5th Grade - school. Early September 1972 through mid (??) June 1973.
My class photo. 28 children and our Teacher, Miss Keene.
What can I remember from those days? 1972 - 1973 school days.
(What do you remember?)
Not sure, but I’m thinking that after arriving via yellow school bus, hanging coats in hall and putting lunch bag or box (did I still have a lunch box in 5th grade?) I’m thinking - No, but maybe…
After entering classroom and going to my desk, I’m thinking about 9 am-ish, the formal / semi-formal, school day begins.
I stand and place my right hand over my heart.
Someone, possibly a student, maybe staff, the Principal maybe, but I’m thinking no. I’m thinking the Principal delegated.
Someone speaks into a big silver microphone with a push on / off button, and me and my classmates, we face a small classroom flag, and we speak together - along and in unison, with the voice coming from the crackly speaker in the ceiling - we repeat words with the voice in the sky…
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
And to the Republic for which it stands.
One Nation, under God.
Indivisible.
With Liberty and Justice for All.”
Amen? (Was there an “Amen”?)
Together, 28 children and 1 Teacher. We take our seats. Together we sit, in a classroom, in the town of Camillus, New York (State), USA.
There is - no fear. (Those kids. Me and my classmates. We look pretty darn happy.)
Together, Camillus, New York, United States of America, 1972 - 1973.
Together, Our day begins.
Miss Bass...sigh of longing... Oh, Miss Bass. I remember an election bulletin board with Nixon and McGovern photos and thinking it was cool to choose a new leader. Miss Bass seemed like a McGovern girl. She was so into the environment, our voice, and equality. Those ideas were warm and infectious. Miss Bass got married the following Summer...sigh of sadness. Fire Drills were indeed a desired event.
You seem to have been in the cool-kids class. :)
Excellent point about not having fear. We didn't do duck-and-cover and we didn't even know the term active shooter. We had fire drills, just in case... mostly in case of smoke, I suppose. There wasn't much flammable content in those buildings.