“School Days Dear Old Golden Rule Days”
By Allan Goddard
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Recent discussions regarding the reconfiguration of the Breton schools, started the museum staff thinking about all the changes that have taken place in the education for Breton students over the last ninety plus years. One of the first public buildings to be established when a community was founded was a school, to serve the educational requirements of the community.
In 1927, shortly after the founding of the hamlet of Breton, a one room school was established on the same site as the present-day Breton Elementary School. The teacher was Mr. Dan McLeod, with 27 students. Prior to 1927, the children of Sam and Neoma Hooks would have attended school at Funnell, a walk of about 5 kms. The other possibility for students living east of Breton, was the Modeste Valley School, located south east of Breton, in the Wenham Valley area. |
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Within ten years, the enrollment grew to where different options had to be implemented. In 1935 the class was spilt into a junior and senior class, with the lower grades staying at the one room school, and the senior class taking their classes in the United Church, located on the site of the present-day Treasury Branch. The pews were removed from one side of the church and replaced with desks. The increase in enrollment, and two classes, required the teaching staff to double from one teacher to two.
In the early 1940’s the Wenham Valley School was moved to Breton for the senior class, with an additional room added to the first school about 1945. An additional staff member was also added at this time, relieving Mrs. Henkel of about half of her 50 students. The Antross School was later move to Breton for use as a classroom, and then as the first Industrial Arts Lab.
The building, which now houses the museum, was built in 1947-48 and opened for the 1948-49 school term. Tom Impey, President of the Breton and District Historical Society, was one of the students who entered grade seven, with Mrs. Mabel McCartney as his teacher, when it opened. Look for a more detailed story on this building in next week’s Booster.
The early 1950’s saw the start of the “Baby Boomer” children reach school age, and the closing of one room schools such as New Moose Hill and Funnel, increased the student population and the need to expand and upgrade school facilities. The first of two additions, to the present-day Elementary school, were constructed, and staff added. All grades continued to be accommodated at this site.
In 1954-55, then School Superintendent, Dr. E. Hodgson purchased ten acres from the Huntley estate for school expansion, and the first three classrooms were constructed on the present High School site. For the next few years this school was used as an elementary school. A further addition was made to this site in 1958, adding more classrooms, a library, gymnasium and an administration area. The school now became the Junior /Senior High school and the elementary site was used for grades 1-6, although both schools continued to be served by one administration.
The 1960’s continued to bring major changes to the schools in Breton. A 1964 addition to the high school added more classrooms, a science lab and an Industrial Arts Lab, and the following year Breton Elementary received another addition. In 1966-67 the two schools came under separate administrations, with Mr. Wynnyk principal of the High School and, Mr. Davidson of the Elementary School.
Many changes have taken place to the schools in Breton over the last nine decades. One has to remember that, the only constant in life is change. It will be interesting what those changes will be for the schools in Breton in the next few years.
In the early 1940’s the Wenham Valley School was moved to Breton for the senior class, with an additional room added to the first school about 1945. An additional staff member was also added at this time, relieving Mrs. Henkel of about half of her 50 students. The Antross School was later move to Breton for use as a classroom, and then as the first Industrial Arts Lab.
The building, which now houses the museum, was built in 1947-48 and opened for the 1948-49 school term. Tom Impey, President of the Breton and District Historical Society, was one of the students who entered grade seven, with Mrs. Mabel McCartney as his teacher, when it opened. Look for a more detailed story on this building in next week’s Booster.
The early 1950’s saw the start of the “Baby Boomer” children reach school age, and the closing of one room schools such as New Moose Hill and Funnel, increased the student population and the need to expand and upgrade school facilities. The first of two additions, to the present-day Elementary school, were constructed, and staff added. All grades continued to be accommodated at this site.
In 1954-55, then School Superintendent, Dr. E. Hodgson purchased ten acres from the Huntley estate for school expansion, and the first three classrooms were constructed on the present High School site. For the next few years this school was used as an elementary school. A further addition was made to this site in 1958, adding more classrooms, a library, gymnasium and an administration area. The school now became the Junior /Senior High school and the elementary site was used for grades 1-6, although both schools continued to be served by one administration.
The 1960’s continued to bring major changes to the schools in Breton. A 1964 addition to the high school added more classrooms, a science lab and an Industrial Arts Lab, and the following year Breton Elementary received another addition. In 1966-67 the two schools came under separate administrations, with Mr. Wynnyk principal of the High School and, Mr. Davidson of the Elementary School.
Many changes have taken place to the schools in Breton over the last nine decades. One has to remember that, the only constant in life is change. It will be interesting what those changes will be for the schools in Breton in the next few years.
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Hours of Operation
11 AM - 5 PM Sunday - Saturday Call Allan at (780) 898-1155 to book a time. Admission by donation. |
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Address: 4711-51 Street Breton, AB T0C 0P0
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Website Created by Phoebe Amendt 2019 |
