Students, Teachers, and Schools

"Mein erster Schultag" ("My first day of school"). Handwritten note on the back of this real photo postcard: "Ostern 1966" ("Easter 1966"). Schultüten (school cones), miniature Easter baskets, and a stuffed first-day-of-school toy dog? Evidently these boys began their school career around Eastertime in 1966. For additional examples of these conical first-day-of-school gifts, see the Schultüte - School Cone group.

A handwritten date of 1955 appears on the back of this Schultüte (school cone) photo.

Ein kleiner Junge mit einem großen Schultüte. (A small boy with a big Schultüte, or school cone.)

A photo of a new beginning for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. "When children in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria set off for their first day in school upon entering first grade," Wikipedia explains, "their parents and/or grandparents present them with a big cardboard cone"--called a Schultüte or school cone--"prettily decorated and filled with toys, chocolate, candies, school supplies, and various other goodies. It is given to children to make this anxiously awaited first day of school a little bit sweeter." I'm not sure whether this boy was anxious or confident as he held his decorated Schultüte (is that Betty Boop in a sailor cap on the side of the cone?), but this tradition must have been an exciting way for him to mark a new beginning as a student on his first day of school. For more photos of students commemorating their first day of school in this way, see the Schultüte - School Cone group.

For more information, see the full version of this real photo postcard .

Based on the messages written by Louise, a former teacher, on the front and back of this postcard, this photo shows two young students dressed in rabbit costumes for a springtime (possibly Easter) school program in Ault, Colorado, in 1910. They're posing in a backyard (perhaps a schoolyard) and seem to be holding a string between them. Handwritten message on the front: "These are the two rabbit characters which made such a 'hit' in our closing program last spring. Mrs. Harding and I made the costumes." Postmarked: Ault, Colorado, Oct. 13, 1910. Addressed to: Miss Grace Burgess, Victor, Colo. Handwritten message on the back: "Dear girlie, Since I am not teaching, I am so busy doing nothing that I don't seem to find time to write to anyone. Wanted to tell you that I have joined the Christian Church. Louise." See also a cropped version of this real photo postcard for a close-up view of the rabbit costumes :

Costumed schoolchildren celebrate Easter and springtime in 1963. See also Spring Is Here—and So Is Easter!

A 1960s photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Another snapshot of those Quizzical Kids in Easter Costumes , who were celebrating Easter and springtime in 1963. Note the "Spring Is Here" message in the background above the blackboard. In the corner next to it is a reproduction of Gilbert Stuart 's unfinished 1796 portrait of George Washington .

A trick or treat photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park. Stamped on the back of the photo: "Sta-Nu Prints. Jun 26, 1940, Hayes Photo Service, New Hope, Pa." Although these kids look like they're ready for Halloween, the month (June) that the photo was developed and the warm day (note the open windows of the school building behind them) lead me to suspect that they were dressed up for a play or some other school activity.

"Battle of Gettysburg. Scholar's ticket. This ticket and 15 cents admits a scholar to matinee." The Battle of Gettysburg , one of the bloodiest clashes during the American Civil War , began 150 years ago on July 1, 1863, when Union and Confederate forces met near the town of Gettysburg in south central Pennsylvania. This is an early student ticket for the Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama , a huge 360-degree panoramic painting that depicts a dramatic scene from the battle. The Gettysburg Cyclorama was created in 1884 for display in Boston, moved to Gettysburg in 1913 in time for the hundredth anniversary of the battle, and is now part of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center .

"Reward of merit presented to a good scholar from your teacher, S. Ayres. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1867 by L. Prang & Co. in the Clerk's office of Mass."

"Presented to Lizzie Kensinger by E. A. Feight, teacher."

"Reward of Merit for Punctuality, Industry, and Good Conduct presented to Mary Geller by Virginia Fair, teacher." With an illustration of a U.S. Civil War soldier in the middle panel.

Reward of Merit Presented to Charles Burns, by Maria S. Hale. Come let us haste to the schoolroom away, Nor tarry a moment of time on the way, For when lessons are learn'd & our tasks are done, We may sport on the green till the set of the sun.

Class of '84. Blanche Wilhelm, Mamie Moss, Minnie I. Wright, Maggie M. Waltman, Mame E. Jones, Omie Tilton, Joseph A. Cameron, Joseph N. Wright, Albert E. May. Mundus ante nos est [the world is before us].

Spelling Bee to be held at the West Terre Hill School, Friday eve., April 3, 1925. There will be three classes: 1st--Spelling, open to pupils 14 years and under. 2nd--Spelling, open to all. 3rd--General information class. Three prizes given each class. A special program will be rendered, consisting of recitations, dialogues, and singing. Admission, 15c. Everybody invited. Doors open 7:00. Bee to buzz, 7:30. Helena Becker, teacher. Times Print, Terre Hill, Pa.

It's hard to imagine a time when Victrolas, radios, and electric irons were banned in student housing, but here's the evidence! Although my copy doesn't bear any indication of its origin, these dormitory rules were apparently used at some time in the past at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., according to an article, "It's After Midnight--Turn Down The Victrola!" , by J. L. Garner, that originally appeared in the April 16, 2001, issue of The College Reporter , an "independent student newspaper." Special Requirements for Students in the Dormitory 1. No student is allowed to have in his room animal pets of any kind, Victrola, radio, or electric iron. 2. Students must observe the regulation restricting unnecessary noise during the study period. 3. Students must not drive tacks or nails or use paste on the walls or woodwork of rooms and must not put up curtains at windows. Use picture rail hooks. 4. Observe good care of the dormitory with all its furnishings, and avoid clogging drains in lavatories. 5. Do not place lighted matches, cigars, or cigarettes on the furniture, as it is readily damaged. Use an ash tray. 6. Trunks ought to be stored in trunk room provided for the purpose. 7. Women are not allowed in the dormitory under any circumstances. 8. Students who are guilty of ungentlemanly conduct or disorder may be summarily removed and will be required to forfeit the room in the dormitory. 9. Students are not allowed to keep anything for sale in a dormitory room.

"Commencement Exercises, Opera House, Friday, June 18, 1886, at 2 o'clock, p.m., afternoon only. Admit one."