Recess

As I have already mentioned the grades 1–6 had a 15-minutes recess mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Grades 1–3 had their recess together, followed by the higher grades. When the class left for recess there was the practice, instructed or implied, for the pupils to visit the restroom. At the end of the recess everyone lined up (in two rows) for a drink of water at the two fountains just outside the restrooms. There was always a teacher assigned to supervision of the recess, as well as during the noon hour for those students who brought their lunch.

Whether we were restricted as to where we played, to the area south of the school where the swings and merry-go-round [were] I don’t recall. We were however definitely told to stay off the lawn areas in front of the school building.

The playground, directly south of the school building had as equipment some swings and a merry-go-round. The area was not sown to grass, it was covered with sand or gravel that had compacted with use to a rather hard surface. There were six swings — initially the supporting members were straight round iron bars terminating in a heavy board seat. The bars had typically become slightly bent at the top where they were attached to the supporting structure. This had resulted from the older students swinging so high that the pivot at the top of the bars passed the level of free turning. Later on the bars were replaced by sort of chain link supports.

The playground was also the scene of softball games with sides chosen up under the teachers’ direction. As I was sometimes left over after the teams were chosen I was delegated to be the umpire, calling balls and strikes. A less felicitous choice could hardly have been made and my calls were frequently disputed (though accepted). The calling outs on base runners was not a matter that was officiated — usually the outcome was tacitly agreed on.

The playground was also the place where boys played marbles in spring and fall. Marble were also played on the fringes of the city park on the way to and from school.

In winter recess play was in the gymnasium. I have no recollection as to what the play consisted of, perhaps there was a certain amount of playing at basketball for the boys.

Whether the boys started playing marbles and the girls jacks in first grade I don’t remember. I’m sure though the games were being played by second grade.