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On Dec 8, 1902 the passing of by-law 195 in the R.M. of Rossburn created the school district of Boleslaw No. 1243. Boleslaw was a city in Poland now called Kracow. The original district saw additions and deletions with subsequent by-laws. The name Boleslaw was changed to Olha in 1905. Mr. Boderski was a key player in the formation of Olha School District.Anton Kalyshyn's farm was the site of the first school in 1907 at NW 34-19-23. Mr. Michael F. Basarbowcz was the first teacher with an enrollment of 27 students which had 16 boys and 11 girls. Grant money in the amount of $70 was received in the first year. 40 students attended school (27 boys and 13 girls) in 1908 with William Cahut as the teacher. By 1913, 45 students were enrolled, with 23 of those being in Grade 1.
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A wonderful photo of the school.1965
Olha, Manitoba
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Map of school districts prior to the colsolidation in the R.M. of Rossburn.1960
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Michael Nowosad was the teacher for the 1912-1913 school year receiving an annual salary of $525. Students had classes in the following subjects; Language, Grammar, Physiology, Geography, Spelling, Reading and Elementary Science which was weekly lecture on morals and the teaching of the Ten Commandments. During that year the records indicated an enrollment of 45 students however there were 25 students in the district between the ages of 5 and 16 that were not attending.Epidemics plagued the area on several occasions causing school closures. March 1917 saw a measels outbreak and November 1918 influenza spread throughout the area. The election in December 1921 was cause for closure and the lack of a subtitute provided the students time off when the teacher became ill.
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Students enjoying recess at Olha Scho1950
Olha, Manitoba
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Original site of the Olha School.2003
Olha, Manitoba
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This cairn is erected at the original site of the school.2003
Olha, Manitoba
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A motion was passed on June 6, 1930 to move the school to the S.W. 2-20-23, a distance of two miles. The three acre school site was purchased for $125. The Department of Education was responsible for the cost of moving the school and Mr. Beecher, a school inspector, was put in charge of the move. This same year the furnishings of the school were evaluated and divided between the school districts of Olha and Bryd. The teacher's table was valued at $4.00, stove $4.00, $3.00 for the football, a map was $2.00, school books were $20.00, bell $1.00, printing set $2.50, $153.20 for desks, lumber $50.00 and $43.00 in cash for a total value of $282.70. The board of trustees of Olha School agreed to pay Bryd School Division half of the total value. Nick Dnistransky bought the old school site lots in 1935 for $10.00 per acre.With a new school site came maintenance of the yard. Trees were planted in the early 1930's. Nick Kashton was paid $5.00 to hoe the trees in 1934 and Wasyl Zenchyshyn was hired in 1937. In 1938 the maintenance of the trees became part of the janitorial duties.
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Second site of the Olha school.2003
Olha, Manitoba
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Second site of Olha School.2003
Olha, Manitoba
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Anne Prosyk taught school for many years at Olha.1960
Olha, Manitoba
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"I have many fond memories of my teaching days at Olha School. I taught for four years from 1959-1963. For the first two years I had 16 pupils and for the last two years, 12 pupils, but with eight grades it was still a lot of work.We began each morning with the singing of "O Canada", then followed by the Lord's Prayer and each morning the pupils took turns to read a passage from the Bible as that was a stipulation of the Department of Education.
Keeping 8 grades on task was quite a chore. Work was assigned to each level beginning with Grade VIII. The younger children had the advantage to learn from lessons taught to the older children and the older children were able to take on the role of leadership with the younger students. Exams were written 3 times a year and testing was done frequently.
The children loved singing songs so I made sure we had singing everyday. Each child had a turn to pick out 2 songs for the day.
The children brought their lunches to school and so did I.
For the first time in my teaching days I didn't have to make the fire in the school wood stove.
I picked out monitors to clean the chalkboard and to sweep the floor. They did their duties diligently.
The games the children played were; Tag, Hide and Seek, The Farmer in the Dell, Drop the Handkie, Tug of War, Soccer, Baseball, and London Bridge is Falling Down. I made a point to take part in the games and they enjoyed having me play with them.
Every Friday we had story telling, a spelling match or geography match during the last period.
The Christmas Concert was a big affair. The children loved practicing Christmas Carols, dancing and acting out plays. During the Art period we made Christmas decorations and decorated the hall for the concert. They also brought decorations from home to decorate the tree. There was a lot of excitement the night of the concert and the hall was filled to capacity
In a country school the outhouse was quite a distance from the school so the children ran to get there in time.
I must tell you that there were no gravel roads at that time so my means of transportation was car, tractor or on foot.
I had my son going to school with me. He was in Grade VI when I started teaching in Olha School so I taught him for 3 years. My daughter was in Grade I during my last year at Olha.
There were many celebrations for special days throughout the year. However the children always looked forward with anticipation to the festivities planned on the last day of school. The tradition was to have a picnic which included a bonfire where potatoes, weiners and marshmallows were roasted. I supplied the drinks and a special treat. The afternoon was filled with games, races and lots of laughter.
As another year at Olha School came to an end, goodbyes were said and a few tears were shed."
Submitted by Anne A. Prosyk
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Cancelled cheque for Anne's wages for teaching at Olha School.15 October 1963
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Teachers required a place to board while teaching at Olha. This service provided many local housewives with some much needed income. Boarders were welcomed at many homes; Anton Kalyshyn, Peter Shwaluk, Harry Maduke, Metro Maduke, John Krysowaty, Nick Luhowy, John Halischuk, Peter Krysowaty and Stanley Drozda. |
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