Monday, December 15, 2008

It can always be worse...

I don't know if I've ever been counting down to a break as much as I'm counting down to Christmas ("Holiday") Break. Four more days! But in the meantime, I have to remind myself that it can always be worse. Imagine how much these women must have looked forward to their Christmas breaks...

In 1915 female teachers were expected to obey rules like these:


1. You will not marry during the term of your contract.

2. You are not to keep company with men. (oops)

3. You must be home between the hours of 8pm and 6am unless attending a school function.

4. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.

5. You may not travel beyond the city limits, unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.

6. You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother.

7. You may not smoke cigarettes.

8. You may not dress in bright colours.

9. You may not under any circumstance dye your hair.

10. You must wear at least 2 petticoats.

11. Your dresses must not be any shorter than 2 inches above the ankle.

12. To keep the schoolroom neat and clean you must; sweep the floor at least once daily, scrub the floor at least once a week with hot soapy water; clean the blackboards at least once a day; and start the fire at 7am so the room will be warm by 8am.

This could be me...

By the way, this is from the Farmer's Almenac. One of the few interesting things that I got out of my Education degree.