Public and high school education demands met as increased enrolment from 'Baby Boom' hits Chapleau in the early 1960s

As the "baby boom" after World War II hit Chapleau in the early 1960s, the community was faced with the reality that additional space was required at Chapleau Public School while plans were also underway for a new Chapleau High School.

The Sudbury Star reported that if plans for a new high school and additions and alterations at the public school became a reality, the taxpayer was "going to get a jolt" according to Reeve Arthur Grout apparently "not too happily".

Mr. Grout made his comments at a joint meeting of council, public school board and high school board pinting out that a tax increase of 15 percent had shot up to 25 percent when education costs were included.

He added that a number of things council planned to do would have to be eliminated , "however education demands must be met."

At the meeting the high school board was represented by Chair Len Harris and members Richard Selin and George Collins, and the public school board by chair Frank Coulter and members Doug Jardine and Mansel Robinson.

High school principal Dr. Karl Hackstetter and public school principal Foy Wright were also there.

Mr. Coulter explained that a $90,000 debenture had been approved by the Ontario Municipal Board for public school expansion.

Mr. Wright explained that public school enrolment in 1962-63 had reached 277 pupils in a school designed for 180. 

These pupils were in eight rooms, one being part of a hallway and one the assembly room. Mr. Wright said the situation was hard on "teachers, pupils and parents. More space is essential".

So, what happened?

Renovations were undertaken at the public school, and by 1966, the "new" high school on the hill was opened, with plans to expand it underway almost as soon as it replaced the school on Pine Street. The public school was also expanded. 

From 1966 to 1972, some public school classes were held in the old high school It was demolished in 1975 to make way for the Chapleau Civic Centre officially opened in June 1978.

Notwithstanding the challenges brought about by the postwar "baby boom", the members of the public school and high school boards , met them and the education needs of the community were met. The two boards were merged into the Chapleau Board of Education by 1966. 

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau Search and Rescue Organization receives training from Civil Air Search and Rescue Association in 1990s

The Chapleau Search and Rescue Organization issued a call for new members in January  1993.

In an advertisement Mike Fortin and Reg Fletcher said the organization was looking for volunteers, explaining that it was "a group of people like you who want to make a difference. We have trained pilots, navigators, spotters, ground personnel and ground search people" but more members were needed. 

The Chapleau association received financial assistance from the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge --- and perhaps other organizations.

The Chapleau association conducted training and searches.

Fast forward to January 25, 1998  "Tiger 320" associated with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) from 424 Squadron at Trenton, Ontario, arrived in Chapleau to assist with spotter training for Chapleau association members. They were in a C130 Hercules aircraft.

An article in the Chapleau Express said the purpose of the visit was two-fold -- to provide training for Chapleau members and to evaluate their performance.

Those participating included Leon Landry, Richard Beaudoin, Celine Hann, Christiane Jacques, A,J. Bowes, Paul Morin, Fern Gauthier and Raymond Gouge.

They departed Chapleau airport  for the first target area at Leblanc Lake where Aaron Bouvier and Dale Rioux were ice fishing. They provided the searchers with a smoke signal fire and mirror signal flasher as they passed nearby to get their attention, according to the article.

The object of the spotter is to guide the pilot directly over the target so that visual observation of the site can be made.

Marius Demers had set up another site.

During this training flight all spotters underwent performance evaluation by the CASARA team on board.

The article also thanked William Yanta for his "quick job" in removing snow from the Chapleau Municipal Airport, now the Eugene Bernier Airport, without which the Hercules would have been unable to land.

Other examplse of training programs were in March 1993 when the Chapleau members underwent winter survival training and in 1999 when they participated in "Operation Northern Rescue". 

I have provided a quick glimpse of the Chaoleau Search and Rescue Organization based on information compiled by the late Doug Greig. If anyone would like to provide me with more information on this important group, please feel free to email me at mj.morris@live.ca  HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!!!!

Top students, bowling team winners and retiring teacher all honoured at Chapleau High School assembly at end of 1961-62 school year

Mrs Bowles

As the 1961-62 school year ended at Chapleau High School ended, the final morning assembly became a special occasion, according to a Sudbury Star article.

School principal Luther P. Emerson  announced the Principal's Honour Roll while members of the school's bowling team and a retiring teacher were also honoured. As an aside, those of us who attended the "old" high school on Pine Street where the Chapleau Civic Centre now stands will recall that each school day started with an assembly.

Mr. Emerson congratulated the honour roll recipients, all of whom had achieved an overall 75 percent average.

They included: Faye Andrews, Alvina Beaudry, Karen Broomhead, John Henry, Anita Joyce, Susan Lane, James Lapp, Linda Marchioni, Jacqueline Marcil, Patricia McGoldrick, Eric Morse, Bruce Pellow, Shane Wright, Stephen Alexander, Claire Fortin, Donald Fortin, Roland Laferriere, Evelyn Lemieux, Sila Rantamaki, Ronald Doig, Howard Higuchi, Hugh McKechnie, Shirley Petrunka, James Pullen, George Ritchie, Bernard Pilon.

Linda Marchioni had obtained the highest average of the year.

Student council president Gary Schafer presented the Student Council Trophy to David Mizuguchi who was president of the Chapleau High School Bowlers.  David was also very active in 1181 Chapleau High School Cadet Corps.

Presentations were also made to Frank Bignucolo captain of the winning team as well as to Jacqueline Bertrand and Shane Wright for highest averages for the year. Maureen Murphy and Bruce Pellow also received awards for high averages.

Mrs. Gladys Bowles was honoured on her retirement from the teaching staff after six years of service. She noted that she started as a part-time teacher but became full-time. Mrs. Bowles started teaching at the school in the 1950s when I was a student there.

Phys Ed class. Dr Hackstetter on far right

When Mr. Emerson left a year later, Dr. Karl A. Hackstetter, who had taught at the school from 1954 to 1957 returned as principal. As enrolment increased with students from the post World War II "Baby boom", more space was required and plans were developed to build a new school on the hill. It opened in 1966 but Dr. Hackstetter did not stay as principal.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca