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Sec. 4 Page 2 The Mainland Times 1963 Historical EditionPROFESSOR SMMS LANDMARKMAW EDUCATIONWhen P. S. Simms becameprincipal of the La Marque colored school in 1928 there was nothing to indicate that the tiny organization would grow into the magnificent educational institution which it is today.More problems than teaching faced the young teacher when he first came to La Marque. The old frame build -was in need of repair and Cleaning before school started.f? “I asked the permission ofMr. Kennedy, the superinten-dent, to hire some one to repair and clean the bulding,” $rof. Simms recalled as he forted through some old files. I “The superintendent told |ne there was no money. I asked the same of the colored !»oard and their reply was Jhe same—no money. At this |me we had organized a Mother’s Club, whose name liras later changed to P.T.A. tjrhe Mother’s Club worked andpaid the $20 for the repairand cleaning of the building.” In 1928 there were only tworooms and two teachers with39 pupils from the 1st to the 7th grades. Prof Simms’ room was furnished with 10 double desks and a chair and desk for the teacher.The white school board included Louis Margot and PatProf. P. S. SimmsSweeney. Calvin Bell, H. Hobgood and Rev. Bellwereon the colored school board. It was a common school district with a county superintendent.The school showed some growth during the ten years having three classrooms,three teachers,about 60pupils with an eighth grade being added.It was in 1938 when the colored schools began to really expand. The presentLincoln school was built. Ithad 13 classrooms, 13 teachersincluding the principal who also taught three or fourclasses daily The enrollment had grown to 125.Now the school had primary, elementary, junior high and senior high departments.“The superintendent did not grant my request to add anindustrial department until ayear later, ” Prof Simms said, “Mrs. Grace Britton, a patron, loaned the school a sewing machine and theP.T.A. paid Mrs. EuginaSimms to teach the girls sewing after school a few days a week.“It was during the commencement exercises the following spring, when these girls wore the dresses they had made. Mr. Price and the members of the board were so impressed with this activity that a sewing and cooking department was added the following fall. They also added a manual training department.”Since 1943 the La Marquecolored schools have experienced a phenomenal growth. In 1952 the Woodland school was built across the street from Lincoln. By 1956 another elementary school was needed and Lake Roadwent into operation. In 1961 a fourth building was added, an elementary school named in honor of ProLSimms.By this time Woodland wasconverted into a junior high school and Lincoln was completely renovated. The schools**■\m‘ft- ■ v.-• ■ ' ■- v-.\ .:v.’ * ' r'v.. ^, :w. v, /»■ \ •■*S*»• -A' ,/MA -• • ■ •.*y/♦SIMMS ELEMENTARY is the newest school in the family. It was built in 1961 and dedicated to p. S. Simms, who has been in the school system since 1938. Billie Orman is principal.1IT WAS IN 1938 that the present Lincoln High School was built featuring13 class rooms and replacing a three-room crowded affair. At that time it housed all of the students. P. S. Simms was the principal and serveduntil 1958 in that capacity when he was promoted to coordinator of allcolored schools. Thornton Jackson is principal.now have an enrollment of about 2100.In addition to the basic courses offered, Lincoln High School has band, choral music,auto mechanics, home making, mechanical drawing, shop work, cosmotology, business education, speech thearapy, driver's education, and departments for the developmentof the exceptional child.For 30 years p.S, Simms served as principal and in 1950 he was made coordinator of all of the colored schools.He has a bachelor’s degree from Bishop College and aMaster’s degree from Texas Southern.“Mr. Simms has given long, faithful and efficient service,”commented Dr. E.H. Black, retired superintendent of the La Marque Independent School District, “He has been a tower of strength among his people throughout these years of fast growth and development.”you can be a free soul only if you do not acceptfavors from other people.• • T~V •—
Newspaper Details
Mainland Times
La Marque, Texas, US
Thu, Oct 31, 1963
Page 24
Full Page
Clipped by
Matthew D.
USA 19 Aug 2020
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