As we know, FMS started its construction in the summer of 1958. We know that the falcon was introduced in 1960, which was the opening year, and we know that it used to be a junior high. We know quite a bit about this school now. But what did certain people think about it?
Let’s introduce our stars
To start off this article, I interviewed four different staff members who have been here for a long time (no offense). The main reason why I interviewed these staff members is to hear their thoughts on the article that I previously wrote. Even though this article was published in late January, I was still very interested in their thoughts.
The first staff member that I interviewed was Ms. Uchrin, a teacher who has worked at FMS for 12 years and is the WTEA union representative for FMS. The next teacher was Mrs. Gemgnani, who has also been teaching at FMS for 12 years and said she felt special for being interviewed. Next was Vice Principal, Mr. Taber, who was a former teacher at FMS for many years before returning as an adminstrator. Finally, Principal, Ms. Murphy, who joined the FMS staff a few years ago. In general, they were all happy to be interviewed. Now for the Q&A.
Q1: FMS opened its doors to the public in January of 1960. What do you think a day in the life at FMS looked like back then?
Ms. Uchrin: “There were more hands-on electives, like woodshop, cooking, home economics, etc.”
Mrs. Gemgnani: “Students were excited and nervous at the same time to start. Excitement for staff too. It was a brand new school.”
Mr. Taber: “It was a different population, a Polish population, in the 60s, with different clothing, curriculum and a stricter dress code.”
Ms. Murphy: “Because it’s brand new, probably filled with excitement and mixed emotions mostly due to getting to meet new groups of people. Also staff and students didn’t know how things would work.”
Q2: Based on your time here at FMS, do you have any additional facts or information about this school that you would like to add?
Ms. Uchrin: “There were no blocks, but periods, instead (blocks started in 2011).”
Mrs. Gemgnani: “There was no Falcon Forest when I first started teaching here. The gym and main office have been redone before many times, as well.”
Mr. Taber: “When the new wing was built, they buried a time capsule somewhere around the school in 2005.”
Ms. Murphy: “School officially opened for sessions in January of 1960 on a beautiful winter morning at 8am.”
Q3: Can you comment on any facts in the original article that were interesting or fascinating to you, or any questions that you have after reading the article?
Ms. Uchrin: “It’s fascinating that while they were building, they ran out of money to continue the building process. Simply, they took longer due to financial reasons.”
Mrs. Gemgnani: “It’s interesting that the school started out as a junior high and not a middle school. Also, I wonder, why is our emblem a falcon?”
Mr. Taber: “Why does the main office have a vault in the middle, what did they keep in there?”
Ms. Murphy: “It’s intersting why the school was called Fords.”
Time to add on
Now that we’ve mentioned what the staff said, here’s some additional information about the school.
Our school officially opened on January 18, 1960 on a Monday morning at 8am. It officially became a middle school on September 9, 1981.
Another great conclusion to this great history!
A poem or a song of our school (Fords Junior High, 1960)
“We sing the praises of our school,
Her hallowed halls we love,
Fords is the symbol of our pride,
Her banners furled above,
Our colors proud above the crowd,
Proclaim for all to see,
That truth and faith and fortitude,
Will guide our destiny.”
“So to Fords Junior High we pledge,
To classmates one and all
Devotion, honor and respect
In answering the call.
Our memories we’ll hold so dear,
And shall not forget
The days spent here, these fleeting years’
OUR EVERLASTING DEBT.”
-The End…or is it?
