This Day in History: 1959-03-16

The School Board accepted the recommendation of its special study commission and voted for a December 31st cutoff date for entrance to kindergarten.  The previous year they had suspended their decision for one year that a child must be five years old by October first to enter kindergarten.  Board member Dorothy Ulrichs summarized the findings of the study commission made up of Dr. George B. McClellan, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Richard Christie, a psychologist, Renee J. Buhlman, principal of Betsy Ross School and Ethel Henion, a kindergarten teacher.  The Commission stated that chronological age had no relationship to mental achievement and stressed the their recommendations applied only to Mahwah, not other school Districts.  The Committee asked that a study be made of non-graded elementary programs where students could progress at their own rates.  At the meeting Mrs. Buhlman announced her resignation to take affect at the end of the school year.  The Board accepted it with regret and with thanks for her many years of service to the District.  The Board also resolved to require that each entering kindergarten student have received at least one polio shot before being admitted to class.

(Bristow)