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April 1942. "Greenbelt, Maryland. Federal housing project. Kindergarten children planning their May Day festival." Photo by Marjory Collins. View full size.
I have been a K through Fifth substitute teacher for ten years. The kids look the same--just clothes have changed. Today instead of ink wells, they use their markers to make fake tattoos. As a geezer of sixty-four, I am more like their grandfather than a "Kindergarten Cop." Most male teachers don't wear ties anymore either.
Yep, Dutch, that's Spanky all right. And right in the center, above the lad with the spiffy suspenders is none other than Opie of Mayberry!
Looking at these bright young faces it is difficult to believe that they are about 75 years old today. And how did Spanky from Our Gang sneak into the class (peeking around shoulder of boy on right)?
to school at that age just don't seem right. Perhaps the class was instructed to wear their Sunday best for a visitor coming to take pictures.
The young girl in front with the pigtails knows you keep them in front when there are little boys sitting directly behind you. Sixty years ago my buddies and I referred to pigtails as "inkwell ammo."
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