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.
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| 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.
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