"Elementary, My Dear Watson."

Today I'm looking into the past but within my lifetime; elementary school report cards! These gems, at least to me, help me recall several stories of my youth and reminds me I loved school!  But first, some background.

Thomas H. Ford Grade School, 18th ward, Berks County, Reading Pennsylvania is where I attended 1st through 6th grade. It was a one-level building built four years earlier, sprawled over several acres of land and tucked back neatly at the corner of Margaret Street and Old Wyomissing Rd. The school was very modern for its time. I can still recall the cornerstone at the main entrance chiseled "1955".

Kindergarten was optional in the 1950s, so I didn't attend. My mom, brother and I moved to Patton Avenue in the Oakbrook Housing Project that year, perhaps it was too late to register. The housing project was quite new, too, so we lucked out all around as a low-income family.  I only realized that as an adult; I had no prejudice toward others or concerns about society status or using government assistance programs, I just loved being a kid and going to school.

Now I'm going to mention that truth anyone under the age of 40 can't relate to. I walked to school everyday. In all kinds of weather. Up hill (but not both ways). Without adult supervision. Lunch was not in a school cafeteria, it was at home. That's 4 times a day, everyday, I walked the school circuit. To me it was nothing to complain about; remember I loved school. I also walked that circuit, in shame, the day I wet my pants in class because I was unclear about the lavatory rules. Devastation for a 6 year old.

The grade school circuit 1959 - 1965

My report cards gave me a glimpse into my academic skills and work habits, my days absent for childhood diseases and how many time I couldn't get out of bed on time, for any number of reasons.  The grading system was A, B, C, D for grade achievement and 1, 2, 3 for individual progress.

In my next several posts, I will include a picture of the report card and add some colorful memories as I recall my teacher and school activities.  

Until then...

The Year of Coronavirus
I have mixed emotions today. The world is a different place. Change was in the air a few years ago and now Covid-19 has pushed it over the edge of the cliff.  It's not about politics anymore, it's about common sense versus fear. I am not fearful.

As a new retiree who was settling into a schedule of leisure activities with my husband and making new friends on the "senior circuit" (plus finding more time to follow my family history from branch to branch) I was living the life as they say.  The stay-at-home order and social-distancing requirement changed all that, for everyone.

I thought I'd do the obvious and post about my life during stutdown, but frankly, I'm sick of hearing about it every minute of every day. What I have to say is a thousand times what everyone is saying and feeling. Let that be the story for those who choose to look back to 2020 in the history books.  I will just be a number in that crowd of citizens that feel betrayed by their leaders, who do not know their job destription. I will vote to remove as many as I am able.   That's what I'm taking away from this disaster.

Instead of posting on the blog each week, I did a deep dive into organizing my data. Of course the road had a few bumps, rabbit holes, if you will. They are fun to persue, but distracting from the plan of the day. It gives me a few more tidbits to share in the coming weeks, so I'll leave it up to the rabbits to find the next post.  Until then.