A Starter for My Stories

A Starter for My Stories by Jean Castagno

Note: The following is an introduction to a series of stories by Jean Thibault Castoagno. Many of her stories have been published on the Town of Coventry web site but Jean is revising and adding to those stories. We publish the new versions here with her permission.
A Starter for My Stories
Jean Thibault Castagno

As I was born in August 1930 and had skipped a grade, in 1941 I would have been 10 during the school year and in 6th grade. In August 1940,

I was ten and as this photo was taken at the end of the school year in 1941, I was still only ten years old.

There were 11 children in grades 1-6 when I entered the Pond Hill School in September of 1939. I was age 9 in fifth grade, one of two students at that level. There was one student in sixth grade.

Our teacher was Mrs. Michalek and, while she taught one grade, the others did seat work. We were mostly obedient and respectful of the teacher and each other. I have some fond memories of my brother, Bobby, and another boy named, Hick, who were restless and liked to create a little excitement now and then.

Bobby was born in January and so a late starter to begin with as one had to be 6 to enter first grade in those days. Hick had the same sort of birthday and so the two had a little more zip than some of the others. Keeping in mind that the three of us leaves only eight other children, it was a little tough to dream up excitement on a regular basis.

It was Bobby's job to bring in the wood from the pile outside the door as a wood stove kept us warm all winter. It was Hick's job to feed the stove. Now and then they would bring in a squirrel or some other creature and let it loose in the small classroom. Oh, what fun we all had chasing the little thing around the room.

Our mother made all our clothes and taught sewing in the 4 H - head, heart, hands, health. If she could have made shoes, she would have done that too, as we were 5 children in 1941 - ages 11, 9, 8, 5, 2 depending on the birthday.

October 2007


A Starter for My Stories by Jean Castagno
		Note: The following is an introduction to a series of stories by Jean Thibault Castoagno. Many of her stories have been published on the Town of Coventry web site but Jean is revising and adding to those stories. We publish the new versions here with her permission. A Starter for My Stories Jean Thibault Castagno As I was born in August 1930 and had skipped a grade, in 1941 I would have been 10 during the school year and in 6th grade. In August 1940, I was ten and as this photo was taken at the end of the school year in 1941, I was still only ten years old. There were 11 children in grades 1-6 when I entered the Pond Hill School in September of 1939. I was age 9 in fifth grade, one of two students at that level. There was one student in sixth grade. Our teacher was Mrs. Michalek and, while she taught one grade, the others did seat work. We were mostly obedient and respectful of the teacher and each other. I have some fond memories of my brother, Bobby, and another boy named, Hick, who were restless and liked to create a little excitement now and then. Bobby was born in January and so a late starter to begin with as one had to be 6 to enter first grade in those days. Hick had the same sort of birthday and so the two had a little more zip than some of the others. Keeping in mind that the three of us leaves only eight other children, it was a little tough to dream up excitement on a regular basis. It was Bobby's job to bring in the wood from the pile outside the door as a wood stove kept us warm all winter. It was Hick's job to feed the stove. Now and then they would bring in a squirrel or some other creature and let it loose in the small classroom. Oh, what fun we all had chasing the little thing around the room. Our mother made all our clothes and taught sewing in the 4 H - head, heart, hands, health. If she could have made shoes, she would have done that too, as we were 5 children in 1941 - ages 11, 9, 8, 5, 2 depending on the birthday.