Elementary Facts form Grade School
"STOP!! Stop that wrecking
ball!" I screeched, as I woke from my scary nightmare. Having
dreamed North Baker Grade school was about to be demolished, I was
relieved to awaken and find it not true.
In reality that sturdy gray stone building at 2725 Seventh street
remains as firm today as when it was constructed in 1909. After a
full century of serving students, the North Baker halls of learning
sit silent for the first time (2009). Over the years, additions were
made, but that was long after my tenure there in 1930s.
In close proximity, Darnell Cook's neighborhood grocery store
stocked basic school supplies. Although bright yellow pencils were
attractive, more frequently brown .01 pencils with white eraser were
purchased in the Depression era. The proprietor placed enticing
penny candy near the front door, and childish decisions had to be
made. Occasionally our near empty pockets allowed a candy purchase.
Upon entering first grade, teacher Mrs. Cartwright asked my name. I
told her Phyllis MAY. She asked what is your last name? Quite
rankled, I replied my name is Phyllis Margaret May, and I can spell
it too! She no doubt thought this child a bit strong willed.
First grade was fun; our musical band consisted of "swishers" wooden
blocks covered with sandpaper, carton drums, and metal triangles
accompanied the beat. We planted a bean in an empty egg shell,
placed it along the window, exposed to the sun. How exciting to see
the first sprouts rise.
Most memorable event of first grade was my engagement to Bobby
Miles! He gave me a nice agate ring. However, my Mother contacted
his mother, Elaine Miles. She checked her jewelry box; sure enough
her engagement ring was missing and in it's place was a mock metal
ring that has once adorned a stick of candy. A broken engagement in
first grade--how sad! When we graduated Baker High 12 years later,
we had many laughs about the first grade episode.
School officials put together a re-district plan which required me
to attend 2nd and 3rd grade at the original High school building
(Central) on 4th and Broadway. My teachers there were Jessie Murphy,
2nd grade, and Lucy Lenz, 3rd grade. Edna Bement was principal. At
that time a new system of report cards was introduced. Parents could
determine their child's standing among total class members, by
noting the grade that was circled. Highest was number 1, lowest
number 5 or failing.
I was transferred back to North Baker elementary when the 4th street
building was razed to make room for Helen M. Stack Junior High.
My 4th grade teacher was Nan M. Beason, mother of my dear friend
Nancy. We remained lifelong friends, and I was saddened at her
passing several years ago. Mrs. Beason discovered my need for eye
glasses, so I became owner of a pair of horn rimmed glasses, which
were popular style at that time. A broken lens at Depression price
cost $2.50.
North Baker Fourth grade was located on second floor, overlooking
the playground. During winter months at recess time we enjoyed
playing fox and geese in the snow, carefully designed by galoshes.
Springtime recess brought marble champs to their knees, with
knuckles curled around their favorite shooter, cat eye, or steelie.
When sidewalks were dry, girls enjoyed jump rope sessions, chanting
rhymes to accompany the turning ropes.
During school year we were offered mid-morning milk break, .02 a day
for half pint bottle. Fortunately my parents during Depression era,
afforded the .10 per week fee. If studies were completed, we were
sometimes chosen for duty to rinse the bottles in cold water in the
downstairs cloak room. We considered it a privilege to perform that
task.
On one occasion at the fourth grade level, a group of 3 friends
formed a 1934 secret club. Charter members were Nancy Beason, Mar
Dean Head, and yours truly. We contemplated once to ask Bette Hines
to join, but by a 2 to 1 vote, that didn't carry.
In our exclusive club, everything was secret and mysterious. After
deliberation we settled on password "Cornflakes." That would allow
us entry to the overhead room at Mar Dean's home. With our active
imagination it was "inner sanctum." We found an old ledger and
decided we needed to enter our name in blood in that journal. We
feared blood poison would set in from an unsterile straight pin, but
with disregard and much conviction, a puncture was bravely made in
our thumb. We soon discovered it took much more than one drop of
blood to inscribe a full name. The air of mysterious overtone soon
faded. As 10 year olds our nicknames were about as silly as the
non-existent agenda of the Diddle Daddle Club. However, we reveled
in speaking among ourselves as Auntie Bug, Deanie Hunty Bunty, and
Phidis Tootsie.
Can you believe that 75 years later, my intimate friends call me
Phid?
Without purpose or any more secrets to discuss, our unfulfilled
organization faded into oblivion, and the prick in our thumb healed
quickly.
Our thoughts turned across the street where Ernibee, Freieda, and
Hershel Wood played baseball in the vacant lot. We hoped for
permission to join them. They allowed us to participate, and played
until darkness overtook the game.
Back to North Baker elementary, where Catherine Gentle taught 5th
grade. She was a tall person, with countenance as gentle as her
name. Her room was West of 4th grade. Studies in 5th grade included
long division arithmetic. Miss Gentle gave of her time on Saturday
to accompany a limited number of students on hikes to Coyote Peak (
East of present freeway.)
Lilith B. Allen, principal, taught 6th grade where we learned to
master "percentage" math. She was a no nonsense teacher and we
respected her because of her title. Actually feared her in an
authoritative way. As mischief makers, we imitated her walk as we
ascended the stairs to second floor. Woe be to us if she happened to
look back. On one memorable occasion, she allowed students from 5th
grade to join in 6th grade room to hear a talk by Mary Hallock.
Mary's Dad was local attorney and had taken the family on vacation
to China. I remember only one item from Mary's talk, she told about
crickets being preserved in tiny ivory cages and sold as souvenirs
by Chinese merchants.
Sixth grade gave the opportunity to learn to play an instrument
called "Fiddle-ette." This was a simplified version of violin, with
4 strings, and a wooden chin rest. A few students chose to learn
basic rudiments and progressed later to Jr. High orchestra, under
direction of teacher Tom Cox.
At the end of North Baker school year, parents were invited to the
production of "Pioneers on the Oregon Trail." 6th graders rehearsed
and sang the official Oregon State song. Memorized verse remains
with me still: "Land of the Empire Builders, land of the Golden
west, conquered and held by free men, fairest and the best, Onward
and Upward Ever."
A number of years later, my offspring Joyce and Rick, followed my
footsteps at North Baker elementary. Both benefited from instruction
by dedicated teachers who created excitement for learning, and
throughout the years encouraged students in preparation for High
school and beyond.
