Historic Sites of Manitoba: Donald School No. 1094 (Narol, RM of St. Clements)

Link to:
Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

The Donald School District was established formally in November 1900 and a schoolhouse operated on Lot 255 in the Parish of St. Andrews, in the Rural Municipality of St. Clements. Intially a one-room structure, second and third classrooms were added to deal with burgeoning student enrollment. In 1916, a second two-classroom building was erected at the site. By 1926, teacherage quarters for all four staff was established on nearby Lot 251. The school buildings were destroyed during a fire in December 1946. A new three-classroom building, measuring 72 by 24 feet, with an auditorium that could be converted into a fourth classroom, was erected. Removed in the spring of 1956, a new school building designed by Paul Oneschuk was opened officially on 28 October 1956.

The school district was dissolved in 1967, with its area becoming part of the River East School Division. The school closed in June 1970. The former school building was given to the municipality which leased it to a local group to be used as a community centre, seniors centre, and daycare.

Principals

Period	Principal
1915-1916	A. F. Haczkiewicz
1916-1917	F. A. Ryback
1918-1927	Katherine E. Smythe (c1881-?)
1927-1931	Sophie Cherry [Cherashny] Shibou (1903-2002)
1931-1946	Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (1903-1971)
1946-1949	Emanuel Peter “Manuel” Tanchak (1914-1993)
1949-1952	John Prokipchuk
1952-1954	William Paul Solypa (1930-2017)
1954-1955	Dmytro “Metro” Michalchuk (1931-2017)
1955-1956	John Petrash (1933-2008)
1956-1957	Morris Miroslaw Hryhor (1923-1987)
1957-1958	Michael Rehaluk
1958-1959	Nicholas “Nick” Andrusko (1900-1983)
1959-1963	Maurice Walter Peleshok (1922-2013)
1963-1964	Peter Mikolayenko
1964-1967	Peter Paul Smolarski
1967-1968	Abe Klassen
1968-1970	Mabel Louise Rutledge Johnson (1905-1991)

Teachers

School Year	Teachers
1915-1916	A. F. Haczkiewicz (grades 2-8), Stephen B. Wolanczyk (grade 1)
1916-1917	Emilia L. Dybisz (grade 1, 1917), A. F. Haczkiewicz (grades 2-4, 1916; grades 2-3, 1917), H. S. Hawecki (grade 1, 1916), F. A. Ryback (grades 4-8)
1917-1918	Joseph H. Basarabowicz (grades 1-3, 1917), F. Hazel Charles (grades 2-4, 1918), Emilia L. Dybisz (grade 1), A. F. Haczkiewicz (grades 2-3, 1917), F. A. Ryback (grades 5-8 & night school grades 2-5, 1917), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 4-8, 1918)
1918-1919	Agnes Rosetta Connelly (grades 2-4, 1919), Emilia L. Dybisz (grade 1), E. R. McCurdy (grades 2-4, 1918), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 4-7, 1918; grades 5-8, 1918)
1919-1920	Mamie Cassidy (grade 1), Agnes Rosetta Connelly (grades 2-3), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 4-7)
1920-1921	Mamie Cassidy (grade 3), Mary H. Johnson (grade 1, 1920), Valerie Moran [Moray?] (grade 2), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 4-8), Ethel Zohzman [Zokman?] (grade 1, 1921)
1921-1922	Isabel Campbell (grade 1), Catherine Craig (grade 2), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 4-8), Ivy Stevenson (grades 3-4)
1922-1923	Isabel Campbell (grade 1), Catherine Craig (grade 2), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 4-8), Ivy Stevenson (grades 3-4)
1923-1924	Alice Aitken (grades 2-3), Jean Carey (grade 1, 1923; grades 4-5, 1924), Rozann Carey (grade 4), Lillian E. Pearlman (grades 1-2, 1924), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 5-8)
1924-1925	Alice Aitken (grades 2-3), Jean Carey (grade 4), Lillian E. Pearlman (grades 1-2), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 5-8)
1925-1926	Jean Carey (grade 4), Marie Eaves (grade 1), Minney Lurey (grades 2-3), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 5-8)
1926-1927	Sophie Cherry (grades 2-3), Mabel Edith Payne (grade 1), Jonina Sumarlidason (grade 4), Katherine E. Smythe (grades 5-8), Frank Alexander Wachal (grade 4 substitute, 1927)
1927-1928	Sophie Cherry (grades 5-7), Anne J. Mowat (grades 2-3), Mabel Edith Payne (grade 1), Jonina Sumarlidason (grades 4-5)
1928-1929	Sophie Cherry (grades 6-8), Dorothy McDermott (grades 1-2, 1929), Anne J. Mowat (grades 2-3, 1928; grades 3-4, 1929), Mabel Edith Payne (grades 1-2, 1928), Jonina Sumarlidson (grades 4-5, 1928; grades 5-6, 1929)
1929-1930	Sophie Cherry Shibou (grades 7-9), Cleo Mabel Clark (grades 5-6), Audrey Valentine Thompson (grades 3-4), Ellen Ann Vincelette (grades 1-2)
1930-1931	Cleo Mabel Clark (grades 1-2), Kathleen Teresa King (grades 3-4), Sophie Cherry Shibou (grades 7-9), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 5-6)
1931-1932	Cleo Mabel Clark (grade 1), Kathleen Teresa King (grades 2-4), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 5-6)
1932-1933	Helene Lennie Dojack (grade 1), Kathleen Teresa King (grades 2-4), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 5-6)
1933-1934	Helene Lennie Dojack (grade 1), Kathleen Teresa King (grades 2-4), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 5-6)
1934-1935	Kathleen Teresa King (grade 1), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), John Louis [Lewis] Semeniuk (grades 2-4), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 5-6)
1935-1936	Kathleen Teresa King (grades 1-2), Libby Elizabeth Marek (grades 3-4), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 5-6)
1936-1937	Libby Elizabeth Marek (grades 1-3), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 4-6)
1937-1938	Libby Elizabeth Marek (grades 1-3), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 4-6)
1938-1939	Libby Elizabeth Marek (grades 1-3), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 4-6)
1939-1940	Libby Elizabeth Marek (grades 1-3), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 4-6)
1940-1941	Libby Elizabeth Marek (grades 1-3), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Frank Alexander Wachal (grades 4-6)
1941-1942	Libby Elizabeth Marek (grades 4-6), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Bessie B. Olson (grades 1-3)
1942-1943	Kathleen Marion Connolly (grades 4-6, 1943), Mary Hrenchuk (grades 1-3), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10), Libby Elizabeth Marek Schroeder (grades 4-6)
1943-1944	Florence May Baker (grades 1-3, 1944), Mary P. Boyko (grades 1-3, 1943), Rae Isabelle Ellis grades 4-6), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 7-10)
1944-1945	Rae Isabelle Ellis grades 4-6), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 9-11), Mary Uranick (grades 1-4)
1945-1946	Ina Constance Hawkins (grades 5-8), Blanche Florence Leveque (grades 1-4), Leon Rudolph Olesczuk (grades 9-11)
1946-1947	Ina Constance Hawkins (grades 5-8), Emanuel Peter “Manuel” Tanchak (grades 9-11), Berith Williams (grades 1-4)
1947-1948	Emanuel Peter “Manuel” Tanchak (grades 9-11), Berith Williams (grades 1-4), Anne Zubachek (grades 5-8)
1948-1949	Emanuel Peter “Manuel” Tanchak (grades 9-11), Berith Williams (grades 1-4), Anne Zubachek (grades 5-8)
1949-1950	John Prokipchuk (grades 5-9), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-4)
1950-1951	John Prokipchuk (grades 5-9), Helen Jean C. Turner (grades 1-4)
1951-1952	John Prokipchuk (grades 5-9), Helen Jean C. Turner (grades 1-4)
1952-1953	Jessie Belton (grades 1-4), William Paul Solypa (grades 5-9)
1953-1954	Jessie Belton (grades 1-4), William Paul Solypa (grades 5-9)
1954-1955	Jessie Belton (grades 1-4), Metro Michalchuk (grades 5-9)
1955-1956	Jessie Belton (grades 1-4), John Petrash (grades 5-9)
1956-1957	Morris Miroslaw Hryhor (grades 10-11), Simon “Cy” Nimchuk (grades 7-9), Julia Rich (grades 4-6), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-3)
1957-1958	Michael Rehaluk (grades 9-11), Julia Rich (grades 5-8), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-4)
1958-1959	Nicholas Andrusko (grades 8-10), Julia Rich (grades 4-7), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-3)
1959-1960	Janet Elaine Lalchun (grades 4-6), Maurice Walter Peleshok (grades 7-8), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-3)
1960-1961	Janet Elaine Lalchun (grades 4-6), Maurice Walter Peleshok (grades 7-8), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-3)
1961-1962	Janet Elaine Lalchun (grades 4-6), Maurice Walter Peleshok (grades 7-8), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-3)
1962-1963	Janet Elaine Lalchun (grades 4-6), Maurice Walter Peleshok (grades 7-8), Berith Williams Semeniuk (grades 1-3)
1963-1964	Sharon Alice Chanas (grade 1-2), Lorraine Isabel Clark (grades 3-5), Peter Mikolayenko (grades 6-8)
1964-1965	Leona Buyarski (grades 3-5), Sharon Alice Chanas (grade 1-2), Peter Paul Smolarski (grades 6-8)
1965-1966	Sharron Lynn Bodie (grades 1-2), Pamela Sue Buchalter (grades 3-4), Peter Paul Smolarski (grades 7-8), Wasyl Sokolyk (grades 5-6)
1966-1967	Judith Karen Hanson (grades 1-2), Joanne Lynn Raw (grades 3-4), Peter Paul Smolarski (grades 7-8), Wasyl Sokolyk (grades 5-6)
1967-1968	Erika Anita Geske (grades 1-2), Abe Klassen (grades 4-5), Joanne Lynn Raw (grades 3-4)
1968-1969	Mabel Louise Rutledge Johnson (grades 4-5), Judith Karen King (grade 1), Joanna Lynn Raw (relief teacher), Clara Steen (grades 2-3)
1969-1970	Mabel Louise Rutledge Johnson (grades 3-4), Clara Steen (grades 1-2)

The other teachers of Donald School included Maggie McBeth (1901-1902), Miss Certie M. Whilley (1903), Jacob T. Norquay (1903-1905), Hugh W. Keele (1904), Louisa J. Irvins (1905-1906), William F. P. Bradley (1906-1907), Elspeth M. Craig (1908), William Bladley (1908), Esel Scort (1908-1909), Janet McBeth (1910), John Bybek (1911), A. H. Dielenkeirch (1912), J. M. Dybek (1912-1913), W. J. Mushynski (1912-1913), M. Styrska (1913-1914), A. F. Haczkiewicz (1913-1915), W. Henchart (1914), A. J. Basarabowicz (1915), Kathleen lsabelle Henderson (1948), and Arthur Bueckert (1965).

Photos & Coordinates

Donald School (no date) by J. E. S. Dunlop Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs, GR8461, A0233, C131-2, page 57. Site Coordinates (lat/long): N50.03823, W96.98513 denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

1926 Canada census, Library and Archives Canada.

“Examines classes at Donald School,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 November 1915, page 4.

“Campaign for better schools,” Manitoba Free Press, 25 September 1917, page 9.

“Remarkable change in conditions in Donald Public School in five years,” Manitoba Free Press, 15 November 1920, page 5.

“Selkirk and district items [The Donald School ...],” Selkirk Weekly Record, 2 September 1926, page 1.

“Tenders will be received by the Donald School Board,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 July 1935, page 14.

“Sealed tenders will be received for purchase and removal of Donald School Bldg.,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 April 1956, page 12.

“[Photo caption], Official opening,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 October 1956, page 18.

“Correction,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 October 1956, page 3.

Annual Reports of the Manitoba Department of Education, Manitoba Legislative Library.

One Hundred Years in the History of the Rural Schools of Manitoba: Their Formation, Reorganization and Dissolution (1871-1971) by Mary B. Perfect, MEd thesis, University of Manitoba, April 1978.

Selkirk West topographic map, 62I/2 West, Edition 2, 1952, Series A743 [Archives of Manitoba].

Manitoba School Records Collection, Donald School District No. 1094 - Daily Registers, GR8245, Archives of Manitoba.

School division half-yearly attendance reports (E 0757), Archives of Manitoba.

Donald School, Narol, St. Clements Heritage.

We thank Barry Roy and Ian Stewart for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 1 February 2023

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