UPSON COUNTY, GA - HISTORY Memories ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: RainbowO@aol.com EAST THOMASTON GRAMMER SCHOOL The East Thomaston Grammar School was a two story brick building which housed only classrooms and the principle's office. We did not have a lunch room therefore each student brown bagged their lunch and would buy milk at school. East Thomaston was not air conditioned. Nor did it have a gym. Girls were not allowed to wear pants of any description to school. Therefore, in the winter, we would freeze as we stood outside waiting for the bell to ring. We would pull one leg up under our dress and when it was half way warm, we would reverse our stance. When I look at pictures of the flamingos standing on one leg, my mind goes back to those cold days standing beside the red brick building trying to stay warm. Mrs. Mary Mitchell was the principal of East Thomaston Grammar School. Mrs. Mitchell was a proven leader who not only listens to the request, complaints and human interest stories of her teachers, she was there for her pupils. A child could go into her office anytime with a thought of how to improve the school, hours spent on the school ground and/or request to leave school and Mrs. Mitchell would listen. She would then make her decisions, often times hard, yet, always fair. Names of the teachers who administered or students on the other end of "The paddle” will not be mentioned. Only the fact that the paddle was used in those days on any student whom did not show respect. Under Mrs. Mitchell leadership were teachers who dressed like professionals and acted accordingly. Teachers who cared if a child was in need of extra attention or had home problems. Teachers who were out on in the play yard during recess and would smile or speak to any and all children. They were Mrs. Mildred Johnston, Mrs. Harriett Cosey, Mrs. Guy Oxford, Mr. Richard Strauss, Mr. McVaney, Miss Covington, Mr. Crawford, Mrs. Smallwood, Mrs. Cason, Miss Bone and who could forget the twin teachers, Gloria and Georgia Peacock. I am sure there are others, yet, my mind will not bring them forth at this time. About once a month a classroom at East Thomaston would provide a program for the local radio station. Students would sing in a group or for some, a solo. Others would read poetry or a short story. This was the time for any child to shine…to be a star and every parent and grandparent were tuned in to hear their love one's voice over the radio. East Thomaston was proud of their basketball teams. Boys and girls teams had only an outdoor concrete basketball court on which to learn and practice. The students weathered the heat and the cold to learn how to make a basket from the foul line or side court. Miss Covington, a seventh grade teacher, was the girls Coach. She knew the game and she made sure her girls team worked hard to learn how to play the game well and play with fairness. Miss Covington would often run as many laps around the court as she required of her players. Must add, the East Thomaston royal blue satin basketball uniforms along with the white tennis shoes looked sharp out on any hardwood court. East Thomaston had a football team which won the Tri-City Championship several times, as well their own cheerleaders to encourage the team to play with winning strategies. A girl's softball team made East Thomaston proud in the Tri-City Softball League with winning 6 out of 7 games in one season. May not only was the end of the class year, it was the month for May Day. The teachers would write, direct and create many of the props for the May Pole celebration. Hours for the teachers, as well as the students were spent outside the classroom practicing for the special May Day celebration. When the "big” day arrived, the students in costume would dance around the May Pole to the sounds of music with a smile on their face and joy in their hearts. All in all, East Thomaston was an all round school who encouraged its students through academics and social activities and most of all, with fairness and honor.