Harry C. Sharp Elementary School

The HARRY C. SHARP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was opened in 1922, at 928 North 32nd Street, in Camden's Cramer Hill section. The school, originally called the Harry C. Sharp Public School, was named for then school board president Harry C. Sharp, who had been a member of that body for most of the past 34 years.

Plans were accepted for the school, which was designed by architect Clyde S. Adams, in 1921, during the administration of Mayor Charles H. Ellis, who resigned the following year after 17 years as Camden's Mayor to become Postmaster.

The school opened on October 10, 1922 with Miss Ethel Lee as principal. There were enough students in North Cramer Hill at that time to fill 9 of the building's 17 classrooms. All other schools in East Camden were already filled to capacity.

One of the first teachers assigned to the Sharp School was Miss Laura Veatch who was there on opening day and remained at her post until her death in July of 1950. Another well-remembered teacher was Miss Ulman. Birgette Rod came to teach at Sharp in 1930.She was named principal in 1945 and remained at Sharp in that capacity until her retirement in 1969.

Herman Otto Kreher of the Camden Fire Department's Engine Company 11 conducted a fire drill for the students at the Sharp School and at the Washington School at Cambridge Street and River Road on October 6, 1936. He retired as Captain of that unit in 1942.

Charles W. Dutton worked as a crossing guard at the Sharp School from 1945 until his death in 1950.

Today the school served approximately 460 students in the elementary grades.

Harry C. Sharp School
November 6, 2005

Photographs courtesy of John Myers

The Harry C. Sharp School Faculty - 1920s

Miss Laura Veatch is at far left, Miss Ulman is fourth from the left

Click on Image to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post - February 10, 1930

P. O. S. A. WILL PRESENT FLAG TO JUNIOR HIGH

A parade is being planned by the Patriotic Order of Sons of America for Washington's Birthday, when a flag will be presented to the new Woodrow Wilson Junior High School by Camp No. 25.

The parade will be formed at the Harry C. Sharp School, Thirty-second Street and Hayes Avenue, and proceed to the new school at Thirty-second and Federal Streets. George B. Cassidy, past district president, will be marshal of the parade.

The presentation will be made by Neal L. Jamerson, past state master of forms, and accepted by Samuel E. Fulton, president, on behalf of the board of education. Mayor Winfield S. Price will be among the speakers.

Camden Courier-Post - February 5, 1936

SHARP PUPILS GIVEN ATTENDANCE PRIZES
4 From Kindergarten and 51 From First Grade Among 108 Honored

Four kindergarten pupils, five first grade pupils and nine February graduates were among the children attending the H. C. Sharp School, Thirty-second street and Hayes Avenue, who received certificates for being neither absent nor tardy since school opened in September.

They are Alice Stewart, Anna Schoenfeld, Robert Graham and Charles Pohlers, kindergarten; Dorothy Brown, Ethel Neale, Lidie Morrow, Eleanor Bernson, and Thelma Kohler, first grade, and Edward Hildebrand, May Anderson, Doris Birkle, Marian Hawk, Thelma Hoffman, Ruth Jensen, Mary Long, Ina Sinclair and Virginia Spohn, of the mid-year graduating class.

Others who received perfect attendance awards were; William Brown, Kenneth Michelbach, Charles Thompson, Dorothy Becker, Marian Esworthy, Dolly Simpson, Clifford Knaub, Howard Longfellow, Albert Ott, Ethel Barger, Jean Brown, Lillian Colsey, Gordon Henderson, Charles Hungridge, Charles Lawyer, Horace Maycott, Chester Ross, Theodore Spence, Charles Weaver, Laura Bingemann, Caroline Forrester, Lois Shugars, Sadie Speer.

Ruth Wert, George Smith, Raymond Thomas, Joseph Whylings, Jessie Graham, Catherine McKernan, Lucille McLean, Lucy Saiia, Dorothy Thompson, Kathleen Wilson, James Beck, John Hoffman, John Howe, Howard Ivins, Gordon Marshall, Edward Reid, Edith Beck, May Callahan, Myrtle Davies, Eleanor Riley.

Clarence Evans, Orley Kennedy, Ronald Mattson, Marian Clawell, Catherine Dunkelberger, Marie Helwig, Dorothea Lyons, Gerda Sattler, Ruth Wilson, James Brunker, Andrew Gorman, John McKernan, George Munger, Antonio Smarrito, Fay McLean, Frances Winter, Lewis Hemingway, Martin Spohn, Robert Wark, Hazel Howe, Harriet Lawyer. Doris Mills. Gloria Naylor, Irving Albertson, Henry Brightly, Edgar Brittingham.

Eugene Landis, Jeanette Fest, Charles Klein, Gene Contravo, William Stephens, Betty Brunker, Gertrude Campbell, Arlene Eckel, Edith Mae Stewart, Doris Ulrich, Richard Brunker, Robert Fest, Jack Fuller, Mark McLean, Frank Riley, Craig Stephens, William Peterson, Esther Brown, Jean Flannigan and Peggy Wark.

Camden Courier-Post - February 1, 1938

BOARD Of EDUCATION SHIFTS 14 TEACHERS
Appoints 2 Instructors and Pensions 2 Others; Wilson Enrollment High

The Camden Board Education last night approved transfers of 14 teachers, the appointment of two new instructors and the retirement on pension of two others.

The board then adjourned until 11.45 a. m. today and it was announced the 1938-39 board will be organized at noon when Commissioner Mary W. Kobus is expected to be re-elected president.

When the report of the teachers committee making recommendations for appointments, transfers and retirements was read it was approved by unanimous vote and without comment.

Following the meeting Carlton W. Rowand explained that most of the transfers were made to meet emergencies in teaching classes at Woodrow Wilson High School, where more than 1500 students will be enrolled for the second semester, be ginning today.

Rowand explained that enrollment at the Wilson school is the highest in its history, due to many students taking up English and commercial courses instead of entering Camden senior high school, which will have an enrollment of approximately 1540 students, the smallest in several years.

List of Transfers

Transfers affecting teachers in junior high schools are: Louis E. Feinstein from Hatch Junior High School to commercial business organization, Wilson High School; Frank E. Sias, from Cramer Junior High to physical education, Wilson High; Jessie W. McMurtrie from Cramer Junior High School, to physical education, Wilson High; Wilton D. Greenway, from Cramer Junior High School to mathematics, Camden High; Elizabeth Dickinson, from Bonsall; to English, Cramer Junior High; Mrs. Mildred C. Simmons, from English to mathematics, Cramer Junior High; Miss Celia Boudov, from Hatch Junior High to departmental geography, science, and penmanship, Liberty School; Mrs. Elizabeth R. Myers assigned to English, Hatch Junior High;

Thelma L. Little transferred from, Grade 5 to Cooperative Departmental; Dudley school.

The following elementary school transfers, also effective today, are:

Beatrice W. Beideman from Starr to Sharp school; Mrs. Esther S. Finberg from Cramer to Broadway school; Dorothy M. Lippincott from Parkside to Dudley school; Mrs. Alva T. Corson from Washington to Broadway school, and Mary G. Cathell from Washington to Dudley school.

Teachers whose retirement was approved are Carolina W. Taylor, Grade 2, Broadway school, and William M. Thayer, mathematics [Camden] senior high school. Both teachers had resigned and applied for their pensions, the report read.

Appointments Made

Nathan Enten was appointed as physical education teacher in the Cramer school and Harry S. Manashil was appointed commercial teacher in Hatch school. Each will receive $1400, annually. The board also approved the appointment of Florence M. Dickinson as principal of Lincoln school at a salary of $2200 annually.

The assignment of Miss Grace Hankins as principal of Parkside school to succeed Miss Dickinson also was approved. Ethel Thegen was approved for appointment as assistant librarian at the Camden senior high school at a salary of $5.50 a day. All appointments are effective today.

To relieve overcrowded conditions among pupils the board approved the transfer of 7A and 7B classes from the Washington to the Cramer school.

The board vote to open a library in the Cramer school and Raymond G. Price, supervisor of building was instructed to provide, the necessary equipment.

A resolution of condolence upon the death of Ethel C. Wenderoth, for 19 years a teacher in the Broadway School was passed and secretary Albert Austermuhl was instructed to send a copy to members of the deceased teacher's family.

2 New Faces on Board

The board received and filed a letter from Mayor George E. Brunner in which he stated he had appointed Mrs. George W. Tash, Samuel T. French Jr. as new members and had re-appointed Robert Burk Johnson as a board member.

William B. Sullender, of the Tenth Ward, who was not re-appointed, was commended by the members for his services. E. George Aaron said he regretted the fact that Sullender was leaving as a member and wished him success. Others joined in this tribute.

Sullender in reply thanked the members for their co-operation during his term of office.

Camden Courier-Post - February 4, 1938

Parent-Teacher Association News

H. C. Sharp- A program has been arranged by Miss Esther Bauer, Miss Mabel Maier, and Mrs. N. Barton for "Founder's Day" which will be held tonight in the school. Miss Ethel Lee, principal, will represent the National Congress of Parent and Teachers. Past presidents of the school will give a history of the nine years the school has been with the organization. Past presidents are Chester Knaub, Harry Krattenmaker; Herman Neissner, Raymond Price, Howard Stewart and Gordon Carrigan, president. Rev. Eric A. Oesterle, Collingswood, will speak on "Youth Problems." The executive committee met Monday. Plans for a bazaar were made and committees appointed.

Thanks to Dr. Fred Reiss for providing much historical information regarding Harry C. Sharp and the school which bears his name. Dr. Reiss's book, PUBLIC EDUCATION IN CAMDEN N.J. FROM INCEPTION TO INTEGRATION, published in 2005, is an invaluable resource.