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In January, I wrote about the city taking over High Point Normal & Industrial Institute in 1923 and changing the name to The Normal High School.

As the new owner, the city ordered books it felt were needed at the school.

Since that column appeared, my research has uncovered yet another interesting document, High Point City Schools’ “Books to be furnished by the schools during the year,” from about 1928.

During that era, if a document didn’t mention race, it applied to whites only.

If blacks were involved at all, somewhere within the document, it would say Negro or Colored.

Most of the books black students used back then were used books from the white schools.

The information is broken down by grade, book name, price and total cost of books (I assume this to be the total cost to the school).

The books ranged in cost from 40 to 96 cents, with a total cost per student from about $3.50 to $5 for books.

Supplies to be purchased by schools included crayons, 15 cents; watercolors, 40 cents; scissors, 15 cents; and construction and drawing paper, 25 cents.

In addition to the memo regarding books to be furnished by the schools, I found a letter that was sent out to each grade.

The body of the letter was the same for all, except for a list of school supplies at the bottom of each. Pencils, tablets, and writing paper were listed for each grade level.

The following is what was sent out to the parents of first-grade students for the school year 1928-29.

“To Parents:

“Each pupil in the first grade will need during the year from six to eight reading books, at a retail cost of from $3 to $4.

“In addition to these books, each pupil will need crayons, construction and drawing paper, and other materials, which cannot be conveniently purchased by pupils. The cost of these, at retail prices, will amount to between 75 cents and $1.

“By using the books which we have on hand and by purchasing other books and all materials at wholesale prices, we estimate that we can furnish all the necessary books and materials, except those listed below, for each pupil for the entire year for $2.

“Believing that every parent will be glad to take advantage of this opportunity to cut down the cost of books and supplies, we are asking that you send $2 to the teacher or the principal on the first day of school.

“If you prefer to buy the books yourself, we shall be glad to furnish you with price list.”

It was signed by Superintendent T. Wingate Andrews.

Listed at the bottom of the letter sent to each grade level were items to be purchased for students in that grade:

First grade: Lead pencils and tablets.

Second grade: “Hollis Dann Music Book, Second year,” 40 cents.

Third grade: “Everyday Arithmetic — Primary revised Edition,” 75 cents; “Around the World with the Children” (geography), 75 cents; “Fifty Famous Stories Retold” (history), 65 cents; “Hollis Dunn Music Book — Third year,” 50 cents.

Fourth grade: “Everyday Arithmetic: Primary revised,” 75 cents; “Essentials of Geography — Book I,” $1.35; “Old Time Stories of the North State” (history), 75 cents; “Progressive Series — Book II (music), 75 cents.

Fifth grade: “Everyday Arithmetic Intermediate Revised Edition,” 80 cents; “First Book of Geography — Book I,” $1.33; “First Book in United States History,” 80 cents; “Progressive Series Book II” (music), 76 cents; “Malden Health Series,” 63 cents; “Palmer Method of Business Writing Book II,” 20 cents.

Sixth grade: “Everyday Arithmetic, Intermediate Book, Revised Edition,” 80 cents; “Essentials of Geography Book II,” $1.87; “Hill’s Young People’s History of N.C. (fall term),” 80 cents; “Cleanliness and Health, Malden Health Series,” 69 cents; “Open Door Language Series Sixth Grade,” 41 cents; “Mastery of Words Book II,” 32 cents; “Folk and “Arts Songs Book I,” 60 cents; “Palmer Method of Business Writing, Book II,” 20 cents.

Seventh grade: “Everyday Arithmetic, Part V,” 55 cents; “A History of the People of the U.S.,” $1.05; “The Open Door Language Series, 7th Grade,” 46 cents; “Essentials of Geography Book II,” $1.87; “The Mastery of Words Book II,” 32 cents; “Palmer Method of Business Writing Book II,” 20 cents; “Folk and Art Songs Book II,” 60 cents; “Building Strong Bodies,” 68 cents.

I looked back through some of our family heirlooms and found two books that were used by family members during that 1928-29 time frame.

One is an original copy of “The Open Door Language Series — Sixth Grade,” used by my Aunt Christine Chavis while at Leonard Street School. The other book is “Everyday Arithmetic,” used by my Uncle Millard Leach while at Leonard Street School. What treasures!

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy learning about what went on in High Point before I was born.

Glenn Chavis researches and writes about High Point’s black history. Contact him at Storytime40@aol.com