When I was a child in California it was quite common for school to be delayed two or three weeks until the grapes were harvested. School administrators knew it was foolish to do otherwise because children, especially teen boys, did so much of the work. So I was surprised to learn that Caddo schools took a slightly different approach by starting early and then taking a five-week break for the cotton harvest.
Also note the mention of a new hot lunch program.
The Caddo Herald
July 13, 1945
Summer Term of School Will Start July 30th
Enrollment July 28th
The summer term of Caddo schools will begin July 30, Joe McKinnis announced today. The buses will run Saturday the 28th for pupils to come to enroll so there will be no delays Monday in getting into classwork. This later date was chosen on account of much rain delaying the farm work.
August 3, 1945
Summer School Started Monday
With Average Attendance Joe Says
Caddo schools began summer session Monday with average attendance. Buses are making all the routes though roads are not as good as they should be.
The faculty was all printed last week in the Herald.
___ we’ve missed those school children on the streets and ____ of buses thru town. School children seem to take ___ interest in their work as the new term starts.
Children who will be 6 years old by Nov. 1 may enter school now without paying tuition. Joe McKinnis says they would take a few who will be 6 years old between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 at $3.99 per month or $25 for the nine month term, cash in advance. The money will be used to buy school things for their primary rooms.
September 7, 1945
Caddo Schools under Way with Varied Plans
Proving that time does fly: the first six weeks of school has drawn to a close in Caddo with a better than average enrollment.
By the sweat of his brow and wear and tear on his rationed tires, Supt. Joe McKinnis managed to assemble 19 well qualified teachers to carry out probably the most varied and progressive program ever offered in Caddo.
Succeeding where the larger schools have failed, Mr. McKinnis is presenting a vocation home economics course, a band program, and a physical fitness course that does credit to any school, large or small.
Of equal importance is the hot lunch program, the first of its kind approved in Oklahoma this year. Hot lunches, carefully planned and supervised by Mrs. Richardson, home economics teacher, are served to teachers and students alike for the nominal fee of ten cents.
Mr. Broadhead, principal of the high school and junior high, returned from Norman this week where he completed work on his Master’s degree, to relieve Mr. R. W. Fleak of Durant, who has served very ably as his substitute since school began.
New teachers in the school of Caddo this years are: Mr. Hutchens from Van Noss, Okla. is the head of the vocational agriculture department; Miss Mayo in charge of music in the grades and glee club, comes from Lake Charles, La.; Mr. Tharp, recently discharged from the army, who will teach physical fitness and coach basketball; Mrs. Ray Pace, head of English department and library supervisor; Miss Kiser from Bokchito, typing and junior home economics; and Mrs. Oliver, from Ada, junior high mathematics department.
State school examiners Hailey and Johnson inspected schools this week and expressed surprise over the number of qualified teachers employed here, notwithstanding teacher shortages.
Foreseeing a late cotton crop, plans are in effect to continue classes until actual picking begins.
September 28
Schools Closed Friday, Reopen in Five Weeks
Caddo schools closed Friday for five weeks to enable children to help in crop harvest.
Rain came Monday night and again Tuesday night so very little work was done this week on farms.
Caddo, being in a farm community, tries to conform as well as may be, to the seasons. We had a very good summer term of school and will begin where it left off in a month. By that time it is believed all harvest will be ended.
Comments