On Saturday, September 19, I, along with many other authors, attended the Texas Writers Conference hosted by Friends of Port O’Connor Library. I introduced my book, Scissortails at Dawn, Bullbats at Dusk, (Memories of Growing Up in Calhoun County on the Texas Coast and Other Selected Writings). My book includes a short section on Port O’Connor Elementary, and my drive back to Port O’Connor was a very “sentimental journey”.
My name is Melvin Rosenbaum. I am an 80-year-old retired High School teacher who started my career 58 years ago as a young 22-year-old right out of college. Port Lavaca was my home and I was living with my parents awaiting a call from Uncle Sam. The School District was willing to hire me on a temporary basis until my draft call as they were in desperate need of an elementary teacher in the Port O’Connor School. With the most able guidance and help from a wonderful lady and principal, Mrs. Naomi Albrecht, I accepted and had a most rewarding experience with these young children. That was in the Fall of 1957, and I was teaching approximately 20 fifth graders and six fourth graders.
On my recent trip back to Port O’Connor, I went by the school and found my old room, almost as I left it back in 1957. I took some pictures of the school and when I got back to Houston I dug up a couple of pictures I had taken of some of my kids out by the old Oleander tree which is still there! Sadly, I have forgotten the names of the kids, but not their faces. I’m hoping some of them can identify themselves and their old schoolmates.
In time I was drafted and a high point of my basic training months was the day when I got a bulky package-letter at mail call. Yep, it was a letter from each of my little charges and it was probably one of the only times I shed tears during those demanding eight weeks.
I would love to hear from any who may have been in my class. I can be reached at: Mel Rosenbaum; 13927 Ludgate Pass; Houston, TX 77034.
Melvin Rosenbaum
Author & Former Port O’Connor School Teacher
Can you identify these Port O’Connor School students from 1957?
Mr. Rosenbaum’s first class of 4th graders, 1957.
Port O’Connor fifth graders, Fall of 1957.
Mel Rosenbaum’s 4th grade “babies”, 1957.
