10-037: The Farmington – Parkland School

The pioneers built a school, barn and ice house of logs, and cleared the school yard. The school was opened in 1932 with R.E. Sommers teaching. Fuel for the barrel heater was plentiful, for the school yard was surrounded by windfalls. Joe Vopicka, a grade 6 student, travelled three and a half miles in the dark of early morning to heat the school by 9 a.m.

Lessons ceased when Miss Dunn, the public health nurse, drove up with her team and cutter. The students were mostly new Canadians so conversation was awkward. Mr. Sommers had to interpret Miss Dunn’s English dialect.

The dances in the area were held in the school house and everyone attended.

TEACHERS

 

1931 – 1932 – R.E. Sommers

1933 – 1934 – Miss M.V. Thompson

1934 – 1935 – Miss M. McFarlane

1935 – 1936 – J. Chatfield

1937 – 1938 – Jack Chatfield

1939 – 1940 – J.P. Downey

1940 – 1941 – Miss D.C. Osborne

1941 – 1942 – D. Borthwick

1942 – 1943 – Miss B.T. Moore

1943 – 1944 – Miss J.E. Bjornson

1944 – 1945 – Miss V. Mattson

1945 – 1946 – Ester M. Bakstad

1946 – 1947 – Mrs. K.N. Ulrich

1947 – 1948 – Miss J.E. Bjornson