Fond memories of both QE and Pinecrest schools
Administrator | Apr 09, 2019 | Comments 2
Letter to the Editor :
Although Queen Elizabeth and Pinecrest schools aren’t old buildings, they hold many memories for all who walked through their doors.
The Saturday, June 8 alumni reunion at Prince Edward Community Centre will give all of us a chance to remember.
When I came to Picton to teach Grade 4 in 1959 at Queen Elizabeth School, all rooms were not completed. Grace Buchanan’s class and ours shared the gym for two months until we could move into our new rooms. I was eternally grateful that Grace was such an excellent teacher.
Later, Pinecrest was a very special place for our family. Our eldest daughter Carol was one of the first children to enter the doors on the first day of that brand new building in 1967. Caring teachers watched over our four, and later, three grandchildren. We couldn’t have wished for a more encouraging environment for all of them. Many volunteers were involved in many ways including in the Stott Reading Programme, in that community school.
We were all so sad to see both beautiful schools closed. Thanks to a small group of people who took up the reins to organize this reunion.
I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Saturday, June 8 was chosen by the hard-working committee, for the reunion of the two closed schools. That was Dan Rainey’s birthday. Dan, the long-time principal of Pinecrest, will be with us in spirit as we celebrate many years of memories. He would have had a wonderful time remembering each child, every one remarkable in his eyes.
Helen Williams
Bloomfield
Click here for more details on the reunion, and reminiscing!
Filed Under: Letters and Opinion • News from Everywhere Else
Dan Rainey, the first principal of Pinecrest Memorial School was dearly loved by staff, students and community alike. He inspired his staff to give their “all” offering many professional development sessions at staff meetings. He believed that the library/resource centre was the hub of the school and that the arts were of utmost importance in the development of a child. Introducing an instrumental music program was a major accomplishment for Dan. He was instrumental in introducing The Dr. Stott Reading Programme for struggling students led by Sandy Latchford and a host of parent volunteers. Following his retirement he became a board member of Quinte Educational Museum & Archives and was a driving force in the moving and restoration of the Victoria Schoolhouse, now adjacent to the Pioneer Village in Ameliasburgh. His passion for preserving the history of education and researching the history of education of one room schoolhouses in Prince Edward County resulted in the publication of 3 books which may be purchased at local bookstores.
His passing on the 50th anniversary of the opening of Pinecrest Memorial School in 2017 was a sad day for many. Dan will be lovingly remembered on his birthday, June 8/19 at a reunion for the alumni of Pinecrest and Queen Elizabeth Schools, recently closed, to be held at Huff Estates Arena in Picton. This special event hosted by QEMA will be a most memorable day for many!
Sad that Dan Rainey cannot share in this special day. He was a dedicated teacher as were Art Jackson, Jack Brown, and Don Foster of Queen Elizabeth School. We learned many life lessons from them in those long ago days.