Those were the days, my friend
Shandon School memories from the 1930s
By Margaret B. Smith

In the fall of 1932, having done my first grade work at Rosewood Elementary, I entered the second grade at Shandon School. When my family moved into the Shandon area, my sister and four brothers and I all attended Shandon School until time to enter Hand Junior High.

Miss Mary Van Landingham was my teacher for second grade. She was tall, gentle in manner, and a special teacher as far as I was concerned. I loved that we discussed politics (on our level, of course). I remember that we talked about Roosevelt becoming president.

Other teachers I recall were Miss Gertrude Thurmond, who was not only my fourth grade homeroom teacher but taught social studies as well. Miss Mary B. Taylor was our art teacher, and Miss Marine taught us music. There are others I recall but don't remember them as my teachers: among them, Miss Drummond, Mrs. Roy, and Miss Lowe.

I remember Mr. Schneider, our principal, very vividly, because he came into one of my classes (probably math) and sat down beside me to help me with a problem I was having. He was a kind man, and I appreciated his help very much.

There was a group of us little girls (8-10 years old, probably) who ate together at a corner of the school yard facing Devine Street. Some of us would swap a sandwich for an apple, perhaps. Others, like me, would sit quietly and eat our peanut butter and jelly sandwich without joining in the swapping.

I remember one little girl had dainty, crustless little sandwiches (cut in fours) usually chicken salad or pimento cheese. How I envied her "only child" status! Being one of six children, I did well to have a sandwich at all.

Another girl lived in an upstairs apartment next door to our "Trading Post." She would sit at the window and wave at us below, while she, no doubt, enjoyed her mother's warm lunch prepared for her in their kitchen above us.

Shandon School was a happy and warm place of learning for me and will always be among my fondest memories.