Miss E. MacDonald's class in the basement of Birch Cliff Public School
This is part four of our series on the history of Birch Cliff Public School, written by an unknown author in 1966 for the school’s 50th anniversary
The first four-room addition was made to Birch Cliff School in 1919. Before this, increased attendance had made it necessary to rent the Kalmar Club (now a nursery school at Eastwood and Freeman) for extra accommodations. By 1921, classes were staggered to handle the pupil-load and a second four-room addition was built in 1922.
The village of Birch Cliff changed slowly during the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. As in Scarborough generally, the greatest changes came in the 50’s. Stores changed hands, a few more houses were built yearly, and in 1926 the radial car gave way to the streetcar line.
By 1928 the enrollment had grown from 53 to 590 and four portable classrooms were set up in Birch Cliff schoolyard. Supposedly a temporary measure, these portables stood for twenty-two years when an eight-room addition was made to the school.
Extras in the curriculum
Although Mrs. Reece referred to it modestly as a “plain, simple, country school,” pupils of the 20’s remember many “extras” in the curriculum – some that astonished their parents!
To a father who travelled six miles by streetcar to earn wages in a downtown contracting firm, or work in Eaton’s, art, lettering and clay modelling seemed unnecessary frills. Many a boy also hesitated to tell his father that he also studied bread-baking.
Everyone agreed on the merit of school gardens and enthusiastically attended the many school fairs, carnivals and exhibitions held during the 20’s.
Home & School Association
By this time the Home & School had been established and the women joined forces to help the school effort in bake sales and teas.
Money was raised for worthy causes and as early as 1916 a total of $76.43 was sent to the Consumptive Home; the Belgian children; Red Cross and the Royal Navy Home.
On February 12, 1920 a meeting was held at the school to form a Home and School Association and Mrs. Reece was elected president.
A strong supporter of the need for cooperation between parents and teachers, Mrs. Reece had instituted “Mothers’ Afternoons” as early as November, 1917. Mrs. Courtice, a trustee of the Toronto Board of Education, and a pioneer in the Home and School movement, addressed the meeting.
Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Redman and Mrs. Graham were elected vice-presidents; Miss Redman, Secretary and Mrs. Bradbury, Treasurer. The membership was 25 cents (by 1964 it had risen to 50 cents), committees were formed and a constitution drawn up.
WWII fundraising
Birch Cliff Public School paper drive during World War II
Through the years that followed, the Club flourished and contributed greatly to the life of the community. During the Second World War, with hundreds of ex-students in the services, many projects were initiated and supported by the hard-working members.
Strictly a women’s organization to begin with, a surprising number of fathers take an enthusiastic part, today, in organizing the lively monthly programmes.
Mr. George Fernly was elected president in 1959 and all three subsequent presidents have been men.
Residents of Birch Cliff enjoy such yearly events as Oratorical Night, Fathers’ Night, Commencement Night, and take a keen interest in the slate of guest speakers.
Entry from the Birch Cliff Journal by Principal E.E. Reece
Library known throughout Metro Toronto
This Association, one of the earliest formed, is noted throughout Metro for its library – one of the largest school libraries supported and wholly staffed by Home & School members.
In 1921, the Club raised $320 and established a public lending library in the school, for adults only and in 1925 children’s books were added.
This library vacated the school in 1944 and since then, the Home and School has provided the excellent collection in the basement for pupils’ use.
By means of concerts, prizes from county fairs and bake sales, enough money was collected over two years to buy a moving-picture machine – an unusual school possession in 1920.
Pupils recall the air of expectancy every other week when films were shown. Only a few had been allowed the rare treat of seeing the “flickers” in the Veteran’s Hall across the street, and the films Mrs. Reece secured on loan from the government were of excellent quality, and – Mrs. Reece made certain – highly educational.
Birch Cliff Exhibition
In 1921 the school held its own exhibition, and according to an old programme, the categories of competition ranged from “Photography” down to “Darn in Heel of Stocking”.
There were many classes of school and home garden produce and the wide variety of subjects assured everyone a chance to take part.
Marching and flag drills outside closed the festivities, and a girl who was there remembers that the pupils were proud to see their Inspector, Mr. Jordan, and Scarborough’s Reeve Stewart among those present.
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Next time: Population growth and construction of Scarborough’s first high school.
To read more of the history of Birch Cliff Public School:
Iwas 4 years old when my family moved to 20 Valhalla in 1939.Before the end of the war my father purchased 72 Kildonan,where I lived until I married in 1958. About 1964 ,Imoved with my wife Sally and daughter Leslie to 28 Viewbank(which was originally called Keith St).After my daughter Jennifer was born I sold 28 Viewbank and purchased 72 Kildonan from my father who retired and moved to Haliburton,and lived there until 2000,so Ihave lived in Birch Cliff most of my life. I have many fond memories of the community,and would love to hear from any other “old timers”
Hi Gordon – I love hearing from long time Birch Cliff residents! Any thoughts on how the community has changed since 1939? I am also wondering if you have any old photos you might be able to share.
I also lived in Birch Cliff all of my life. I was born on Dunington, and we bought on Queensgrove in 1971 after we were married. We lived there for 43 years. For some reason, people don’t want to leave the community. I now live in Oshawa I went to Birch Cliff public, as did my children. Birch Cliff
Public is celebrating their 100th Anniversary in the fall of 2016. There is already a steering committee attempting to contact as many previous students as we can. Would someone from this site go on the Birch Cliff School site and join and get the info for the re-union. I know Gord Ormerod would go if he was aware of it, and there are plenty more alumni living in Birch Cliff.
Thanks for any assistance you can give…
I am a 67 yr old woman whose father and uncle attended birchcliff ps in the late 1920s or early 30s His name was James Joseph Nelson and his brother was William Lawrence Nelson and went by the first name Lawrie. They resided at 54 Eastwood Ave. I remember my Dad telling me that the older boys had to shovel coal in the school to keep it warm. Would anyone know if there would be class pics from this time anywhere? In memory of my Uncle and Father I will attend 100th anniversary celebrations. See you all there. Helen Nelson
My brothers and I were raised on Warden Avenue and attended Birch Cliff Public School during the 50″s. Mr. Wideman and his family were close friends of our family. My Dad and Mr. Wideman were great “fishing and hunting” buddies. My Mom and Mrs. Wideman were very active with the local Boy Scout Mothers of St. Nicholas Church. Mr. Wideman instilled such a sense of respect in all his students that every time I would see him no matter how old I was, I always addressed him as “Sir”
I am certainly looking forward to attending 100th anniversary celebrations.
Vicki Larsen Hill
I grew up on Eastwood Ave, just minutes from Birch Cliff PS. where I attended and graduated in 1967. I have been living internationally for the past 35 years, I can only imagine what the Birch Cliff community and school look like today. Looking forward to the reunion.