MRS. McCUTCHEN ON TEACHING IN 1952
In 1952, once again, Mrs. McCutchen was hard at work teaching.
She usually recorded her thoughts about the school day, and also a lot
about the superintendent, Mr. A. H. Mortenson, of whom she wasn`t real
fond. In reading the diaries, especially this year`s, it becomes obvious
that Mrs. McCutchen had very high expectations of her students and their
work habits.
Tuesday, January 1
I swept snow & called at E. Eccles. Bowl games over radio which
Dan always liked. I think Illinois won in the Rose Bowl 40-7.
Monday, January 7
School again & not too brilliant.
Wednesday, January 9
Letters from Rhoades & Genevieve B. R. wants to borrow my car to
go to California in May.
Wednesday, January 16
Had program at school, 2 dogs were better than woman`s music. Got a
card from Connie Moore in Lima, Peru & note from Arta.
Monday, February 4
I feel today that 2/3 of Belle F. pupils are lazy, stupid loafers &
I`m disgusted with the school system here. Connie Moore gave me a lovely
pair of Peruvian gloves but too small for me; only 6 1/2. Mild.
Thursday, February 7
Gave test in Spanish I. Four Seniors came to Engl. class wearing Confederate
caps, $1.50 each at York`s. I said they ought to sing ``Dixie.``
Saturday, February 9
French [class] came & I gave a test--``Avoir`` idioms.
Wednesday, February 20
The good news from Rhoades was a copy of his Citation from Korea for
``Meritorious service in Korea``. ``His diligence, ingenuity & inspiring
leadership earned him the respect & admiration of all who worked with
him`` etc. I`m proud of my son.
Monday, February 25
A long school day. Mike showed interest in Spanish. Orange Tang came
but had too much mustard. Horrid taste. 6 weeks tests.
Tuesday, March 4
Mr. Mortenson does not favor English 4 as compulsory, but then, he
is a Swede. Busy until 5 at H. S.
Monday, March 10
Gave Senior Engl. test. Too many lazy ones. Mr. Haley came in &
talked so I got no work done. I did not go to P.T.A. My stem ginger &
watermelon rind came.
Tuesday, March 18
My Florida oranges came. Mr. Mortenson called a Faculty Meeting &
read part of new law on hiring teachers. Mild & bright. R. Arnold scolded
kids for snowballing.
Saturday, March 22
Awful taxes! Mine on house are $294.82. Over $24.57 a month. I paid
half $147.41. Susan E. & John D. came for French. Called on Mrs. Walter
Bush but she wasn`t home. E. Eccles gave me nice rolls.
Friday, March 28
Univ. of So. Dakota band was very good. Gave Spanish tests.
Saturday, April 5
My dearest son is 39 today.
Tuesday, April 8
A. H. Mortenson says seniors in play must have work done by May 9.
Horrors. More tests.
Wednesday, April 9
All the teachers hate this senior-play deal & it is very unjust.
Wednesday, April 16
Gave 2 tests. French class came. Card from Mrs. Jim B. at Kailua, Hawaii.
Warm. Invitation to Jun.-Sen. [Junior-Senior] Banquet.
Friday, April 25
School out at 3 today. Very warm. Prom tonight & I went to watch
it for awhile. Mrs. Billington wore a pink anthurium corsage from Hawaii.
So many red dresses looked hot & wintry. Warm & dry.
Monday, April 28
Very hot all day, over 80 degrees & Emmett had a fire in furnace!!
High Sch. & Faculty will get May 1 off, for a holiday. Fishing precedent!
Tuesday, April 29
Seniors came barefooted & dressed as hobos. I`m trying to rush
Seniors in English thru Kipling. Ray Perez & John Davis came to rake
our lawn but did not get half way thru. Cooler & pleasant.
Thursday, May 1
No school! Fishing! Bought California strawberries which are always
tasteless.
Tuesday, May 20
Handed in report cards, counted dirty, torn, abused books. Wrote again
about passport. French class came. Rainy. News in Far East is bad, according
to Gen. Ridgeway.
Friday, May 31
Planes all late. I had to wait 2 hrs. in Amarillo & 3 hrs. in Dallas
so was over 4 hrs late into San Antonio. Rhoades met me & it was a
joyful meeting.
Wednesday, June 4
So many Spanish names in telephone directory. Taft is ahead of Ike
E. in So. Dakota, I`m glad to read. Went to Alamo by taxi. 187 Americans
killed there in 1836, went into museum.
Monday, June 10
I got my Brazilian visa & my ticket $996.13 for just plane transportation.
W. T. Elliott did his best on reservations. Got the 3:45 Eastern Airlines
plane to New Orleans.
Friday, June 13
The 2 stewards on the Pan Am were especially nice to me. Got me a strip
map from the pilot. Got to Panama after a scenic flight & went to El
Panama, a gorgeous hotel, but poor cooking. Sorry I leave tomorrow.
Friday, July 11
Ike Eisenhower nominated alas! I wanted Taft. Had to wait in Chicago--no
orange juice on plane, only horrid coffee. Another wait in Minneap. When
I got to Spearfish, Milford Arnold was there getting mail & I had a
ride home. Lots of mail. Yard dry & weedy.
Monday, July 21
Just after I mailed a letter about my glass ``palm trees,`` they came
late! Expected Rhoades all day but he has not come.
Wednesday, July 23
Rhoades drove in late this afternoon & was in Torrance when the
severe earthquake hit California. Louis Williams invited him for supper.
R. got the paint for my coupe.
Friday, July 25
Rhoades sprayed on 2nd coat of paint on my coupe & it looks fine.
A very nice job.
Sunday, July 27
Rhoades started at 8:45 for Texas. It is lonely without him.
Friday, August 8
So. Dakota is 43rd down the line in Teachers` salaries.
Tuesday, August 26
Thru the Bank of B. F. I sold my Homestake stock for 25 shares of Am.
T. & T., which pays better dividends. Took my car to be washed &
waxed. $8.00 he charged--It looks nice.
Thursday, August 28
At school Mr. Mortenson talked. At 1:15 Mr. Kemp spoke to faculty.
Faculty picnic at Herman Park. I went with the Tim O` Conners. I don`t
like sharing my room 304 with another teacher. Bad schedule.
Friday, August 29
4 High S. teachers only for English discussion. Mortenson is so stupid
in putting my Spanish II & Chorus at same time. 12 or more want my
class.
Tuesday, September 2
School! Bigger mess than usual thanks to A. H. M.`s [Mortenson`s] changes.
Letter from Rhoades who needs $75.00. He is going to New Orleans. Hard
school day!
Thursday, September 4
Ralph Arnold brought his 8th grade study hall into my room 3rd period.
School injustice makes my very unhappy this year!
Friday, September 5
Ralph Arnold`s 7th graders in study were a mob of noisy, destructive
little hyenas.
Saturday, September 13
If school board had brains enuf to hire Sup`t & Prin. who had studied
Latin, our grade teachers, too, might read a Course of Study.
Monday, September 15
Early 7:30 meeting proved that grade teachers were not teaching all
they should in English.
Wednesday, September 17
Gave 2 tests & translated for U. & I. Sugar Co. My English
Course 4 came. I helped Bob McMaster with Spanish. Pupils don`t study enuf.
Friday, September 19
Another wild pep rally for football from 2:30 to 3:00. Too much emphasis
on sports in this school.
Tuesday, September 30
Pay day. Unjust taxes cut my salary to $218.00. More tests & more
stupid pupils among younger ones.
Thursday, October 2
I went to the school coronation & Teddy Evans was Queen.
Acrobatics & music, then parade & snake dance.
Friday, October 17
All the football team got drunk except 3 whom I have in class. Got
my A. T. & T. dividend $213.75
Monday, October 27
Ralph Arnold told me he opposed Mr. Mortenson`s wild schemes but is
afraid of losing his job.
Tuesday, October 28
Mr. Bell says Seniors will sneak Nov. 6 & 7. Gave English 4 test.
Sunday, November 2
Went to church. Ollie Robinson took me to dinner in Spearfish &
then we drove out to Devil`s Tower--Nice weather & his Buick has every
gadget for comfort- Fun to watch altimeter.
Monday, November 10
I had Burton Penfold draw up my will leaving all my property to my
beloved son Rhoades.
Friday, November 14
Lucullian banquet at noon in Home E. room & food was plentiful
& delicious ``from eggs to apples``.
Wednesday, November 19
More tests & long hours--stupid pupils mostly.
Thursday, November 27
Thanksgiving. Mr. Kirkbride gave me a yellow chrysanthemum when I got
flowers for Mrs. Jim Bush. O. J. Robinson called to ask me to dinner but
I had 2 previous invitations.
Friday, December 5
Heard a man speak about Pacific Islands. Pep rally at 3:30. Gave 2
tests. Jun. & Seniors on a ``Snipe hunt`` last night.
Wednesday, December 10
Mortenson kept several Juniors & Seniors out of classes all day
to ``work?`` in his office on schedules! Absurd. Ollie R. came up after
supper.
Wednesday, December 17
I had to take noisy, rude 7th grade for 45 min. Sang Spanish songs
2nd period.
Wednesday, December 24
9 yrs. ago today my Darling Dan was taken.
This sample of diary entries represents only a very small
part of a massive collection. Laura wrote extensively on anything she thought
was important or interesting. To read in her diaries is like reading a
captivating novel; once you start you can only force yourself to stop.
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