Facts

REASONS FOR RULES:
So everyone’s safe
So the teacher can teach
So everyone can learn

Weird and Wacky Facts

The 1872 Education Act made it compulsory for all children between the ages of 7 and 12 to attend school if they lived within two miles of a school.

Even the teachers had rules:

Rules for Teachers - 1872
1. Each teacher will fill lamps, clean windows.
2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session. 
3. After ten hours in school, the teacher may spend the remaining time reading the bible or other good book.

Rules for Female Teachers - 1915
a) You will not marry while you are teaching 
b) You must be home between the hours of 8pm and 6am unless attending a school function.
c) You may not leave the city limits without the permission of the Chairman of the Board.
d) You may not loiter (hang around) downtown in ice cream stores.
e) You may not dress in bright colours.
f) You may not under any circumstances dye your hair.
g) You must wear at least two petticoats and your dresses must not be any shorter than inches above the ankle.
h) To keep the schoolroom clean you must:
     Sweep the floor at least once daily.
     Scrub the floor with hot soapy water at least once a day.
     And start a fire at 7am so the classroom will be warm by 8am.