St. Teresa School Memories (Childhood Memories)

These are some memories I have of my time at St Teresa’s. [Disclaimer: I could have dreamed them or made them up (not sure). You be the judge.]

Kindergarten: Mrs Helpman (AM Class) The first day Eugene C. came in crying and was kicking the door trying to leave. No repeat outbursts occurred throughout grammar school as far as I am aware. I had liked a boy named Paul Lux (Mineral Springs?). We were hokie pokie partners one time. He left after kindergarten. I still carry a torch. I had a friend named Kathy Griffin (Roanoke?) who also moved after that year. One day I was sent to the nurse’s office because I was sick. The nurse said they called my sister and she would come and get me. They must have forgotten about me and finally a girl (Margie Swartzkoff -sp)from my street came and walked me home. That was the first and last time I remember seeing the nurse. 

Shelly M. reminded me that when we had to leave for fire drills we would climb up on a bookshelf and go out the window. This limbered us up for playing dodge ball in the higher grades.

 

First Grade: Mrs. Laravee She made a prediction that we would not be driving cars when we grew up. We would be flying small planes or helicopters around. Richard Dixon would block me from crossing Pomona St until my aunt (Mabel) intervened, After that he tried to walk me to school. I don’t know which was worse, but I believe it was the latter. I was invited to go to Michael Hoskins birthday party. Susan Drum and I were the only girls there. I vowed never to go to another boy party again.

Second Grade: Sr. Janice I was chosen to be in the ‘Milk for Health’play. I was a dog and got in trouble for hitting Micheal Meltretter with the large bone I was issued. John Lydon wore a pure white suit to our First Communion. With his dark complexion it seemed as though St Teresa’s had finally been integrated. Richard Ilecki handed me an envelope which I though was an invitation to his birthday party. I brought it home and my mother read it. It was an invitation from Michael Hoskins to his party. Outsmarted! 

Third Grade: Mrs. Clark Larry Hale attempted to spell a word. He stuttered and said too many letters. Paul Kostusiak said in a low voice," How many ‘t’s was that?” Mrs Clark asked Susan Quinlivan if she wanted to go to the cloakroom to get a bucket for all the tears she would cry at report card time. (Susan was always worried even though she had the best grades in the class) . Michael Hoskins would kick my chair. I would threaten to tell on him. I’d raise my hand and ask if I could sharpen my pencil. I think that scared him out of his wits! 

Fourth Grade: Mrs Bruckman Shelly Mack and Karen Sacco were the teacher pets! John Barrante used to eat lunch at Murphy’s (at the corner of Hayden) and he would always bring candy back to school after lunch. Patty O’Neil and I would tell him to give us some or we would tell on him. He gave us lemonheads. I received an invitation from Michael Hoskins to his party and left it on my desk. His mother called and asked my mother why I didn’t come. Busted! 

Fifth Grade: Sr. Bonigna (a mean, nasty, old witch) She used to seat us according to our grades and change our seat when report cards came out. Joseph S.(sp) used to play drums with his pencils on the desk when she left the room. One day I came into class to find all my books in the garbage can and my desk cleaned out. She called me to her desk and told me my desk was a disgrace and said she found cough drops in my desk!!! She said she would show them to my parents at the nest PTA meeting. (I was thankful my busy parents seldom, if ever, attended). Ralf Zangara held up a sign in class that read,’ Ralf for prezadent!’ Sr. B said, “Ralf , you will have to learn to spell president first.” . 

Sixth Grade: Mrs Serrafini She was nice and kind of a modern teacher. I don’t think the nuns thought she was strict enough. The principal would say they were leaving the loud speaker open so they could hear into our classroom. I’m not sure if it was a ruse or not. 

Seventh Grade: Sr. Kathleen My favorite!! She played guitar and taught us ‘Boom de adda’ and ‘Take care to wonder at the world through which you wander.’ She would get mad at Curly Herlihy because he would mix the words up ‘on purpose' [wonder and wander] Take care to wonder at the world through which you wander Never hurry by an open door For we live in a universe Full of miracles galore Look for God in small things A drop of rain or a newborn babe Praise Him whenever you find Him in anything small I love the mountains I love the rolling hills I love the flowers I love the daffodils I love the fireside When all the lights are low Boom de adda, boom de adda, Boom de adda, boom de adda...   She had a bad temper and got mad at Ellen McCarthy and Kathy Burke for laughing during a safety film. We made some wooden plaques in the class. (nicest thing I ever made during my stay at St.Teresa’s) I did a play with Richard 'Tricky Dickey' Doyle and Michael Hoskin. Michael made up a joke. He asked Richard Doyle, “Why do they call you cookie? Because your face is so crummy?” It was a big hit! We had a science fair and sang a song we made up on the loudspeaker. It was to the tune of, ‘I never promised you a rose garden.’ I think Kathy Burke was responsible for any creativity involved. Come to the science fair There’s gonna be one almost everywhere On the week of March 8-12 Do it on Astronomy or Mental Health The Science Fair is on the way Not a chance like this comes everyday. We had a science fair and sang a song we made up on the loudspeaker. It was to the tune of, ‘I never promised you a rose garden.’ I think Kathy Burke was responsible for any creativity involved. 

Come to the science fair There’s gonna be one almost everywhere On the week of March 8-12 Do it on Astronomy or Mental Health. The Science Fair is on the way. Not a chance like this comes everyday.

Karen B. reminded that our girls team won no basketball games. Sue Crawford (a year ahead) was the best player (award). Shelly or 'Howdy' was known for dunking the ball *(I guess this was during practice)

Eighth Grade: Sr Jeanne Marie She gave us candy breaks. She was also ‘not much to write home about’. I don’t think teaching was her calling. She seemed to prefer us ...gone. Also remember: Tim Russert: substitute for Sr. Redempta Did anyone ever own up to carving something in one of the desks in Sr. Redempta’s class? Sr Redempta used to bang the table with her fist and bang her foot on the floor at the same time. She would say, 'Some slippery, slimy, yellow as the yolk of an egg ____.” She was frightening! She would ask you, to ask her, if she was a Democrat or a Republican and then she’d say she was a 'Republicrat or a Demican' and then ask you, to ask her how she voted and reponded 'it was none of your business because it was her right not to tell the way she votes'. She seemed very passionate about this! If you smiled in her class she would ask you if it was your birthday! She would get mad if you read too slow, too fast or in a ‘sing song’ voice* (she accused Patty S. of that) 

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Contests: *(another disclaimer) I really didn't pay much attention or know much about anything or anyone past Hayden 

Most original girl name in our class: Willamena 

Most original boy name in our class: Fahd 

Street with the most *(I think) students from our class: ( can I get a drum roll ....Sage Avenue-9 (Genivieve Greaves, John Pollina, Curly Herlihy, Louie Pasquale, me, Paul Kostusiak, Christina Lenahan, Billy Blake, and Bruce Schaffer 

Student in class who had shortest walk to school: Linda Tout 

Furthest Debbie Kelly (Lemington) 

Funniest Student: (girl) Ann Low (boy) Edward Buttons 

Remember:

 

Tom and Ann: (the Janitors)

 

Walking through the boiler room to go the new parish center . I always felt like we were invading their home.

 

Dodge ball, dodge ball, and more dodge ball: (corner, square, two ball, etc.) 

The crossing guards in her uniform: Mrs. Campbell ( she was very stern looking but had a painted smile on her face). 

Bluebirds: When I was in the 4th grade (..a bit old for that I must admit)! (our song);

Bluebirds Bluebirds

Do you know the Bluebirds?

Blue skirts, red hats and a midi (?)white

All spic and span

And each shining bright

We'll all be Camp Fire Girls(!!) some day

Oh Bluebirds how happy we'll be!!

*Again Maureen excelled in this exclusive club sitting in front with the leaders daughter and sending disapproving looks toward my (outcast) table as we disrupted the serious business at hand. I think I was asked to leave after taking one too many sugar cubes at a coffeeshop when we went on an educational venture to downtown Buffalo.

The chalk boards that opened up into a cloakroom. I thought that was so cool. 

The smell of that pink powder they put on the area when a kid threw up. (I presently have some of this substance in my cabinet at work. I never use it but keep it for the great memories). 

The supply room: I don’t remember buying supplies here (..but I wanted to)!

The announcements: Mostly to warn us against engaging in bad behaviors and /or warning us of the certain dire consequences of our actions.

---If your name was mentioned it was most certainly bad news.---

*Once Maureen lost one shoe on the way to school and my mother told her to report it (If it was me, I would have conveniently forgotten, but as I may have mentioned before, Moey was a bit of a goody goody) so the announcement was made and it was quite embarrassing to the entire Farrell Family!!

Lining up by class in the school yard I always imagined that the nuns were peeking out the window and telling the others if we stepped out of line. They always seemed to have knowledge of our missteps. I also imagined their lunch time conversation (i.e.' that Maureen Farrell is the sweetest girl but her sister Colleen is a devil').

Penny candy at Wright's and Sirata's and waiting an eternity to be waited on. I liked to take my time spending the 2 cents I received from my pop bottle return. "How many peach pits for a penny?" I inquired on a regular basis. 'Three, "(the same as yesterday) was the agitated response of Mrs. Wright. It irked me that my sister Peggy (Miss personality plus) regularly reminded me that she got 4 or more for her penny!

Neil on the other hand liked to get in and out as fast as possible, "Two penny pretzels please." He's still not much for idle conversation.

Summers: going to Caz pool; the locker room with the basket for holding valuables, the cold showers, the short walk to and the long walk home, the 3 diving boards and the cold pool water especially in the morning when lessons were offered.

Winters: going to Caz ice rink. That great feeling when you took off your skates and put your shoes back on. The annoying kids who pulled our stocking caps off. Wearing stocking caps.

Hilary playground: and the hoodlums we'd encounter there (mostly those who lived in the area and thought they owned the park). The contests that Mr. Head would preside over in the park. I once won a volleyball! Peggy won a number of contests. She was always the fastest, smartest, and prettiest!

When the new horses were installed at Hilary and we had to take turns. I think they put someone's from the area's older brother in charge and he gave preferential treatment to the locals. We couldn't win. *(just wait 'til they come down to 'our creek' and we'll show them whose boss!) 

The boys who were sent to ‘clap erasers’ and always seemed to find something else to do (and got in trouble for it) .

 Fr. Toomey saying the rosary in rec-

ord time. Fr. Toomey giving us a day off for ..who knows/cared what! Fr Toomey giving us boxed hard Christmas candy and rings and then we were expected to kiss him. Odd! Fr. Ormsby’s rants and raves. Frightening!