(A letter written to the School Trustees. The previous page (131) has been ripped out of the book, I draw no conclusions from this.)
December 9th, 1924
Our winter Term ended Nov. 30th according to Agreement with Teacher. This was mentioned at last Board Meeting. I was, therefore, much surprised to learn that the School is still being operated.
I, of course, assume that the two remaining Trustees agreed to keep the School open during December.
But this could only be done at a Special Board Meeting, and a Minute registered to that effect.
Allow me to remind you both (Mrs. McGuire and Mr. Kruse) that I am only authorized, by you, to pay the Teacher up to the end of November, when the Agreement with Miss Robinson terminated.
Therefore, unless you both wish me to pay her after that time and both of you sign the Authorization Form, in the prescence of a witness, (which I enclose) returning same to me properly completed, I am not going to commit myself, and I shall only have power to pay Miss Robinson up to the end of November and it must be left to the new Board (which will be elected in 4 weeks time) to settle this business.
Yours faithfully
Thomas Street - Sec
To Mrs. McGuire
and Mr. Kruse
(132)
August 14th, 1922
The Deputy Minister
Department of Education - Ed
Sir
Our A1 Teacher leaves us August 31st for a better position. We have operated our School right through the vacation and shall close for the winter October 31st.
So, we want a Teacher for 2 months. Of course we cannot expect to get a fully qualified Teacher for that time. I have written to C.G. McLean who taught our School last Fall, and who finishes at Pemburton Hill Aug. 18th. But have had no answer at present. The daughter of one of our Trustees - H.A. Mudie - who has passed the 10th Grade and is training for a Teacher, is prepared and willing to teach our 6 young children for the 2 months if you will send a permit.
Of course she would board & lodge at home, which will mean much to us. No one will take them in their house. And a young girl cannot bach alone.
Yours respectfully
Thomas Street
(94)
September 8th, 1922
Department of Education - Ed
Sir
Our lady Trustee (who is in touch with the other Trustees) has just called asking me to write to you. Our Trustees particularly wish to appoint Miss Mudie from now to Oct. 31st. No female Teacher could teach there alone and we have no accomodation for her brother, that is, the brother of Miss Miller, 17 years old. Miss Mudie is a strong, healthy young woman, whose burning desire is to become a successful teacher. She would board & lodge at home which would remove all our trouble. Her Father is a hard working Farmer and the earned $170.00 would be very useful to her. A great help. Afterwards, Miss Mudie would go through Grade XI. Then on to Normal. We earnestly hope the Department will give way, and allow us to start school at once, with Miss Mudie as Teacher. The time is fast passing & Winter approaching.
Yours respectfully
Thomas Street
(97)
September 15th,1922
The Registrar
Department of Education - Edmonton
Sir
re Teacher for Sylvan
At present I have received no answer to my letter of the 8th and our School is still closed. -
We are still anxiously hoping the Department will allow us to employ Miss Mudie, from next Monday until October 31st, for the strong reasons previously stated to you. -
I have consulted my Board this week. Should, however, the Department absolutely refuse to allow my Board to do what it considers would be best, in every way, for our own district, I am requested to inform you that Miss Catherine Kirkpatrick, with Grade XI satanding - daughter of our Station Agent, who is also the Wabamun S.D. Sec. -Treas. - is willing to teach our School until Oct 31st. She would board & lodge at home, and wishes to earn money in order to go to Normal in January, for 4 months, being half the term. Then earn more money for further training.
Yours respectfully
Thomas Street
(101)
April 19th, 1923
To the Registrar
Department of Education - Ed
Sir (R.18102.23)
I received your letter March 28th. In it you say: - "In my opinion it would be wise for your Board to conserve their finances, and defer opening the School for three weeks."
Then on April 16th, to my surprise, you (through Mr. Derry) ring me up and proceed to rake me, because I have not secured a Teacher. Immediately I reached home after this phone talk I wrote up the conversation for my protection. Although I had not seen our Trustees for 2 or 3 weeks, strange to say, The Chairman called that night, of course, I showed him your letter and the phone conversation report. I have, never before, seen our Chairman so agitated and angry. In fact he was inclined to write out his resignation there and then. He knew the other Trustees would do the same. But then, I consider this would hurt rather than help our District for our male Trustees are splendid men - strong-minded and strong-willed. I am proud of them. I unhesitatingly say, Sir, that there is (end of p.115)
No Chairman in Alberta who has done so much, or sacrificed so much for the cause of Education as Mr. Allen. Their strong, indisputable point is: -"Our last Teacher was prepared to re-open our School last Friday, and she has done splendid service. It is our Building, paid for, it is our money, and they are our children. And yet the Department is trying to prevent us from engaging our own Teacher, who will be paid, not by the Department, but by us. This is autocrasy unbearable."
I am an old man - round 70. I lived 60 years in England. I have had to do with Education since 1872 - just after Right Hon. W.C. Fosters Education Bill became law. Although then a minor, I was put upon a large School Board of 7 in a 600 people village, because of my educational suitability.
Your present action puzzles me. What are these precious Normal School students to do with us, who have only half-breeds to educate? Let them take their chance in the open market like every other class, instead of being nursed and coddled and pampered and petted as you do them!! (end of p.116)
Our Chairman asked me to put our position before you at length, and to give you the naked unvarnished facts. - And, I proudly say, Sir, that if you, without the consent of my Board, send one of those supercilious, conceited, highly-trained Teachers here, and a Female, you must take both the responsibility and the consequences. -
I would not allow a daughter of mine to go and live there alone, if the salary was $2000.00 a year, and no decent Father, who cares for his child, would allow it. The Chairman quite agreed with my suggestion that you should run over in a Car, this week, and see what our poor district is like. Your views would, then, be different. If you could do this, and will phone me the day, calling here for me, I will go with you, any day but Wednesday.
Yours respectfully
Thomas Street
(117)
BACK