meeting that the lack of children would not be a problem. Frances was going to have at least twelve children. The last eleven Roberts children have yet to arrive, however their were plenty of children for the two classrooms!

Island schools were open twelve months of the year until about 1900. At this time a change in the yearly format gave students a summer vacation. School began in mid August and closed the first two weeks of October for potato digging. A one week break over Christmas and a two day holiday at Easter became the custom, and classes ended the last ofJune. The Easter break was extended to one week in the 19305. This pattern continued until 1965 when potato harvesters replaced pickers on the farm and students were no longer needed for the October harvest. School opened the Tuesday in September following Labour Day and closed the last Friday in June after 1965.

The North Tryon Women’s Institute bought the school from the province when it closed in 1973 for the sum of $1.00 and a commitment to keep it in good repair for community use. The deed was finally received in 1977 with the assistance of lawyer Norman Carruthers. The same year the building was repaired and painted, trees were planted and a flag pole, playground equipment, a shuffleboard court, a tennis court, a horse shoe pit, and a sandbox were added to the grounds. The school roof was reshingled in 1988, and an oil furnace was installed in 1990. The Women’s Institute continues to maintain the building and play ground for use by the community.

North Tryon School 1992. Hazel Robinson collection.

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