A Brief History of Hereford Independent School District Page: 6
13 p. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this paper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
preferred homeroom programs even though they relied heavily on the
performance of "expression" students and the piano playing of musicians
who often forgot their music.
The school grounds, innocent of landscaping, consisted of the block
on which the school was located and another half block across the street to
the north. This half block was where the "big boys" played-a bare expanse
broken by a stretch of board fence near the middle of the east side of the lot
where pupils from the country hitched their saddle and buggy horses.
Playground equipment consisted of a small wooden slide and a higher metal
slide, a couple of see-saws often broken by vigorous use and a single
basketball goal. There was no grass, but even the nine-month pounding
could not discourage the goatheads and a few brave wild flowers.
Actually, no equipment except "a strong grip and guts" was required
for such popular games as Red Rover and Pop the Whip. In season, boys
played tops and marbles, (not for keeps if any teacher was looking), and
little girls made playhouses with sticks, rocks and pieces of broken glass in
the shade of locust trees that bordered the schoolyard. Other entertainment
consisted of fighting, but this was more safely done on the way to and from
school. Also reserved for after-school hours was the practice of climbing the
slide-type fire escape located on the north side of the building. The slide
was hard to climb and a large concrete block about an inch higher than the
end of the slide made for a rough landing, but kids climbed, slid and suffered
the sore consequences.
Teachers exercised iron discipline in a day when paddling was not
only permitted but also accepted for offenses ranging from "disturbing the
class" to failure to perform scholastically. Some boys received a paddling a
day and for some the punishment was double jeopardy, since a paddling at
school meant a paddling at home from parents who believed that "teacher
knew best".
In November, 1910, the school board met for the final acceptance of
the new building. Other proceedings included, according to the minutes,
"the secretary is instructed to have the outside closets and obstructions
removed from the school grounds and use the material in putting up walls
for the protection of horses of the country children".
Just prior to the time the Hereford Independent School District was
created, Deaf Smith County was divided into two school districts. One
district covered approximately the south half of the county and the other the
north half. In August, 1909, the county was divided into seven school
districts outside the Hereford district. Schoolhouses were dotted throughout
the county. As an indication of the number of schools that had been built, an
6
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This paper can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Paper.
Waters, Carolyn. A Brief History of Hereford Independent School District, paper, 2004; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth46556/m1/6/: accessed May 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Deaf Smith County Library.