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Archiver > GAUPSON > 2005-01 > 1105753308


From: Virginia Crilley <>
Subject: East Thomaston memories
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 19:41:48 -0600


I'm resending this because I when I re-read it, I thought it might be
confusing as to whose memories this group belonged to!!

These are from Rainbow O....

Let's keep 'em coming! Everyone has their own special memories --- and by
sharing them, you'll be making someone else happy!

>From:
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>
>EAST THOMASTON GRAMMER SCHOOL
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> The East Thomaston Grammar School was a two story brick
> building which housed only classrooms and the principle’s office. We
> did not have a lunch room therefore each student brown bagged their lunch
> and would buy milk at school. East Thomaston was not air conditioned. Nor
> did it have a gym. Girls were not allowed to wear pants of any
> description to school. Therefore, in the winter, we would freeze as we
> stood outside waiting for the bell to ring. We would pull one leg up
> under our dress and when it was half way warm, we would reverse our
> stance. When I look at pictures of the flamingos standing on one leg, my
> mind goes back to those cold days standing beside the red brick building
> trying to stay warm.
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>Mrs. Mary Mitchell was the principal of East Thomaston Grammar School.
>Mrs. Mitchell was a proven leader who not only listens to the request,
>complaints and human interest stories of her teachers, she was there for
>her pupils. A child could go into her office anytime with a thought of how
>to improve the school, hours spent on the school ground and/or request to
>leave school and Mrs. Mitchell would listen. She would then make her
>decisions, often times hard, yet, always fair.
>
>
>
>Names of the teachers who administered or students on the other end of
>“The paddle” will not be mentioned. Only the fact that the paddle was
>used in those days on any student whom did not show respect.
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>Under Mrs. Mitchell leadership were teachers who dressed like
>professionals and acted accordingly. Teachers who cared if a child was in
>need of extra attention or had home problems. Teachers who were out on in
>the play yard during recess and would smile or speak to any and all
>children. They were Mrs. Mildred Johnston, Mrs. Harriett Cosey, Mrs. Guy
>Oxford, Mr. Richard Strauss, Mr. McVaney, Miss Covington, Mr. Crawford,
>Mrs. Smallwood, Mrs. Cason, Miss Bone and who could forget the twin
>teachers, Gloria and Georgia Peacock. I am sure there are others, yet, my
>mind will not bring them forth at this time.
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>About once a month a classroom at East Thomaston would provide a program
>for the local radio station. Students would sing in a group or for some, a
>solo. Others would read poetry or a short story. This was the time for any
>child to shine…to be a star and every parent and grandparent were tuned
>in to hear their love one’s voice over the radio.
>
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>East Thomaston was proud of their basketball teams. Boys and girls teams
>had only an outdoor concrete basketball court on which to learn and
>practice. The students weathered the heat and the cold to learn how to
>make a basket from the foul line or side court. Miss Covington, a seventh
>grade teacher, was the girls Coach. She knew the game and she made sure
>her girls team worked hard to learn how to play the game well and play
>with fairness. Miss Covington would often run as many laps around the
>court as she required of her players. Must add, the East Thomaston royal
>blue satin basketball uniforms along with the white tennis shoes looked
>sharp out on any hardwood court.
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>East Thomaston had a football team which won the Tri-City Championship
>several times, as well their own cheerleaders to encourage the team to
>play with winning strategies.
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>A girl’s softball team made East Thomaston proud in the Tri-City
>Softball League with winning 6 out of 7 games in one season.
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> May not only was the end of the class year, it was the month for May
> Day. The teachers would write, direct and create many of the props for
> the May Pole celebration. Hours for the teachers, as well as the students
> were spent outside the classroom practicing for the special May Day
> celebration.
>
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>When the “big” day arrived, the students in costume would dance around
>the May Pole to the sounds of music with a smile on their face and joy in
>their hearts.
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>All in all, East Thomaston was an all round school who encouraged its
>students through academics and social activities and most of all, with
>fairness and honor.
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