greencourt school

from http://www.whitecourtweb.com/community_advisor/issues/Advisor200908.pdf
NEW GREENCOURT
SCHOOL NO. 4278
The fi rst rate payer’s
meeting was held January 7,
1927 in the Canadian Legion
Club Room in Greencourt.
The chairman was C.C.
Reay and the secretary was
H. Bailey. This was called
the NEW Greencourt SchoolDistrict No. 4278. Twenty-six rate payers were present and
elected the following to the Board of Trustees; C.C. Reay,
D.S. Rutherford, Tom Donelly and Phil Hawkes.
The school was situated on the NW 11-58-9 W5th,
where it remains today. There were twenty-nine children
in attendance. A total of $4500.00 was spent on the school
building and accessories. A grant was received from the Municipal
District of Kitchener No. 582 for expenses. The fi rst
teacher’s salary was $100.00 per month. The well was dug
by Mike Cierny in April, 1927.
The fi rst teacher, Mr. Page, contracted polio so sent
word that he could not attend for that year.
Miss Leila Chisholm, daughter of the Greencourt
Hotel owner, was hired and school began
on Saturday, October 8th. That particular day
was chosen because the school inspector, Mr.
Hutchinson, wished to visit on that day. Coal
for the furnace was purchased from the American
Coal Company at Evansburg for $5.50 per
ton. It was brought in by the carload to the
C.N.R. siding at Greencourt. This practice was
in force until 1947. During the winter months
school began at 9:30 a.m. because of the darkness
in the mornings. The time was made up by taking only
half an hour for lunch. A barn was built for saddle horses and
each family was responsible for cleaning and maintenance
of their own stall.


Mr. R. Shaul was the next teacher - in 1928. The School
Board visited the school twice that year. Subsequent teachers
were: Mr. A.G. Bayley (1929), Miss Hass (1930), Miss
Alberta Moher (1931). In 1932, with Miss Moher still teacher,
there was great diffi culty collecting taxes. The board decided
to carry on until no money was left to pay the teacher.
School closed for two months every winter and remained
open all summer.
History of Greencourt School by years.
1933 - Miss Alberta Moher as teacher
1934 - Miss Moher. Dr. Wolochow came to vaccinate
and innoculate the pupils at the parent’s expense.
1935 - Miss Moher. There was great discussion about
building a second classroom. Many people paid their taxes
by hauling stove wood to the school. This practice continued
for at least another ten years.
1936 - Miss Moher and Miss Betty Wilson were teachers.
Miss Moher taught in the school (junior grades) and
Miss Wilson taught the senior grades in the Legion Hall.
1937 - Miss Helen Moore and Miss I. McRae were
teachers. The school fair was begun at this time.
1938 - Same teachers. A second classroom was added.
1939 - Miss Helen Moore taught that year
but died that spring of appendicitis. Mr. John
David taught the senior grades.
1940 - teachers were John David, Miss
Roberts (part time), Mrs. Matschuk (part
time).
1941 - teachers were Ron Smith and Miss
May Sides.
1942 - teachers were Miss May Sides and
Mr. Val Roos, who built the teacherage which
is still in use.
1943 - Miss Sophie Blust (later Mrs. Norman
Taylor) was teacher. A horse-drawn van was hired to
bring the children from the east. The families thus served
were; Liwczaks, McMahons, Kos’, Melichers, Burns, Johners,
Pfannmullers and Wardlows.
1944 - teachers were Miss Sophie Blust and Mr. Sam
Slemko.
1945 - Miss Henrietta McMillan (later Mrs. Paul Tucker)
taught grades seven, eight, nine and ten. Mrs. Ethel Markle
taught grades four, fi ve and six and Mrs. Sophie Taylor taught
grades one, two and three. 1947 - Kitchener school building
was moved to Greencourt to be used as a third classroom.
West Paddle pupils were bused to Greencourt with NormanTaylor as bus driver.
1948-1950 - principal Miss Helen McDowell
1950-1952 - principal Mr. Percy Baxter
1952-1956 - principal Mr. Clarence Truckey
1956-1957 - principal Mr. L.O. Burger
1957-1962 - principal Mr. James Coffey
1962-1964 - principal Mr. Charles Wiese
1964-1965 - principal Mr. W. Shavchuck
1965-1967 - principal Mr. Clifford Lummerding
Teachers during this time were Mrs. Ethel
Markle, Mrs. Sophie Taylor, Mrs. Ina McNally,
Mrs. Jean Jones, Mrs. Jean Pfannmuller,
Miss Sonia Stamp, Miss Marie LeSeach
and Miss Ethel Geddes.
1953 - Lonira School burned down so
these students began attending at Greencourt.
Grateful mention must be made of the
people who gave their time and talent to assist
the teachers in festivals, concerts and other
community-oriented projects.
Mr. Phil Hawkes was Secretary-
Treasurer of the Greencourt School Board for twenty
years. His unfailing courtesy and kindness will always be
remembered.
Mr. Norman McLeod helped with drills, Highland
dancing and many concert items.
Miss Alberta Meilicke played the piano to accompany
singers in the Musical Festivals for many years.
Cliff Markle instructed the fi rst Industrial Arts class
at the Greencourt Garage, where he taught the senior boys
metal working.
1943-1948 - The horse-drawn school vans which served
the families to the East, beyond a three-mile limit, ran during
this time.
1943-1944 - driver Myrtice McMahon
1944-1945 - driver Dorothy Kos
1945-1946 - driver Teddy Majer
1946-1948 - driver Mr. George Milburn
This was probably the fi rst “school bus” to run in this
part of the country.
1960 - the present modern school building was opened.
It is of concrete block construction on a concrete slab foundation.
There are three large classrooms, furnace room, and
two washrooms. Heat is supplied by two propane furnaces.
The frame buildings used prior to that time were sold, and
the material was used to build a most attractive
modern home.
1967 - Greencourt School was closed as
such, and the pupils began attending at Mayerthorpe.
However, the building was used for
overfl ow classes from Mayerthorpe, which
were brought by bus.
1967-1969 - Grade Four came for two
years.
1969-1971 - Grade Three came for two
years. Then this practice was discontinued.
The teachers during this time were Mrs. Evelyn
McDougal, Mrs. Ethel Markle, and Mrs.
Sophie Taylor.
The Greencourt School Building is now used for Kindergarten,
under the Paddle Early Education authority. Other
activities carried on in the building are the 4H Sewing Club
on Saturdays, and the West Paddle Progressive Club whist
drives once a month (in winter time). Ball games are often
held on the school grounds in the summer.