V28-01KG

OCS Oberlin Consolidated School

Oberlin Consolidated School 1929 West end 1998

Leaving home clad in my jacket I found it was very cold. Rather than go back and get a heavy coat I ran the two plus blocks to the west entrance door – I had my bare hands out to push the brass rod to open the door then paused – aware it was exceptionally cold, I didn’t want to chance freezing my bare hands to the bar – I turned and backed into the door to open it. Inside I learned it was 23 below zero outside. Those arriving huddled by the hot water radiator heaters which at full blast were struggling to warm our cold hands. Every time I see that entrance I’m reminded of that very very cold morning.

This new Oberlin Grade School was built about 1927, I started Kindergarten the fall of 1928. The stock market “Crash of 29” was a non-event to us little kids.

The new grade school was a truly magnificent building planned and built at a time when the national and local economy was booming. It's technology was top notch for the times. The plan to Consolidate country schools by busing kids from nearby country schools was immediately implemented. There were two buses, one for the northern and one for the southern route. Thus we were a mix of town and farm kids who grew up in the classes together. At that time there were some 350 kids in grade school and about 400 in the high school. There was a superintendant of Schools, Grade & High, and a Principle for Grade and a Principle for High.

Kindergarten, 1928-1929

Kindergarten: Miss Lillian Schowengerdt was our teacher, number of students unkown, no report card given. The kindergarten room was in the NE ground floor. It was well lite and large. My parents took me to school in the beginning and during inclimate weather. By the end I was walking the 10 blocks or so to/from school.

Our class was blessed with a most wonderful teacher, Miss Lillian Showengerdt. The following are notes from a little booklet kept by my mother:

"Miss Lillian Schoengerdt was Darrell's Kindergarten teacher. He liked her very much, and never got tired going to school at all. He learned a great deal that year."

I remember her and some of the crafts we made very well. I don't recall the faces of other kids in the class. Kindergarten was for half a day only and we kids didn't really play or walk to school together as we would in first grade and on. I was eager to learn all I could -- loaded with questions the day and eager to learn more the last day. To me it was a marvelous adventure and would have stayed longer each day if permitted. I was able to help teach the others how to tell time as I already knew.

I was very fond of Miss Lillian, I had a crush on her I guess, she didn't seem like a teacher. I looked forward to being with her as though she were a sweetheart though I was not old enough to think in those terms. She left Oberlin to go to school and I wrote her a letter my first grade year.

Mother also wrote in the little book: "Miss Mildred Reitz was Darrell's music teacher in the Kindergarten and First Grade. When he was in the First Grade he sang a little solo in a preliminary contest between 1st, 2nd,& 3rd grades. The song was called Slumber Boat:

I don’t recall the event but remember frequently being called upon to sing. I had no feeling of self-consciousness – it seemed very natural – later in service I felt perfectly at ease when called upon to lead singing.

Miss Lillian remembered her students, after she had gone away to school, the following letters were received from her, postage was 2 cents. From Theta Sigma House, 210 Tyler, Warrensburg, Mo Jan 23, 1931

My Dear Darrell:

Yesterday was your birthday, wasn't it? Even tho I am far away, I haven't forgotten about you and think of you often. Can you remember, Darrell, two years ago in kindergarten when you had your birthday party? I can.

How is school? I know your are making good grades and like to go to school. I am going to school too. I will get my degree next spring, so next year I am going to teach kindergarten again. I like that best. I don't know where I will go yet, but it is a little early to know.

I am wishing you a very happy birthday and many more to come.

Love, Miss Lillian (Schowengerdt)

Theta Sigma House April 26, 1931

Dearest Darrell:

Yes indeed I got your lovely valentine and I wanted to write and thank your for it, for a long time but there seems to be so much for me to do. But I think it was especially sweet of you Darrell, and I liked it lots and lots.

I am so glad you are taking piano lessons and Myra is a good teacher I know. You must tell her hello for me when you see her next lesson. And I do hope you win first in the contest I think it is nice you are practicing for it, for you sing very nicely.

That will be very very nice for you to have a new house this summer. You and Phyllis will surely have to help your mother keep things nice in your new house, won't you? I think boys and girls can help their mothers a lot. I know you will.

I Love you Darrell

Miss Lillian

P. S. Thank you again for your very nice valentine.