| The school did not have running water, but water must have been gotten from somewhere. They may have had a well and pump somewhere on the grounds, I just don't remember. Each room had a pot belly stove for heat. It was the boys job each day to bring in fresh water for each class. In the winter they would make sure there was enough wood and coal to start the morning fires. Each room had one or two black boards. Most rooms held more than one grade. Our supplies were chalk, pencils, books, and memograph lesson pages. Before the photocopies was invented each teacher had a wooden box with a cover. Inside the box was what I remember as purple or blue jell. The master sheet would be turned face down on the jell and the impression would last for a few copies then the master had to be re-done. These stencils accompanied the text books that we used. We had a very big play area. The property had to be around 3 or 4 acres. We had the usual 1950's playground equipment, swings, slide, merry go round and seesaw. We had field trips. I remember going to the coca-cola plant and the bread plant. We got to watch the assembly machinery to see how things were packaged and shipped. Most important we got to get free samples. Back in the 50s we didn't really have bad winters that I can remember. But I am sure that we must have had some big snows. How did our parents know if we had school or not? I remember someone coming to the school to examine our eyes for glasses. I thought it would be neat to have glasses so I lied on the exam and got my glasses. I got headaches from wearing them too. Didn't know that at the time. In the early spring one of the wild foods that probably kept many residents from starving. This flavorful food is known as ramps. The teachers would give the warning that anyone who ate ramps should not come to school because they would be sent home. The smell on your breath would knock a mule off his feet. There was all kinds of trouble for us to get into. Snakes on the grounds, in the school rooms or toilets. A swing broke and I believe it was Avis Jones who got hurt and had to be carried home. She lived pretty close to the school. She was okay. |