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I remember in the 1970s, when parents were
encouraged to "rap" with their children and communicate with
them, not at them. I was fortunate to meet Mr. Brian Williams
and Mr. John Yilling through a program they were implementing at
Robinson Elementary School which encouraged family/child
involvement in education. Parents were hired through the
program, called RAP, and encouraged to "rap" with their children
during their special times and times set up by them within their
homes.
Fond memories of those days, and "rappin'
" with my children, can never be forgotten. I must inform you
that "rappin' " in the '70s was quite different than "rappin' "
in the '90s. My morning rap was given during our daily drive to
my school assignment, then as a classroom assistant at Robinson.
All three Bell children attended the school, grew used to my
morning drill, and were always eager to arrive and go straight
to their classrooms.
My daughter still admires Mrs. Jackie
Nevels, her sixth-grade teacher, who is now a principal in
Worthington, Ohio. My son admired Mrs. Pittman who went on to
become a counselor at Goodrich and is now retired. My youngest
son fell in love with Mrs. Margaret Bell (deceased) and Mrs.
Irene Adler (now teaching at Litchfield). Of course, they
enjoyed Mr. Baird, in music, and Mr. Manzie Winters, in the gym.
They still drop by on occasion to say "hi" to Mr. Winters at
Margaret Park.
I can attest to the fact that the '70s
"rappin' " paid off through the RAP program for my children and
our family.
The program was a success, for you see,
the Brian Williams I speak of is none other than the Mr. Brian
Williams who is now at the helm of Akron Public Schools; and
many of the teachers who supported the program can be found in
the classrooms in our school system today. As for me, I can be
found reading some of the same stories that I had read to the
children in the '70s now to the children of the '90s – at
Margaret Park's LRC.
– by Dolores Bell
My parents moved to Sanford Avenue in
1929 when I was 11 years old. Because there was no nearby public
school, I walked to Seiberling Elementary School until George
Barber Elementary School was built. We were all delighted with
the new school because it was close and because of the lovely
teachers. Among them were: Mrs. Blake and Mrs. Helwig, a home
economics teacher. Mrs. Helwig had posted in her room a slogan:
"A place for everything, and everything in its place." I've
tried to stick to that slogan in my life but haven't always been
successful.
After graduating from George Barber, I
attended East High School from which I graduated in January
1936. We just celebrated our 60th class reunion in September
1996. I loved school and was very fortunate to have had great
teachers.
– by Mrs. Kathryn
(Croley) Bennington
I started school at the age of five. I
attended Seiberling school and had a wonderful kindergarten
teacher by the name of Mrs. Monahan. That was back in 1945. Mrs.
Monahan gave me a great start to my education. In first grade I
had a teacher by the name of Mrs. Fairbanks. She continued that
great start.
My father recently passed away, and I
have been going through his house getting ready for an estate
sale. I have been overwhelmed with the memories I have found. I
found my first-grade workbooks from 1946, and they are still in
good shape. They were called "The Companion Book for Day In and
Day Out" and "Round About." They are what we call workbooks
today. They went with the Alice and Jerry books.
I have fond memories of Seiberling
School. One memory I have carried with me for a lifetime was in
fifth grade. I had a teacher by the name of Mrs. Effinger. She
tried to instill in us good penmanship. I liked to write with my
pencil between my pointer and middle finger. She had corrected
me repeatedly. The last time I ever wrote that way was the day
she came up behind me and caught me again. She had a 12" ruler
in her hands, and she cracked my knuckles with that ruler. It
was a lesson I never forgot.
I attended Seiberling until after the
eighth grade. I also found a spelling book I had in eighth
grade. I then attended East High School, and my graduating class
was the first graduating class to go to the new East High School
all three years and graduate. At East I have a very fond memory
of a teacher by the name of Mrs. Sturdevant. She taught math and
algebra. She helped me understand what algebra was.
This has been a sad experience for me,
but it has also brought back many memories.
– by Nancy Carter
I started in kindergarten at Seiberling
in September 1923 and graduated from the eighth grade in January
1932. Then I graduated from East High School in January 1936 and
from the University of Akron in June 1940.
When I talk with my peers about their
school days in other schools in Akron and elsewhere, I find they
were quite different from mine. It seems that Seiberling must
have been somewhat of a pilot program. The so-called "platoon
system," marching single file from class to class, was used. We
had a homeroom but went to music room, art room, nature study,
gym, auditorium, library, etc., for various extra studies. The
"leader" for the day in each class (to lead the line) was
determined by behavior, etc. and was a cherished honor. One wore
a red and navy "beanie" for the occasion.
The kindergarten was large with a cork
floor for quiet and also warmth. There was a large indoor
sandbox in an anteroom and a huge outdoor sandbox for nice days.
Some children went in the morning and some in the afternoon, and
I recall having visitors often to observe.
According to my classmate, Martha Foster
Shepherd, whose parents were very active in Home and School
League during the construction of Seiberling, the original plan
called for a large auditorium to be built at the opposite end
from the gym; but the money was not available for this, and the
auditorium was on the third floor instead.
We went on a regular basis at least twice
a week to the auditorium where Miss Norman held sway. She taught
elocution, which amounted to early training in public speaking.
Each of us had to recite poetry, tell stories, act in plays,
etc. It gave many of us a self-confidence that stood us in good
stead in later years. We had been onstage many times and found
it painless. I think this is an area that has been neglected in
our schools today. In the auditorium we also had a movie
projection booth. As a treat once in a while, Miss Norman would
show us an "Our Gang" comedy, travel movies, etc.
Penmanship was stressed heavily. Mrs.
Matz, the penmanship teacher, came to our homeroom for about 20
minutes at least three times a week and taught us the Zaner
Blosser method of writing. We won certificates – grade school,
high school and advanced – for our writing; there was a
competitive spirit to excel. I can still identify our writing
when I receive letters from friends. I can spot a Zaner Blosser
envelope at 50 paces!
Our library was well-used and, like the
kindergarten, had a cork floor to absorb sound. We had two
dedicated principals while I was there – Miss McVean and Miss
Gladwin – and a staff of caring teachers. In those days married
teachers were not allowed unless they were widows, and the only
men in the school were the janitor and the boys' gym teacher.
I could go on and on, but at least you
get an idea that Seiberling was ahead of its time. I'm proud to
say I went there.
– by Mary Jane Cummings
Chandler
I have many happy and wonderful memories
of my school days at Seiberling School. Mrs. Bendyl, my
fourth-grade teacher, stands out as my favorite! I fondly recall
her cheerful smile and sparkling eyes. She included in her
teaching extra activities that stimulated interest in learning.
The girls made dolls from a white sock. We each fashioned hair
from yarn and hand-sewed outfits for our doll. The boys made
wooden boats. In one corner of our class stood a large loom
where each and every student designed and wove their own hand
towel. I still have the one I made in her class. Many other
special activities were part of her agenda. How many hours did
dear Mrs. Bendyl spend reweaving towels and adding an extra
stitch to a doll, as she pondered the needs and ways to give
special attention and help to her yearly group? My thanks and
appreciation for this special educator have only multiplied
through the many years.
– by Kathleen Elliott
As I thought about the ancient
Philistines, they only had one giant – and his name was called
Goliath. But in my educational experience in Akron Public
Schools, I came across three over at East High School. Those
giants were called Krino, Chapman and Dominic. They were great
men – men who knew how to take young people and motivate them
and help them become what they had a potential to be.
At Robinson Elementary School, there were
some other giants by the name of Joy and Duffy and a very
wonderful person who followed me throughout all of my career,
Barrow. I loved Miss Duffy – she taught me so much and so did
some of the others.
But there was one very important giant in
my educational experience – the custodian, Andy Gobilek. He was
the educational leader at Robinson. He took many of us and gave
us our first job. You talk about school-to-work – well, he
understood work-to-school because we came at 5 in the morning in
the winter and shoveled the sidewalks all around the school. He
gave us 50 cents an hour which was big money in those days. Then
we got a promotion – Andy made us assistant custodians. After
school, Tom Dingle and I swept floors. We were promoted to $1.10
an hour, I think; and that was great money.
Andy did something else, too. He
organized a recreational program for kids in the community.
Every Tuesday and Thursday night, we played dodgeball and
basketball. The gym was opened late in the evening. What a
tremendous thing Andy did for so many of us. Gene Michaels and
Gene Woodling also came through this school.
I'm grateful that I met these giants,
especially Andy. I'll always be grateful that he believed not
only in helping kids to learn but he believed in helping kids to
find character and competence.
– by the Rev. Ronald J.
Fowler
I remember when I was a sophomore, and it
was my first year playing varsity volleyball. I started on the
line-up and received honorable mention all-city. That year the
East volleyball team won the city championship, and that was so
exciting.
– by Tammy Gott
I attended the "Haunted School House,"
Thomastown Elementary School, from 1959 to 1966. To get to the
school, I had to walk up the steep hill on Triplett Boulevard.
In late fall, prior to the winter snows, the city street
department would dump piles of cinders along the hill for use
during the winter weather. On our way home from school, we
delighted in running down the hill, up the cinder piles, leaping
into the air and then running to the next pile. Sometimes in the
spring, we would ring the bell at the Kesselring Dairy; and the
nice workers would give us an ice cream or a cold carton of
milk.
I remember my kindergarten teacher, Mrs.
Knight, telling us we were the noisiest class ever in room 13. I
did not understand what room 13 meant! Mr. Coch, my sixth-grade
teacher, read from the Bible in the morning prior to saying the
Pledge of Allegiance. He also made us stand when we would
recite. Our music department was a little lacking; I was chosen
to play the bass drum because I could read music and count time.
The bass drum had a rip in one side, and my mallet was a wooden
spoon!
The Thomastown students were divided for
junior high; most students went to Roswell Kent and Garfield,
but my little neighborhood went to Goodyear and East. It was
easy to lose track of many of my elementary school friends.
Imagine how delighted I was, though, at my first open house at
Ellet to discover one of my students was the niece of one of my
Thomastown buddies!
– by Rebecca Gurnish
I started kindergarten in 1921 at East
High School (now Goodyear Middle School). East soon became too
crowded, and there was no elementary school at our end of east
Akron.
The Board of Education rented the fourth
floor in Goodyear Hall for school. We were transported every day
on the freight elevator to our school on the fourth floor.
We were fortunate to be able to use the
Goodyear gym for classes and the Goodyear Theatre for our plays.
My sister June and I attended there until Hotchkiss was built.
I attended Hotchkiss for 8B and returned
to East High School for 8A.
I graduated from East High School in
January 1934. Otis Hatton was my principal.
Upon Mr. Hatton's suggestion, I applied
for work at the Akron Board of Education. In 1935 I was
secretary at Henry and Windemere schools and later the Business
Office. I left in 1942 to raise my family (Roger and Janet).
Janet is a first-grade teacher at Seiberling.
I was president of Fraunfelter and vice
president at Central High School. I returned to the Akron Board
of Education during the '60s and worked in the Personnel Office
and for Eugene Dominic when he came to the Akron schools. I
retired in 1978.
– by Ruth Cochran
Hagstrom
I remember when I lived on Sanford Avenue
and attended George Barber School. I started in kindergarten and
graduated from the eighth grade. I loved my school and my
teachers, especially Miss Harry, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Boyle and
principal Janet Morrison.
They taught us true values, morals and
manners; and I respected them. After graduating from Barber, I
went to East High School. As we went half-day sessions, I always
worked the other half day. The first two years I worked in a
restaurant; the last two I worked in east Akron at Hower
Department Store. After graduating from East High School in June
1943, I started working for Goodyear Aircraft. A lot of the boys
in my class went into the service.
I still live in the same neighborhood as
Barber School. I have taken my grandchildren to Barber's
playground. All six of my children have gone to Barber and to
East High School. In 1998 we will have our 55th reunion!
– by LaVerne (Daisy
Croley) Harris
I remember:
- The only PTA fundraiser was the annual paper drive between
the boys and the girls. The winner got a sucker.
You had the boys' playground and the
girls' playground and the boys' door and the girls' door to go
into the school.
You needed a note to stay at school
for lunch.
Seiberling Elementary School had a
real cafeteria with real cooks.
Patrol boys, cafeteria boys and girl
lunchroom monitors.
Air raid drills.
Students were afraid of teachers.
Mr. Menesian's bullet passes during
lunch.
Swimming naked at Goodyear for gym.
– by Gary Phillips
I remember when Miss Grandville, first
grade at Seiberling Elementary School, rapped my knuckles with a
ruler for talking too much, and every report card through third
grade having that comment. Now I have two grandchildren at
Hatton, and they have the same comment on their report cards.
Mrs. Kist banged chairs on the floor to
get our attention in second grade at Seiberling.
I remember waiting to be in sixth grade
so that I could be in the Christmas play in the choir. But
because of my voice, I was assigned to be one of three
narrators. The play was presented in the auditorium on the third
floor at Seiberling, which is now the LRC.
I remember being sprayed with a fire
extinguisher by the chemistry teacher at East High School, just
to see if we were still paying attention.
I remember Mrs. Janice Witherow was the
girls' gym teacher at Goodyear Junior High School. We all
thought we escaped her when we left for 10th grade at East only
to have her transfer and become our gym teacher there. We said
"goodbye" again only to have her show up as our 11th-grade
health teacher. I went to Hower Vocational School for the 12th
grade and was surprised she didn't show up there. She was a hard
taskmaster. When my daughter went to Ellet High School, guess
who her counselor was? She was great at all three jobs.
– by P. J. Russell
My experiences with our Akron Board of
Education began in 1926 when I attended kindergarten at Goodyear
Hall. From there it was Mason School, and then we moved to
Willard Street in East Akron where I went to Kent School on
Arlington Street. It was really an old building – all the floors
and stairs were wood.
The other thing I remember is that you
never had to flush the toilets – they were automatic. I have a
picture of my eighth-grade class taken in front on Arlington
Street in 1934.
From there I went to East High. My
favorite teacher was Miss Mostnick, and the principal was Mr.
Dillahey. I graduated in June 1938. Our graduation was held in
Goodyear Hall where it all began.
This was not the end of my time in that
building. A new East High School was built, and the former East
High School became Goodyear Junior High School. I went back to
Goodyear Junior High as a cafeteria worker and became a manager
there until I retired in 1986. All together, I spent 21 years in
that wonderful building. My children and grandchildren went to
East High School. I still have one granddaughter there now.
– by Delores Stanley
I remember when I was in the fourth grade
at Robinson with Ms. Beverly as my teacher. We were watching the
Challenger go into space. The excitement was building; and all
eyes were on the TV when they said 5-4-3-2-1, and they went into
space. After about two minutes, the worst happened – the
Challenger became fireworks of red and orange. There were many
tears of sadness that day. Many could not believe what had
happened on TV. Many of us in class didn't understand then. But
when I look back now, I understand how much of an impact it had
on everyone that day.
– by Junese Strickland
I remember when I was at Seiberling
Elementary School, and my favorite thing to do was going to art.
Art is the only time when you are allowed to make a mess and get
an "A" for it.
– by Kerry Titcombe
I went to Robinson School from first
grade in 1944 through eighth grade in 1952, our class being the
last class to "graduate" from grade school (eighth grade). We
had our graduation at Arlington Street Evangelical United
Brethren Church at Arlington and Fifth Avenue.
Mary Helen Bowers began her music teacher
career when I was in first grade and retired from Akron Public
Schools when my youngest of five children was a senior at
Central-Hower, and roses were presented to Miss Bowers at the
May Festival. I was in the May Festival at the Akron Armory from
fifth grade through high school as were three of my five
children (at Firestone High). When the city tore down the Akron
Armory, I was doing jury duty downtown; so I took a brick as a
souvenir of very memorable times of singing while I went to
Akron Public Schools.
Mr. Bill Sudak was our gym teacher –
young, blonde, handsome – and I'm sure every girl at Robinson
had a crush on him!
– by Mary Lou (Sturm)
Verheyen
I remember when I woke up late for school
and was rushing to get there. I ran to the bathroom, brushed my
teeth, combed my hair and pulled it back. I put on my shoes,
rushed my brother; and, finally, we got to the car and left.
When I arrived at the school, the parking lot was quite clear.
When I arrived at the door, the police officer told me we didn't
have any school. I asked, "Why not?" He replied, "Don't you
watch the news?" I replied, "No." He said, "East High School had
an electrical fire, and there is no school today." I felt really
stupid.
– by Tammy Weimer
I remember when I failed 9A Algebra, and
it was a good thing. I took it over in summer school and got 95s
and have been good in math ever since. I was on the East High
School swim team under Coach Larry Ricker. I graduated from East
High School in June 1931. It was in the depths of the Depression
– no jobs, not enough money to go to college – so I went back to
East High (post-graduate) and took mechanical drawing, typing,
two years of German, chemistry, woodworking, and a little
electricity.
I was on the YMCA swimming team for those
two years; the coach, Bus Gladwin, urged me to go to Columbus to
see the Ohio State University coach, Mike Peppe, to show him how
I swam and to ask if he could give me a job to help me through
school. He gave me a job in the towel room at the pool, two
hours a day. In the summers I lifeguarded at Virginia Kendall
Lake to save money for school (Ohio State University).
In 1935 I went with Coach Ricker and four
East High School swimmers to Lake Ariel near Scranton,
Pennsylvania, to swim in the National AAU 5-mile-long distance
race. I won it. Red Woodling was second. The other East High
School swimmers finished close enough to the top to win the team
trophy – the first time a high school won the team championship
in the long-distance meet!
I graduated from Ohio State University in
1937, went back for two years and got a master's in physics with
a minor in math. I am in charge of the yearly reunion of East
High School graduates for the years of 1925 through 1935 (at
Tangiers).
– by Dexter Woodford |
