"This Fortunate District": Green School History

Welcome to Green School History, a site devoted entirely to the Green School in Middleborough, Massachusetts. Located on East Main Street in the Green section of Middleborough, the school was built in 1871 and was in continual use until June, 1941, when it was closed. Reopened for a short period of time in the 1990s, the Green School in 2009 was threatened with demolition. A group of concerned residents banded together to save this one-room schoolhouse. Thanks to the interest of the community supported by financial contributions by residents and former pupils, the building has been preserved and the exterior restored. A new use for the structure is currently under consideration. This site hopes to convey the immense historical and educational value which the Green School still retains, particularly its ability to speak to the educational history of the community of Middleborough.

The easiest way to navigate through the site is by using the left-hand sidebar. Click on the icons to read about some of the unique aspects of the Green School's history, to view pictures of the school and documents related to its history, or to make a contribution towards its preservation. Also, for a quick reference, you can also click on the chapters underneath each icon to go directly to a topic of interest.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Christmas at the Green School, 1925

On December 18, 1925, Esther M. Spooner, the teacher of the Green School, with her pupils and their parents celebrated Christmas at the schoolhouse on East Main Street and the occassion was recorded for posterity in the pages of the Middleboro Gazette.

Friday afternoon, under the joint auspices of the teacher, scholars and the P. T. A., a very pleasant time was enjoyed by the Green school and about 45 of their parents and friends. The entertainment by the children consisted of two cantatas, Christmas carols and songs with Mrs. Grace Rorschach at the piano. The first and second grades presented “Old Santa” and the third, fourth and fifth grades presented “Christmas Gifts” with a proficiency and verve that showed what sympathetic instruction can accomplish with the ready imagination and enthusiasm of the children. The children, now freed of every care, gave their undivided attention to the handsome Christmas tree and with eager eyes expectingly awaited the many surprised its beautifully decorated and well laden branches held in store for them. The teacher had arranged for each pupil to provide one present for a designated classmate thus exemplifying the Christmas spirit of giving, while generously remembering all of them herself. Nor were the parents and friends forgotten as the P. T. A. had provided a gift and candy for everyone present, young and old.

Miss Spooner, the popular teacher, was the recipient of numerous gifts from both parents and pupils showing the high esteem in which they hold her; and as a token of their appreciation of her co-operation with the P. T. A., in all their efforts to make the association a success, Mrs. Annie Sears, the president of the association, presented her with a gold piece.

The committee appointed by the P. T. A. to provide gifts for all were Mrs. John B. Gagnon and Mrs. Herbert A. White.

Source:
Middleboro Gazette, "Green School", December 25, 1925, page 1.

No comments:

Post a Comment