School Days

Lewis Elementary School was less than a block from our house, but across a four lane avenue. We had a crossing guard so Mother didn't worry about us going across to get to school. She'd stand at the door and watch until we got to the end of our block (our house was right in the middle).
My first grade teacher was Mrs.Fort and the principal was Mrs. Hicks. I had already been in kindergarten for two years, so I was used to going to school.
The first grade was fun from what little I can remember. Don't remember my second grade teacher's name; but my third grade teacher was Mrs.Southerland. I think she was my favorite of all the teachers I had.
Most of the teacher's in elementary were older women (no men), unlike today, when it seems that so many young folks are teaching. Mrs Southerland's grandson was in High School with me, so that sorta tells you how old she might have been.
Every May 1st was 'May Day' in elementary, and we all looked forward to it, and every child participated in some way. We would all dance around the May Pole. The pole was maybe 8 or 9 feet high with streamers hanging from the top. Each child that participated would take the end of a streamer, and with music playing, we would dance around it, weaving in and out from each other until at the end the streamers would be braided to the ground. On May Day, the school grounds would be full with parents and other family members watching the events.
One year, I think it was third grade, I was in an Indian dance together with twenty or so more children, and of course Mother made my costume. Mother was very involved in our school activities, quite often making dozens of cupcakes for us to carry for different occasions.
Another year, our May day activity was dancing the Minuet. Mother, once again, made our costumes, along with our white wigs. (my brother participated in that one.) I wish I had a picture of that particular costume. My dress was blue satin-like material with a white overskirt pulled up into waist high scallops on each side. My brother's outfit was made of the same blue.  Mother made up my face, complete with a black beauty mark. When I looked in the mirror I just knew I was the most beautiful girl in the world..
 In seventh grade, I was picked  to do a solo ballet; coming down the school steps into the crowd, just winging it all the way through with a huge bouquet of flowers in my hand throughout the whole dance. I felt so glamorous, although I wasn't, but hey, I was doing the movie star thing, and those flowers never hit the ground.  Once again, Mother made my ballet dress.
 In those early school days, I knew everything there was to know about acting, musicals, and performing in front of a crowd, and why not; after all I was the movie star idiot. I had gone to watch many musicals at the movie theater, watched the stars perform, imitated their dancing, tried to sing the way they did, and in my head, and heart of hearts I was almost as good as they were. I was the ultimate 'ham'. Therefore, I was called down quite a few times in school for 'daydreaming'. The movies and music were my world.

Somehow, I made it through and 'graduated' from elementary to go into High School. My grades, needless to say, were not of the highest caliber.
The photo at the top was in seventh grade, with my 'Ballet' dress that Mother made.
At the bottom the Indian outfit also handcrafted by Mother. My brother, by the way, had no muscles at that time..:)