Do you remember the day you first started school?
I do.
It was a most exciting day. I only had a half block to go to what was then the Geneva Elementary School, which was comprised of three classrooms, a gymnasium, an office, a kitchen and restrooms. First and second grade were in one room, third and fourth grade in another room, and fifth and sixth in the third classroom.
I wore my navy blue suit dress with the white collar. I had my blonde hair in a ponytail that day, and my mother took my picture on the front lawn of my home.
I didn't need Mom along because I was too happy to be starting school to be afraid. I knew most of the kids at school from Sunday school and my next-door neighbor, Nancy Loberg, who had spent hours with me cooking and baking etc. would be there with me.
I was confident. I knew my numbers and letters. I could read some stories, like "Cat In The Hat" and I could print and write cursive, but that was to change because my teacher said that all of the students had to be on the same "lesson" level.
That first day of school was just the beginning of my formal education. We learned our lessons of reading, writing, arithmetic, social studies and health and so on. But the biggest education was probably what we learned through life experiences.
Our classroom teachers back then taught all the necessary subjects, as well as physical education, music and art, and helped us in the library. But that was then and now is now.
School has changed since I first went and is much more sophisticated. That element will undoubtedly never change.
The things we experienced, the friends and classmates we met, the teachers that taught us, parental influences, community activities and what we learned everyday was all part of our life education — facts and figures, learning to live in this particular generation, accepting or rejecting.
Going off to vocational school or college would be another new experience. Our teachers taught us many things that weren't in books and part of the curriculum. They also taught us that their hugs were good rewards, not inappropriate.
Learning how to be with other people and being able to achieve are just some of the things we learn when we go to school. Growing up in an ever-changing world, learning to make decisions and choices, wise or otherwise.
You never learned everything from a book. "Hands on" and sight and sound experiences aren't inside books, but they, too, are an important part of the learning process.
Our teachers also taught us to stand up for ourselves and that Mom and Dad wouldn’t always be there to depend on. Our school cook in Geneva, Mena Johnson, also taught us.
She taught us to learn to try different foods. She asked us taste the different foods that she had prepared.
If we didn't like something, we didn't say, “Ugh,” or “Phew.” If we didn't like to read or do math, we just couldn't stop doing it.
The bus drivers taught us to sit in the seats on the bus and not holler, be rowdy or poke at other passengers on the bus, and that it was important to be on time.
Winter taught us that it could get cold, but also showed us that playing in the snow could be fun.
Classroom education has changed so much even in my time, my children’s time and in their children’s time, not to even think about when Grandma and Grandpa went to school.
Methods changed and materials to teach with have changed. The teacher taught an eclectic class of first through eighth grade.
Black boards are now iPads, and typewriters have been replaced by computers. Teachers most often had two grades in a large classroom, but isn't it interesting to note the children learned?
Which brings me to the thought, how did they learn? Through life experiences; book learning was just the frosting on the cake, so to speak.
Children learned what they needed to learn, how to live in their generation and their time. The information they learned just helped them grow and know where to look for anything they might want or need to know. And as time changed, so did they.
I feel like I should be going back to school because an adult, I haven't been able to keep up with all the things necessary to make the ultimate use of today's school supplies. At the rate of technology advances, we do indeed need an equipment kindergarten for adults, in order to can keep up with our children and grandchildren.
It doesn't bother me to ask my grandchildren questions pertaining to the computer, the cell phone and the iPod, but it aggravates them a little when they try to explain what's what and it doesn't sink in my memory.
I well remember the frustration when "modern math" was first introduced in the school curriculum and parents could no longer advise their children with the math homework.
It was easier to learn how to use a piece of chalk on a black board as opposed to clicking on a hand held machine that tells you everything but requires know how in order to use it.
I do admit it still bothers me to have a clerk who is unable to make change or do basic figures in their head and have no choice but to use a calculator.
What do you think education will be like in another generation or two? School could even be obsolete!
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P. O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, September 13th: Tali Wayne, Jaxon Richards, Russell Goette, Jason Ingvaldson, James Plunkett, Clifford Tufte, Sherre Utpadel, Lisa Zamora, Andrew Zinke, Korey Peterson, Amber Stohr, Lisa Ritz, Ruby Troxel, Ann & Rodney Hamilton, Rhonda & Derike Shelton.
• Friday, September 14th: Rick Wangsness, Reece Breidenbach, Issac Wacek, Chris Hanson, Linda Pederson, Jill Peterson, Jack Jensen, Caleb Lunning, Ethan Lunning, Johnny White, Gerald & Becky Edwards, Rick & Charlotte Miller.
• Saturday, September 15th: Korbin Wayne, Aiden McClasky, Daniel Hemingway, Ryan Johnson, Nancy Nelson, Tyrel Peterson, Wendy Schultz, Eric Nelson, Jarred Hanson, Dorothy Reichl, Roger & Patty Langlie.
• Sunday, September 16th: Evon Damon Lucas, David L. Christenson, Carmen Fetterly, Emily Laudon, Howard & Carrie Peterson, Shane & Kelly Christensen.
• Monday, September 17th: Duane Edwardson, Karen Hemingway Core, Al Routh, Kara Ladlie, Allen Brandt, Sue Tasker, Brock David Routh, Terry & Marlys Van Kampen.
• Tuesday, September 18th: Torsten Wayne, Laura Groth, Carla Scripture, Kevin Christenson, Ron Farr, Chris Larson, Becky Axmann, Laura Davis, Julia Spande, Randy & Cindy Horan, Andrea & Nick Miller, Todd & Mary Wayne, David & Malinda Hanson, Jill & Brian Wolff, Nicholas & Katie Wayne.
• Wednesday, September 19th: Vicki Hill Kress, Carol Anderson, David Deml, Ben Cerney, Dan Underland, Kristine Sorenson, Bill Hatch, Jennifer Johnson, Gerald Trandem, Cindy Morris Erickson, Scott & Tracy Tracy, Kelly & David Wacek, Jill & Dustin Johannsen.
May your special day be filled with sunshine and smiles.
