When I was in elementary school, our building looked like this. A merry-go-round and really long, tall swings beckoned just out front. I was fearless then and practiced making them go as high as they would. Recess was a luxury I did not fully appreciate until it was taken away. The bell that called us back to study was loud enough for everyone to hear.

Thank you Beth for the reblog! I finally got back there. 🙂
Laura, I lived during these times and remember my schooling with fondness. My school began the day I was born (1939), because my father was a Superintendent. The classroom studies I loved began approximately 1944.
Where were the swings and the merry-go-round? My father made a pair of stilts for me and they were so much fun, but I did not use them during school. Those were home “toys” as were the empty barrels we used to “walk.” So many memories surface when I go back through these photos.
I’m so glad Beth! If I were a better people photographer I would’ve had more of them with the games. They had jump rope (and amazingly some kids did not know how to do this!!!!). I was shocked. They had a stick with a hoop and some other old-fashioned games. No merry go round sadly….even I had those when we I was young. And hmm no tire swing! I’m glad I made it back there. It felt good to watch them play and not sit on their phones and text.