The grades were between 1 and 10 with 10 being the best. 1 or 2 was given for cheating. 5 and above were passing grades. Usually 5 was considered a “charity” grade. The usual grades were for oral examinations, in front of the whole class. There were however, written examinations. Some were announced, some were not. Sometimes you got a grade for a home assignment. Starting with the 5th grade, we started having term written examinations for a few subjects, first just 2 and then up to 5-6. The term written examination was announced from the beginning of the term. Everything covered in that subject for that term could be tested. You had to know everything. To get to the term grade for that subject, an average of the oral examinations would be taken, and that figure would be averaged with the written exam to get to the term grade.
At the beginning of each year, we would assemble in the schoolyard, by class, in a U shape. Our main teacher (diriginte) was there. We would line up and then, two by two, go to our class. Each year the classroom would be different but the class itself stayed the same. Some kids moved away, or moved out but just because their parents changed residences and they enrolled in other school.
Then, the very first day, every student would receive (free) manuals for each of the subjects. We got to keep these manuals. Later on, in high school, the manuals were recycled. We might have gotten used manuals for some subjects and at the end of the year we had to turn them in.
Before school started, all stationery stores had long lines of people who waited to buy school supplies. We had to buy these. Everything was very organized. Each store had received the exact list of what a first grader, second grader, third grader, etc. would need for that year, down to the smallest detail. Supplies for each grade would be different. Wrapping paper would also be bought because books and copybooks, draft books, everything had to be neatly wrapped (only blue paper) and neatly labeled with the student’s name and grade.
The first day we would also get the schedule for each day. School was taught in the morning and in the afternoon. I remember that in some grades, we started around noontime or 1 PM, and stayed in school until 5 or 6. Each day, 4-6 subjects were taught. Usually, each of these subjects necessitated a book and 1-2 exercise books. We were required to carry all these books and exercise books that would be needed for that day. One exercise book was for writing in class and one for homework. There were no loose papers. Everything was in book format. Homework was checked every day. Sometimes a student was assigned to check the colleague’s work. There was some cheating, students, copying their homework off some colleague’s exercise book just before the teacher came, but it was not widespread.
Before the school year started, we also had to buy school uniforms (usually at least 2 so that we could change into clean ones mid-week) and also uniforms for gym. The required outfit for gym was black satin shorts and white t-shirts (for inside) and navy blue sweat pants and shirts for outside and colder weather. The uniforms had to be kept neat and in your size. You could not wear a uniform that was too short or too long. We usually bought them long and hemmed them to save on the expense. And as we grew, the hem would be let down. I remember that one time, when there were just 1-2 months until the end of the school year and the following year uniforms would be different, a principal asked me to buy another uniform because mine was getting a bit short. I pleaded that the time left was too short and that it would be a waste of money, but to no avail. I had to buy a new uniform. And there were no consignment stores to sell it to, once you no longer needed an item.
(to be continued)
At the beginning of each year, we would assemble in the schoolyard, by class, in a U shape. Our main teacher (diriginte) was there. We would line up and then, two by two, go to our class. Each year the classroom would be different but the class itself stayed the same. Some kids moved away, or moved out but just because their parents changed residences and they enrolled in other school.
Then, the very first day, every student would receive (free) manuals for each of the subjects. We got to keep these manuals. Later on, in high school, the manuals were recycled. We might have gotten used manuals for some subjects and at the end of the year we had to turn them in.
Before school started, all stationery stores had long lines of people who waited to buy school supplies. We had to buy these. Everything was very organized. Each store had received the exact list of what a first grader, second grader, third grader, etc. would need for that year, down to the smallest detail. Supplies for each grade would be different. Wrapping paper would also be bought because books and copybooks, draft books, everything had to be neatly wrapped (only blue paper) and neatly labeled with the student’s name and grade.
The first day we would also get the schedule for each day. School was taught in the morning and in the afternoon. I remember that in some grades, we started around noontime or 1 PM, and stayed in school until 5 or 6. Each day, 4-6 subjects were taught. Usually, each of these subjects necessitated a book and 1-2 exercise books. We were required to carry all these books and exercise books that would be needed for that day. One exercise book was for writing in class and one for homework. There were no loose papers. Everything was in book format. Homework was checked every day. Sometimes a student was assigned to check the colleague’s work. There was some cheating, students, copying their homework off some colleague’s exercise book just before the teacher came, but it was not widespread.
Before the school year started, we also had to buy school uniforms (usually at least 2 so that we could change into clean ones mid-week) and also uniforms for gym. The required outfit for gym was black satin shorts and white t-shirts (for inside) and navy blue sweat pants and shirts for outside and colder weather. The uniforms had to be kept neat and in your size. You could not wear a uniform that was too short or too long. We usually bought them long and hemmed them to save on the expense. And as we grew, the hem would be let down. I remember that one time, when there were just 1-2 months until the end of the school year and the following year uniforms would be different, a principal asked me to buy another uniform because mine was getting a bit short. I pleaded that the time left was too short and that it would be a waste of money, but to no avail. I had to buy a new uniform. And there were no consignment stores to sell it to, once you no longer needed an item.
(to be continued)
Simona Georgescu
