Park Elementary School opened in the fall of 1957 but the work was not entirely completed. Fortunately the weather was good that fall. Whenever something had to be finished in our rooms we would let the children go outside for a long recess.

The first teachers in the building were kindergarten, Mrs. Marian Raterink; First grace, Mrs. Margaret Klinesteker; Second grace, Mrs. Arlene Timmerman; Third grade, Miss Esther Steinjes; Fourth grade, Mrs. Jackie VanWieren; Fifth grade, Mrs. Betty VanDenBerg; and Sixth grade, Mrs. Esther Dudley.

Mr. Clarence Sikkema was Superintendent at this time and would occasionally stop by to check on us. We could always call him at the high school if we had a problem as we did not have a principal at that time.

We had sidewalk along the building that helped keep mud out of the rooms as we had an outside door to each classroom. The second year asphalt was laid along the whole side of the building next to the side walk which made for a nice play area. This area could then be used for hopscotch, bouncing balls, etc.

In the second year playground equipment was placed on the north side of the building for the younger classes. The older classes used the play equipment in Hughes Park.

All children went home for lunch as we had an hour and fifteen minutes for lunch. All teachers stayed in the building during their lunch break.

In 1958, we had a newspaper drive and earned enough money for a ceramic kiln which was placed in the boiler room. My fifth grade class poured clay cups and decorated them for Christmas gifts for their parents. This was a great adventure for the children as there was no art teachers, gym teachers or music teachers available.

During the winter of 1958-1959 Mrs. Dudley and Mrs. VanDenBerg taught a ceramic class to a group of mothers at the school in the evening. This was a volunteer project. This was the beginning of adult education for the school district.

Teachers were not paid for any extras like PTA or class activities outside the classroom. We were glad to do the extras.

The teachers found it very convenient to have no halls. The bathrooms were accessible by two rooms and we shared with each allowing one boy or one girl from our room leaving at one time. It was also wonderful to have a sink and drinking fountain in the class room as no child had to leave the room. This arrangement worked well until the time came for extra teachers coming to give classes in music, art, and gym.

Some of the first families I can recall attending Park School were Gerkin, Kort, Herr, Inwood, Sportel, VanGeest, DeVries, Gale, Nagelkirk, Bolhuis, Holleman, and Dean.

Betty VanDenBerg
Retired Teacher (35 years)
Hudsonville Public Schools

(2008)