Yes Ed, I too attended George J West Junior High School (as it was called then), from 1973 till
1975. Yes, it was quite a shock, after spending six safe years at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary
on Nelson St. Exposed to tough kids from Olneyville and other tougher neighborhoods, I
had my first experiences with bullies. Made it though in spite of them and had many good teachers. In addition to wood shop with Mr. D'Ambra, who was teased unendingly, I also took
metal shop and printing, I still remember setting up the type in the huge printing presses.
Then I moved on to Mt. Pleasant and then graduated from URI where I met my wife.
Did not enjoy grade school but if it were not for all of those teachers I never would have gone to
URI. I still have both West and Mt. Pleasant yearbooks, I'm looking at them right now on my bookshelf!
I loved George West also. Ed, we were part of a great group in Room 310 with Miss Sherman . Beyond the academic opportunities and the super teachers, we had other opportunities. I was part of a group who made the morning announcements including the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord's Prayer. I was a library assistant also and learned how to sew up a magazine to reinforce its cover and binding. Do you remember that Mr. Cerilli would broadcast the final innings of the World Series over the school's intercom each fall? Glee Club with Miss Collins, drama class with Miss Sommers, Home Ec and beginning work in Latin and Algebra with Miss Carroll and Miss Flannagan - so exciting. PE and having to change into a gym suit and sneakers was something new, and showering after class and before getting back to classes was always an adventure. What about Miss Flynn and our ninth grade project - a career book? Ed, what did you do yours on? I wanted to be a medical laboratory technician, or so I thought.The only career I knew I didn't want was teaching (My 14 year old self didn't like the look of those shoes our teachers wore), but teaching became my life's work, and I loved it. Thanks for jogging the memory chain.
Brought back memories of Gilbert Stuart Junior High. We also had a print class in addition to metal and woodworking. All three were taught by the same person. I believe his name was Mr. Gumbly and he was missing portions of digits on both hands. Those classes helped train my mind for my career as an engineer. Thanks for stirring the memories of that time
Missed your weekly column and was lucky to find you on Substack when I signed to follow the Save South County Hospital group which started posting on Substack.
Again, a wonderful blog to read! I, however, had quite a different experience at George J West. When my dad passed away in 1972, two well meaning aunts had to decide what to do with myself and two brothers. Well, I moved to Mt. Pleasant with my Aunt and Uncle and finished 7th grade at GJW. Mind you, we moved to Mt. Pleasant from bucolic Coventry, RI. I'm pretty sure I still had hay in my hair. I had never seen a POC except for Linc on The Mod Squad. My first day of school, a towering (to 4'10" me) black student named Renee Jackson demanded I give her my lunch money or she would beat me up. What do you think I did? Of course, I gave her my lunch money, that day and any other day she asked. I didn't think to tell a teacher or my auntie or anyone, because I was concerned about retribution. Two observations. One, I certainly ate a very large supper on those nights. Two, I was never so happy for a school year to end! That summer, my other Aunt bought a house off Atwood Avenue in Cranston and I attended western Cranston schools through high school graduation. That's a story for another day though!
Great story and actually quite humorous in its way, notwithstanding your growling afternoon stomach. Shop class would have distracted you. I trust you ate safely and well in Cranston.
Great piece, Ed. I too attended GJW contemporaneously with you, but I lasted only 2 years, and never graduated. I marvel at your recall of the names and descriptions of our teachers. My folks decided that I would be better off going to Classical for a full 4-year experience. I had nothing to say about it. I also enjoyed the shop classes, including Print Shop, and still have a small wooden wishing well I made. Miss Collins was my home-room teacher and the full-time music teacher. Imagine that! Full-time. The Music Room was beautiful, with a grand piano and large windows overlooking the playing field behind the school. She also supplemented her meager (I assume) salary by selling encyclopedias on the side. She came to our Rill Street house and convinced my folks that having an encyclopedia in the house would be really helpful to my education. I think I referred to it maybe a half-dozen times. I did not think of it then, but that could be seen as fairly exploitative, taking advantage of well-meaning parents. But I agree with your impressions that GJW was a generally fine educational experience. But having 4 full years at Classical was the best thing that ever happened to my young self.
Excellent, Ron. Yes, I remember Miss Collins and The Music Room. It was fun. I also remember her ambling to our house one summer evening to sell an encyclopedia. My father didn't go for it, most likely because he didn't have the money.
I forgot about Print Shop.
I went to Classical in the 10th grade and, boy, did I have some catching up to do.
Ed, so well told and so well enjoyed the reading of your Junior High years. Barbara, I believe is in the center of photo according to Ann. Barbara lived across from Ann on View Street and they attended Regent Avenue School. Barbara's parents moved to Mount Pleasent Avenue, and she attended West. Ann and her siblings went on to Nathaniel Green. Ann is a very good friend of her cousin Pauline, and she keeps Ann up to date. Barbara and family are good stock.
Yes Ed, I too attended George J West Junior High School (as it was called then), from 1973 till
1975. Yes, it was quite a shock, after spending six safe years at Robert F. Kennedy Elementary
on Nelson St. Exposed to tough kids from Olneyville and other tougher neighborhoods, I
had my first experiences with bullies. Made it though in spite of them and had many good teachers. In addition to wood shop with Mr. D'Ambra, who was teased unendingly, I also took
metal shop and printing, I still remember setting up the type in the huge printing presses.
Then I moved on to Mt. Pleasant and then graduated from URI where I met my wife.
Did not enjoy grade school but if it were not for all of those teachers I never would have gone to
URI. I still have both West and Mt. Pleasant yearbooks, I'm looking at them right now on my bookshelf!
Great story, good memories, Tom. Especially meeting your life partner.
I loved George West also. Ed, we were part of a great group in Room 310 with Miss Sherman . Beyond the academic opportunities and the super teachers, we had other opportunities. I was part of a group who made the morning announcements including the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord's Prayer. I was a library assistant also and learned how to sew up a magazine to reinforce its cover and binding. Do you remember that Mr. Cerilli would broadcast the final innings of the World Series over the school's intercom each fall? Glee Club with Miss Collins, drama class with Miss Sommers, Home Ec and beginning work in Latin and Algebra with Miss Carroll and Miss Flannagan - so exciting. PE and having to change into a gym suit and sneakers was something new, and showering after class and before getting back to classes was always an adventure. What about Miss Flynn and our ninth grade project - a career book? Ed, what did you do yours on? I wanted to be a medical laboratory technician, or so I thought.The only career I knew I didn't want was teaching (My 14 year old self didn't like the look of those shoes our teachers wore), but teaching became my life's work, and I loved it. Thanks for jogging the memory chain.
.
Great comments, Barbara. And youu have JOGGED my memory. Thanks.
AHA! You were one of the morning announcers. Nice
From your reminder, I have a Miss Flynn story that I will post soon.
Great story, jealous you can remember all your teachers name. Also so glad instead of shop you took up medicine.
HaHa, it was a tough decision
Brought back memories of Gilbert Stuart Junior High. We also had a print class in addition to metal and woodworking. All three were taught by the same person. I believe his name was Mr. Gumbly and he was missing portions of digits on both hands. Those classes helped train my mind for my career as an engineer. Thanks for stirring the memories of that time
Missed your weekly column and was lucky to find you on Substack when I signed to follow the Save South County Hospital group which started posting on Substack.
Hi, Howard. Thanks for weighing in and for your kind comments. Wow, Mr. Gumbly was talented. I hope more of these classes are offered these days.
Again, a wonderful blog to read! I, however, had quite a different experience at George J West. When my dad passed away in 1972, two well meaning aunts had to decide what to do with myself and two brothers. Well, I moved to Mt. Pleasant with my Aunt and Uncle and finished 7th grade at GJW. Mind you, we moved to Mt. Pleasant from bucolic Coventry, RI. I'm pretty sure I still had hay in my hair. I had never seen a POC except for Linc on The Mod Squad. My first day of school, a towering (to 4'10" me) black student named Renee Jackson demanded I give her my lunch money or she would beat me up. What do you think I did? Of course, I gave her my lunch money, that day and any other day she asked. I didn't think to tell a teacher or my auntie or anyone, because I was concerned about retribution. Two observations. One, I certainly ate a very large supper on those nights. Two, I was never so happy for a school year to end! That summer, my other Aunt bought a house off Atwood Avenue in Cranston and I attended western Cranston schools through high school graduation. That's a story for another day though!
Great story and actually quite humorous in its way, notwithstanding your growling afternoon stomach. Shop class would have distracted you. I trust you ate safely and well in Cranston.
Thanks for sharing
Great piece, Ed. I too attended GJW contemporaneously with you, but I lasted only 2 years, and never graduated. I marvel at your recall of the names and descriptions of our teachers. My folks decided that I would be better off going to Classical for a full 4-year experience. I had nothing to say about it. I also enjoyed the shop classes, including Print Shop, and still have a small wooden wishing well I made. Miss Collins was my home-room teacher and the full-time music teacher. Imagine that! Full-time. The Music Room was beautiful, with a grand piano and large windows overlooking the playing field behind the school. She also supplemented her meager (I assume) salary by selling encyclopedias on the side. She came to our Rill Street house and convinced my folks that having an encyclopedia in the house would be really helpful to my education. I think I referred to it maybe a half-dozen times. I did not think of it then, but that could be seen as fairly exploitative, taking advantage of well-meaning parents. But I agree with your impressions that GJW was a generally fine educational experience. But having 4 full years at Classical was the best thing that ever happened to my young self.
Excellent, Ron. Yes, I remember Miss Collins and The Music Room. It was fun. I also remember her ambling to our house one summer evening to sell an encyclopedia. My father didn't go for it, most likely because he didn't have the money.
I forgot about Print Shop.
I went to Classical in the 10th grade and, boy, did I have some catching up to do.
An enjoyable article. I love your copper bookends. You did an outstanding job making them.🥰
Well, Julie, you are most kind.
Ed, so well told and so well enjoyed the reading of your Junior High years. Barbara, I believe is in the center of photo according to Ann. Barbara lived across from Ann on View Street and they attended Regent Avenue School. Barbara's parents moved to Mount Pleasent Avenue, and she attended West. Ann and her siblings went on to Nathaniel Green. Ann is a very good friend of her cousin Pauline, and she keeps Ann up to date. Barbara and family are good stock.
Wow, great. Small world. Barbara remains a close friend.
Ed,
Nice. Now I know why you were so advanced at Taco Heaters.
Paul
HaHa. Almost left a finger in the turret lathe.
Fun days. Great experience for both of us, Paul.