Historic school bell continues to preserve Shakespeare's educational heritage

The original two-room U.S.S. No. 10 school in Shakespeare is shown in this historic photograph from Country Roads: The History of South Easthope 1827-2000. The original school bell, which once called students to class, now stands beside the entrance to Sprucedale Public School. Photo from Country Roads: The History of South Easthope 1827-2000

By Gary West

As another school year came to a close at Sprucedale Public School last week, one piece of the community's educational history quietly stood as a reminder of generations of students who came before.

Standing near the entrance to the school is the original bell from Union School Section (U.S.S.) No. 10, the two-room schoolhouse that once served Shakespeare before the construction of newer schools.

While hundreds of students pass by the bell each year, few may realize the important role it once played in daily school life.

For decades, the bell rang at 9 a.m. to signal the start of the school day and again after morning recess and the noon lunch break, calling students back to their classrooms. In those days, classes continued until 4 p.m.

Like many one- and two-room rural schools throughout Ontario, U.S.S. No. 10 also relied on a handheld bell that teachers used throughout the day.

Today, the restored school bell serves as a lasting reminder of Shakespeare's educational history and the many students and teachers who passed through the community's original schoolhouse.

For those who attended the former school, the bell represents cherished memories and a connection to an earlier era of rural education.