One room schools in southeastern Saskatchewan;

Rosedale School, School District #145, Sec 22 Tsp 12 Rge 1 W of the 2 Meridian.

Vandura school, School District #1164, Sec Tsp 12 Rge 2 W of the 2 Meridian.

"First day of Grade 1 at Vandura school, September, 1957"

I, Glennis Mary Lewis, attended a one room school in Vandura for the first two years of my schooling. This picture is of me on the first day of school in 1957. We traveled three miles to school by horse and cart in the spring and fall, and horse and cutter in the winter. In 1958, Mrs Edith Wilson, came to teach at Vandura school and she truly inspired my lifelong love of learning. I can proudly trace my wonderful journey though the educational system (and my five university degrees) back to that one room school house in rural Saskatchewan!

"At School Close"

Other members of the Lewis family have had a long involvement with one room school houses in Saskatchewan. My grandfather, George C. Lewis, homesteaded in southeastern Saskatchewan in 1882. A part of his homestead was used when Rosedale School, District 145, was established. My aunt, Mary E. Lewis was a teacher there when the little memento "At School Close" was given out to students. I think this dates back to 1913. My grandfather was the Secretary and Treasurer at that time while my father, Edgar Lewis, was a student in grade seven. My brother, Keith Lewis, also attended Vandura school and still resides on Woodside Farm in the house that my grandfather built in 1906.

"Mary E. Lewis, Teacher, Rosedale School District #145

My aunt, Mary E. Lewis, deserves particular mention as she went on to have a remarkable career following four and a half years of teaching at Rosedale school. She trained as a nurse at Vancouver General Hospital and worked at Riverside Hospital in Riverside, California. This picture of her is from the Second World War when she served in the US Army Corps of Nurses. She was aboard the USS Comfort, a medical ship that was hit by a kamikaze plane. There were many casualties and she narrowly escaped with her life. Mary E. Lewis was Director of Nursing for many years at Riverside Hospital until her retirement. She died in 1978.

I am happy to share these items with those who have an interest in one room schools in Saskatchewan. It is simply wonderful that they can be seen on-line.

Best regards,
Glennis Lewis
Ottawa, Ontario

Note:
George C. Lewis received a western land grant patent from the Dominion Government for:
NE Section 22 Township 12 Range 1 West of the Second Meridian
50.0149 North Latitude 102.051 West Longitude
SW Section 22 Township 12 Range 1 West of the Second Meridian
50.0076 North Latitude 102.0623 West Longitude
NW Section 22 Township 12 Range 1 West of the Second Meridian
50.0149 North Latitude 102.0623 West Longitude