Eastland scholarship students - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

80s Dude · 07-19-2020, 09:59 AM

Let's see, first we had Nancy O. as the scholarship student in The Girl's School. Then Sue Ann was the scholarship student in the 1st season. Then in the 2nd season, we got Jo as the new scholarship student. Since Nancy O. and Sue Ann stayed on in the following two years, that means that Eastland had at least 3 scholarship students for 2 academic years.

No wonder the school is always broke and changed headmasters so frequently.

TV Guy · 07-19-2020, 09:30 PM

They should have been forced to work in (and live over) the cafeteria to earn their keep!

RetroGuy2000 · 07-20-2020, 12:23 AM

I think forcing your scholarship students to live in a storage room above the kitchen sounds a bit Dickensian. The reason "our group" was up there was for the staff to keep an eye on them, and to punish them for bad behavior... not because they were poor.

TV Guy · 07-20-2020, 11:10 AM

I think you have something there. If they had stuck the poor girls above the cafeteria, they could have had Edna behave just like Miss Minchin in “A Little Princess.” And you know Charlotte could have pulled that off.

80s Dude · 07-20-2020, 12:04 PM

Mrs. G. and Eastland could have been in trouble for child labor laws violations as is.

valentina warner · 07-20-2020, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I think forcing your scholarship students to live in a storage room above the kitchen sounds a bit Dickensian. The reason "our group" was up there was for the staff to keep an eye on them, and to punish them for bad behavior... not because they were poor.

When you refer as the 'Staff': you mean MRS G keeping an eye on the 'Core of 4' & punish them if necessary, right????? (she did say on the episode 'The new girl' that they would be working & leaving under her roof so she could keep her eye on them hee hee hee!!!!!)

RetroGuy2000 · 07-21-2020, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valentina warner

When you refer as the 'Staff': you mean MRS G keeping an eye on the 'Core of 4' & punish them if necessary, right????? (she did say on the episode 'The new girl' that they would be working & leaving under her roof so she could keep her eye on them hee hee hee!!!!!)

At the time that Mrs. Garrett took on the responsibilities for the Core Four, Howard the cook was working in the cafeteria, as well.

valentina warner · 07-21-2020, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

At the time that Mrs. Garrett took on the responsibilities for the Core Four, Howard the cook was working in the cafeteria, as well.

Yes, but HOWARD THE COOK had no authority on the girls: MRS G on the other hand did!!!!!! (As our 'feisty red haired' would say: "there will be no nonsense coming from you girls!)

hch · 01-29-2026, 02:53 AM

Actually, the "scholarship student" lore at Eastland is even more crowded than that! If you look at the The Facts of Life Timeline, the school was practically a revolving door for students on financial aid:

Nancy Olson (Pilot): In "The Girls' School," Nancy is the original scholarship bridge, coming from a family that "saved every penny."

Sue Ann Weaver (Season 1): She took over the "scholarship" mantle in the first season, even facing off with Mr. Bradley over her grades in "IQ".

Jo Polniaczek (Season 2): She famously arrived as the "tough girl" from the Bronx on a scholarship, which Mr. Harris held over her head the moment she caused trouble.

You’re spot on—having three scholarship students from the same social circle is a massive financial drain for a "prestigious" private school. However, you're also right that the living situation was a disciplinary measure, not a poverty one. In the Season 2 premiere, "The New Girl", the girls were moved into that room above the cafeteria specifically as punishment for stealing the school van and going to a bar.

It wasn't a "work-study" program; it was probation. Mrs. Garrett was assigned to supervise them in that specific room to ensure they didn't sneak out again. If they had been forced to work for their keep from the start, Blair would have probably called her lawyers before the first tray was even wiped!

07-19-2020, 09:59 AM	#1
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,810	Eastland scholarship students Let's see, first we had Nancy O. as the scholarship student in The Girl's School. Then Sue Ann was the scholarship student in the 1st season. Then in the 2nd season, we got Jo as the new scholarship student. Since Nancy O. and Sue Ann stayed on in the following two years, that means that Eastland had at least 3 scholarship students for 2 academic years. No wonder the school is always broke and changed headmasters so frequently.

07-20-2020, 12:23 AM	#3
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I think forcing your scholarship students to live in a storage room above the kitchen sounds a bit Dickensian. The reason "our group" was up there was for the staff to keep an eye on them, and to punish them for bad behavior... not because they were poor.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

01-29-2026, 02:53 AM	#9
hch Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 07, 2001 Location: Montross, VA 22520 Posts: 983	Actually, the "scholarship student" lore at Eastland is even more crowded than that! If you look at the The Facts of Life Timeline, the school was practically a revolving door for students on financial aid: Nancy Olson (Pilot): In "The Girls' School," Nancy is the original scholarship bridge, coming from a family that "saved every penny." Sue Ann Weaver (Season 1): She took over the "scholarship" mantle in the first season, even facing off with Mr. Bradley over her grades in "IQ". Jo Polniaczek (Season 2): She famously arrived as the "tough girl" from the Bronx on a scholarship, which Mr. Harris held over her head the moment she caused trouble. You’re spot on—having three scholarship students from the same social circle is a massive financial drain for a "prestigious" private school. However, you're also right that the living situation was a disciplinary measure, not a poverty one. In the Season 2 premiere, "The New Girl", the girls were moved into that room above the cafeteria specifically as punishment for stealing the school van and going to a bar. It wasn't a "work-study" program; it was probation. Mrs. Garrett was assigned to supervise them in that specific room to ensure they didn't sneak out again. If they had been forced to work for their keep from the start, Blair would have probably called her lawyers before the first tray was even wiped!
	__________________ "You don't own the rights or the patent on scuffling!" Willona from "Good Times"

07-19-2020, 09:30 PM	#2
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	They should have been forced to work in (and live over) the cafeteria to earn their keep!

07-20-2020, 11:10 AM	#4
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I think you have something there. If they had stuck the poor girls above the cafeteria, they could have had Edna behave just like Miss Minchin in “A Little Princess.” And you know Charlotte could have pulled that off.

07-20-2020, 12:04 PM	#5
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,810	Mrs. G. and Eastland could have been in trouble for child labor laws violations as is.