Elaine Wodzinski (Fass)

HI...yes,it's sad to see the old memories fade...

Question:  Maybe you remember....in a discussion I've had recently some questions came up about when we were in the 8th grade.   Remember they sent us all over to the high school from our various elementary schools, but,....were we in the school alone until it really opened or were we there with upperclassmen?  (persons if I am PC)....Did we go full sessions or split sessions in grade 8...I know we went split later, but what about 8???

And do you remember the names of any of the 8th grade teachers.  I remember a Mr. Coppola taught Social Studies and maybe  Mr. Sperduto??? for math where we had to figure out square roots manually and only use a ruler when we drew lines in math problems, but the rest is a total blank. 

Any memories you have of 8th grade would be greatly appreciated since I am having a discussion with a friend and I can't believe what brain freeze I have.

HOpe all is well ...Elaine Wodzinski Fass

Nancy Hull (Merritt)

yes, we were there for 8th grade along with upper classmates

Karen Erikson

Yes I remember going in 8th grade and hearing the upper classmen were not too happy about it.

Rich Hoffman

We went in the afternoon split session as 8th graders through the 10th grade. The morning session was comprised of juniors and seniors. The afternoon session went from 12:15 pm until  5:15 pm. We were the only 8th grade class to attend the Woodbridge H.S. building to my best recollection.

Nancy Hull (Merritt)

I started working after school at age 14 (sophmore year) so I know I didn't have afternoon session at that time.  Yes, we were the only 8th grade class to attend WHS.

Evelyn Kantor (Olson)

I believe we went afternoons in 8th, 9th and 10th grades and mornings for 11th and 12th grades.

Joan Ditri (Flanagan)

My memories are the same as all of yours.  I think we only got to attend the morning sessions once we became seniors...i worked in the afternoon.

Patricia Reilly (Hofmann)

I also remember going afternoons in 8th, 9th & 10th and mornings 11th and 12th.  

John Lesko

If memory serves me correctly I believe some Sophmores attended A.M. classes with Juniors and Seniors but most (College Prep and possibly Business Course students) attended P.M. class schedules.

Martin Kushner

I remember going afternoons for 8th grade and freshman year, then mornings for sophomore through senior years. When I stayed in the afternoons for extra-curricular activities like the El Dorado literary magazine or rehearsals for the Senior Play (remember Bert Katz, English/Dramatics teacher/director of Diary of Anne Frank, Teahouse of the August Moon, Our Town?),  I used to eat lunch at Stewart's or the burger diner (I don't remember it's name, do you?) that was across from Stewart's. Those burgers were 50 cents, greasy like White Castle, on a big poppy seed bun with pickle slices, onions, and optional cheese. Day after day after day after day - there was no cafeteria serving food in the high school - I'm eating 2, sometimes 3, of those burgers downed with soda. There were rumblings of an unhealthy kitchen there, but I burgered on. One day, I bit into a cheeseburger, felt something funny, and discovered a piece of chewed gum in my mouth!!

Next day, I crossed the street to Stewart's and never went back to "dirty diner" again.

Elaine Wodzinski (Fass)

Thanks for the a.m. vs. p.m. question.....now does anyone remember any teachers from 8th grade....I could only remember Mr. Coppola and  Mr. Sperduto or something like that for math....but the rest of the roster seems to totally elude me....this is part of the ongong discussion I am having, so any help would be appreciated....thanks for all those other old memories in your responses....

Ginnie Cashion (Dobrek)

Hi Elaine:  OMG there was an old maid teacher, her sister taught in WHS also, and she wore so much orange make up and actually had an odor. She taught us Business and headed our Future Business Leaders of America chapter.  I was talking about her only a few months ago and now I cannot remember her (their)names.!!

With Mr. Coppola was Mr.Hillyer (I had him and what a cursh I had on him) Mr. Devanny and also my uncle...Mr. Highberger.  Mr Highberger also had Easy Method driving school as a side business.  Maybe one of you learned to drive with him; I did and let me say I can still K part easily and accurately.  

 I am still hoping in one of my Moves, it will show up!!

Irene Kennedy (Kaplowitz)

I was in the 1st freshman class at WHS I think. Keasbey for 7th grade- 8th? Was it Keasbey again? Anyway 1400 in that freshman class. I lived in Iselin. And a big fuss because one of the boys threw his sneakers through the drop ceiling tile in a hallway. I went in the afternoon session. I dropped out maybe junior year for awhile and returned for a short while. I think that was morning sessions. (Later got my GED in Puerto Rico and started college there. Graduated from Kean in 1981 and went to Pratt for Grad school but did not complete the Masters) I remember you Martin Kushner! We used to joke around with was it your male cousin? Laughing hysterically practicing skits in some class. But I could be mistaken. I hardly remember anything from HS mercifully. I used to drink a lot I remember that.
I remember the diner. I thought it was 35 cents for a burger and Coke.

Judy Bender (Vanhemert)

Let's see, Mr. Mulligan, Mr. Bisler, Mr. Checker (boring), Mrs. Lowassy, Mrs. Higgins, Mrs. Gross,

Mr. Holloway, Ms. Johnson, Mrs. Zak, Ms. Michak, Ms. Domez (gym), Ms. H Baum (checked for gum in hall you also had to stand when she came in the room) and Ms. Neider, she smelled and lived in a car, it was rumored.  Ok, I am cheating, I have my yearbook out.........

Elaine Wodzinski (Fass)

We went to our local school for 7th grade (Keasbey for me because that's where I lived), but we all went to WHS for 8th grade and went in the afternoon..so we actually were in the HS for 5 years and , yes, there were lots of us!
 

Linda Pry (Burdash)

Last message I posted was in gross error.  It was Mrs. Neider who had the sores all over, had the students do everything for her as she wouldn't touch anything and left her cats in her car. She lived in Metuchen.   I apoligise to the Piese sisters.  I remember our class trip to Rye Beach.  I remember hearing some of the students threw chairs over board, therefore not allowing any other class trips.  Also my first roller coaster ride.  So much fun.

Robert Kurowsky

Yup, Ms Nieder was one of those teachers I wouldn't mind forgetting about.

I think she was my English teacher in our Senior year.

I remember once when my mom and I were leaving the Raritan Animal Hospital on Rt 27 in Edison, Ms Nieder was standing outside by the door.

I said hello, she said hello and went in with me holding the door open for her.

My mom asked how I knew her, when I told my mom that was my English teacher, my mom said something along the lines of "my God, I thought she was the vet's cleaning lady".

I then told my mom how Ms Nieder picks at many of her scabs until they bleed. I did not tell my mom that it was rumored Ms Nieder once stood in a corner at the rear of her classroom and pee'd on the floor. I don't think I believe that one myself. I do recall her leaving some animals in her car in the parking lot while she taught class.

Regarding our class trip to Rye Beach: the NY drinking age was 18 at the time and many of us were that age, and a number of them hit the bars on Rye. Some were a bit on the toasty side on our return boat trip many chairs and other objects not bolted down went overboard. Supposedly the Capt of our boat was overcome by emotion causing our boat to veer off course towards the open sea. Again supposedly, VP Gabriel calmed the Capt down, helping to get us heading towards Elizabeth Port. That was the last class trip. We might as well be remembered for something!

Jan Prushinski (Stancavish)

Funny story. Don and I owned a store in Flemington in the 80's and 90's and Mrs. Neider came in a few times. We could not believe it. She hadn't changed much and we found out from the locals that she had inherited  a family home in town but had not been able to keep it up and was now homeless living out of her car with her cats. Somethings never change.

OMG! The class trip. What a hoot that was. Did not remember we were such a rowdy bunch. I do remember that Russell Tomaso had to repeat 12th grade because of his actions on the trip.This is a story I must tell my sons.

Linda Pry (Burdash)

Ms. Neider was our English teacher Bob.  The house you are refering to was in Metuchen unless there was another one.  This one is covered over with trees and bushes and whatnot.  You can't see it anymore. 

Robert Kurowsky

Hey Linda - the reference to the Nieder residence was made by Jan. I wish we had some before and after photos. Where in Metuchen is it, like what street? I can use Google maps to check it out.

James Seabasty

Bob,

Ms. Neider was one of my english teachers. She was a brilliant person and knew her subject well. She claimed that she had a rare tropical disease and was allergic to water.

She came to school one day covered with mud up to her knees. She claimed that she was walking her cats in Roosevelt Park and got her car stuck in the mud. She stated she was pushing the car out of the mud by hand when she got help, that why she was late for class that day.

She lived on Egdar Avenue which was an extension of Grove Avenue. This street was a cut through from Woodbridge Avenue to Amboy Avenue. Her house was a stone structure on the east side of the road.

I don't remember the year when her mother died in the house. She did not report the death until over ten days after her mother died. She moved out of town but I don't know where she moved to. The house remained vacant for many years. I was working for the Metuchen Police Department but never saw the incident report. I only know that the death was due to conditions of old age.

She was known locally as the "cat lady".

Dan Witkowsky

Sad.  I felt that way after reading some of the posts.  I’ve never personally known anyone, especially an educator or similar professional, having to live out of a car without access to a shower while struggling with a skin condition requiring medical treatment.  I guess it was a struggle for her to keep her job.

It takes very special people who serve others as teachers, doctors and nurses, librarians, servicemen-and-women, cops, members of the clergy, etc.  I’m glad it was mentioned that Ms. Neider was a good English teacher in spite of her actual and rumored problems.

Looking back five decades, I think we expected more from her and our other teachers.  I always like to believe that most, if not all, gave us all they could give of themselves while expecting a lot less in return.  I think it’s important for us to maintain a sense of empathy at this point in our lives.

Linda Pry (Burdash)

Hi Bob,  Jimmy is right.  She lived on Edger St. in Metuchen.  I don't even know if the house is still there.  Next time I go past I will have to take a look.

Bill McEwen

Ms Neider was my english teacher also. I don't remember what year, but I remember one day she kept looking out the window at her car. She said she had a hard time getting it started to get to school or she had to have a jump, but she left it running in the parking lot the whole as she said she didn't know if she would get it started to go home and was worried about running out of gas. I to remember the sory of her taking a leak in the corner and her being alergic to water. I didn't know about her mother being dead for 10 days before reporting it. Weird.