Peesane School District #4591
Peesane School in the 1960s
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The school district was established in 1924 and the school opened in 1925 with Margaret Ness as the first teacher. In those early days most children walked to school, some from a considerable distance. Wildlife was plentiful around Peesane. Wolves howled in the school yard and bears were often seen. Prairie chicken, ptarmigan, ducks and geese were plentiful in season.
During the depression years of the 1930s conditions were often difficult. The teacher’s wages in 1934 were the School Grant, or two hundred dollars a year plus an additional twenty-five dollars for acting as the school janitor for the year. Even with the low wages the school district trustees had great difficulty financing the school. No one could pay taxes. “No Work - No Money” was a common slogan. The district was in a position financially where it was turned over to an Official Trustee.
Although living was tough, there was a feeling of comradeship which helped people find the support they needed to get by. Prices were low: eggs - 10 cents a dozen, bacon 75 cents for a side, flour - $1.50 for 100 pounds.
Maude (Bradley) McPhee, wrote of some memories of teaching at Peesane School during the 1930s in a local area history book:
During the depression years of the 1930s conditions were often difficult. The teacher’s wages in 1934 were the School Grant, or two hundred dollars a year plus an additional twenty-five dollars for acting as the school janitor for the year. Even with the low wages the school district trustees had great difficulty financing the school. No one could pay taxes. “No Work - No Money” was a common slogan. The district was in a position financially where it was turned over to an Official Trustee.
Although living was tough, there was a feeling of comradeship which helped people find the support they needed to get by. Prices were low: eggs - 10 cents a dozen, bacon 75 cents for a side, flour - $1.50 for 100 pounds.
Maude (Bradley) McPhee, wrote of some memories of teaching at Peesane School during the 1930s in a local area history book:
The teacherage was a one room shack north west of the school. I purchased two chairs, some cheap floor covering, a rocking chair, a bed, and a mattress on the installment plan from Simpsons and I was set up. Every Saturday I made a cake, two pies and some buns or bread. The teacherage was a gathering place for all the young people, the children, and the ladies when they came to town. I loved to make lunch or a meal for these people who came to visit me. The first winter, the teacherage was not insulated or lined. It was terribly cold. The heater and a cookstove were going 24 hours a day. Every day after school the boys brought a supply of wood, which was plentiful and free. The boys loved to earn a nickel a day. The second winter Louis Kowal, decided the teacherage was too cold so he supplied the insulation and lumber to line the place. ... (They) also built a cupboard and put up a brick chimney so the danger of fire would not be so great.
Maude (Bradley) McPhee
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Teacherage
All grades from one to ten were taught in the school. There were no Correspondence Lessons at this time. In 1936 the teacher had about forty students. During winter and spring of 1937, the Saskatchewan Government decided a block of bush land east and north of Peesane would make homesteads. People who were living on “relief” in Regina, Swift Current and other towns and cities were placed on them. The Government helped them build log cabins. They were given a small living allowance and they were expected to cut wood, clear some land by hand, and grow some gardens. Some of these people had a very hard time as they didn’t have the skills needed. The children from these families came to an overcrowded Peesane School. Soon sixty children were enrolled. There weren’t enough desks so one of the trustees built a shelf on the west side of the school with a long bench to sit on and this accommodated 18 beginners. The school was a great example of the co- operative spirit, because the older children were always helping the new students or the slower students to complete their work.
Christmas concerts were a major school event, even during the worst years of the depression. The student choristers were accompanied by pump organ, banjo, and guitar. Santa arrived on a sled pulled by a lazy ox carrying gifts and treats for all. One Christmas the community was able to raise nineteen dollars and through a local merchant they were able buy presents for all the children and the store owner donated oranges, apples, nuts, and candy.
Peesane School was closed in 1965 and the school district was dissolved on March 17, 1972.
The Teachers:*
Christmas concerts were a major school event, even during the worst years of the depression. The student choristers were accompanied by pump organ, banjo, and guitar. Santa arrived on a sled pulled by a lazy ox carrying gifts and treats for all. One Christmas the community was able to raise nineteen dollars and through a local merchant they were able buy presents for all the children and the store owner donated oranges, apples, nuts, and candy.
Peesane School was closed in 1965 and the school district was dissolved on March 17, 1972.
The Teachers:*
Margaret J. Ness |
1925-26 |
John S. Irvine |
1926-27 |
Jean W. Taylor |
1928-29 |
Edna May Arnold |
1929 |
Gladys Eastman |
1929-30 |
George Robinson |
1931 |
Mary J. Edworthy |
1931 |
Ruth Gertrude Porterfield |
1932-33 |
Richard Wm. James Steele |
1933-36 |
Maude E. Bradley |
1937-39 |
William M. Seneshen |
1940-41 |
Sophia D. Seneshen |
1942-43 |
Robert Crawford Potter |
1943-44 |
Margaret Penner |
1944 |
Maurice P. Sorokan |
1944-45 |
Thelma Jean Opseth |
1945-46 |
Paul Spenrath |
1946-47 |
John Hanchar |
1948-49 |
Madeline Therese Duchscherer |
1949-50 |
Marguerite Alma Murray |
1950-51 |
Gladys Olivia Furry |
1951-56 |
Mary Jean Fisk |
1959 |
Valentyn Waskowic |
1960-65 |
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* No listings for 1957-58
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