After graduating 8th grade, we moved right on to high school(no middle school back then.) In high school we took subjects like English Grammar, English Literature, American History, Civics, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Calculus, Trigonometry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Latin, Spanish, French, Typing, Home Economics, and Shop. In those days it seemed like schools really wanted to teach their students and not just prepare them for standardized tests like it seems in some schools today. We read poetry and learned to recite it. We were taught how to use proper punctuation and how to write compositions. We were exposed to reading literature and learning a foreign language too. The women teachers wore skirts and blouses, suits, dresses, and most wore high heel shoes. It always amazed me how they could stand on their feet all day long wearing those high heels. Since blackboards were used for illustrations, they often stood by those boards for hours. The male teachers wore suits with long sleeved white shirts and ties. All the students were expected to dress appropriately too. The girls wore skirts, blouses or sweaters with either penny loafers or oxfords and socks. The boys wore long pants that were neatly pressed and never wrinkled. Jeans, shorts, and sneakers were not worn in high schools in the 50s. There werent any gangs or bullies on the Eastside of Paterson in the 1950s either. Kids walked safely to their local high school which was right in their neighborhood. You were able to go home for lunch or eat at a favorite hangout like Cozys. There were lockers to store your stuff and it was secured with a combination lock. The desks had an opening underneath the top to hold your books while you were in class. There was a bell that rang to signify the beginning and end of each class. A bell would ring also for an occasional fire drill(one line please, no talking, and please walk dont run.) There were no computers or internet either back then so you had to go to the library to do research for a term paper(shhhh dont tell anyone but we really went to the library mostly to just hang out and meet friends.) Those of us who went to high school in the 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s never had a computer, a cell phone, or an IPad. But somehow we still learned so much about how to live a good life. Yes life was simple in Paterson in those days but life was so very good. So lets go back to the old neighborhood again and visit Eastside High School one more time(please watch your step on the incline in the hallway.) And if you just happen to meet any of your old teachers, please shake their hands and thank them for making such a big difference in your life.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 20:20:55 +0000
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