Middleborough School, 1935

Please visit the South Middleborough Protective Association's Facebook page and sign the petition to save this historic schoolhouse. Everyone signature counts. Also remember to "Like" their page.

Illustration:
South Middleborough School, photograph by Herbert L. Wilber, 1935. 

South Middleborough School - Sign the Petition

The South Middleborough Protective Association is undertaking a grass roots effort to preserve the historic South Middleborough School. Please visit the SMPA's Facebook page to sign up in support of their efforts. Every signature is critical to demonstrate support for this worthy project!