At about the age of 10 one of his duties was to light the furnace to get the room warmed up before others arrived at school. He recalls the boys would put potatoes in the furnace to bake. Some were very well done and others were raw! Surprising how good they tasted when you were hungry though!
The kids played ball, marbles, had swings and a teeter tooter to amuse themselves. The boys were known to do a little knife throwing too! (I remember playing this with my brothers too!) The out houses were over by the barn where the kids would pick teams and play "Auntie, auntie I-over".
Christmas concerts were a big thing. The teacher and each kid did their outmost best! The school would be packed with family and friends. Wilf remembers having to sing solo!
Picnics were anther big day each year. There were foot races, ball games, prizes, real ice-cream, visiting and bountiful suppers!
His farm was one and one half miles to the North. He walked to school in the summer and skiied in the winter. It would take about half an hour to walk, depending how much dawdling you did! Often he'd stop at the slough and catch frogs. You can image what he did with these!
One time he remembers bringing a large baby owl into the school which resulted in him getting the strap!
Morrisview School #827 was built in 1904 at a cost of $125.00. It burned to the ground in 1946. A school house from Bayview School district was brought in and placed in the exact same spot. The school closed in 1953. The school was also used for church services from 1905 to 1965. There was no teacherage so teachers boarded out. A teachers salary ranged from $600 to $1200! In 1927 there were 32 kids and one teacher in one room!
You will find a small lock and lock somewhere around of what's left of the old school. Please put back as we placed it. BYOP!
