So you seem to like stories about Parkdale\u2026reflections
Here are a few to add to your collection:
THE YEAR WAS 1963
THE PLACE WAS PARKDALE C.I.
I think my dad was startled when it became apparent that both my brother and I were to become high school history teachers\u2026both accepted jobs at Parkdale because of John Ricker and Evan Cruickshank. \u00a0Senior teachers\u2026admirable teachers\u2026real teachers. \u00a0
\u201cAlan, if you come to Parkdale Collegiate, you will never leave.\u201d \u00a0Both John and Evan said the same thing which was odd. \u00a0And I thought false. \u00a0I mean, who stays in the same job for his or her entire adult life? \u00a0Lots of other things to do in this world. \u00a0\u00a0Why would anyone stay at PCI for 35 years? \u00a0Well John and Evan were right. \u00a0I stayed at PCI for 35 years and am damn glad I did. \u00a0Just full of adventures:<\/p>\n
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Let me share a few:
Male teachers are scared of female students. \u00a0\u201cBe careful, Alan, young girls often fantasise about their teachers which can lead to deep trouble.” Touching is poison. \u00a0“Just remember that teachers are considered \u2018guilty until proven innocent\u2019 in any situation.\u201d \u00a0All of my fellow young teachers got this caution in one way or another. \u00a0So I was careful to make sure that I was never in my room alone with female students. \u00a0That was one reason I coached football\u2026always had a few jocks in the room talking about football lore.
That was some protection but not enough. \u00a0I lived nearby with my wife on Westminster Avenue and walked home each evening. \u00a0Cut to the quick. \u00a0A nice young Grade Nine girl really liked me.
I know some of you will find that hard to understand but it was true. \u00a0She got in the habit of following me home. \u00a0At a distance mind you but she was often just a block or so behind me.
And that was scary. \u00a0One time remains etched in my mind. \u00a0She was there. \u00a0I felt it \u00a0But I dared not turn around so I used my private detective skills by studying reflections in Queen Street store windows. \u00a0\u00a0One had really good angled glass so I paused. \u00a0And sure enough, there she was on the other side of the street. \u00a0Also pausing. \u00a0I waited for her to pass by. \u00a0Nothing happened. Then by chance I looked at the goods in the store. \u00a0Ladies wear\u2026worse\u2026ladies undergarments\u2026brassieres, girdles, etc. \u00a0Not the best place to pause. \u00a0So I made a dash for the Roncesvales street car. \u00a0Packed. leaped aboard. \u00a0And so did she. \u00a0Now the weird and unbelievable part of the story is that her mother was standing there near the cash box. \u00a0\u201cHello, Mr. Sketch, how is Sheila (not real name) doing?\u201d \u00a0We had met on parents night. \u00a0I made some small talk and then
got off the street car a couple of stops ahead. \u00a0As they did. \u00a0\u00a0What happened? \u00a0Absolutely nothing. Sheila grew up normally, married, had children. \u00a0And probably she does not even remember that infatuation. \u00a0She was a really nice little Grade Nine student and is no doubt a really nice mother and likely grandmother today.<\/p>\n
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\nBegin forwarded message:<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
From: <\/b><\/span>Laurissa Werhun <werhun@rogers.com<\/a>>
<\/span><\/div>\nSubject: <\/b><\/span>Re: History of Parkdale<\/b>
<\/span><\/div>\nDate: <\/b><\/span>October 21, 2018 at 9:07:52 PM EDT
<\/span><\/div>\nTo: <\/b><\/span>SKEOCH <alan.skeoch@rogers.com<\/a>>
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n\nNo in the least I would like to use it in a weeks time !
Laurissa
Sent from my communicator.
<\/p>\nOn Oct 21, 2018, at 10:10 AM, SKEOCH <alan.skeoch@rogers.com<\/a>> wrote:
Let me take a \u00a0look
Monday too \u00a0late?
alan
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