SCHOOL DAYS
SCHOOL DAYS
"school days, school days
dear old golden rule days
readin' and 'riting and 'rithmetic
taught to the tune of a hick'ry stick
you were my queen in calico
I was your bashful barefoot beau
you wrote on my slate "I love you,Joe"
When we were a couple of kids."
In the US August is National Back To School month.
André mentions in his book, MY MUSIC MY LIFE,
his memories of his kindergarten principal,
and how she left such an impression on his early life.
Later, a violin teacher, with whom,
at 5 years, he "fell in love" with.
Can you recall any of your early school years,
your teachers and how they might
have influenced your life?
the nuns at Loretto Convent taught me well.here is a song that stayed with me.dites moi pourquois,la vie est belle,dites moi pourquois la vie est gaie,estce que,parceque vous maimez?i think its from south pacific.musical.
Dites-moi, pourquoi la vie est belle
Dites-moi, pourquoi la vie est gaie
Dites-moi pourquoi, chere mademoiselle
Est-ce que, parce que
Vous m'aimez?
Translated as:
Tell me, why life is beautiful
Tell me, why life is gay
Tell me why, my dear lady
Is it, because
You love me?
Yes, it is from South Pacific. I saw that movie so many times. Thanks Prudence. Hugs
Oh yes, I was going to school the very first day, 5 years old and I was bragging that I could right my name, I had an uncle who was only 6 years older than I and he was handicapped and got private tutoring at home and I was aloud to watch and learned already the alphabet and to read. I took that first school day a piece of chalk home with me and wrote my name and the alphabet all over the house where we lived in Freiburg. The next morning a girl from my street , also in my class, reported me to the teacher and I got over my hand with a stick a few hits, that sting still today, mostly in my brain, haaaaaaa and I had to wash off the hole house wall I wrote so proudly on, I will never forget that.
haha. I grew up in an old Victorian House, 3 stories tall. My mother turned the Library, into a Play Room, so my sister and I would not mess up the house.
One day, we noticed if we looked at the texture of the walls just so...why.. yes.. we could see a clown. So we Outlined him with Crayon. Next we found a Puppy, then a Kitty, a Horse, a Ghost, a Swing on a Tree and so on. By the time we finished there were Crayon marks all over the walls. We loved our art work and our find!
*Ahem! Mother did not share our joy and passion for our artwork. The following day we spent our time washing walls.
Crayon marks! I'm sure many a household had wall drawings. My sister once colored over some family photos.I loved crayolas. I remember how my first box of 8 colors smelled, the colors that made a picture come alive. Remember all those special smells from school? especially the first day. I like this little piece about crayons too.
"We could learn a lot from crayons;
some are sharp, some are pretty,
some are dull, while others bright,
some have weird names,
but they all learned to live together in the same box."
Oh Yes the Smell of crayolas. I have fond childhood memories of laying on the living room floor, coloring.
Remember Crayola shavings ironed between two sheets of wax paper?
That's a great saying.
I can tell you a pretty interesting school story about me and my family that is 100% true.
When I was in kindergarten, my teacher was a single woman named Miss. Mead. That year I was in her class I remember a wonderful year of playing, singing, being read to, etc.
In October Miss Mead told the class she was getting married. She would be away for a couple of weeks (on her honeymoon). I remember the Principal telling us all to remember to call her Mrs. Fowler from now on, since that was her married name.
When Mrs. Fowler returned, we all as told tried our best to call her Mrs. Fowler. This all happened in the school year 1970 - 1971 (I was born in 1965).
In June 1998, the year I had our son Wes (April 2), I was down visiting my parents with the then baby Wes. I was living 2 hours away so I packed things up and came down for a holiday and to let Grandpa and Grandma see the baby.
While Wes and I were there visiting, my mother received a phone call from my Dad's sister Ruth.
Ruth said she received a letter on Mother's Day of this year (May 1998) from a man claiming to be her son. It is true she did have a son before she was married with a man who she was dating at the time. She secretly was sent to Toronto to have the baby and to give it up to the nuns, who were running an adoption.
My father took his sister Ruth up to Toronto on the train. Ruth gave birth, saw her son (whom she named Michael), took one picture, which she still has, then gave the baby up.
My father came back with Ruth to Peterborough on the train when it was time to go home. The baby was on the same train with a two nuns in the same car!
Ruth went on with her life, got married and had six kids (2 girls and 4 boys). As she had each child, she always thought to herself, this was not my first.
The baby was adopted to a couple who were in their forties and knew they could not have children. Their last name was Fowler. They named their son Roger. He grew up in a loving home and became a wonderful man.
He met a lovely girl named Vicki Mead one day through friends. They dated and decided finally to get married in October 1970. Roger was a businessman and Vicki was a kindergarten teacher.
Eventually Roger's adopted parents passed away and he decided to get in touch with his biological mother. He research and found the adopted papers given to him by his parents. He found Ruth and wrote her a letter around mother's day, 1998.
Ruth agreed to meet Roger (Michael) in June 1998 after she had told my mother and father at my parents' house. I was there with the baby and was witness to all of this.
To finished this school story, the woman I had as a teacher in 1970, my first teacher was really my first cousin! Until that time no one ever knew.
Roger and Vicki are now part of our family and we receive them as we would any of our other cousins.
I know I have that memory of kindergarten.
Love Much
Grace
xxoo
That's an amazing story, Grace. I got goosebumps as I read it. How wonderful that they are now part of your family!
Grace, absolutely fascinating!
I remember so many teachers. Mrs. Ostrum, my piano teacher. "wrists up Sally, keep the wrists up".
Mr. Nakido, my school music teacher. My mother was so mad at him when I came home from school with a Trumpet. She knew I wanted to join the band, but she envisioned the bells or something I could use my piano knowledge on. I chose the Trumpet and Mr. Nakido supported me.
Mr. Mackie, the janitor and Billy's father. Sometimes I would get up early to walk to school with him. He would let me help Raise the Flag, and then we would have a light breakfast with the 'Lunch Ladies'.
I enjoyed school. Still do.
My early school memories begin in 1942. My first, second and third grade teacher, Mrs Jarmin, was very special to me. I think she's the one who first gave to me my love of reading. To those who might remember, my first experience with reading were the Dick and Jane books, and See Spot Run. (Spot was their dog.) If I remember there was Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, Puff and Tim, Sally's stuffed bear. These simple books helped teach me to read and kept my interest in reading.
I went to a "one room" school, actually there were 3 rooms, but the one was a classroom that had 18 pupils, 8 grades in one room. It was the same school my dad and his siter had gone to many years ago. One day a week, we took turns pulling the rope that rang the school bell. We shorter ones stood on a box and when we pulled and the rope went up, our feet would leave the box and we would go up in the air a bit. We had an old outside water pump where we pumped water for handwashing. In winter the water was heated in a bucket on a stove in the bigger room which served as a lunch room & kitchen. Every day we bought to school, a clean hanky and a dime. The dime was for WSS, a war savings stamp. It was a patriotic program to help fund the war, these stamps could be used to buy war bonds.
Times were different then for sure. Also one of my favorite memories, in the spring, at recess time, we would walk to a hillside at the front of the school and pick wild strawberries. Oh were they good! Our classroom windows would be open in the days before last day of school and we could smell the honeysuckle through those windows. I enjoyed school but about the time I smelled the honeysuckles I knew I was ready for vacation! " no more lessons, no more books, no more teacher's angry looks". Honestly, though, I never saw my teacher angry. She loved children and she knew how to discipline without getting angry.
Shirley, what memories. I loved those Dick & Jane books. They are collectors items now, and widely sought after.
Weekly Reader, another favorite of mine. Anything to read. I loved to read and to this day Read all the time.
My second grade teacher Mrs. Martin, allowed me to help other students with their reading, because I could out-read the class and always had my nose in a book.
I don't have super fond memories of school. I have my good moments of course, like everyone. Friends were special, the "fun" times, like plays and games and break periods, concerts, etc., those were enjoyable for sure. Some teachers were fine, but some were not so great. I enjoyed my German teacher, because I liked learning the language (never followed through with it though). I enjoyed one of my history teachers very much, he was almost perfect as far as a teacher goes. I think some of the teachers I had in school are what "built" my memories of school.
If I had it to do over again, I would change some things of course, but overall school was a chore.
I can remember only wanting to go home, to be home where my family was. I am still that way.
Oh, that makes me sad Marlene. I wish you had gone to my school. We had the same 20 or so kids in the class each year so we all knew each other.
Thanks Sally, I wished that I had gone to your school too! We would have been friends all this time then!
Well, I received news recently that my Kindergarten Principal, Louise O'Rourke, had passed on at age 92. I felt much the same as Andre must have felt about his Kindergarten Principal. She affected me profoundly. She not only had a Bachelor's Degree, but a Master's Degree. In 1959, she was 43 years old. First, how many women do we know who were serious about a college education in the 1930's? It was discouraged for women. Secondly, looking back, I was mostly impressed with her ability to remember everyone's name. She ran her ship like she must have run her home with a husband and 5 children: lovingly and with warmth.
She treated everyone with respect, and was beautiful inside and out. I will always love her dearly--she made me feel 10 feet tall!! By the way, I do not see many of these traits in elementary school principals today, I am sorry to say. Mostly, I have felt like they run a corporation like IBM. It's a shame. They have to lie to parents and children alike, while thinking they protect the children.
However, Mrs. O'Rourke will always be in my heart.
And, for the record, is it back to school already? WoW, this summer is flying by tooooo fast!!!!
PS....Inge, my Kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Walsh, and even though me and my friend Elizabeth both scribbled with crayon on our desks, I was the one who was always caught ending up in the corner!! Didn't like HER so much as Mrs. O'Rourke.....
Carol, what a wonderful tribute to your Kindergarten Principal. She must have been a special lady.
I had a fairly good time in my schooldays, but my most vivid memory is of the last few days at High School. I went to school in country NSW Australia. It was 1963 and we were in the last week before leaving. A few of us lads (5) as I remember decided to get square with the Principal. We pooled our funds and placed an Advertisment in the Sydney Morning Herald (a National publication) offering our school For Sale. We described it as a large estate sitting on 8 acres of lanscaped lawns and gardens. 16 large rooms plus 2 kitchens and large private Ballroom (Assembly Hall). A further 6 detached out buildings suitable for many workshop activities. Would easily convert to Private Hotel or Holiday Resort. (I must add here that at the time an average 4 bedroom home was worth about $25,000) Current occupants are moving on and an urgent sale is required, so all offers over $80,000 would be considered.Private Sale, Contact Len, we then listed the school principals phone number and his home phone as an after hours contact. It was published on the Wednesday and all hell broke loose as the Principals school and home phones went berserk with inquiries. Len did some good police work because on the Thursday at our farewell assembly, the Principal arrived on the stage carrying his cane and stood looking at all the gathered students and slapping the cane against his leg. After his farewell address to us leaving, he said he had a couple of last things to deal with and called the 5 of us up to the stage. I remember thinking, oh no, six of the best on our last day. I had never been caned in my entire schooldays, I was shaking. Up on the stage he told the story of the 5 little boys and there tricks and taunted us with the cane. Eventually he laughed, then said how disappointed he was that after 12 years of schooling, 5 seniors could not write a 50 word advertisment without incurring 7 spelling mistakes.
We all became good acquaintences of Len after that and in the ensuring years we often recalled that week whenever we met up with Len on visits back to the school or local club. Len passed on a few years back now and 3 of us 5 attended his funeral. Lens wife came up to us at the funeral with a smile and told us that our little antics of 63' was one of the best memories Len had of his Teaching career and he relived the incident with anyone that would listen for the remainder of his life. Whenever any of us (5) meet-up the story always gets another airing, and I am particularly proud that the story has never grown to anything but what really happened.
Grayeme, that is absolutely one of the funniest school memories I've ever heard! You earn a gold star from me for my laugh of the day.
Grayeme, that was fantastic. And, now for something completely the same: My poor old elementary school was knocked down for the purpose of building condominium units. I sure wish I'd have known you when THAT was happening. Maybe you could have lent me that advertisement to put in our town newspapers so people could see the ridiculousness of replacing such a grand looking building with condo units.
Grayeme, that has to be the best "talking in school" story I have ever heard of. Brilliant, thanks!
Carol
Grayeme, that had me laughing the whole way. What a teriffic story. I'm sure Len carried a smile on his face every time he thought of it.
I was laughing through this whole story! It made my day Grayeme. Thanks for adding this wonderful bit of humor to our day.
It sounds like Len was a great guy and sounds like he was real proud of you and appreciated this moment all his life.
Remember the movie "TO SIR WITH LOVE"?
SCHOOL DAYS?? I DO REMEMBER VERY WELL, NEVER FORGET IT EITHER!IN 5TH GRADE, MY ART TEACHER DID NOT LIKE MY DRAWINGS, AND SUPPOSED TO WATERCOLOR AFTERWARDS, SO HE CAME TO ME, HAD TO PUT ALL MY 5 FINGER TIPS TOGETHER, RIGHT HANDED, HE HIT ME WITH THE RULER, IT HURT SO BAD FOR A LONG TIME. I STILL DID NOT SEE THE SHINE ON A BOTTLE AND AN APPLE NEXT TO IT. AFTER THIS DISCIPLINE AND ART LESSON, HE CAME ,FINISHED MY WORK AND GAVE ME AN A. SINCE, MY HANDS AND FINGERS ARE MUCH BETTER, AFTER A LOTS OF PRACTICE.
Well girls and guys, I went to Catholic school all the way and I remember many things. Most of the nuns were nice but there were some who were so strict. My freshman year I had a tiny little nun who was so strict and I had her for homeroom, Latin and algebra but I did learn my Latin and algebra. Second year I had a less strict nun and the boys could laugh and throw things and I had a harder time with second year Latin and math. Then I had a nun who was partial to boys and she just ignored the girls in the class and there were a few of us who just could not grasp geometry. The boys were at the board all the time and we just sat there. I got a 68 which means I failed that subject but still passed because it was not required for graduation. My freshman year I had first honors in Latin and algebra so that shows you what a good, strict nun can do for you. The hallway administrator was nice but she would look you up and down and if your skirt was too tight or too short (mine were long because I am short : ) ) or your sweater was too tight you had to go home and change. But when I look at the kids today I am glad they were strict. Yes I got my fingers slapped once and one nun pushed me in the door from recess because I pushed a girl who pushed me first. My music teacher was the best one. She just taught me but she did give me a push one time in the choir when I froze for a moment for a solo. Good old school days. I learned so much though from my Mother, Father and my father's mother. She was such a religious person but not radical and I was fascinated with her and the way she prayed every day and went to Mass every day until she could not walk. I spent a lot of time with all the grandparents and my great grandparents and they were all such a good influence. Those were the best days to grow up. We didn't have the peer pressure and drugs that the kids have today. Clyde went to public school and he says the same thing. It was different then. I feel kind of sorry for the kids today and what must be tremendous peer pressure to use drugs, etc. I think parents must play a bigger role in their kids lives today and watch who they are "hanging out" with and where they go. I know today that both parents must work but they should have some family time especially at meals and evenings. Good quality time sharing with and talking about issues which are important. Just my humble opinion. Hugs
DISCIPLINE, EDUCATION, RESPECT, HONESTY, HARD WORK, STARTS AT HOME!
YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL THERE PIANO!
Yes it does!
Our renters are a good example of not having all the above at home. It's so sad, they are raising a child, and don't even know anything themselves...and I don't mean education, but principle, responsibility, compassion, consideration, honesty...and more. It's just not there. It's very sad.
Sure did Piano, and right on - I grew up with all of those disciplines from as long as I can remember (stop laughing you mob !!!)We passed them to our children and Thank God, they are passing them to our granchildren. But one thing worries me - where in the "Hell" did we get a "sense of humour from" Certainly not from my parents.?????
"where did we get our sense of humor"? good question Grayeme.Maybe it's something we learned on our own, a kind of self defense mechanism. Don't you think humor, or laughter, sometimes relieves the stress? However we learned or from whom doesn't really matter, that we learned it at all is what's important. That's why I like that picture of Andre laughing. As I said, it reminds me that sometimes we just have to laugh. And doesn't it make us feel better? A good laugh is contagious. I also realize that not all times can be humorous but there will be a time we laugh again and those are the times that keep us sane.
Yes, Shirley a good laugh breaks the tension. I think that is why Andre and his JSO tell jokes before a concert to help relieve that tension that builds up for Andre. I don't know if they were joking in Toronto though on Friday night. I just think they were probably praying that those generators work. Hugs
Laughter does relieve stress for sure, how can one be stressed while laughing?
Also, I think another reason that we get our sense of humor is because it makes those we come in contact with, happy. To know that you have made someone happy, is special.
Jeanine Ann, I am Catholic but never went to Catholic School, although my sister and brother did. I heard all the horror stories, and I came to realize that the nuns were serious about respect and discipline. I have trouble with their "minor assault" issues though! In my town, kids got rapped on the knuckles with rulers.
I wish all the kids could wear uniforms so that there is no bullying regarding style/fashion opinions.
I really agree with you about how difficult it is for the kids today and how parents should play a bigger role. I remind my 11 year old son that I am not his friend, and, sorry, but this is a dictatorship!! We are not perfect parents, but we love him and want to
help guide him through life. We have wonderful family time, and share dinner and quality time. Your humble opinion is appreciated. Hugs to you too.
Carol
lol cute stories everyone! LOL
Thanks!
-Jeff