second pg 1 6-8-23
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By Mona Lee
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
Every year a special event in the spring takes place that just might enrich a group of children at the Woodstock Elementary School and create memories they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
In 1738 the first Quasset Schoolhouse (district 4) was built. Quasset School was moved to its current location in 1954, adjacent the grounds of the Woodstock Elementary School. This special building is one of several schoolhouses in Woodstock. The Quasset School Advisory committee as steward continues to focus on the preservation and upkeep of the schoolhouse. Along with upkeep of the grounds many memorial plantings by residents of the town have added beauty to the schoolhouse grounds.
Over 50 years ago Irene Wheeler, a former teacher, had an idea that led to the creation of the current program at the Quasset School. During these years a program focused on a full week of activities based on what students would actually be doing in the 18th century. After these children completed their chores at home they all sat in groups based on their age and one teacher taught all the classes together in the same room. I would image it was an extremely different world that what our students experience now.
Woodstock Education Foundation supports a program created by Historic New England to give the students a window into what it would have been like in the 1800s. An advisory board through the town also supports the effort annually.
The students have made butter, tin punching, calligraphy and basket making. All the students come dressed as they would have years ago with outfits created by parents and handed down from one year to the next. Hats and neckerchiefs are the dress of the day for the boys along with long dresses and bonnets for the girls.
This year’s class were second graders and the teachers support the effort by making sure that they are present and that the activities are tied into the curriculum. The teachers will pick what they want to do.
Some of the fun things that have happened in the past were Rich Galante demonstrating a wood chopping demonstration, Herb Corttis churning butter, hot chocolate, cider and bread baking made on the wood stove that is used during the week. They also continued with math and created a copy book and family tree that parents helped with.
This year I was able to experience a small part of the day by volunteering along with other teachers and parents in the beauty of basket making. Myra Pratte, a retired teacher, was the chairperson for this activity and the students loved it.
Wesley shared with me that he liked making baskets and having fun at Quasset School! I’m convinced this special week will hopefully give these students a glimpse of life as it was.
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