Caledonia Argus

There for the first and last day

Posted: 6/4/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Ruth Pongratz has been there for Caledonia High School students from beginning to end.

Pongratz taught at Caledonia High School on the day it opened in January of 1964, and taught the day it closed last Wednesday, May 29, 2002.

Her teaching spans at least two school building eras. Pongratz began teaching in 1951 at the old high school located where the current elementary school is located. Then, in 1964 Pongratz moved with other faculty to the newly built high school. She recalls being a part of a committee that made building recommendations for the school, ìI wanted a green house outside,î she remembers.

After teaching an assortment of science classes her first few years, Pongratz settled down to teaching life science classes.

She remembers watching class sizes swell from 30 in the 1950s to 140 in the 1970s.

She retired from teaching in 1986 after 35 years of service, but has kept on as a substitute for the last 16 years.

What keeps bringing her back?

ìI love the kids,î she explained. Itís also convenient since she only lives across the street.

She admits that she remembers the first day of teaching in 1951 better than she does the first day at the new school in 1964.

The last day of high school this year was full of excitement. Yearbooks were being signed and students were eager to leave. ìThe last day of school is always kind of disruptive. We go through that every May,î she said.

Pongratz was also involved in the Closure ceremony that was held shortly before students were dismissed. She represented the faculty that had gone through the school during the years, while former principal Ed Ferkingstad represented administration.

Pongratz hopes to continue substitute teaching in the new middle school high school.

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