My own grade school - Bheam School with the fire escapes of death on the sides of the building. Bheam was built in 1906. You can also see more of Bheam School HERE IN 1942 and all the Morrellville kids parading on Halloween. We still did the same thing when I went there in the 1960's. These old schools had character. Something I think is lacking in today's cookie cutter buildings along with some now unused words. We put our coats in the cloakroom and used the lavatory. Kids now a days would have no idea what I mean including the word "shan't" - a favorite of one of my old teachers...
We played pickup games of wiffle ball and kickball and would fight over who would go down over the wall to get the ball. It was even better if it made it's way under Fairfield Avenue and you had to scale down the wall by the candy shop....sneeking in the store for a quick pick me up.
I have to add - that the meanest teacher I ever had in all my years of schooling was my old 6-th grade teacher there (she will remain nameless).
But Bheam also had the best teacher I ever had in all my years. My 5-th grade teacher Miss Bach. Her classroom opened a world of opportunity to me that I never imagined was there....all because of an old beat up print of 16mm silent movie. This was the day of black and white tv - with the choice of three channels - cable was years away. It was then and there that I fell in love with film and video and the way the medium can tell a story.
We played pickup games of wiffle ball and kickball and would fight over who would go down over the wall to get the ball. It was even better if it made it's way under Fairfield Avenue and you had to scale down the wall by the candy shop....sneeking in the store for a quick pick me up.
I have to add - that the meanest teacher I ever had in all my years of schooling was my old 6-th grade teacher there (she will remain nameless).
But Bheam also had the best teacher I ever had in all my years. My 5-th grade teacher Miss Bach. Her classroom opened a world of opportunity to me that I never imagined was there....all because of an old beat up print of 16mm silent movie. This was the day of black and white tv - with the choice of three channels - cable was years away. It was then and there that I fell in love with film and video and the way the medium can tell a story.
That's interesting ... I recall back in the 50's Bheam only had grades 1-4 then students transferred to Chandler ... Sheridan school on the border of Morellville and Oakhurst had a similar deal transferring students to Oakhurst school (maybe after grade 3). Must have been the days of more students than classrooms ...
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand building ... Bheam, Chandler, Oakhurst and Coopersdale grade schools. For more than half a century educating the children of the West End ... Lots of us ended up in the steel mills or as housewives, but we learned the 3 Rs from teachers who really were dedicated ... These institutions were something to be proud of ...
ReplyDeleteLisa, what great memories. I to had the teacher that often said shan't. I believe she was truly a blue haired older teacher. Old school for sure. Now, the meanest teacher I had was the one from the 4th grade. Today she would be fired for the things she did to some of us students. We may be talking about the same one as I think you are a bit younger then I. Also Miss Bach was indeed one of the nicest teachers I ever had. Loved being in her class.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what is the origin of the name of Bheam school?
ReplyDeleteMy maiden name is Bheam, I am from Johnstown originally. I remember hearing of this school, but not sure if or how it connects to my family, and they are mostly gone now, so neat to see the building and memories.
I went to Chandler Elementary School (1969 - 1971) from Kindergarten thru half way thru 2nd grade. After a teach quit, some of us were transferred to Beam (1971 - 1975). I was there when the '77 flood hit and destroyed the school. I have been trying to find pictures and information on the school over the years and this was the first one I found. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI also attended K through half of my 2nd grade at Chandler and was transferred to Beam for the rest of my elementary school.
ReplyDeleteI had Miss Bach in 3rd grade at Oakhurst school. Indeed an excellent teacher. I hear she is still alive n lives on
ReplyDeleteBarron Ave.
I attended the school somewhere in the 1957 to 1959 time period, third and fourth grades. I remember the third grade class shared the room with the fourth grade class. Does anyone recall the teacher’s name and I believe the principle was Florence Patch?
ReplyDeleteI don't know is Miss Patch was there then. But I do know she was at Chandler in 1968.
ReplyDeleteI attended there from K-6 in the 50s and 60s, then went on to Garfield. I had Martha Bach in 5th grade--a very nice teacher. Florence Patch was the principal at Bheam when I attended there. Mr. Newcomer was the janitor. My teachers were Miss Hassen, Miss Hayes, Miss Hoff, Mrs. Smith, Miss Frankosky, Miss Bach, and Mrs. Kadas.
ReplyDeleteI still dream about Bheam School!
Nancy Hoover
My maiden name is Christina Just from Fairfield Avenue. I attended Bheam School from 1950 until 1959, We had the most amazing teachers. I had Miss Bach in first grade. Elsie Kells is the lovely blue haired lady who said "shan't." I loved her so much. There is another teacher who is not mentioned here, and I am not sure how to spell her name, Weinman. Of all the many many teachers I had, she inspired me the most. Many criticize Miss Frankkowski, and she was a bit off, but she taught me more geography still remembered 70 years later. She opened the world to me. The were the best years of my life. Nothing can ever replace those times.
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