School attendance was considered very important in "old time" New Gretna. Periodically, those with perfect attendance were recognized by the posting of the students names in the Tuckerton Beacon.
Below is a January 11, 1940 Tuckerton Beacon news item that recognized perfect attendance and punctuality for the month of December, 1939, including two of our Blog readers, Dave Kalm and Donald Maxwell, along with my history buddy, Steve Eichinger. I guess those boys really loved school and their teachers or, perhaps, their parents were strict about seeing that they attended daily and on time. I'm not sure which. Maybe, they can enlighten us.
It sure was a simpler time back then. Note that there were only three teachers covering grades 1-8: Margaret Adams, Leola Hickman, and Elsie Smith. They may be seen in the photo below.
I wonder how many of our Blog readers had any of these teachers during their New Gretna School careers? It would be interesting hearing from them.
Pete S
Wasn't one of the teachers pictured the principal in addition to her teaching duties? When I attended NG Elementary in 1945 the 5-6th grade teacher was also the principal.
ReplyDeleteBeverly Mathis Robinson
Margaret Adams was the Principal for some years. I think Elsie Smith may have been principal briefly, but I'm not sure about that.
ReplyDeletePete S
Found this brief Beacon article from June 12, 1941 that documents Margaret Adams and Leola Hickman as New Gretna School principal.
ReplyDeleteShirley Whealton
Miss Margaret Adams, who has been the school principal for many years and a teacher for 42 1/2 years will retire. Miss Kathleen Willitts of Camden, will take Miss Adam's place as teacher of the primary and Mrs. Leola Hickman will be the principal for the next year. (Going to have a testiminial dinner for her- Tickets offered for 75 cents and reservations should be made.)
I didn't have Mrs. Leola Hickman as a school teacher, but in that she was my mother, she often tried to teach me at home. My older sister, Lora, had her for a teacher.
ReplyDelete