Once upon a time, I attended Rheems School, a two-room school with a bell on top, accommodating eight grades of students. It was a charming little school set in the middle of the quaint village of Rheems, Pennsylvania, in mid-twentieth century.
Rheems School, circa 1954. I spy my sisters Jean and Janice on second and third rows.
My aunt, Miss Ruth Longenecker, was my teacher for the first four grades, a plain Mennonite lady with lots of whimsy–flamboyant art classes and movies every Friday afternoon.
Aunt Ruthie was a very young teacher. She graduated from college at age 19, having skipped two grades. Photo, early to mid-twenties.
Many second graders pose for school photos with two front teeth missing. I probably looked like this at age seven in Miss Longenecker’s classroom.
Second Grade: Rheems Elementary School
In fifth grade, I transitioned to the “big room,” where Elsie Kilhefner taught grades 5-8. Mrs. Kilhefner, a kindly woman, was the wife of the Elizabethtown High School principal at the time. Once I asked her the meaning of the word “oblige.” She struggled to explain, using the word “helped,” as a synonym, which didn’t sound quite right to me. My memory is fuzzy here, but she probably referred me to the Webster’s Dictionary in plain view on the bookshelf.
At Rheems School, we followed our daily ritual for all grades: Bell ringing from the schoolhouse steeple (always by a boy), Bible reading, the Lord’s Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and then singing from this songbook before lessons began. In Mrs. Kilhefner’s room we had the benefit of a piano to accompany Songs from the Golden Book of Favorite Songs.
This is the pristine version of an ink-splotched song book now resting on my piano.
“This is My Father’s World,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and “Home on the Range” were staples in our little ochre-toned songbook. But many of the lyrics we sang would be considered insulting and even offensive to various ethnic and racial groups in our times. For example, “Old Solomon Levi,” played to the false stereotype of the wily Jewish merchant:
My name is Solomon Levi
At my store in Salem Street,
There’s where you find your coats and vests,
And ev’rything else that’s neat:
I’ve second-handed Ulsterettes,
And ev’rything else that’s fine;
For all the boys—they trade with me,
At one hundred and forty-nine.
Chorus.
Oh, Mister Levi, Levi, tra, la, la, la.
Poor Solomon Levi, tra la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Other mornings, we might sing “My Old Kentucky Home” with what was back then dubbed the Negro dialect. “The sun shines bright in my Old Kentucky Home, ‘Tis summer, the darkies are gay.”
What! “Darkies are gay. . .”? Innocent of the dissonance in the words we would discover repugnant later, we sang the chorus at the top of our lungs. “Weep no more, my lady. Oh, weep no more to-day: / We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home / for the Old Kentucky home, Far away.”
The dialect continued when we belted out “Dixie”: “I wish I was in de land ob cotton, Old times dar am not forgotten, Look a-way! Look a-way! Look a-way Dixie Land.” There was even a winking nod to obesity in one stanza: “Dar’s buckwheat cakes, an’ Injun batter, “makes you fat or a little fatter.”
And finally, we sang the wistful, “When You and I Were Young, Maggie,” and “My Grandfather’s Clock” sung by youngsters who had no conception of aging or of mortality.
Do you remember singing in elementary school? If so, tell us some titles.
What experience with music do you recall from school days?
Good morning, Marian! It’s funny, but just the other day I was thinking of the songbooks we had in elementary school, and how there was a sort of canon of songs that most children (and adults) knew then. We had books for each grade, I believe. Yes, often songs with racist and ethnic stereotypes. But we also had fairly advanced music classes in my elementary school. Of the songs you mentioned, I remember “My Grandfather’s Clock.” I think in 5th and 6th grade we must also have sung some songs from musicals–I remember singing “The Impossible Dream.” Perhaps it was for an end of year concert.
Thanks for sharing your sharp memories, Merril. Your song choices certainly got more sophisticated as you progressed through the grades. My 7th grade English teacher wrote all the lyrics to Sixteen Tons on the blackboard. She must have played Tennessee Ernie Ford’s tune too. 😀
You’re welcome, Marian.
Maybe she was related to my 5th grade teacher who wrote Eugene Field’s poems on 3 (4?) blackboards, and we had to copy them all . . . 😅
You guessed it. We sang “Sixteen Tons” at the top of our lungs, totally oblivious to the rigors of mining or other back-breaking labor. 😀
Hi Marian, My Great Aunt Mildred Barber graduated from Kutztown Teacher’s College and taught grade school her whole life. She played piano and I still have many of the songbooks she used in her classroom. I loved this post – I remember singing all those songs as a girl. We were so innocent. Cheers, Mimm
Welcome, Mimm! Kutztown is not that far from Elizabethtown, PA where I grew up. Yes, we were innocent and naive way back then.
I enjoy your creativity on Facebook these days. And I’m so glad we met in Linda Joy Myers and Brooke Warner’s memoir class. Cheers! 😀
I remember singing Home On The Range in my elementary school:
O give me a home where the buffalo roam
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
I went to school in a small town in Missouri. So long ago! I now have a 10-year-old great-grandson. I wonder what they sing in his California school. Next time I see him, I will ask.
I believe we sang “Home on the Range” also.
I’m very curious a out the singing repertoire for 10-year-old school children in California nowadays. Do let us know.
Thanks for sharing your memory, Linda Lee. 😀
We learned a lot of the patriotic songs like “America the Beautiful,” “America, My Country Tis of Thee,” and “Yankee Doodle,” which we often sang. I never heard my nieces and nephews talk about songs they learned in school other than songs they learned for Christmas programs.
Your patriotic titles ring a bell with me too. I wonder about the singing repertoire of your nieces and nephews. Hmmm! Thanks for adding to the conversation here, L. Marie! 😀
This brought back so many memories of my elementary school. Every Friday morning we had “Friday Morning Exercises.” At 9:30 a.m. the entire school would leave their classes in an organized fashion and march down the halls to the outside courtyard. Various patriotic songs played over the PA system as we marched and gathered outside around the enormous flagpole. Once everyone was in place, we sang our school song (I still remember the words) and then said the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a different world back then. I’m thankful to have grown up during that time. I loved your photos, Marian!
You were so very fortunate to have such a pleasant memory of a time when our culture was less antagonistic to the “opening exercises” you describe. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos here. Thanks so much, Jill! 😀
Marian — Until reading this post, I’d forgotten that we sang songs in elementary school. What a fun memory to think about. The songs we sang were very different from yours: “I got spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle,” “Dem Bones,” “Catalina Magdalena,” “B-i-n-g-o,” and so on.
Laurie, I just had to look up the “Catalina Magdalina” lyrics, a vague childhood memory. Here it is with fanciful art and text: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsUJ5Xjtr4w
I think the rhythm of the songs you mention here have inspired the graphic quality of your writing. Thank you!
Home on the Range was very popular on the Canadian prairies as we lived it! We also sang, You Are my Sunshine and A Bicycle Built for Two. Later we sang popular Rock and Roll songs as well. I loved singing in school and in the church choir.
Singing is part of your heritage, of course. I imagine “Home on the Range” fits the Canadian prairies far better than Lancaster County farms, but we sang this song lustily too. Thanks, Darlene! 😀
It looks like you had an idyllic school experience! What a beautiful photo of childhood innocence. That tooth gap smile! Many of the songs you mention we also sang in our small town elementary school. One uniquely Canadian that I always sing on our trips to Ontario is “land of the Silver Birch, Home of the Beaver.”
Thanks, Elfrieda, I had not heard this pleasing song “Land of the Silver Birch,” so I looked it up. You can reminisce and other readers can enjoy it too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1oJgv54cvo
😀
We sang in elementary school. The songs were like yours “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “Home on the Range” + silly ones like “Goober Peas.” In later years we were taught the anthems for each branch of the military, too. I don’t know whose idea that was.
How interesting–songs about each branch of the military. I wonder if this idea was instigated by a mate in the military, maybe even a military recruiter. Thanks for sharing, Ally! 😀
THIS COMMENT from Melodie Miller Davis, who was unable to post today:
I remember a beautiful music teacher named Mrs. Romaine Sala. Isn’t that a great name for a music teacher? Later I recall one of our music teachers, perhaps in middle school, introduced us to the various instruments in a typical orchestra as narrated by Leonard Bernstein. I don’t have any particular memories of songs we sang in classrooms–we went to the music room for some bonafide musical education. But I do remember some of the songs you mention! Nice post (and what a lovely young girl/woman with those eyes and deep smile!)
We had a music teacher in elementary school, but I don’t remember much singing. I do remember my 5th grade teacher, Bernadette Burt, tried to teach us to sing “Maple Sugar Time in Old Vermont” and “M-O-T-H-E-R (A Word That Means The World To Me),” with minimal success. This was the same teacher who claimed she had a shotgun behind the piano if we didn’t memorize what she ordered us to memorize. Closing the gate to Memory Lane now.
Ms. Burt sounds beastly. Teachers who terrorize are seldom successful in creating happy memories for their students. I hope you had other teachers who left pleasant imprints on your school days. Thanks for sharing, Liz. 😀
What a wonderful school experience you had, Marian! I’ve enjoyed your links in the comments to Catalina Magdalena and Land of the Silver Birch. I don’t recall any songs we might have sung in school, except for the National Anthem, America the Beautiful, Our Nation Tis of Thee, and The Impossible Dream in high school. We sang many of the other songs you mentioned at home with our Mom, who loved to sing and would burst out in song no matter where she was. When a tune ran through her head, she’d latch on to it and treat everyone to a concert of one. If we knew it, we’d sing along. Thanks for sharing your beautiful memories!
How blessed you were to have such a happy mother–and a songstress too. I have pleasant memories of my mother singing as well. “Heavenly Sunshine” is one that stands out, especially if we woke up to a pretty day. The truth is, she had a monotone-type voice and couldn’t sing on key to save her life. I doubt she recognized that and belted out tunes from her heart to the glory of God. Typing this makes me smile. Thanks for your cheerful comment, Patty! 😀
When I was in elementary school, a music teacher came to our room once a week to do music with our class. This would be a luxury item in schools today.
When I taught, there was chorus in the regular school day (twice a week) for 3rd grades and up. One of the teachers ran a choir after school in the weeks leading up to Christmas.The kids would perform in care homes and one big performance at a local theatre where they’d get all dressed up and waited in the dressing room like stars waiting to be called out.
Music and art are essential for kids in school. These subjects speak to the child’s soul and give them a resource to tap into all of their lives. Often, kids who are weak in math and language arts can shine like stars, as you say, in the arts. That’s the case for my youngest grandson. Always good to hear from you, Pete! 😀
In Canada we did “O Canada,” “God Save the Queen,” and the Lord’s Prayer. My Grade 8 teacher also made us recite Matthew 7, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” As for singing in school, we seemed to do a lot of the songs from “The Sound of Music.” I guess I’m of that age!
Well, Arlene. I picked up your mentioning tunes from The Sound of Music, so I guess you must have sung “Doe-a-deer-a-female-deer” and possibly “Edelweiss.” I know the era and associate it with meeting my husband.
Thanks for sharing your memorable song titles from days so sweet to remember. 😀
Yes, those are the ones!
What adorable photos of you, Marian!
Singing is a very important part of school life, whether for religious or secular reasons. Music always brings people together.
You are absolutely right, Fatima: Music does bring people together. It strikes me that more singing and less texting might be one key to help restore harmony in our world. Thanks so much! 😀
I went to Rheems elementary school for Kindergarten in the early 60’s. I had Miss Herr. This was after the brick school, that recently closed, was built. Great memories of that school. Sorry to see it closed and sold.
Miss Herr was a sweetheart. I remember her bringing seedlings to her kindergarten classroom so children (maybe YOU!) could see how plants grow. My aunt, Miss Longenecker, had high regard for her.
Thanks for joining the conversation here. You are always welcome, Stephanie! You can type words like Rheems School and Miss Longenecker into the search box and find more blog posts about the school, the children and the teachers. 😀
One other thought here, Stephanie: Since you were brave enough to comment, you may be interested in my first memoir, Mennonite Daughter: The Story of a Plain Girl, which recounts many more vignettes about Miss Longenecker, Rheems School, and other early experiences growing up in the E-town area. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07XL5FPW6/
SO much to digest in this one post, Marian. How oh how did children learn in such a small setting, with so many grades? And yet learn you did. And the poor teachers, needing to keep a class together and interested despite different ages and skills. Yet they somehow succeeded! The ‘old songs,’ so prejudiced and ugly, yet when we sang as children, we didn’t really know what we were singing. We just sang. I loved to sing but only remembered that we sang Christmas songs in elementary school – again, there was no other religion acknowledged back then. I loved Joy to the World the most. Oh, and I think I wore the same (style) dress you did in elementary school. 🙂
To answer your first question, children could listen to our teacher teach the next higher grade. I probably heard Miss Longenecker teaching second graders when I was in first grade. I must have picked up something. I imagine other kids did the same.
If your mother made your dresses, maybe she used Simplicity patterns like my mother did. But it could be the dress patterns tried to keep up with store-bought fashions. I do think the ruffled collar is very cute. Always great to hear from you, Pam. Thanks! 😀
A very interesting conversation, Marian, one that brings back a great deal of memories given that I was raised in a small mining time in Northern Manitable approximately 800 miles north of Winnipeg. Our home was about 30 minutes from the school. There was no transportation other than walking. We walked that 30 minutes, 4 times a day because there wasn’t any lunch service at school. I remember singing on those back and four walks to keep me warm in the 35 – 45 below zero temperatures. The best singalongs were after Sunday night service when everyone met at our house for snacks and conversation. When I look back I don’t know how we fit so many people in our living room. Thank you for reminding me of unforgettable memories.
Rebecca, I think you take the prize for the most challenging of school-day experiences. And all that walking, oh my!
I’m guessing singing in -35 to 45 below zero temps must have increased your lung capacity. No wonder you can recite and sing so beautifully on your blog. Now I’m wondering why you didn’t take a bagged lunch to school. Hmm. . . .
Obviously, I want to know more! Thanks so very much for adding to the conversation here. 😀
One thing we all realized very quickly was to protect our lungs because in that cold because of the risk of freezing. No one ran in winter. There were not enough faculty/ teacher aids to supervise children. I loved living in that town. We were isolated with the only way in was by ore train or plane. Our home was the farthest away from the school, so we kept in shape!!! 😂
Astonishing! You could expand on these stories in your blog—-or even write a book, Rebecca. Your sister could help assemble the memories. Inquiring minds want to know! 😀
Thank you for your support and encouragement, Marian. It means a great deal to me.
😀
HI Marian, I always enjoy reading more about your childhood and seeing pictures of people who featured in your book. Very cute school pictures.
Robbie, I imagine you must think my school days were quaint. They seem that way to me too, looking back through the long lens of time. Thank you, Robbie! 😀
Hi Marian – thanks for sharing these schoolhouse memories. What a cute little girl you were, especially with the missing teeth, very charming 🙂
Thanks, Barb! It occurs to me missing teeth may be charming on 7-year-old. Not so much when we get older. Cheers! 😀
Haha! That made me laugh, Marian. And you’re definitely right! 🙂
I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance every day, but my grade school days did not include a regular hymn or song. I only remember singing in K-3rd grade winter and spring concerts for our parents. We always sang popular songs of the time such as “Joy to the World” (Jeremiah was a bullfrog!! Lol) or “Happy Together” by the Turtles. These are nice memories. 🙂 Your photos are adorable Marian, what a sweet girl. ♥ Last, it is no wonder how close you were to your aunt. You saw her regularly at family gatherings, but every day at school too for 4 years!
Yes, I sometimes resisted the idea of having my aunt as teacher, and I believe she may have been harder on me than her other students for that very reason. Heaven forbid I’d be labeled the teacher’s pet. Thanks for sharing your memories of school days, Melanie! 😀
I knew of a couple of students who got a parent as a teacher, but only for one year! 4 years is a lot! Have a great weekend Marian. 😀
I know we sang a lot of Stephen Foster songs with questionable lyrics too. When Stuart and I lived in Pittsburgh, we visited Stephen Foster’s grave in the Allegheny Cemetery just a few blocks from our house. Here is the wikipedia entry about his short, remarkable, life. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Foster
Thanks to your link, I learned that Stephen Foster died at age 37. Why, I was just getting started then!
“Old Folks at Home” mentions the Swanee River, reflective of the Suwannee River near Live Oak in Florida. The green highway marker leading to the Suwannee State Park is decorated with the opening notes of Florida’s state song. The spelling of park name and song are different, but the reference is the same. Oddly, Foster never visited Florida, but apparently his imagination took him there as the setting for his minstrel song, sometimes called “Way Down Unto the Swanee River.” Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” has a similar story.
Your comment reminds me that we can travel anywhere in our imagination, often a good thing. Blessings to you, Shirley! 😀
Fabulous images of you Marian…the only memories I have of school is learning the theory of music and practising the piano which was my love… the singing was hymns as I was choir girl but singing in school I remember nothing maybe it was because I took piano 🙂 It was lovely reading about others memories in the comments although songs in England would have been different 🙂
Carol, thanks for taking the time to read the comments, which always add so much spice to blog posts, as you well know. It sounds like you enjoyed the piano in your youth as much as you enjoy cooking nowadays! 😀
Marion, oh how interesting all of these comments are; brings me back too but I only remember a Mrs. Hanson with something she put in her mouth to give us the right pitch. I was a singer in my early days and an Alto when I did. I do remember the class…couldn’t read a note; always sing by ear and still do! We also did in those days sing lots of Patriotic songs, say the Pledge and walk to the flag pole outside. Don’t know what else, can’t remember except that it was Elementary School from 3rd to 6th Grade and Mrs. Hanson came and left. This was mid-western WI. You were cute too with your beautiful eyes and hair, I agree!
Well, Cactus-Flower, thanks for giving us a glimpse into your early school life and singing. I don’t remember a pitch-pipe at school, but the chorister at church used one of those, so he could start the congregation on key. Thanks for prompting that memory! 😀
Sure! My pleasure to connect with ya’ll!!!