Jumprope, jacks and JFK: Life in the '60s

Washington School, empty for many years, has now been bought by a real estate company. McKinley School is now the site for the school district offices. But I remember when these two buildings rang with school bells and the laughter of children. I recall my years at these two Newton grade schools with much fondness.

Our family moved to Newton from Hutchinson in 1960 to a rented house at 319 S.E. 4th. This was just a block from Dad's work as director of the Bethel Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. It was also just two and a half blocks from Washington Elementary School, where my older sister Jeanette and I attended. We thought it was fun to cross busy Washington Road through a cool, dark underpass.

I began kindergarten there in the fall of 1961. I remember blue linoleum, wooden tables and chairs, and daily rest periods on floor mats. When John Glenn made his historic space flight in 1962, our teacher brought in a TV set for us to watch the launch.

First grade with Iris Rober...