FONTHILL PUBLIC SCHOOL

[Pelham Historical Calendar 1981]

Prior to 1910, U.S.S. #3 was a 2 roomed school (brick), more attractive on the outside than the inside.
Despite the fact that its interior was dark (due to dark coloured paint, no electricity and windows placed high up) the pupils were taught the 3 R’s by capable teachers and ones who commanded obedience. Mr. Jas.  Wright, Mr. R. Grant, and Mr. Duncan Baxter were some of the  principals while a local girl. Miss Grace Barron was a junior teacher. Miss Eckart of Ridgeville and Miss McLeod of Stamford were other  junior grade teachers.
If there was any lighting, it was by means of coal oil lamps. Heating was by coal stoves and there was no indoor plumbing. For drinking purposes, a bucket and dipper were sufficient. Outdoor apparel was hung in the entry.

The furniture consisted of double, varnished maple desks, bolted to the floor and a teacher’s desk. Each child had a slate, a slate pencil, a pen with a steel nib and a scribbler. The most important item in the teacher’s desk was the strap. A picture of Queen Victoria hung on the  wall.

You began in the First Book, and proceeded to Jr. And Sr. Second and so on until you reached Sr. Fourth. To go to High School, you tried Entrance Exams.

School was from 9:00a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day with a recess of 15 minutes morning and afternoon. Lunch break was one hour. Classes were summoned by means of a hand bell.

Summer holidays were from June 30- August 15. There was a week’s holiday at Christmas and 4 days from Good Friday until Easter Monday. Victoria Day (May 24) was celebrated on the exact date.

Schoolground equipment was nil and if you played ball, the bat was a piece of wood.

The board of trustees were willing unpaid people, from the Townships of Pelham and Thorld. The inspector was Mr. A,M, Ball who visited the school twice a year. The Minister of Education for the Province of Ontario was also from nearby- the Hon. Richard Harcourt of Welland.

In 1910, following a great deal of arguing over a price tag of $10,000.00 a new , 4 room, red brick school was erected. Many tax payers were of the opinion that a school of that size would never be filled.

By 1921, however, the enrolment was such that one of the basement rooms (the one to the  south) was converted into a classroom for the beginners, and it remained that way until one of the late inspectors (in the late 1930’s) termed it “The Black Hole of Calcutta”. An annex at the northwest corner resulted from the remark.

One cold Sunday morning, January, 1923, an event occurred which did such good despite the damage. This was an electrical fire in the two northerly rooms. A volunteer bucket brigade fought it for some hours. This resulted in (1) the installation of slate boards and (2) drawing attention to the need for a fire department and a waterworks system.

In 1949, two rooms were added to the south at a cost of $50,000.00. Then, in 1953, four more classrooms plus other facilities were constructed at a cost of $153, 000.00 The annex was removed and over the years, two portables have replaced it.

Arthur K. Wigg has the distinction of being principal from 1938-1972—a total of 34 years. Two local teachers, as well served the Fonthill Public School Board for long terms- Miss Marjorie  Stirtzinger for 34 years and Mrs. Marjorie (McInnis) Jenter for 36 years.

Quality education for each and every child as an individual has for many years been the goal of staff and administrators in the  Fonthill Elementary School system
Marjorie L. Jenter