Willow Pool #5239
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In the summer of 1949 a group of interested people arranged to meet in what was then known as the “Mulligan” house to try to find out if it was possible for a school to be built in the area. The children had to travel four miles to the Reigate School or to Pre Ste. Marie School in order to get an education and for the biggest portion of the school year this was an almost impossible task due to the conditions of the roads or bush trails.
This was only the first of several attempts that were made during the next four years. The people’s hopes for their school house were beginning to fade. In 1952 the Tisdale School Unit No. 53 was formed and the small district in question was found to be within its boundaries. The locally appointed School Board, consisting of Matt Matema, Wilfred Gendren and Thomas Barker, with Mrs. Matema as secretary, proceeded to approach the Tisdale Unit Board and the Department of Education about a school for the district.
Approximately one year later, in the summer of 1954, the parents of that district had their dreams fulfilled when construction was started on what eventually came to be known as "Willow Pool" School on the NW 13-42-13-W2. The Tisdale School Unit hired Mr. Rob Johnson Jr. of Tisdale and a crew of four or five men to construct the school. That summer of 1954 was very wet and the road to the school site was alternately a sea of water or so badly rutted that the men had trouble getting in and out with supplies. After several set-backs the school was declared finished, just a small 14 by18 foot building. The school opened in the fall of 1954 with an enrolment of fifteen students. All the necessary books etc., had not arrived so Georgia Bodholdt, the first teacher, borrowed the supplies from the North Hyde School.
A barn was built during the next year as some of the children travelled to school with horses. A porch was also added to the school. Then followed five very happy years for the families of the “Willow Pool” district. The parents sponsored many dances, raffles, and other events to raise money for treats and special activities for the students.
Georgia Bodholdt taught at Willow Pool for two years. She was follwed by Miss Noreen Hoffus (Hill) - one year, then Marie Boutin (Floch) - one year, followed by Jeanette Johnson (McInnis).
In 1959 bad news came to the Willow Pool District. The Willow Pool School was now to be incorporated into the Larger School Unit, and the closure of the school was being discussed. Several visits were made to the Tisdale School Unit Board meetings, however the request to keep the school open was refused. Willow Pool School was closed in the fall of 1959 and the students were transferred to the McKague and Bjorkdale School Districts. The people of the Willow Pool School District claim they will never forget their little one-room schoolhouse and the difference it made in the lives and education of their children.
This was only the first of several attempts that were made during the next four years. The people’s hopes for their school house were beginning to fade. In 1952 the Tisdale School Unit No. 53 was formed and the small district in question was found to be within its boundaries. The locally appointed School Board, consisting of Matt Matema, Wilfred Gendren and Thomas Barker, with Mrs. Matema as secretary, proceeded to approach the Tisdale Unit Board and the Department of Education about a school for the district.
Approximately one year later, in the summer of 1954, the parents of that district had their dreams fulfilled when construction was started on what eventually came to be known as "Willow Pool" School on the NW 13-42-13-W2. The Tisdale School Unit hired Mr. Rob Johnson Jr. of Tisdale and a crew of four or five men to construct the school. That summer of 1954 was very wet and the road to the school site was alternately a sea of water or so badly rutted that the men had trouble getting in and out with supplies. After several set-backs the school was declared finished, just a small 14 by18 foot building. The school opened in the fall of 1954 with an enrolment of fifteen students. All the necessary books etc., had not arrived so Georgia Bodholdt, the first teacher, borrowed the supplies from the North Hyde School.
A barn was built during the next year as some of the children travelled to school with horses. A porch was also added to the school. Then followed five very happy years for the families of the “Willow Pool” district. The parents sponsored many dances, raffles, and other events to raise money for treats and special activities for the students.
Georgia Bodholdt taught at Willow Pool for two years. She was follwed by Miss Noreen Hoffus (Hill) - one year, then Marie Boutin (Floch) - one year, followed by Jeanette Johnson (McInnis).
In 1959 bad news came to the Willow Pool District. The Willow Pool School was now to be incorporated into the Larger School Unit, and the closure of the school was being discussed. Several visits were made to the Tisdale School Unit Board meetings, however the request to keep the school open was refused. Willow Pool School was closed in the fall of 1959 and the students were transferred to the McKague and Bjorkdale School Districts. The people of the Willow Pool School District claim they will never forget their little one-room schoolhouse and the difference it made in the lives and education of their children.
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From Memories Along the Barrier, McKague Historical Society, McKague Saskatchewan, 1983
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