New Cumberland High School's Little Indian Handbook

A few years ago my Mother-in-law passed away.  Among her things we found a 1952 New Cumberland High School handbook called "The Little Indian."  It was the first handbook of it's kind for the former New Cumberland High School.
 
I've scanned the handbook into my computer so I can share it with all of you.  There is a lot that stands out about this little book.  The first thing is that it was created by ninth graders back in 1952.  There were no computers, meaning no graphics programs, and no desk top printers.  The image of the Indian, the 'Little Indian' logo and the school map, all appear to be original drawings, probably created by students.

Back in the day, the school newspaper was called "The Hi Times," only boys played sports, and there was dancing everyday after lunch.  On page 13, the Activities Calendar is filled with dances, parties, and more dances.  On page 34, The Assembly Schedule shows events such as Trampoline Stars, The Hammerettes, and Royal Scots.  Take a look through "The Little Indian" to discover what kids were doing in high school, and what was expected of them, in 1950's New Cumberland.

I hope you enjoy this peek back into New Cumberland history.  Please leave a comment about what you found interesting, and share the "Living in New Cumberland" blog with your friends.

Hope you enjoyed this peak back into New Cumberland history.  Please leave a comment about what you found interesting, and share the "Living in New Cumberland" blog with your friends.

Save Our Schools

I attended the public hearing held by the West Shore School District (WSSD) in regards to the proposal to close either New Cumberland or Lemoyne Middle School.  I had never attended such an event, but with all three of my children being affected by this potential decision, I thought it was a good time to start.

Mr. Thomas Burnheimer, Director of Pupil Services, WSSD

The meeting was hosted by Thomas Burnheimer, Director of Pupil Services for the WSSD.
Mr. Burnheimer was joined by several of the administrative staff, including Dr. Jones, Director of Secondary Education, who addressed a lot of the questions.  Mr. Burnheimer was the person in charge of pulling together this study that was requested by the school board.  He started off the meeting, trying to lighten the mood with comparing the meeting to a party.  Basically stating that when you have a party, you try to please everyone with the menu items, but there is always going to be someone there who does not like what you are serving.  Not sure if it was just me, but it I thought it was more like a funeral in there than a party, and nobody likes a funeral.

Slide from the presentation to close a middle school.

Mr. Burnheimer then went on to explain the committee process, the study they conducted, and then showed a presentation of the proposal to close the middle school.  That presentation can be viewed at this link WSSD Demographics update relating to middle school closure.  After the presentation, he opened the floor to questions from the crowd.

There was  a crowd of approximately 400 people attending the meeting with about 45 people asking questions or making statements.  The meeting lasted 3 hours.  The overall theme of the statements, and questions from the audience was to keep both schools open. The audience suggested the school district to find another way to cut spending.  The schools should be the last source of cuts.  Suggestions from the participants included

1. Raising taxes
2. Close and sell the Administration building, placing administration in the schools.
3. Cut administrative staff

A parent asking a question of Mr. Burnheimer.

Money was not the only issue aired at the meeting.  Many parents were concerned about the impact on the students, staff, and community.  There were several parents attending whose children do not attend either of the affected middle schools, but will be shuffled between Allen and Crossroads middle schools.  Their issue was, why are their kids schools be changed if they don't attend either Lemoyne or New Cumberland?  They all wanted their children to stay put in the schools they are presently attending.  I think we all want that.

Specific concerns regarding the impact on the children included:

1. Length of bus ride
2. Emotional affects
3. Class size
4. Overcrowding of remaining middle school buildings
5. Course offerings
6. Extracurricular activities changing or being eliminated
7. Quality of Education
8. Students getting 'lost in the shuffle'
9. Reduction of teaching staff

Overall, it was a informative evening.  I wanted to attend because I was curious as to what the rest of the community was thinking, especially those in our neighboring community of Lemoyne.  There was a little of pitting the two schools against each other, but for the most part, speakers stayed away from those types of statements.  It seemed that the people who attended, and spoke just wanted to have a say in this decision.  I want to personally thank those of you who got up to speak.  I am not a public speaker, and I was glad that there were so many people who were willing, and able to get up to the microphone to air their concerns.

Members of the news media in attendance at the hearing.

If you were unable to attend, and would like to have some input in this decision, you still can.  To submit your comments online, click this link, Online comment form WSSD middle school closure.  If you prefer to send comments via the postal service, click this link Print out comment form WSSD middle school closure.

Don't delay, please submit your comments today.

All related information and links are provided at one central page here: http://www.wssd.k12.pa.us/news.cfm?story=1939

Volunteer Spotlight

Thank you for checking out the blog.  A special thanks to the "New Cumberland PA" Facebook page for referring so many readers to this site.  Last week's response was overwhelming.  Onto this week's entry.

Our town is more than just buildings and streets, the soul of the town is it's residents.  A few weeks ago I wrote about the enormous responsibilities that many of our citizens take on when they offer their time to community activities.  From time to time, I am going to share some of their stories. The volunteers that I am most aware of are the ones who offer quite a bit of their time with our schools, scouts and youth sports.  That's the circle I am involved with right now, but I realize community volunteerism goes beyond just helping our children.  We have churches who provide for the less fortunate, Vickie's Angel Walk who raises money for cancer victims, the Fire Department and so much more.  All of these efforts help make New Cumberland the caring community that it is.

Today, I'm going to introduce you to a friend of mine, Anita (Cook) Uibel.  If your kids go to Hillside or are involved with youth sports, you probably already know her.  Personally, I met her and her husband, Matt, twelve years ago at a childbirth class when we were both pregnant with our sons.  Over the years I've gotten to know them both, and have had the opportunity to watch their involvement in the community grow

Anita Uibel is one of those people who volunteers with multiple organizations through out the community.  You wonder how she juggles it all, along with raising her own children.  Not only does she volunteer, but she takes on what many people try to avoid, the added responsibility of being in charge.  She spends a lot of time and effort putting together activities for Hillside Elementary School.  For the past seven years, she has been the chief organizing force behind such yearly events as Field Day and After School Clubs, as well as Science Night, which she shares responsibility with another parent, (Megan A).  In addition to her help at the school, she is in involved with youth sports.  Anita, along with her husband, Matt, have been organizing and coaching the Cedar Cliff Youth Boys Basketball league for the past three years.  She coaches her daughter's basketball team and coaches baseball in the spring, too.  If that's not enough, she tutors kids after school at New Cumberland Middle School.  To top it all off, she helps with The Coakley's Foundation, a local charity based out of Coakley's Restaurant and Irish Pub.

(The Coakley's Foundation is dedicated to raising funds to help local kids who need financial help with the expenses involved with community sports & arts programs. Coakley's main way of raising funds is selling T-shirts and related items.  I have provided a link at the end of this blog entry.)

You may be asking yourself, why would anyone take on so many extra responsibilities?  I know I have a hard time just juggling my own household, let alone taking on activities that involve hundreds of people.  These are volunteer positions, there's no pay.  What does Anita get out of her efforts?  She tells me, "I enjoy being in the company of children and I really like getting to know them.  It is very rewarding going into school and being able to know a lot of the kids by name and being able to have conversations with them.  Plus, I get to play and do all the things I enjoyed doing growing up!"

Anita has a background in teaching and sports.  She was a standout basketball player for Red Land High School, a former basketball coach and middle school science teacher.  So, it's not like her background is that far off from what she is doing now, she just doesn't get paid for it anymore.  Anita tells me that she loved her job, but when she decided to stay home and raise her own young children, she missed being around the older kids.  Offering time to schools and sports filled that void for her.  Many of the capacities in which she volunteers arose from just being involved in her own children's activities.

As for kids and their participation in casual sports these days, Anita says, "It seems to me that only a small number of kids today go to parks and play pick up games on their own.  Plus there are not a lot of opportunities for children to participate in activities unless they pay money to do so.  Frankly, in our town, there is really nothing for kids ages 10-15 to do unless their parents pay.  I just want kids to experience the fun I had growing up and maybe learn a few things along the way."

Anita says about the activities she's involved with, "It keeps kids involved.  Plus with (Hillside's) Science Night, maybe it will spark an interest in Science in a child!"  As for her involvement with The Coakley's Foundation, " (It) gives kids the opportunities to participate in paid activities that they may otherwise not have the money to do."

Anita is not the only person here in town who spends countless hours putting together activities for kids, many others do as well.  Not everyone has the time, patience or energy to take on what she and others do.  Personally, I want to thank Anita and all those others out there who take on these tasks, whether it be for Scouts, Sports, Parent-Teacher Organizations, or whatever.  What you do makes our town a better place to live, it gives our kids something to do and teaches them life lessons. 

So, next time you sign up your child for activities, think about Anita, and the many people like her, who spend their own time organizing them.  Please, make an effort to thank them and volunteer a little of your own time to ease the burden on them.

Link to Coakley's Foundation

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