The former Washington School, Crown Point, Indiana. July, 2002.
This building was a very important part of my world from 1948 – 1952. Although it is now a private residence, back then it was Washington School in Center Township, the ‘farm country’ surrounding Crown Point, Indiana. (The three car garage is a modern addition.)
I attended grades 1 – 4 at Washington School. The most interesting thing about the school was that it was a two–room school. Grades 1 & 2 met in one room, while grades 3 & 4 met in the other.
My first and second grade teacher was Mrs. Isolampe. She was a formidable woman, but I liked her. In the second grade she had a reading contest — who could read the most books over a multi-week period. She started the contest by letting us go to the book shelf contra-alphabetically to pick out the book we would read. By the time my turn came all the easy books were gone, so I had to pick one of the harder books to read. This went on for a couple of weeks, but about half-way through the contest my classmates had to start reading the harder books while I had simple books I could read very quickly. I won the reading contest — one of the few times in my life when I’ve won something.
Mrs. Laney was my third and fourth grade teacher. I was pretty good at reading and arithmetic, so I could listen in on the fourth grade lessons while still in the third grade. When I was in the fourth grade Mrs. Laney had me helping third graders with arithmetic. She was one of the reasons I became a teacher. I’ve always thought there were more advantages than disadvantages to going to that two room school.
Washington School was part of my world. To see more of our wonderful world, or to join in sharing your world with us, click HERE.
Senior Moments 