Life lessons

When Elaina Corrato takes a walk down memory lane, she can’t help stopping at Francis Read Elementary School, Sartain and Moore streets. Corrato described herself as one of those "odd creatures" who loved going to school.

"The small school and friendly atmosphere helped me thrive as a student," she said. "The students and teachers became part of my extended family and Francis Read provided a safe and protected environment for me."

Unfortunately, the old building where she played hopscotch and jump rope every morning exists only in memories. It closed due to declining enrollment and was replaced with homes.

"Although it was an improvement to the neighborhood, it saddened me to see the wrecking ball smash through the building," Corrato said. "I wanted to cry the first time I drove down 11th Street and saw the big hole where my grade school had once stood."

The tears are quickly wiped away with vivid recollections of the teachers, classes and students that made going to Read such a memorable experience. Corrato started first grade at nearby Annunciation B.V.M., 12th and Wharton streets, but said that Catholic school wasn’t a good fit. In November 1957, she transferred to Read and was placed in Miss Sacca’s class.

"I thought I had died and went to heaven," Corrato said.

"I was a bit uncomfortable being the ‘new kid,’ but Miss Sacca welcomed me into the classroom and assigned a girl, Theresa [Gianneti], to show me around and help me adjust to the new school," she said. "My transition didn’t take long. I not only fell in love with Miss Sacca, but with Francis Read and its students."

Second-grade teacher Mrs. Carson and fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Sandroni also made learning memorable.

"They were both grandmotherly types who offered their students lots of hugs and praises and they taught more than academics," Corrato said.

LITTLE DID SHE know she would meet her future husband, Nick, who was a grade ahead, at the school. They didn’t talk much in those years, as Elaina noted her future husband "wanted no contact with girls."

They would go to dentist appointments together as kids and sit on opposite sides of the car.

"I guess I must have frightened him," Corrato said with a laugh.

They would eventually hit it off in high school.

The couple still enjoys singing "You’re a Grand Old Flag" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," which they learned as Read students.

Corrato, an alto, was a member of the Glee Club, which was supervised by Mr. Cinncinata. The teacher accepted all students into the group.

"If you were willing to sing, Mr. C found a spot for you," she said.

The group sang at assemblies and walked through the halls at Christmas singing carols.

It beat doing squat thrusts in gym class. In an attempt to get American youths in shape, students in the early 1960s were put to the test thanks to President John F. Kennedy initiating a physical fitness program in all public schools.

"Doing a squat thrust was the most ridiculous looking exercise I have ever done in my life and the worst part about the program is that we were timed," she said. "A teacher stood beside us holding a stopwatch while we did push-ups and sit-ups and we were graded on the number of exercises we completed."

Corrato said she held the record for the least number of squat thrusts completed.

Playing games in the schoolyard every morning before the bell rang was more Corrato’s speed. She was usually one of the first students to arrive. Booksies was one of the more unusual games. The girls lined up their loose-leaf binders on the ground and did jumps and turns over the books. There was also the old classic hand-clapping game "Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?"

Corrato said the boys were on the opposite side of the schoolyard playing their own games.

"They never invited the girls to join in," she said.

At lunchtime, Corrato remembers going to friend Theresa’s house. The rule was the girls had to eat their lunch to get dessert. When Theresa struggled to finish the second half of her sandwich, Corrato happily took over so they could get the end-of-meal treat. On special occasions, the girls would dine at Red Top’s, the luncheonette on the corner of 12th and Morris streets. A hamburger and fountain soda cost 35 cents.

"I felt important sitting next to the girls from St. Maria Goretti, the Catholic high school that was across the street from Francis Read," she said.

Mary’s on Sartain Street or Mrs. Ashley’s on 11th and Moore streets is where Corrato went for penny candy and sour pickles. Sherman’s Drugstore, Passyunk Avenue and Moore Street, is where she purchased school supplies.

Corrato now has all the memories sealed in a mental time capsule, which she can open any time she wants.

"The memories I have of Francis Read, not only of the students and teachers, but also the neighbors that lived around the school, will always be fond ones," she said. "Theresa, the girl that Miss Sacca paired me with on my first day of school, remains a good friend. I received more than an education from my elementary school."