Giles School District No. 2494
Giles School was built in 1911 by Frank Bailey on the SW ¼ 27-46-4 W4.
It was opened for classes in July of 1912 with Miss Fowler the first
teacher. The school was named after one of the first settlers in the
district, Mr. Giles James. In 1919, the enrollment was 21 students and
the first teacher’s salary $100 a month when money was available. The
taxes at that time were $16 a quarter section.
One of the earlier students remembers one school day which almost ended in tragedy. The Dzus children who lived near the school went home for dinner as was their custom. Their mother served mushrooms for dinner, as they grew plentiful on the prairies. Later when school was in session Patrinka Dzus fell out of her desk onto the floor. The teacher sent a boy across country to tell her parents. The father returned to the school with a team and wagon to take the young girl to the doctor in Wainwright. They struck out across the open prairie. After some time, Mr. Dzus thought the girl had died but they kept on towards Wainwright. A while later, no doubt due to the bouncing of the wagon over the rough ground, the girl became sick to her stomach. The doctor thought she had eaten a poisonous mushroom and was saved by becoming sick on the bumpy road.
Among the first children attending were Taylors, Moores, Trefiaks, James’ and Blacks.
The school was located too far from the west boundary, so in 1914 it was moved to the SE ¼ 28-46-4. Mr. Pugh sold two acres for $75 and the school was moved by Mr. Bailey and Mr. Rublee and his team of oxen and team of horses.
Among the first trustees and secretaries were Joseph Taylor, John Trefiak, Mrs. A. Taylor, John Moore, J. Kett and H. Pugh. In the cash book we find such entries; cleaning school - $2.00; Government grant - $55.00; Frank Bailey for building the school - $1,070.00; 8 cords of wood - $5.00. In 1934, the salaries had dropped to $84.00 a month.
In 1938 a kitchen was built by Mr. A. Chesterman and now hot meals were supplied to the children. Among memories shared are school concerts, year-end picnics and long annual meetings.
Over the years, Giles School offered education up to Grade Nine. In 1939,
after the province of Alberta decided that larger units were to be
implemented, Giles became a part of Wainwright School Division. In 1950,
the School Division purchased a new building and the original building
became Hope Valley Community Hall.
In 1961, it was decided that all students would be sent to Edgerton. The following year, the new building was bought by Mike Trefiak and is now a part of the home of Bob and Mary Trefiak and girls.
Some teachers at Giles School were: Miss Fowler, Mr. Lane, Miss Frazer, Miss Villy, Miss Quillan, Miss Roth, Miss McKenzie, Miss Haines, E. Maloney, Miss Gerwin, Miss A. Trefiak, Miss Taylor, Miss E. Ford, Mrs. Churchman, Miss O. Thurston, Miss Spornitz, Miss P. Clifford, E. Carter, Mrs. E. James, Miss Sather and Miss M. Arneson.
The original school still stands as a tribute to those hardy pioneers who built the district and to those teachers who have done a marvellous job in a one-room rural school with all grades from one to nine.
Giles School District No. 2494
Submitted by Edith Gunn
96-97