Sister Helen Proper

Sister Helen Marie Proper, formerly Sr. M. Scholastica, was a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York. She was a nun for 54 years until her death on August 23, 1996 at the age of 75.
Sr. Helen Marie Proper was born August 12, 1921 in Amenia . Her parents were Earl and Margaret Proper. She entered the Sisters of St .Dominic from the parish of the Immaculate Conception in September 9, 1942, received the Dominican habit on August 24, 1943, professed her first vows on August 25, 1944 and her perpetual vows on September 2, 1947.
Sister’s many years of active ministry were devoted to teaching. She was a dedicated educator as teacher and principal in many schools in the Archdiocese of New York. She taught in Our Lady of the Assumption School in the Bronx from 1945 to 1948; St. Dominic’s School, Blauvelt, NY from 1949to 1950; St. Benedict’s in the Bronx from 1951 to 1957 and St Mary’s School , Bronx, N.Y., from, 1957 to 1962.
Sister also taught at the St. Pius School, Bronx, N.Y. from 1962 to1964, Immaculate Conception School, Amenia, N.Y. from 1964 to 1967, St. Luke’s School, also in the Bronx and St. Colamba (?) School in Hopewell Junction from 1985 through 1991.






Sister was principal of Immaculate Conception School from 1970 – 1985. She was highly respected and much loved by the students in Amenia and, in fact, by the entire community.



Sister Helen Marie Proper returned to St. Dominic’s Convent Infirmary in 1991 and ministered in varied volunteer servi ces at the Motherhouse. She was also very faithful to her ministry of prayer for the intentions of the sisters, the Blauvelt Community and its benefactors until her death on August 23, 1996.

Sister Helen Proper has a sister, Betty Scarlotta of Granville, New York, and two brothers - Earl Proper Jr. of Sun Coty, Arizona and Raymond Proper of Amenia. She was predeceased by her brothers, Vincent, John and Francis.

Dick and Edna Miller- Both Parents were Teachers

Mary Miller Fitzgerald, Webutuck class of 1978 writes:

I was elected (by my sister Martha and brother David) to write a few words about our parents, Dick and Edna Miller, both of whom were teachers.

What a great idea to remember the teachers! If it wasn't for the teachers we would not be where we are today. It just happens to be teacher appreciation week at my son's school here in Sarasota, so I am blessed to have been a child of teacher parents and know how hard they work and how much they deserve to be pampered for a week.

Good and Bad Points

Having parents as teachers has good points and bad points. It was great having them close by everyday knowing if there was a problem they were there to help in any way they could, but having parents in school - you could not get away with anything.
I can remember one day in 4th grade when I was caught wearing pants in school. Required dress had always been dresses for girls and pants for boys. We had P.E once a week and the girls could change into pants for the class then back into "street clothes" for the rest of the day.

Even though they had changed dress code and all the girls were wearing pants to school, my Dad said that Martha and I still had to wear skirts/dresses to school. After P. E. one day I didn't put my skirt back on. It didn't take long for my Dad to find me and my skirt went back on.

Even having parents as teachers was very difficult. I think they were harder on us than the other kids. I remember doing many extra reports and memorizing The Preamble Constitution of the United States of America for passing notes in class.

Having them at home as parents/teachers was great. We always were the first to know when it was a snow day! We also had help with all our homework. I used to think my Dad was the smartest man in the world. (I still think he is.)
My mom was great to have also helping with homework and the music part of our lives. We all played the piano and an instrument and sang in the choir.

I wouldn't change any part of our growing up with parents as teachers. We all respect and appreciate the teachers of America. It’s a tough job and my hat is off to them.

Mary

The Mysterious Pumpkin Meeting

Principal Eileen Sicina, left, advises staff on the uses of magic pumpkins. From left to right: Dick Miller, Doris Smith, Eileen Reiling, Karen Jaquith and Shirley Conklin


Edna Miller remembers:

Dick and I were both from upstate New York and met at Wassaic “State School” (now known as the Taconic Learning Center). We were in a group of thirteen new teachers hired in 1952 – Dick was the Physical Education teacher and I taught music. Our group of teachers socialized together and often had an apartment or rooms at Mrs. Benson’s farm in Dover Plains. After several years I began to teach in the Dover School system where I taught music to all the grades from kindergarten through high school, as well as band and chorus. Several years later Dick took the position of P.E. teacher at Webutuck, where he also coached baseball , Little League and Babe Ruth as well as high school basketball, (earning the long-time nickname of “Coach”).

Dick took courses to get his principal’s license in the 1960’s and served as principal of both the Amenia and Millerton Primary Schools until he decided to return to the classroom being tired of “only seeing kids in trouble”.
I spent several years working part-time or substituting while the children were little, finally becoming the music teacher at Webutuck where I taught until 1985, Dick until 1986.

The secret to our successful marriage and family was that we strictly kept school business at school….and family issues at home.



Anyone who ever visited the Miller’s big old house always found it full of kids, their friends, plans for trips, music, and a dining room table with many, many small dishes of pickles, relishes, olives and jams to go with the ample food, and extra chairs for visitors. There was never a word about school, unless there had been a very funny or crazy incident there. Edna made the pickles and relishes from vegetables picked by the children in Dick’ garden just out back.
Ann Linden