The Coaster

By JACK KEARNS

Its been 75 years since the Wanamassa School in Ocean Township opened its doors Sept. 8, 1930.

Through it all, the same school charm remained, say former students and administrators. A student who attended the school in 1940 would easily still recognize the school as my school.

Greg Gibbs was the first Supervising Principal and Victoria Green was principal and Teacher.

The school was smaller; the east and west wings came later. Much later. There were 208 students attending the elementary school during the first year, 160 less than today. Population more than tripled by the seventies. Over time the east and west wings were added, not without interim measures that had classes taught in basement-assembled classrooms while permanent additions were developed. Construction often went on as classes were in progress.

Saturday, Sept. 24 was celebration day, the 75th Anniversary of Wanamassa School. The warm sun shimmered cheerfully. There was a breeze; just enough to blow about some of the merchandise the 28 vendors had lain out on tables, under a big tent, for sales that would benefit the Wanamassa PTA.

Anniversary Celebration
Marge Grilli, principal of Wanamassa School in Ocean Township, served as host for the schools 75th anniversary celebrated Saturday. Here she holds a commemorative plaque.

The Wanamassa Fire Department rolled up with the distinctive yellow truck, and set up the departments table where volunteers could inquire and enlist in the Wanamassa Fire Cadets program (15 to 18 year olds, 732-775-9784, ext. 373. Leave name and number.) Next to the fire department was the Ocean Township Police Department providing information about child security and the Kids Care ID program to help find children if they get lost. The helpful booklet KidCare ID was distributed and is available at the Ocean Police Department if you missed the event. First Aid was also at the celebration answering questions for inquisitive parents. The schools front entrance was used for greeting the crowd of parents, relatives, friends, past students and dignitaries making speeches.

Marge Grilli, Wanamassa School Principal was hosting the ceremony with a proud smile of appreciation for all the work volunteers and school staff contributed. She introduced the program with a brief history and asked School Superintendent Thomas Pagano to speak first.

Pagano began by saying to him this was the Norman Rockwell school, with a picture in his mind of the special charm Rockwell conveyed in his art. He said it is a small school that gave students a sense of belonging. He added that it is an excellent training ground for future leaders. He referred to Senator Joseph Palaia who was the schools principal in 1956 and went on to state government. Mayor Bill Larkin spoke next, saying he was a Wanamassa resident but attended Holy Spirit in Asbury Park.
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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 11:50 am and is filed under Education, Ocean Township. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.