Twin Oaks Families:

When twin sisters, Jeann and Joann Furrow, started the first grade, in 1934, at Twin Oaks School (on the corner of what is now Lorane Hwy and McBeth, across the street from the Spencer Creek Grange), the girls were only 5 years old. On a recent visit to my office, Jeann, now 95, recalled that there were only 4 students in her grade: she and her sister, and two boys, Calvin Johnson and Jack DeFoe. Her older sisters Luetta, Helen and June Furrow also attended the one-room school house, along with cousins Deloris, Norma and Hazel Hansen.

Jeann remembers the building as "one large room with a stage up front. All the desks were organized in rows with the youngest in the front rows and the older in the back." Miss Chapman (later named Mrs. Talioferro [sp?] after she married) taught all of the 20-or-so students in grades K-8. According to Jeann, "Mrs. Talioferro ran a strict day. Each class would come up to her desk area and sit on a bench to receive her instruction or lesson. Then they would be back to their desks to work quietly while another grade or class would receive their time with the teacher."

Jeann said that "everyone walked to school in all weather, and we brought our own lunch." She also recalled that the school was heated with a wood furnace in the basement. Apparently, the older boys would come in early to start the fire. Outside there was a separate "play shed" that was enclosed on three sides, with the 4th side left open. This served as the covered play area for recess. Some favorite recess games included softball, and a game of "throwing a ball over the school house with kids on both sides catching it."

Jeann and her sister attended the old one-room school house for 8 years (grades 1-8). Years later, their older sister, Luetta, became the teacher at Twin Oaks School. She taught some of Jeann's nieces and nephews, including: Reese and Linda Strand, Butch Miller, Lynn, Malcolm and James Trupp, and "a lot of the Spencer Creek area children that grew up here...and some still live close by to this day."

Miraculously, the threads of time have come full circle, as Jeann's great-grandchild, Landon McDonald, now attends first grade at the "new" Twin Oaks . . . 90 years later. . .

ABOUT THE TIME CAPSULE (mentioned in my last two newsletters): Former Twin Oaks student, Michael Keller, reached out via email to inquire about a time capsule that he remembers being buried just outside the Principal's office windows, back in the early 1980s when he was a 1st grade student here at Twin Oaks. Michael shared that the time capsule was buried "fairly close to the building, and I think they put a concrete plug (and maybe a bronze indicator?) on top of the plastic bucket." Armed with this new information, I have enlisted long-time custodian Roger Butenschoen's help, in trying to locate the treasure with a metal detector. More to come on that subject, as soon as we get a chance to scan the ground!

Meanwhile, Michael Keller, Ed.D., now the Director of Social and Emotional Support for the Laguna Beach Unified School District in southern California, shared that "Twin Oaks was the spark that got me here! You are working in a special place." He added, "I wish your custodian well in the search. If you find something, I would seriously consider coming up to see you crack it open." If we find anything, Michael will be one of the first to know. In fact, wouldn't it be exciting to have him be the one to lift the lid?

In my NEXT newsletter: I will share lots of NEW INFORMATION from the current owner of the property where the original Twin Oaks School house stood (pictured above). Stay tuned ...

Twin Oaks History Project: Seeking volunteers!

I'm looking for more parents/guardians/grandparents/great grandparents, and anyone else who is interested, to help me with the ongoing project about the history of Twin Oaks School. If you like solving mysteries, researching historical documents and exploring the past, please join me in my quest to unravel the story of Twin Oaks. Send me an email, and we will connect!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MS. DENISA: She has been selected from a large group of nominees as a finalist for the coveted 4J School District Golden Apple Award! After 39 years of tireless dedication serving children in our community, Denisa Taylor deserves the praise and recognition that goes along with her selection. We will find out on May 30th, if she is lucky enough to be a winner! FINGERS CROSSED! (See PHOTOS below)

What's Happening in the coming weeks at school:

• May 13th-31st - Art Residency: Weaving Wonder
• May 14th - Track Town Pizza Fundraiser (see flyer below)
• May 27th - Memorial Day Holiday - No School
• May 30th - Golden Apple Awards Night
• May 31st - Talent Show
• June 5th - Volunteer Appreciation Dessert
• June 6th - Fun Run!

Featured in this newsletter issue: Weekly Message, Links related to the Weekly Message, Important School Announcements, Classroom Counseling Lesson Schedule, School Curriculum Samples (Sources of Strength/Problem-solving/Time Machine), Parenting and Community Resources, Short Videos to Inspire You and Bring you Joy 💓

REMEMBER, I'm available via email and office phone Monday-Friday. Don't hesitate to reach out to me with individual needs. I'm here to support you! My email is: miller_de@4j.lane.edu. My direct office phone is: 541-790-3442.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Miller

May 13th-31st - Art Residency: Weaving Wonder

May 27th - Memorial Day Holiday - No School

May 30th - Golden Apple Awards Night

May 31st - Talent Show

June 5th - Volunteer Appreciation Dessert

June 6th - Fun Run (PTO Fundraiser)

June 7th - Grading Day - No School for Students

June 14th - Last Day of School