For me, Sunnyside Elementary School didn’t start out very “sunny”, but later on in years, it became a place near and dear to my heart—AND the namesake for this memoir.
Sunnyside was a first-through-sixth-grade-school when I attended. Before I talk more in depth about Sunnyside, let me back up to Kindergarten which was elsewhere. I disliked kindergarten so much that I’m not even sure of the name–I’m thinking it was Mt. Olive?!
•••You see – – I – – was a Kindergarten dropout!!
I went to Kindergarten two days and quit (obviously it wasn’t required at the time). I’m not so sure if the problem was Kindergarten, or the fact that I missed my mom. I would have quit first grade, too, if I had been allowed! There were a few things about Kindergarten itself that I did not enjoy. For one, NAPS! Oh, my heavens! I did not want to lay down on that mat and take a nap. Evidently, I had too much energy for that. Another issue I had was the ‘slicky’ slide. I was an only child at that point…I did not want to wait in that line to slide! I may have enjoyed getting to know the other kids had I given it a chance, but I don’t have any regrets! 🙂
The next year…Sunnyside, here I came! I think I cried every day for a week! My cousin, Karen, was in third grade at the time, and asked her former first grade teacher (I’ll call her Ms. B.) if I could go to third grade and stay with her. Of course, she said, “No.”
There were two first grade teachers, and I was not with Ms. B. This was very good because, although Karen liked her, I am pretty positive that this lady did not like me!! (My teacher was nice, so I ‘stuck it out’ and eventually adjusted.)
First grade had its challenges, to say the least. Maybe I was just timid, or maybe Ms. B scared me, but when she asked me if I had flushed the commode or washed my hands, I was offended! The two incidents that took the cake, though, happened in the lunch room. Ms. B said, “Nobody is eating their peas. Everybody take a big bite of your peas.” I, being the follow-the-rules-child that I was, took a big bit of my peas—and started gagging! I hate peas! I am not a picky eater, but I do not like peas! I knew that I didn’t like peas before I took that big bite! What did Ms. B say? “Why did you take a bite if you knew you didn’t like them?!” What?! Because you told me too!!! The other occasion was when I honestly confessed that I dropped my fork (or spoon) in the slop can when I scraped my tray. She made me roll up my sleeve and feel for it! Eek…I could have Post Traumatic Stress from that one!!
As I reflect, my classroom, on the other hand, seemed peaceful with Ms. W. introducing us to Mr. (or Mrs.) Q and all of the other letters of the alphabet…and oh, those first-grade songs!! I loved them…I can still sing the Wienie Man song…
“I know a wienie man. He owns a wienie stand. He sells most anything from hot dogs on down! Someday I’ll join his life and be his wienie wife. Hot Dog! I love that wienie man!!”
…and I am sure that as the year progressed, with all of my grade-school crushes, I had a “wienie man” picked out to “join his life”!!
Then there was the time period after gym class when we waited for Ms. W to come back! Day after day for a bit, Joey would tell me that he was going to tattle on me, and I would cry…day after day…although I hadn’t done anything (unless it was for sitting completely upside down in my little chair!). Finally, my mom said to tell him that I hadn’t done anything—‘stand up to that bully’ in today’s terms. I mustered up the courage and said it! He stopped— and that was that.
In second grade, my little brother came along on picture day. I was woken up in the middle of the night, the night before he was born. I got up and put on my Holly Hobby outfit for pictures, but it wasn’t time for school obviously. I was going to my aunt’s while my dad rushed my mom to the hospital with my brother who was anxious to get here to say the least! I loved that Holly Hobby outfit! …pink pants, white shirt with Holly Hobby herself on it, and a pink jacket. It was, however, an issue the next day when the teacher said to “Take your jackets off.” for the pictures. Of course, I did what the teacher said and then was likely in turmoil about it until I approached her and she said something like, “Well, if it goes with your outfit, put it on.” Oh, dear! I did…so in my second grade picture, I am fully dressed in my pink outfit—jacket and all!
My new brother was waiting at the hospital. ‘Us’ kids weren’t allowed to go in to see the new little tikes at the time, so I remember looking in the window of the hospital as he was held up for me to see. I felt so bad…I thought he was ugly, and I couldn’t help it! By the time he made it home, I saw him a little differently…my opinion had changed—thank goodness, for being the overly honest kid that I was, I didn’t usually hide my opinions. Plus, I felt guilty for thinking he was ugly!! (I’ll just say as a side note that I fully believe in honesty and not lying, but saying everything you think is not quite the same thing. I’m thankful that God helped me to understand the difference…and often fills my mouth with truth when the words are hard to find.)
In third grade, I married the love of my grade school years. At least, that’s what he told me a few years back at our high school reunion! I don’t remember that as much as I remember dancing back and forth across the third grade classroom’s “dance floor.” And that year, my “love” broke his arm, and I cried. It didn’t even happen at school if I remember correctly!
In fourth grade, the teacher had a couple of reading cubbies set up. I remember witnessing to kids for Jesus and praying with them in one of those reading areas. I hope they are still following him today. I, also, remember singing in front of the classroom…feels embarrassing to think about that…I love to sing, but I am no ‘singer’ to this day!
In fifth and sixth grades, I really enjoyed my teachers and learning. Both Misters– they were good teachers. I loved the geography of the United States and multiplication races on the chalk board. I, also, remember my Social Studies book, which may have been my first true realization of other cultures. Interesting!
It may have been fifth grade when my “love” crush for some reason lifted a desk above his head (I am not sure why exactly, but have my guesses.), and then dropped it on his head. He made a groaning sound, and I allowed myself to break the rules and RUN down that familiar hallway (that I can see in my mind’s eye to this day!) to get the school secretary (who doubled as the school ‘nurse’) from the cafeteria (breakfast time, if I remember correctly). Turned out, he was fine. It tickles me as I recall this scene of me running down the hall to save the day!
In the fall, Sunnyside would have Fall Festivals. Sometimes, I would run for Queen. It was all about fundraising, so we would set up in the hallways before the festival during the school day selling our goodies. Whoever raised the most money was crowned queen during the festival. I never won, but I liked the trophies I got for being chosen for my classroom a few times. And I loved selling the goodies…I still love to sell stuff to this day!
That school is no longer there, but the memories linger on. I buried a cameo ring there—which I never found. I still have the matching blue earrings, and my daughter still has the matching necklace. I learned how to do tricks on the bars that were dangerous in reflection and would have had a heart attack if I saw my kids swing around on bars with legs locked but no hands! I tried to teach another kid how, and she fell on her head…Mom said not to ‘teach’ anyone else! I tried to fly over and over by jumping from the partly buried tractor tires. I won first place in broad jumps, and I made friends that I am still in contact with to this day.
I asked around for about three years about the letters depicting the name on the outside of the building after the school sat burned and empty for several years. I finally talked to the right people who talked to the right people who worked for the school system and was able to obtain those letters. Each individual metal letter is at least 12 inches high and 2-3 inches thick, I would say, spelling out…SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL…
To say that Sunnyside School offered sunshine to my life and the life of others would be an understatement.
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 