North Forrest Elementary
Encyclopedia
North Forrest Elementary School is an elementary school
in Forrest County
, Mississippi
.
The original building was an L-shaped, 2 room building constructed from rough lumber. As there was no electricity or indoor plumbing, wood stoves provided heat and water was distributed using a community bucket. The schoolroom had a bench where students sat and recited their lessons to the principal who sat on a stage. The students used slates to write on and Mrs. Nobles recalls that using the double slate was “extra special.”
Students would enter the primer class at age five, but many students began earlier as they attended with an older brother or sister. School sessions only lasted four months each year. The school day began each day with chapel which consisted of a song, prayer, and Bible reading. The rest of the day was spent studying the subjects of arithmetic, grammar, history, physiology, geography, spelling, and penmanship. During recess time the children played in the surrounding pine forest. The boys and girls played on separate sides of the playground. According to Mr. Tolbert Montgomery, Miss Duncan would spend time at recess instructing students about manners, especially on how to introduce a lady to a gentleman.
In a published report in the 1920s the school was said to have a good playground in a beautifully kept cove of trees. The property was estimated to be worth about 2,500. This same report also described the school as lacking supplies such as desks and chalkboards. It also stated the school had no library, one map, window shades
in poor condition, and one teacher’s desk. The school at this time had two pit toilets and the water supply
came from a pump with individual cups used by the students.
At this time there were three teachers working at the school. M. H. Bassett, Nellie Grantham, and Reta Larey, they were paid $210.00 from the county and $20.00 from the district. At this time teachers were not required to have college training, they only had to pass a state exam and the courthouse. If they were able to pass the exam they were allowed to teach. The school had 119 students enrolled in the nine grades that were taught. The records show that there were several canning club members. Also, domestic science
and farm mechanics were taught to some degree. The county even budgeted $115.00 per month for transportation for students. If a child lived more than two miles (3 km) from the school they could ride the school wagon.
In 1922 a modern brick building was constructed at this time to serve as both the elementary and high school. The trustees were L. M. Richardson, C. F. Trussell, and R. W. Knight; and J. P. Krouse was the architect.
In 1923 the school closed early due to lack of funds. These problems continued throughout the 20’s and in 1928-29 the school bus
drivers were paid only half the year. The buses were then driven by students for the rest of the school year
. Again during the 30’s the school began to have money troubles. In 1932 the teachers were paid 45 per month from the county, Forrest County was one of the few counties able to pay their teachers. Many counties were giving I.O.U.’s but were never able to pay.
In 1925 the school boasted its first graduating class. It consisted of two students, Ruby Lee Mixon and Mary Mixon Collins. There was no formal ceremony for these students, they were just given their diplomas. The following year, the second graduating class was much larger. It had nine members: Walter E. Bedsole, Martin Richardson, J. Stanton Lee, Rolland B. Odom, Clarence O. Bedsole, Naomi Bryant, Mary Jones, Carey Bufkin, and Walter Lee. This class had the first class ring, it cost the students eight dollars.
During the 1940’s many teachers were soldiers’ wives and taught for only 6–8 weeks before moving on with their husband. In 1945 a war surplus building was placed by the gym. This building was used to house a vocational agricultural room and a dark room
. This later led to the schools membership in the Film Library at Mississippi Southern.
The first school annual, The Eagle, was published in 1948. The editor was Dot Story and Peggy Lee
the assistant editor. It was this same year that the school had its first football team
.
In a report that was published in 1953-54 the school was said to consist of an elementary building, a gymnasium, a superintendent’s home, and a vocational agricultural building. There were six teachers in the elementary school with enrollment at 143; while grades 7 thru 12 had seven teachers for the same enrollment of 143. The school session lasted eight months, but the following year it changed to nine months.
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
in Forrest County
Forrest County, Mississippi
The median income for a household in the county was $27,420, and the median income for a family was $35,791. Males had a median income of $28,742 versus $20,500 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,160...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
.
Brief description
Situated in the northeastern corner of Forrest County, the North Forrest Elementary campus has been the site of a community school since the 1890s. NFE is currently “home” to 325 students in grades K-6 from the communities of Eatonville, Glendale, and Rawls Springs. The educational program consists of 22 regular education classes. Students in Grades K-4 are assigned to self-contained classrooms. Grades 5-6 are departmentalized, with students moving from one class to another.History
Mr. W. M. Hemeter gave 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) of land to the school with the stipulation that “should the school fail at any time for a period of two years as a neglect on the part of the patrons of the Eatonville school, the land revert back to W. M. Hemeter.”The original building was an L-shaped, 2 room building constructed from rough lumber. As there was no electricity or indoor plumbing, wood stoves provided heat and water was distributed using a community bucket. The schoolroom had a bench where students sat and recited their lessons to the principal who sat on a stage. The students used slates to write on and Mrs. Nobles recalls that using the double slate was “extra special.”
Students would enter the primer class at age five, but many students began earlier as they attended with an older brother or sister. School sessions only lasted four months each year. The school day began each day with chapel which consisted of a song, prayer, and Bible reading. The rest of the day was spent studying the subjects of arithmetic, grammar, history, physiology, geography, spelling, and penmanship. During recess time the children played in the surrounding pine forest. The boys and girls played on separate sides of the playground. According to Mr. Tolbert Montgomery, Miss Duncan would spend time at recess instructing students about manners, especially on how to introduce a lady to a gentleman.
In a published report in the 1920s the school was said to have a good playground in a beautifully kept cove of trees. The property was estimated to be worth about 2,500. This same report also described the school as lacking supplies such as desks and chalkboards. It also stated the school had no library, one map, window shades
Window blind
A window blind is a type of window coverings. There are many different kinds of window blinds, using different systems and materials. A typical window blind is made with slats of fabric, wood, plastic or metal that adjust by rotating from an open position to a closed position by allowing slats to...
in poor condition, and one teacher’s desk. The school at this time had two pit toilets and the water supply
Water supply
Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
came from a pump with individual cups used by the students.
At this time there were three teachers working at the school. M. H. Bassett, Nellie Grantham, and Reta Larey, they were paid $210.00 from the county and $20.00 from the district. At this time teachers were not required to have college training, they only had to pass a state exam and the courthouse. If they were able to pass the exam they were allowed to teach. The school had 119 students enrolled in the nine grades that were taught. The records show that there were several canning club members. Also, domestic science
Family and consumer science
Family and consumer sciences is an academic discipline that combines aspects of social and natural science. Family and consumer sciences deals with the relationship between individuals, families, and communities, and the environment in which they live...
and farm mechanics were taught to some degree. The county even budgeted $115.00 per month for transportation for students. If a child lived more than two miles (3 km) from the school they could ride the school wagon.
In 1922 a modern brick building was constructed at this time to serve as both the elementary and high school. The trustees were L. M. Richardson, C. F. Trussell, and R. W. Knight; and J. P. Krouse was the architect.
In 1923 the school closed early due to lack of funds. These problems continued throughout the 20’s and in 1928-29 the school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
drivers were paid only half the year. The buses were then driven by students for the rest of the school year
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
. Again during the 30’s the school began to have money troubles. In 1932 the teachers were paid 45 per month from the county, Forrest County was one of the few counties able to pay their teachers. Many counties were giving I.O.U.’s but were never able to pay.
In 1925 the school boasted its first graduating class. It consisted of two students, Ruby Lee Mixon and Mary Mixon Collins. There was no formal ceremony for these students, they were just given their diplomas. The following year, the second graduating class was much larger. It had nine members: Walter E. Bedsole, Martin Richardson, J. Stanton Lee, Rolland B. Odom, Clarence O. Bedsole, Naomi Bryant, Mary Jones, Carey Bufkin, and Walter Lee. This class had the first class ring, it cost the students eight dollars.
During the 1940’s many teachers were soldiers’ wives and taught for only 6–8 weeks before moving on with their husband. In 1945 a war surplus building was placed by the gym. This building was used to house a vocational agricultural room and a dark room
Darkroom
A darkroom is a room that can be made completely dark to allow the processing of light sensitive photographic materials, including photographic film and photographic paper. Darkrooms have been created and used since the inception of photography in the early 19th century...
. This later led to the schools membership in the Film Library at Mississippi Southern.
The first school annual, The Eagle, was published in 1948. The editor was Dot Story and Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
the assistant editor. It was this same year that the school had its first football team
Football team
A football team is the collective name given to a group of players selected together in the various team sports known as football.Such teams could be selected to play in an against an opposing team, to represent a football club, group, state or nation, an All-star team or even selected as a...
.
In a report that was published in 1953-54 the school was said to consist of an elementary building, a gymnasium, a superintendent’s home, and a vocational agricultural building. There were six teachers in the elementary school with enrollment at 143; while grades 7 thru 12 had seven teachers for the same enrollment of 143. The school session lasted eight months, but the following year it changed to nine months.