Edgerton School District No. 2044
Edgerton school, situated on the SE ¼ 2-44-4 W4, was opened in 1910
with Mr. Exall as teacher. This was a large one room school which would
accommodate fifty to sixty pupils. Heat was provided by a large wood
burning stove and later by the monstrous Waterbury heater which stood in
one corner. The teacher’s desk sat on a raised platform 6’ x 6’ x 1’ and the
pupils had single and double desks. A partition across the back formed a
long cloakroom, boys at one end, girls at the other and a long shelf for
lunch pails.
The second teacher, Miss Albright from Ontario, was given rough treatment by the older boys. Miss Couldwell was followed by Sgt. A. King, whose approach was along military lines. He was killed in World War I. Mr. McKellar put on a patriotic concert and spent too much time practising, so soon after the concert he was seen walking down the railroad track because the school board objected to him wasting too much time.
All final Grade VIII Departmental exams had to be written in Wainwright so pupils stayed there with friends while doing the tests. Those wanting further education had to go elsewhere.
In 1919, the cloakrooms were torn out and the room was divided into two classrooms by a beaverboard partition (anything but soundproof). New cloakrooms were added. As the population grew, a third room was added in 1927.
Edgerton joined the Wainwright School Division in 1943 and all the surrounding schools (about 14) were bussed into Edgerton. Jim and Marion McGaughey had the first yellow school bus to transport students to Edgerton. Later school buses were privately owned and at one time as many as eight buses were in use.
Education also introduced new trends. Out with the regimented “Seen and not heard unless you’re asked,” and in came “Learn by doing” or “The Enterprise” system. Pupils participated in planning the project, collecting and borrowing objects. A subject suggested was “Pioneer Days,” with an outline required such as homes, clothing, health, transportation, communication, government and recreation. Under a capable teacher the project became very worthwhile. Later, however, it reverted back to subjects and basics.
Over the years the school participated in many activities such as School Fairs, Musical Festivals, Christmas Concerts, Carnival Queen Contests, local and divisional track meets, curling, basketball and softball.
During the principalship of J. Ronjom, one of the highlights was Education
Week. Long hours were spent preparing for this. Under J. Ronjom’s
guidance, the front lawn of the school was a showpiece with a lovely
green lawn and gorgeous flowers. One year, he won many awards at the
Wainwright Flower Show.
Mrs. Heathy Challenger wrote: “In 1966, a challenge was thrown out to me to teach Art 10. The pupils were a grand lot to work with and our success was attributed to their willingness to tackle any project. With limited space, light and equipment we struggled along. We exhibited and won many prizes at Lloydminster.
By this time, I was teaching Art 20 and we won prizes at Edmonton Exhibition and Saskatoon. In 1969 we entered the C.N.E. exhibition in Toronto with a poster “Peoples of the World.” Some students took courses at the Banff School of Fine Arts. We had three successful art shows.
Some of the principles were: Mr. Holland, Mr. McCraig, Mr. Collier, Mr. M.D. Meade, Mr. G. Welsh, Mr. Coughlan, Mr. Duke, Mr. J. Ronjom, Mr. W. Brink, Mr. Taylor and Mr. L. Krawchuk. The loss of two teachers, Mr. Bob Stone and Mrs. E. Lehr was mourned.
Some trustees who served were: Challenger, Milne, Bonner, S. Pawsey, Kelly Walrath, Kondro, Odegard, Postans, Jackson. Wainwright Divisional Board members were: H. Spencer, F. Zajic, Mel Nichol (member for 17 years) and Mrs. B. Belik.
Since Edgerton joined the division many improvements have been made. The school has been enlarged with all modern facilities and in the 1980s the outside appearance has also been modernized.
Edgerton School District No. 2044
From “Winds of Change”
submitted by Emmy Nysetvold
14-15