6

1937 S.S. #4 Middle Island School
1937
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

7

1941-1942 S.S. #2 West Side School
1942
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

8

In the winter months the schools were heated with a coal-burning stove. Air-conditioning consisted of open windows. For exercise there were outdoor games like Baseball, Hide and Go Seek, Red Rover and Tag. The girls wore dresses and long warm beige stockings in the winter. Some were lucky to have snow-pants to wear.

9

S.S. #3 South End School
1944
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

10

Until the 1940s, the children walked to school or rode a bicycle. They all came with their lunch pail. It was always safe to accept a ride from the Islanders.

11

The school bus has stopped to pick up Gerhard Wiebe; Spotty wants to come too!
1948
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

12

Ruby Epp and Virgina Bondy, a South End School teacher who boarded with the Epp family
1940
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

13

There were four rooms here for Grades one to twelve. It was the only school with a basement and it had a small lab for the High School Science classes. Many students were not previously acquainted with each other. New friendships were formed and a sense of Island togetherness lasting to this day.

14

1939-1940 S.S. #1 North End School
1940
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

15

1941 S.S. #1 North End School in winter
1941
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

16

Highlights were the Christmas concert, Valentine and Halloween parties at school.

17

S.S. #1 North End School
Circa 1942
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Essex Kent Mennonite Historical Association

18

In September of 1946, as the Island population decreased, three public schools were closed and the students were all transported by two buses to the North End Public and Continuation School.

19

Like going to New York City
2009
Pelee Island, Ontario

Credits:
Speaking: Astrid Koop
Interviewer: Candace Nast