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Kadlec/Spruce School
corner of County M & B
town of Spruce
Oconto County, Wisconsin
 contributed by: Larry Grady |
Please
click
on the
photo for a larger view.
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Kadlec School Building Now Spruce Town Hall Photos by: Jill Gondeck 2010 |
This is the 26th in a series of articles sponsored by the Oconto County Teacher's Association to promote better public relations in the schools of our county.
Physical
Education and Conservation
Among Subjects at Kadlec School
Among Subjects at Kadlec School
Sunshine
Grade School
Boasts Large Playground, Water System, Indoor
Plumbing, New Floor
KADLEC
SCHOOL
 Researched and contributed by: ( 1992 additions to the 1953 article at left )
It
continued as a one room rural school until 1961 when a meeting
was called and it was voted to send children to Oconto Falls and sell
the building to the Town of Spruce for one dollar with the condition
that the back room was to be used by the Homemakers and 4-H Clubs.
John Rabas, 92 years old, and Jim Prausa 91, still reside in the district. |
The first school was a small, rough, log-hewed building. The furniture consisted of a few hand made benches and tables. The school was heated by a wood stove. Water had to be carried from a spring, a distance of a quarter mile from school.
The first school was composed of two terms. The first spring term extended from May 1, 1885 to July 24, 1885. The fall term extended from November 9th, 1885, to March 25th, 1886.
Attendance was poor, as many of the pupils had to help with he planting and harvesting of crops. This was Bohemian Settlement and some of the first pupils could not speak English.
A large chart was used to each the alphabet to these students. There were no slate blackboards until the school was moved to its present location. There were no library books and few textbooks.
The first pupils attending the first term were: Annie and Joe Housner; Jimmy, Annie, Josephine, and Joe Kadlec of the Adam Kadlec Family; Frank and Annie Kadlec of the James Kadlec Family; George, Joe, Jack, and Jimmy Teche; John and Joe Checota; Frank Showers; Carrie, Joe and Antone Kobes; Joe Blazek; Louise and Delose Dairy.
In 1892, the school was moved to its present location. In 1907, with an enrollment of about 100, and crowded conditions, the school was made into a two room room school until 1912, when, it was converted back into a one room school. It has continued as a one-room rural school ever since.
Many improvements have been made in the ensuing vears to make the Kadlec School one of the fine schools in the county.
With the help of a W.P.A. Project, a full basement was put in in 1934. Chemical toilets were installed in 1935, which were replaced by flush toilets and running water in 1952. Electric lights were installed in 1941. A furnace in the basement was the next improvement, installed in 1943. In the summer of 1953, the school was completely painted, and is very attractive. A well equipped library is used by all Ihe pupils for reference work and enjoyment.
A Physical Education Program was introduced into the school program this year, for the purpose of promoting good sportsmanship, and physical activity. The children greatly enjoy this period, for it teaches them to play well together.
Many radio programs are participated in, and enjoyed by the students. The children especially like the "Let's Write" (a creative writing) Program, "Let's Draw", and "Journeys in Music Land".
A Conservation Corner is another activity which the pupils enjoy. All the pupils of the school contribute to this corner, and it is growing steadily.
An active Homemakers Club, which regularly meets in one room of the school, is interested, and has helped in school activities. This room is equipped with a stove and furniture for use by the Homemakers.
A 4-H Club is also actively organized under the leadership of Mrs. Alvin Kozlovsky.
Transportation for seven of the twenty-two pupils is provided by Earl Boldt.
The present school board is: Mrs. Delia Steffel, clerk; Mrs. John Rabas, treasurer; Mrs. Victor Steffick. director. Mrs. Robert Hyland is the present teacher.
Contributed
by
Bill
Fonferek
Please click on the photo to go to a larger view.
 Cover and gold roping of a Kadlec School Souvener Program - year 1904-1905  Fred Steffeck photograph from the cover of Kadlec School Program. 1904 - 1905 Identified by the research of Kristi Fogtman |
Names of 82 pupils in Kadlec School were printed within the program. 1904-1905.
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Student body of Kadlec School with another teacher, at right. Year and names unknown. (Note:)
Regarding the picture, above, of the
Kadlec School,
with no
names and teacher not known, on left. She is my grandmother
Margaret Kadlec. She married Frank Peterson and they owned a
hardware store in Oconto Falls. My father was born there in
1916. His name was Milton Franklin Peterson. Please click on the photo to go to a larger view. Mystery
Solved
Kadlek School
Teacher and Student Body
about 1912
Researched,
transcribed and contributed by: 1912 Photo
"First
row from left to right (Starting at the TOP): John Levash, Frank
Hyland, Ella Blazek, Bessie Kadlec, Alvina Konop, Barbra Levash and
Emma Hynek.
Second
row left to right: Joe Fait, Niel Taylor, Anna Soukup, unknown, Mary
Selner, Anna Vetek, Laura Compe.
Third
row left to right: James Prausa, unknown, Joe Urbanek, Ed Foral, Ed
Soukup, Joe Hynek and Margret Kadlec, teacher.
Fourth
row left to right: first pupil unknown, Alhart Urbanek, James Selner,
unknown, Fred Soukup, Jim Fait.
Fifth
row: Alhart Nemechek, Lena Compe, Elsie Compe, Wilon Foral, Emma
Prausa, Florence Steffel, Rose Fait and Edith Taylor."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please
click
on
the photo to go to a larger
view.
Researched,
transcribed and contributed by: Kadlec School 1945
Back row, third from right (standing between two boys) is Betty Prausa.
Far left: the teacher - unsure of her identity. My mother's teacher at
Kadlec School, from grades 4-8 was Theresa "Tessie" Steffeck
(1908-2005). This photo might have been taken when my mother was in the
2nd or 3rd grade. My mother, Cleone Prausa (1937-2009), is in the front
row, second from the left, in a dark print dress. Betty and Cleone
Prausa were the daughters of James F. Prausa and Mildred Kershek. The
young man in the front row, center, was Anthony "Ike" Kadlec
(1937-2010).Back row - Miss Pashouer, Francis Poradek, Duane Nelson. Second row - Dean Nelson, Audrey Nelson-Zoromski, Dale Rabas, Betty Prausa, Mary Jane Everard-Mortier. Front row - Norman Sladky, Cleone Prausa-Kosnar, Ronald Poradek, Anthony (Ike) Kadlec, Marlene Hoffman-Rosner, David Everard, Barnard Poradek.
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