Zutphen Two-Room Schoolhouse, 1867-1963

The first school in the Zutphen area was a log cabin.  The pupils sat at desks in rows.  There were seats in the front for recitation.  When it was a students time to recite, they would be called forward.  Permission was needed to get out of your seat except when you had all of your work finished, you could go the the bookcase and get a library book.      If someone misbehaved in school, their name would be placed on the board and you either had to stay in during recess or after school.  After school was worst because you had to sweep the floor, clean the black boards, etc., and then walk the mile or two home alone.     The old school records could not be found but a few historical facts have been discovered:     In 1909 Lambert VanHaitsma was the teacher.  His responsibilities were to teach the required subjects, plus hygiene and the prevention of communicable diseases (Still we often shared the same tin cup at the pump).  He was also the janitor and had to keep the school grounds, furniture and all of the school property in good condition for $58.00 per month.      Dena Van Haitsma and Johanna VanHaitsma, relation of Lambert, taught in Zutphen in the early 1900's.  Hubert VanHaitsma also taught in Zuphen from September, 1939 to May, 1942.     On of the difficulties in the early days for the teachers was working with the Dutch speaking children as English was their second language.  It was a public school but we always had Christian teachers who taught good, moral values.     Johanna VanHaitsma and Jean Nyenhuis lived in Drenthe when they were teaching in Zutphen.  They would take the InterUrban to Forest Grove Station and walk the 1 1/2 miles to school.  In bad weather they boarded with the Albrechts or the Cooks.     Teachers were paid $25.00 per month in 1880.  In 1900 they received $30.00.  In 1902 the salary was $37.00.  Local residents supplied wood for the stove.  In 1886 it was $.95 a cord, cut and delivered; in 1900 it was $1.05.     In 1961 Mr. Zylstra received a salary of $4,800 and Mrs. Henry VanDyken, $4,500.  Mrs. VanDyken was the former Hildreth Engelsman.

LIST OF TEACHERS - 1915 - 1963

Created: 1 March 2006