Back in the early seventies, the Erie School District had two Kindergarten sessions, a.m. and p.m. Report cards were issued three times during the school year. Richard Hilinski was the Superintendent of Schools.
Progress was measured in four areas: Social Development, Physical Development, Language Arts and Work Habits. The grading system was divided into four sections: Is doing very well, Is making satisfactory progress, needs to make greater effort and Needs more time to develop. The teacher would put a checkmark next to the appropriate response instead of using the A-B-C-D-F grading system.
So, if you hoped to someday attend college, you had to develop good habits at an early age, such as listening, not interrupting, being courteous, keeping your hands off of others and accepting correction. Also, retell stories, run, skip and hop, color, cut and paste, rest and relax, use good English, take part in group discussions and show curiosity. Work habits included following directions, finish work that was started, show originality, work in an orderly manner and make good use of time and materials.
Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie
I was a member of the School Safety Patrol during the 1975-76 school year. I had a sweet spot guarding the boulevard at 10th and Cascade, in sight of Emerson Elementary School. Had we not moved to the other side of town, I would have played the coveted role of Captain of the Patrol. We had to turn in our belts and badges at the end of the school year, but we did receive a membership card and a tiny replica of the School Safety Patrol badge. I still have mine somewhere. The ultimate goal was to have a perfect record and win a safety pennant, and a group photo of the patrol members would printed in the Erie Daily Times.
The Patrol Member's Pledge was printed on the back of the membership card.
I promise to do my best to...
Report for duty on time
Perform my duties faithfully
Strive to prevent accidents, always setting a good example myself
Obey my teachers and officers of the patrol
Report dangerous practices of students
Strive to earn the respect of fellow-students
I can't recall the last time I saw children wearing the patrol belts. I only seem to see adults positioned on a corner near the school, wearing an orange vest and holding a stop sign.
Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com
