Anyone have a memories of old Burt school - it's still there and still in use, looks the same, I drove by in June

In answer to John's post, yes I remember Mrs Batchleer, 6th grade, the same way, Mrs Dickerson, 7th grade, starting out each day reading 23rd psalm, talking about her home on Lasher near 10 Mile rd., and her kids who lived in Three Rivers Mi, and Miss Boyle, 8th grade, who, I thought, couldn't wait to get out of there and retire. Mr McPherson, science teacher, was well liked by everyone, I think. The music teacher, miss engandler, who got marreid and was Mrs Jackson, Mr Mose in shop class, how patient he was teaching all those boys how to use power tools. I think my favorite teacher at Burt was Mr Zulauf, social studies teacher, he died about in February. Mr Gunn in gym class, and friday's squre dancing, with my 2 left feet.

John remembers the air raid drills, going down, down into the plenum chamber with all those big pipes overhead, it is a wonder that didn't didn't make us all closterphopiic for life!

I remember being a saftey patrol boy, first on the south west door, then at Patton and Pilgrim. Jim Hendricks, who was in the boy scout troop says he remembers me there, at the corner.

• Mr. McPherson, the General Science teacher.  He had a long lasting impact on my chosen profession of teaching science.  I was rarely singled out for any academic achievements at Burt except in Mr. McPherson's class.  He gave us a test on heat transfer from a fireplace in which we were supposed to use conduction, convection & radiation in the answer.  He read my answer to the class as he said I was the student who best answered the question.

• Mrs. Dickerson, my 7th grade homeroom teacher.  She worked with me as did my dear mother to improve my poor spelling.  I ended with a "A" for effort and a "D" for achievement!  Mrs. Dickerson had fascinating techniques for dealing with unruly students.  One was to say, "No comments from the gallery!"  She also had us say the 23rd Psalm in class each day.

• Mrs. Bacheleer (sp?), my 6th grade homeroom teacher.  Her wonderful loving manner with kids.  Her method of teaching handwriting was so beautiful.  I never learned it, but some did!  My mother corresponded with her for many years later.

• Mrs. Little.  The boys had a six week exchange program with the girls in the shop class of Mr. Moss.  When I began teaching at Ruddiman Junior High in Detroit Mrs. Little taught there also and used to ride with me to work.

• Mr. Watson, the physical education teacher also was at Ruddiman.  On one Air Raid Drill the kids were in the plenum chamber under Burt.  Rather than an all clear bell, the office rang a fire drill signal.  So Mr. Watson said something like this, "The Air Raid Drill is over, now the school is on fire."  Kids cheered and went outside!  I learned later at Ruddiman from Mr. Watson that during World War II he fought in the battle for Iwo Jima.

• Mrs. Hansen.  She often said after some kid used the term "ain't" that it was not in the dictionary.  My family did not use this nonstandard grammar nor did I use it.  Nevertheless, after hearing this often in her class I found it was in the dictionary.  Later, after some kid again was told it was not in the dictionary I raised my hand to say it was.  My saying that did not meet with approval.  :-)

Playing on the keepoff.  After school and on weekends some Burt boys would meet and play on this place we called the keepoff.  At the time, I never really thought it meant to Keep Off!

John Herrold wrote:

That's funny... the keepoff...

Mr McPherson - I remember at Christmas we made wreaths and he let us sing/listen to Christmas carols while we worked.  I remember I liked him a lot and evidently quoted him often at home because, one day my Dad said, "If I hear Mr. McPhersons name one more time!!!!

Sandra you are correct about Mr. McPherson.  As I mentioned above in a previous post, he had a strong influence on my science teaching career.  Always wanted him to know this.  I can even remember where I sat in General Science, my favorite class!

Mrs. Little had a big influence on me and possibly on Nancy Radford too as we both became home ec. teachers.  I did get an "F" or was it a "U" from her one marking period. Boy was I afraid to go home that day. My friend, Judy Galloway went home with me to soften the blow. Do you remember the reference work Mrs. Little had us do to occupy our free time? I hated doing that. When I was a student teacher, I observered Mrs. Little at Ruddiman. My sister-in-law had Mrs. Little there.

I don't remember the librarians name but I do remember copying plays that we would act out in auditorium class. Remember the radio room in the balcony? What a privelege to go there. And who could forget the presentation of Peter Pan? It was wonderful! Remember the impromptu speeches we had to give--didn't care for that.

I hated the air raid drills. I was always afraid my parents wouldn't find me in the tunnel. I am claustrophobic and wonder if there is a connection.

Anyone else remember being a hall guide. What about collecting papers for the newspaper drive and if you brought in 48" your reward was four movies, I think. Correct me if I am wrong.

Dick Hammer & Barbara Merckel:

Yes, I would be interested in a gathering of Burt Alumni Friday night.  Keep us posted.

Jackie Bodine (who shares the same June 12th birthday with me) wrote:

> I hated the air raid drills. I was always afraid my parents wouldn't find me in the tunnel. I am claustrophobic and wonder if there is a connection.

You indeed have a point, Jackie.  I liked them as we got out of class.  :-)

> What about collecting papers for the newspaper drive and if you brought in 48" your reward was four movies, I think. Correct me if I am wrong.

This is correct!  Each 12 inches got one movie.  Was there an extra reward above the four movies for the grand slam of 48 inches?

yes, I am interested in attending a Burt Reunion.  Stan Geis

If there is a Burt reunion I would hope to be able to attend. That is, as long as Mrs. Dickerson isn't going to be there to pound me on the head with a chalk stick.

I would also be interested in attending a Burt reunion .

Hi Dick..I will make every effort to be there,if not,I'll see you all on Sat night and look forward to a dance with any lady that cares to join me! Butch aka Cam

Unlike most of my Burt classmates..I caught the sting of Mr. Gunn's paddle in the Equipment Room..just could not keep my mouth shut!

Mrs. Dickerson was an incredible woman and could have been a model for every Elem.teacher that dealt with kids. I taught Elem for six years and I hope I made her proud..thanks Gertrude!!

Pat Jackson(my first true love and heartbroken when she got married) and Lawrence Vroom,our Brass instructor, were responsible for my ,early, and  unending joy of music and performance.She could play eight(8) different instruments including the Piano!

Remember eating those wonderful apples that were compliments of the DPS who purchased them due to excess supply of the crops...my first lesson in economics!

Just remembered that Bruce Mayberry,John Grab,Dave Foulke,and Keith Mansfield probably got the feel of Gunn's Paddle as well!!

Dick & Barbara:

Should the Burt students be considered who moved and did not graduate with us from RHS?  Rick Wolfe is one such student.  I tried to locate him with Google and was not successful.  He was an amateur radio operator and I think his call sign was K2ZUR but that search did not yield anything.  He moved to Tonawanda, NY.

John

John

Richard Walter Wolfe is shown in the 1960 Blazer under Evening School Graduates. 

I should think that if you get him to the reunion he should be a part of the Burt group.

John and Dick:

If Rick Wolfe can be located and attends the reunion, I think he should be included in whatever Burt gathering we have.  Guess we will have to wait and see if there are any more like this.

Regards,
Barbara

Dick and Barbara,

Yes, I would like to attend a Burt School reunion.

Georgia Roed

Hey John...Nice party on Sat! I knew a Dick Wolfe and thought he was in Band with us or maybe the Orchestra..kinda a heavy set guy,i.e. by 1959 standards! he also might have gone to Redford Presbyterian and was in class of 1957/58. is that who you are thinking about?

Barbara Merckel & Dick Hammer:

You did a wonderful job in organizing and made this Friday Burt gathering such a success.  Thank you for all the work you have done.

John Herrold
 

John, Thanks for the compliaments, but it was Barbara's suggestion, then I went with the announcement, and we met with the hotel staff, pretty easy  really. It certainly went well, and those were the people I talked to both evenings.

Glad we got a chance to meet your wife and I am glad you didn't bring your slingshot to the reunion.

Dick Hammer

Hi John:

As Dick said, it was an easy event to plan.  The success was in reconnecting with our Burt classmates who, in most cases, we spent 8-9 years together.   Several other Redford people told me that the highlight for them was their grade school gathering.  Thank you John for being part of our memories.

Warm regards,
Barbara

Butch Howie and Sue Minkes.  Want to see more?  Go to Burt Gathering Photos under Redford 50th Reunion Photos.