Old School Christmas memories at Pinkham

School days at the community of Pinkham began back in 1912, according to information obtained from the history book Echoes of Pinkham Pioneers. Records from old cash books and minutes from trustee meetings were the source of much of the information.

This is a class photo of students who attended Pinkham School in 1928. Notice how many students are wearing warm coats, while six of the boys sitting on the front row have bare feet. The following years presented difficult times for the school board. Photo from Echoes of Pinkham Pioneers

Students came from the surrounding area to obtain their high school education at Pinkham. Some commuted while others boarded with family. Contract forms were obtained from the Department of Education to transport students in vans, which were sleighs purchased from the T. Eaton Co. Other vans were wooden enclosures with a door on the front and back and two windows on each side. They were rented to van drivers at 25 cents a day. The drivers who had long routes usually stayed in town for the day.

In December of 1930 the teachers were informed their salaries would be reduced ten per cent beginning January 1st, 1931. At the close of the 1931 school year a motion was made to inform the teachers it was uncertain how the board would finance their salaries in the new school year. “If taxes are not forthcoming they are liable to go short and there might be drastic cuts in salary” was the report. It was decided the teachers would take a 20 percent cut in salary.

When school opened after the Christmas holidays there were only two of the three classrooms operating. The principal’s salary had been cut to $600.00 with janitor work included, and a second male teacher had been hired at $450.00 a year.

By the fall of 1932, teachers and van drivers received half cash and half note in payment for services. Minutes of each board meeting usually read “moved the current bills be paid when funds are available”.

During the 1935 school year there were 110 children on stage at the school Christmas concert. The school board supplied the oranges, candy and nuts that were put in bags. It was the largest attendance the school experienced, with ten vans transporting students on their routes.