The Rural Voice, 2005-09, Page 55through a soft focus lens that seems
to obscure the harsh realities of those
times. We relate these stories,
imparting a warm glow in the telling.
We speak with fond remembrance
about the games of tag and baseball
in the yard, the sleigh riding down
the hill behind the school at lunch,
woodland excursions, music
festivals. school fairs and Christmas
concerts. We think of the old songs
we sang. and wonder why our
grandchildren have never heard "The
Maple Leaf Forever." This could
reflect our own optimistic or
pessimistic nature. or could be a
mirror of success or failure in our
lives.
Perhaps we tell our nostalgic
stories so that our kids can
understand us better. the way we are.
and the way we think. There is a
feeling of pride and amazement that
many people from one room rural
schools have come so far and have
been so successful.
The small school section in the
rural areas offered a sense of
fellowship to farm families. It
was not only a school but a
Community Hall. where wedding
showers. retirements. and other
memorable occasions could he
celebrated. There are people in my
memory who only exist for me in the
context of our school house
gatherings. linked eternally with
square dancing. salmon and egg salad
sandwiches and hearty renderings of
"For Hes a Jolly Good Fellow."
Perhaps our real nostalgia is not for
"olden days" education. but for the
sense of community and belonging
the schoolhouse provided.
The one room school I attended
was closed around 1965 and the
students have since been bussed to
consolidated schools in nearby
centres. The schoolhouse itself was
purchased by a city couple and
converted to a home although the
appearance of the old sclitwl remains
the same. The hand pump still stands
in the front yard, a. reminder of things
that used to he. Similar dwellings
can be found all over the province.
As our grandchildren stand
waiting for the big yellow buses this
fall, we hope that their school year
will be a successful one for them. and
as always that will depend on caring
teachers. bus drivers and custodians.°
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SEPTEMBER 2005 51