1. Life Publishers Notebook — B6
Here’s yet another reason
to celebrate Saturdays
Community B4; Opinion B6Sunday,May 25,2014 • B1
T
here is excitement in the
air as commencement ex-
ercises convene throughout
Douglas County’s high schools.
Congratulations
are in order for
the many accom-
plishments and
achievements of
the students in the
graduating class
of 2014 as they
take their place
in the history of
this time-honored
tradition. They are
not only gradu-
ating from high
school, but are
bidding farewell
to an entire school
system.
The future may be tough
to forecast for these young
people. Looking back in
time at how the history of
their schools have been
shaped is interesting.
Reflecting on 1941, the
graduates of Yoncalla High
School presented an enter-
taining “class will” in the
Eagle yearbook. It begins,
“We the senior class pos-
sessing strong minds, faint
memories and acting
not under
stress, menace or
undue influence
... declare this to
be our last will
and testament.”
It continues,
“We the entire
class, do will and
bequeath unto the
entire school our
scholastic ability
and good will. We
will our honored
position as seniors
of the school
to the Juniors –
what more could
they want!” Sophomores
were the beneficiaries of
the seniors’ “presence of
mind” while the freshmen
received “calmness and
serenity and our art of
cooperation in crisis such
as tests.”
The Roseburg Public
Schools handbook from
1888 outlines the duties of
principals, teachers, pupils
and janitors. This offers
interesting insights
into school policies
of the times.
Duties of
pu-
pils included, “Pupils upon
hearing the call bell must
fall into line, cease talking,
and keep step while
marching to and from
their respective rooms. No
conversation whatever shall
be held in halls (or cloak-
rooms), and school rooms
shall be used in no way as
play rooms.”
Another excerpt reads,
“No books, papers or lit-
erature of any sort shall be
allowed in school rooms,
unless directly connected
with school work.”
That is a far cry from the
smartphones of today.
Among duties listed for
teachers, “They shall at
least once a month, inspect
the books of pupils and see
that they are kept free from
pencil marks and other
defacements. Teachers are
responsible for the property
belonging to their depart-
ments.”
Janitors and teachers
were under the direct
supervision of the princi-
pal. The principal was also
required to report to the
school board on the condi-
tion of the school at the end
of each month.
Commencement
exercises were held for
students who completed
the required curriculum.
The program from the
Fifth Commencement of
the Public School of
Roseburg
states it was
held at City
Hall on Friday,
June 19, 1891.
Former Gover-
nor Stephen F.
Chadwick pre-
sented diplomas
to the graduating
students.
Eli Hall wrote a
book titled, “Then to
Now with Roseburg
Schools 1854 – 1970”
which gives a detailed
history regarding schools
and events. Early on,
private schools were com-
mon. Hall explained “pub-
lic schools were not too
well established throughout
the nation ... School funds
were meager and buildings
were poor.”
The first school associat-
ed with Roseburg District
4 was The Academy. Built
on land donated by Aaron
Rose between Douglas
and Washington streets,
the three-story structure
opened in 1857. It was
replaced in 1888 by a new
building known simply as
The Second Academy (in
1904, it was named Lane
Elementary School). After
Pomp and platitudes
Schools have changed, but excitement for commencement remains high
R.J.
Guyer
Around the
Next Bend
Photos courtesy of Douglas County Museum
These Roseburg High School students were part of the class of 1903.
The Academy, the first school associated with Roseburg District 4, was built on
land donated by Aaron Rose. The three-story structure, found between Douglas
Avenue and Washington Streets, opened in 1857.
The Roseburg Public Schools 1891 graduation
program, left, and an 1888 handbook outlining the
duties of students and staff are seen here.
Turn to GRADS, page B2