Amish Schools

Doughty Run (Creek) runs through a valley near our home. Doughty is an Amish (Pennsylvania Dutch) term for "Elder". Children raised in an Amish home learn to speak Pennsylvania Dutch as their only language. Amish children start school in first grade (no pre-school or kindergarten) and go through eighth grade. They are normally taught by an Amish lady who also only has an 8th grade education. It is at school that they learn to speak English as a second languge. So if you try to talk to a 3-5 year old Amish child they won't have a clue as to what you are saying. After completing the 8th grade boys either begin to take over the farm chores - milking, plowing, harvesting, etc. or entering the workforce where woodworking is a common business started by their fathers. The girls will help with house work or learn to sew head coverings for the ladies and shirts for the men which they will then sell at a local Amish bulk food store. Also,the girls will enter the workforce as waitresses, clerks, etc. We have had an Amish lady come to our house on a regular basis for the past two years to help with the cleaning. The first one we had was married in November, 2007 therefore, she gave up the job so she could help her husband on the farm. We now have a second lady who is married with no children. Her husband works at building houses and does not farm, so she is available to take jobs outside the home. The following pictures were taken in April, '08 while school was still in sesion. The schools are Doughty View School and Doughty Vallley School.