Another thing about this school, is that we had Bus drivers who stayed at the school and did janitorial work and other things. We also had a main janitor who was always at the school. His name was Joe. Joe would sometimes carry Janie and I when we were in the 1st grade. We had the same bus drivers as long as I can remember. David, drove the bus that Pearl rode in. He picked up all the kids mostly from the westside of town. Moses was my busdriver. He picked up most of the kids from as far east and southside. The bus routes were long. Sometimes I was in the bus 2 hours before I got home. Rarely, he would take a different route and I would be home early. Then we had Frank, who drove the bus to pick up those in the areas that were left. Sometimes he would take Moses' route when Moses was absent. Moses was a man who rarely smiled. You could never tell if he was happy, upset, or mad. He talked to you in a serious tone at all times. I was afraid of him although I tried not to show it. He was a smoker, and he smoked all through the routes. Sometimes I would choke and start coughing. He smoke a pipe also that left the bus smelling of sweet tabacco. I never liked the smell. I am suprised he was allowed to smoke as many of the kids on the bus had trouble breathing. There weren't as many laws back then. He would also stop at a store regularly and get off and leave the bus running. He would only get more cigarettes or tabacco. I was always afraid someone might get on the bus when he was in the store. But I was a child and did not say anything about it.
We had play time which we were able to go outside and play ball or whatever we wanted to play. We had no playground, I guess because they figured it would be to dangerous for us. I missed that since I loved the monkey bars and swings. But we did what we could to have some fun.
Lunch was noisy and all the elementary classes ate first and then the junior and high schoolers. We had an hour to eat, but it always seemed to go by fast.
The cafertaria ladies were regulars, One of them was mean. I never liked when she was the cashier.
Yes, this was a school like no other I knew of. I had so much experiences, some good, but most were not so good.