<![CDATA[Iowa Heritage Digital Collections]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/browse/page/10?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Public+schools&output=rss2 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 21:13:58 +0000 publications@silo.lib.ia.us (Iowa Heritage Digital Collections) Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[031_Elmwood School]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51782

Title

031_Elmwood School

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page029ElmwoodSchool.jpg

Transcription

29 ELMWOOD SCHOOL 31st and University Grades K-6 Dates of construction 1886 One-fourth 1900 One-fourth 1923 One-half Site 1.7 acres The north part of Elmwood was built m 1886 when it was a part of the Oakdale School District. About 1900 the Oakdale District merged with the West Des Moines Schools, and the high school students housed in Elmwood were sent to the West High building at 15th and Center. Elmwood then became an elementary school with kindergarten through the eighth grade. In 1901 there were six teachers employed as the Elmwood faculty. In 1910 some old records indicate that there were 179 pupils and eight teachers. With the development of University Place and the western part of Des Moines m general, the school population increased. Citizens then, as now, were faced with the problem of school housing. In the Spring, 1921 issue of Elmwood Scraps we note that the Independent School District of Des Moines had definite plans for more rooms: "The process of the house moving is interesting to all ages. The pupils at Elmwood are having the opportunity to see this done since the houses at the south of the school on Bratdeboro Avenue are being moved to make room for the new building." The dedication exercises for a new two-story brick building south of the old Elmwood structure were held on Tuesday, January 15, 1924. Both buildings were separate and complete. However, a wooden shed was placed on the east side to join the two schoolhouses. The shed or covered corridor was an icy tunnel during the winter and pupils had to put on winter coats and hats before passing from the old building to the new one. As might be anticipated, this runway was noisy. It was no small inconvenience to walk from the second floor of the old building down to the shed and up to the second floor of the new one. In 1937 the present brick corridors were constructed to make the present day Elmwood building that begins on University and extends to Brattleboro. In the 1920's Des Moines embarked upon an ambitious program of building separate junior high school buildings. In 1928 the seventh and eighth grade classes at Elmwood were sent to Callanan and the present elementary school of kindergarten through sixth grade emerged. The first record of Elmwood participating m the organization which later became known as the P.T.A. was notes found many years later by Hazel Hillis, daughter-in-law of Mrs. Isaac Hillis, founder and first president of Iowa Congress of Mothers. One note stated: "In 1900 was organized the Des Moines City Union of Mother Clubs which I served as President for five years. The seventeen clubs of the union included two W.C.T.U. units, one kindergarten association, two churches and twelve public school groups." In another note we know that Elmwood was one of the members since it read: "City Union met Saturday, May 19, 1900 Oakland, Bird, Elmwood, Kirkwood, Cooper, Oak Park, Webster, Longfellow. Gary, Capitol Park, Bremer, Forest Home and Washington." Many achievements were made by the City Union and the State Congress so it must be assumed that Elmwood parents had a very definite part in all of the progress. For example, a free ward was established at the new Methodist Hospital which was a forerunner of the State University of Iowa Hospital. During this period the mothers were trying to influence legislation for compulsory education. Child labor laws and conditions surrounding women and children in city, county and state institutions were being investigated. Former Vice-president Henry A. Wallace attended Elmwood in the early 1900's. In 1955 he wrote the following letter to the Elmwood P.T.A. Dear Mrs. Kernahan: September 28, 1955 "Replying to your letter of September 21 about my connection with Elmwood School, I recall that I first attended the school m the fall of 1898 or the spring of 1899 when we moved to 38th and University. "I entered the fifth grade. Graduated from the 8th grade in June, 1902. The boy of my class whom I most vividly remember was Cole McMartin who is still living but very sick. His grandfather, old Judge Elmwood (Photograph) Findley (Photograph) Ft. Des Moines (Photograph) Garton (Photograph)
031_ Elmwood School.jpg
]]>
Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:49:35 +0000
<![CDATA[030_Edmunds School]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51781

Title

030_Edmunds School

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page028EdmundsSchool.jpg

Transcription

28 For twenty years Flora Dunlap served as director of Roadside. During World War I she served two years with the War Camp Community service the U.S.O. of that time. Retiring as director of Roadside in 1924, she continued to serve on the board until leaving Des Moines in 1943. But Flora Dunlap's interests were much broader than her immediate job at the settlement house. Her influence was great and beneficial to the community m the fields of education, women's rights, politics, and public health. Her service to the community reflects this wide influence. In 1909 she became a charter member of the board of the Public Health Nursing Association and in 1912 she was the first woman to be elected to the school board in Des Moines. During the years from 1913 to 1915 Miss Dunlap was president of the Iowa Equal Suffrage Association and was legislative chairman of the Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs. From 1919 to 1921 she served as the first president of the Iowa League of Women Voters. For ten years, from 1933 to 1943, she was busily engaged serving her community as chairman of the women's division of the WPA in Iowa, and she also served as a member of the Polk County Social Welfare Board, again being the first woman to hold such a position. She also&lt; was a member of the Community Chest board of directors from 1932 to 1938. In 1922 and again m 1940 she was president of the Polk County Women's Democratic Club, and in 1936 she served as a member of a state committee to study social welfare legislation for Iowa, and then worked on a committee of five to draft social welfare bills for the state. In 1943 Miss Dunlap returned to her girlhood home in Circleville, Ohio. On August 26, 1952, death interrupted her service to the people she loved. The Flora Dunlap Elementary School, at S.E. Eleventh Street and Railroad Avenue, was completed before her death. In the mid-1970's Dunlap elementary school has the undepartmenta- lized program. With the closing of Scott* elementary school at E. 25th and Maury, those youngsters are now brought by school bus to Dunlap which is their new attendance center. In the mid-1970's Dunlap has the following compensatory programs for students: Title I Reading, K-6; Title I Math, K-4; Follow Through, K-3 as well as Head Start Classes. There are also classes for the educable mentally retarded. Dunlap is a school in the community action program that involves a great deal of participation by parents in after-school activities. One of the innovative programs that has received nation-wide recognition has been the family learning center. It is an active participant in the community cultural recreational activities program. Past principals of Dunlap include: 1952 - 1960 Florence Weisbrod 1960 - 1962 Phernn Dowell 1962 - 1968 Patience Guthrie 1968 - 1971 Dale Jacobus 1971 - Robert Langbehn EDMUNDS SCHOOL 1601 Crocker Street Grades K-6 Date of constrution—1974 Site—-3 acres For the 1973-1974 school year, Edmunds School was housed in two former elementary schools that were forerunners of Edmunds. These were Bird School at Harding Road and Woodland and Grant School at 23rd and Cottage Grove. Bird School was demolished in 1975. Grant School was one of the oldest school units in the district having been built originally in 1885 with additions in 1895 and 1910. Grant was sold in 1974. Each of these had been K-8 units in the old West Des Moines school district that existed until 1907 when the general merger of school districts took place. Thus, these two former schools possessed a proud heritage that formed the background for a striking new educational unit that was soon to be built-Edmunds, which was based upon an open-space philosophy of education. Along with this educational idea was the philosophy that the school board used for all of the schools in the 1970's and that was input from the school community as to the type of school facility that the individuals who lived in that neighborhood wished to have built. In the case of Edmunds and King, a unique planning process called the Educational Charrette was utilized. It was the first one in the State of Iowa and in the midwest. The idea was espoused by the U.S. Office of Education and endorsed by the State Department of Public Instruction. The history of Edmunds School goes back to two elementary schools- Bird School at Harding Road and Woodland and Grant School at 23rd and Cottage Grove. Generation upon generation had passed through the halls of these two buildings that were to become Edmunds School. In 1968, plans were beginning to take form which would eventually result in a new, single educational facility to replace Bird and Grant. The Board of Education and other concerned citizens were taking a new look at processes used for new school development. In 1971, a Charrette was held to begin the final stages of planning for the single facility. Charrette was defined as a vehicle including parents, senior citizens, students, teachers, administrators, businessmen, agency representatives, religious leaders, university personnel and special consultants. Dr. Charles Link and Dr. Donald Brubaker served as coordinators of the Charrette process and were responsible for the developmental team selected to interpret the educational findings of the Charrette participants from the Bird/Grant community. From the Charrette came a humanistic, multi-cultured direction to program development and facility planning. The process produced an educational facility which was to: (1) provide a curriculum of relevancy. (2) provide for development of self-worth and pride through the educational programs. (3) serve the recreational and health needs of the total community. (4) draw students from other communities in an effort to create a multi-cultured educational setting. The school was to be an open-spaced building with an individualized approach to learning. The learning design was to serve adults as well as children. The citizens of the Des Moines Independent Community School voted bonds for the construction of the new building and in 1972 began to build this fine new structure. Edmunds School opened its doors in September of 1974. Principals of Edmunds School include: 1973 - Don Brubaker
Page 028 Edmunds Schools.jpg
]]>
Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:49:16 +0000
<![CDATA[029_Douglas and Dunlap Schools]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51780

Title

029_Douglas and Dunlap Schools

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page027DouglasandDunlapSchools.jpg

Transcription

Cowles (Photograph) Douglas (Photograph) Dunlap (Photograph) Edmunds (Photograph) Cowles was a pilot school for the Waupum project. This project screens, evaluates and places all Kindergarten students so the teacher can best meet the individual needs, developing the weaker areas and enhancing the strong. School spirit was enlivened through the selection of school colors, song and mascot. An active student council pursues student interests and desires. This K-6 organization is in the process of completing a student center. Principals of Cowles School— 1958 - 1960 Almeda Nelson 1960- 1963 Jean McClintic 1963 - 1972 Lorene Lightfoot 1972 - 1975 Tom Stokes 1975 - Lester Rees DOUGLAS SCHOOL East 38th and Douglas Grades K-5 Dates of construction—1910 Three rooms 1920 Three rooms 1965 Sixteen rooms Site—5.7 Acres Douglas school was named because of its location on Douglas Avenue. The first P.T.A. was organized in 1912. Douglas was a small primary unit for many years. Gradually the empty farmland was subdivided by home developers. Booming housing developments made it necessary to build a 15 room addition in 1964 at a cost of $506,958.00. Before the addition was completed, many children were bussed to Longfellow School for several years. When the addition was completed and ready for use in August 1965, the enrollment had grown so much there were 160 Kindergarten children- 40 children in each session which necessitated hiring 2 full time teacher associates, and -it was necessary to have 5 - 1st grade classrooms of 34 each. In 1967, Hoyt Elementary school was built as a Primary SchooL This helped alleviate some of the large sized classes for several years. In 1972 Hoyt was changed to a Middle school so the sixth graders from Douglas attend there, that made Douglas a K - 5 school. Principals of Douglas School- 1911 - 1915 Ann Howland 1915 - 1916 Mr. Evralls 1916 - 1919 Alice White 1919 - 1937 W. Lee Jordon 1937 - 1939 Edna Petersen 1939 - 1944 Ruth Pritchard 1944 - 1946 Almeda Nelson 1946 - 1954 Edith Patterson 1954 - 1958 Lorraine Kimball Reed 1958 - 1964 James E. Wise 1964 - Marjorie Schwein DUNLAP SCHOOL S.E. 11th Street and Railroad Ave. Grades K-6 Site—2.5 acres Dunlap School was constructed in 1952 as a replacement for the old Curtis School located at S.E. 6th and Raccoon, and for Benton School, a frame building at S.E. 12th and Shaw. Benton was razed in 1963 and the site has been sold. Curtis was put en the inactive list since it was a relic of the old East Des Moines School District having been built in 1874. The Curtis School and site were sold in 1965. The Dunlap School was named m honor of Flora B. Dunlap who was a veteran social worker in the southeast section of Des Moines. Some highlights of Miss Dunlap's life are given below: Flora Dunlap was born February 27, 1872, in a log cabin on the banks of Deer Creek near Circleville, Ohio, of early American pioneer ancestry. She attended public schools in Ohio and was graduated from Cincinnati Wesley an College. Miss Dunlap's forty-year career in Des Moines began in 1904 when she became director of Roadside Settlement House, one of the first in the country, located at Eighth and Mulberry Streets. As the flood-ridden southeast section of Des Moines came to be the city's biggest social and sanitation problem, the need for a social settlement house in the area became apparent, so Miss Dunlap took the initiative in planning a new Roadside building at S.E. Seventh and Scott Streets.
Page 027 Douglas and Dunlap Schools.jpg
]]>
Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:48:55 +0000
<![CDATA[028_Cattell and Cowles School]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51779

Title

028_Cattell and Cowles School

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page26CattellandCowlesSchool.jpg

Transcription

26 In 1858 he was elected auditor of Iowa. In regard to his election, the State Register says: "It was a fortunate thing for Iowa that a man of his Roman simplicity, Spartan courage and inflexible honesty that arose above every temptation was in that position at that particular time." He introduced improvements into the manner of conducting monetary transactions of the state as well as in the system of bookkeeping. During his incumbency, which covered the entire civil war era, the expenditures were very heavy and the work greater than ever before. Twice he was re-elected to the office. While a member of the General Assembly, Jonathan Cattell and other State House officials and citizens sponsored a school at East Ninth and Des Moines Streets. It was a community later served by Bryant School. Though built and supported by private contributions, there was no intention of making it a private school. When two colored children were admitted, the wealthiest contributor withdrew his children as well as his contributions. Mr. Cattell and others doubled their payments and the school went on. He was one of the first men in Des Moines to support minority groups by insisting on equal educational opportunity for all. After his retirement, Mr. Cattell remained a resident of the city and for a short time was out of political life. In 1866 he was nominated by the Republicans of Polk County as their representative in the State Senate. He served two terms and again retired from public office. However in 1885 he was appointed by Governor Sherman as auditor of the state, to fill out a term. Physically Mr. Cattell resembled Abraham Lincoln. In 1967, the School District began purchasing, for future needs, the properties north of the present school grounds - north to Tiffin between East 12th and East 13th. All but one property has been purchased. To support and enrich a strong basic skills program, the following areas are noted: 1. A phonetic approach to reading continues to be used in the primary grades. 2. A career education program, integrated with the curriculum areas, was implemented. 3. There has been emphasis on the use of supplementary materials and instructional media materials and equipment. The auditorium is being converted to a media center. 4. There has been assistance from resource and support personnel. The most recent programs have been in the areas of reading and learning disabilities. 5. Cooperative planning and teaching to meet the needs of individuals. To enhance the "Community School" concept, the following areas have been utilized: 1. School-Community Council 2. Classes for children and adults through the district's Community Education Department. 3. Recreation program sponsored by the City Parks and Recreation Department. 4. Working relationship with Grandview College. 5. Involvement of community in the Career Education Program. In the mid-1970's Cattell had a departmentalized primary unit with a grade 4-6 modified six-unit program for the older students. COWLES SCHOOL 64th and College Grades K-6 Site—9.3 acres This building was named in honor of Florence Call Cowles, wife of Gardner Cowles, Sr., and mother of Gardner Cowles, Jr. owner of the Des Moines Register & Tribune, LOOK magazine, and KRNT radio and television stations. The primary wing of kindergarten, six primary rooms and an all-purpose room was opened September, 1958 with 200 pupils. The wing of ten classrooms, art room, library, and gymnasium was opened in September, 1961. The total cost for both wings was $622,483. Grades kindergarten through third filled the building from 1958 until 1961 when grades four through six were included. In 1963 some 250 pupils from the Debra Heights area were bussed to Cowles and remained there until June, 1965 when Samuelson was opened. Cowles School was one of the original suburban buildings to be a receiving school under the Equal Education Opportunity volunteer transfer program. Black students from the inner-city schools of Moulton and Nash had elected to attend Cowles instead of their local attendance unit. In the mid-1970's this building also has two learning disabilities satellite groups as well as a special assistance for the visually impaired students. In addition to the regular educational program the director of library services has his office in this building along with two rooms used by the cataloging division of the school system. Yet another room is used by the music education division to store and circulate the music to all elementary and secondary schools. Cowles also houses the elementary consultants and the student teaching supervisor from the University of Northern Iowa. Beginning in Sept. 1975, Cowles and Elmwood will be paired and share the same principal. Progress of Cowles School during the 1970's. Community and parental involvement have been emphasized in recent years. An average of 50 parents volunteer their services weekly to help individual students, do clerical work, operate the "open" library, and be of assistance where needed. Over 100 parents volunteer to assist during the annual Cowles Track Meet; an extravaganza that features both track and field events. Community education classes are offered for both parents and students. From 6 to 8 courses are offered each session to meet the requested desires of the community. Career Education was implemented as part of the curriculum in 1973. Students in grades K-6 have been involved in various career related projects and have interviewed most parents regarding their chosen profession. Music education is an integral part of the regular school curriculum with over 70% of all 4-6 grade students involved with private or group lessons.
Page 026 Cattell and Cowles School.jpg
]]>
Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:48:26 +0000
<![CDATA[026_Casady and Cattell Schools]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51778

Title

026_Casady and Cattell Schools

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page025CasadyandCassellSchools.jpg

Transcription

CASADY SCHOOL 16th Street and Jefferson
Grades K-6 Dates of Construction 1905--One third; 1926 --One ninth; 1953 - Five-ninths
Site - 4.2 acres This building honors the memory of Phineas M. Casady who was appointed postmaster in 1847 by President Polk. At this time the name of the post office was changed from "Raccoon Forks" to "Fort Des Moines." There were 31 houses, 23 families amd 107 people in residence in the town. Mr. Casady was a lawyer, state senator in the Second General Assemby, school fund commissioner for Iowa and a banker. He lived to be 92 years old and was one of the grand men of Iowa. The south end of the school building was built in 1905. There were three more classrooms in the original Casady School than in the present south section. The southwest corner of the building was torn down because it was sinking and thus tilting the rest of the structure. The sinking was attributed to either quick sand or a former coal mine in the vicinity. An old report states that there were ten teachers when Casady opened in 1895. The neighborhood was an 'elite' area at that time. In February, 1948, Casady suffered an extensive fire in the south wing. At the time workmen were remodeling the toilets. The fire was first noticed when it became dark enough for the neigbors to see the reflections of the flames. The south part had to be completely rebuilt. The newest section to the north was opened for classes in January, 1953. The very latest ideas in construction were incorporated into this addition. Television classes were added in the 1960's. In 1865 a hot lunch program was begun.
Casady in the mid-1970's had an underdepartmentalized program. This is the only school in the system participating in the U.S. Office of Education's Right to Read Program that began in 1972-73. The highlight that year was the visit by Mrs. Patricia Nixon, wife of the President. Her visit was preceded by the usual secret service inspection of the building and the posting of guards at all entrances and on the roof during the official visit of the first lady to this elementary school. Mrs. Nixon had taken a personal interest in the Right to Read program that is run nationally.

Principals of Casady School--
1905-1914 Clara Funston
1915-1945 Gertrude Murphy
1945-1952 Almeda Nelson
1952-1959 Kathryn Christian
1951-1961 Sarah Page
1961-1964 Ronald Sterrett
1964-1967 Daniel Priest
1967-1971 James Pierson
1971-1972 Dale Jacobus
1972-1973 James Mitchell
1973- Robert Hyde

CATTELL SCHOOL East 12th and Hull
Grades K-6
Dates of construction-
1890 Two-ninths
1910 Two-ninths
1915 Two-ninths
1925 Three-ninths

Site--2.1 acres Cattell School bears the name of Jonathan Wright Cattell who was an outstanding pioneer of early Des Moines days. Prior to 1909, Cattell School was known as Grand View Grade School. Mr. Cattell was born in Pennsylvania and lived there until about twenty years of age. He married and moved to the Territory of Iowa about 1856, settling in Cedar County. He was a state senator from that county and quite and active legislator.
Adams (Photograph) Brooks (Photograph) Casady (Photograph) Cattell (Photograph)



Page 025 Casady and Cassell Schools.jpg
]]>
Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:48:06 +0000
<![CDATA[025_Adams and Brooks Schools]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51777

Title

025_Adams and Brooks Schools

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page025AdamsandBrooksSchools.jpg

Transcription

24 ADAMS SCHOOL East 29th and Douglas Grades K-5 Site--4.1 acres Dates of construction 4917 frame building (3 rooms) 1924 first wing of present building 1951 first addition 1961 second addition 1971 addition of 2 classrooms The first Adams School was located at East 27th and Douglas. This three room wooden building was moved to the present site and subsequent construction is listed above. This school was named for John Quincy Adams. A complete history of Adams School, teachers, principals, P.T.A. officers and minutes of P.T.A. meetings has been compiled and is in a bound book at Adams School. This book contains pictures of the buildings, teachers, pupils and P.T.A. officers. It also contains many newspaper clippings including an obituary of Mr. Jordan, the principal who* died in 1937. P.T.A. minutes record that at the September meeting in 1937, "about 40 were present and very sad, as Mr. Jordan, our principal for twenty years was very ill in the hospital. Flowers were voted to* be sent him." Then at the October meeting the following notation was made; "October 13 about 49 members met in the evening for our regular meeting. Members were very sad as Mr. Jordan had passed away." The obituary of Mr. Jordan states that at one time he had charge of the following ten schools: Perkins, Adams, Barton, Bly, Jefferson, Monroe, Riley, Windsor, Douglas and Meredith. More recently he was principal of a group of five schools including Adams. When the first frame building was opened in 1917 there were two teachers, Miss Marguerite Hanke and Miss Genevieve Schultz. Mr. J. O. Mitchell was principal. In the first brick building built in 1924 there were four rooms, in addition to a frame building. The enrollment was 183. Mr, W. L. Jordan was principal. From then through two additions to the original four rooms. Adams has continued to grow and expand. Through these many years more and more new homes have been built each producing boys and girls to be educated. As mentioned above, more detailed history of Adams will be found in the bound book kept in the school office. In 1971 an addition of two rooms was added to the west wing of the building. This cost was $57,000. New housing developments have enabled Adams to keep a substantial enrollment in contrast to the declining population in many schools. Principals of Adams School— 1917-1919 J. O. Mitchell 1919-1937 W. Lee Jordan 1937-1939 Edna L. E. Petersen 1939-1944 Ruth Pritchard 1944-1945 Almeda Nelson 1945-1964 Edith Patterson 1964- Mildred Shay BROOKS SCHOOL East 21st & Des Moines St. Grades K-6 Dates of construction- -1909 One half 1914 First addition 1925 Second addition 1975 New gymnasium. Site 3.6 acres Brooks School was named for Dr. Thomas K. Brooks. Dr. Brooks was the first physician and postmaster in Des Moines. He lived near Brooks Lake, and it was his earnest desire that the county seat of Polk County would be located near the present site of Brooks School. The 1970's presented a challenge to Brooks School to change the fore- mat of the educational program in order to more nearly meet the academic needs of each individual student. In 1971, an individualized approach to learning was begun in the upper grades. Children of grades 4-5-6 were mixed and thus an ungraded program was begun. With this concept, a child could progress as fast as he is able in the areas easiest for him and still take the time he needs in areas he finds more difficult. Upper unit teachers specialized in areas of their teaching strengths and developed a totally departmentalized program. The development of behavioral objectives and the concept of teaching to them became a reality and a basic part of the program. In 1972, Brooks became officially one of the thirteen IGE schools in the district and our goals for an individualized approach for teaching children were enhanced. The school was divided into four units and a team leader for each unit was appointed. Children were assigned to units rather than grades and the total school became dedicated to meeting the needs of each child. Our program has since then progressed and now includes as a part of every subject, Career Education. During the 1974-75 year we were able not only to combine career education with all subject areas but in addition to provide actual learning experiences that afforded the children a way 'to actually see how the skills they were learning in school would be a necessity for operating in the world of work. The Brooks program is concerned with not only individualization but also with the humanizing influence. Activities which promote positive human relationships have become an integral part of the over all plan. Title I Reading and Math program began in September 1973. In 1975,-two Learning Disability self contained classrooms were added as well as one Learning Disability resource room. On March 4, 1975 the Board of Education awarded a bid to Jorge Construction Company for $74,000 for a physical education facility addition at Brooks Elementary School. The total of the other contracts for mechanical and electrical brought the total construction cost to $105,409. This addition made possible a full gymnasium facility for Brooks School and eliminated the need for the use of the small gymnasium that had originally been a part of the old building. Principals of Brooks School— 1910 - 1913 Mr. Warren 1913 - 1918 J. O. Mitchell 1918 - 1937 Minnie Walker 1937 - 1939 James Burr 1939 - 1957 Clarence I. Pease 1957 - 1964 Frances Meneough 1964 - 1968 Harry Elder 1968 - 1974 Donald Williams 1974 - Marly Davis
Page 024 Adams and Brooks Schools.jpg
]]>
Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:15:27 +0000
<![CDATA[027_Growth of Des Moines]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51776

Title

027_Growth of Des Moines

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page023GrowthofDes Moines.jpg

Transcription

The Growth of Des Moines As we can look at the growth of the school district of Des Moines and see how it has evolved into its present single status from the consolidation of more than twenty separate districts, we must look at how the city of Des Moines has grown. In the accompanying map you can see the relative small space that was encompassed in the city of Ft. Des Moines in 1853. In 1857, the boundaries are delineated and at that time it became the city of Des Moines. The city was first incorporated January 18, 1853, as the city of Ft. Des Moines. On March 7,1857, the city of Des Moines was organized and the city limits extended, giving the city an area of 8 c square miles. This change can be seen on the map. The population in 1857 was approximately 4,000. As Des Moines continued to grow, a number of incorporated towns and cities began to surround the core area of downtown Des Moines. These included University Place, Greenwood Park, Sevastapol, Gilbert, Capitol Park, Grant Park, Easton Place, and North Des Moines. It is interesting that neither Highland Park nor Oak Park were incorporated. All of these incorporated areas voted in 1889 to merge into the city of Des Moines. This was a large consolidation move and the city limits remained fixed for the next 60 years. Earlier in the booklet the consolidation process of the school district was set out in detail. The accompanying map will help give some idea of the areas involved. The city annexed, on June 2, 1955, the Des Moines Municipal Airport which was outside of the city limits in Bloomfield Township. This action was taken as a defensive measure since there had been some discussion on the part of Bloomfield Township's residents to incorporate as "Rose City" and of course to include the airport. The Bloomfield Township area was incorporated into the city later in 1955. In 1976 the city incorporates about 64 square miles and the school district has within its limits approximately 84 square miles. As a sidelight on school district mergers within Polk County it is pointed out that there were 52 separate school districts in 1952. The steady decline of the many rural school districts across the county assisted in the merger of many of these districts. In 1962 there was a total of 27 separate school districts and this was reduced to 15 by action of the Polk County school board. The reorganization of a number of school districts to form the Southeast Polk district as well as those to form the North Polk district as well as certain other mergers such as the Clive school district merging with the West Des Moines school district resulted in further reduction. 23
Page 023 Growth of Des Moines.jpg
]]>
Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:43:57 +0000
<![CDATA[022_Senior High School Subjects]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51775

Title

022_Senior High School Subjects

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page022SeniorHighSchoolSubjects.jpg
Page 022 Senior High School Subjects.jpg
]]>
Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:55:11 +0000
<![CDATA[023_Other Suburban Districts]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51770

Title

023_Other Suburban Districts

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

Page013Other Suburban Districts.jpg

Transcription

13 The East Des Moines schools hired subject area supervisors to assist in the improvement of instruction. They maintained a special teacher in drawing as well as a supervisor of physical culture who was also an accomplished gymnast. They also had a supervisor of music on the staff.. Some of the old reports reflect the stress that was laid upon school attendance for those enrolled, as well as the matter of punctuality. The following figures were reported: The percentage of attendance to number belonging was in 1886--90.30 and in 1896--95.80, The percentage of punctuality was in the former year 99.4 and the last year 99.8. Other Suburban Districts It was recognized that the West Des Moines School District was the largest of the so-called urban districts serving this area. The second largest, of course, was the East Des Moines School District. In addition there were a number of other neighborhood school districts and indeed many of these were separate political entities that were later merged into the forming of the City of Des Moines. One of these districts was the Capitol Park School System which was organized April 4, 1874. It was the area in and around Union Park and Grand View College, to give a general geographical location. Its property consisted of the Capitol Park High School which is still retained in the old part of the present Wallace School at E. 13th and Polk (now Washington). The high school was located on the top floor of the building. This building is pictured below. Also in the Capitol Park School System were these units: Whittier School at E. 14th and Washington; Grand View School at E. 9th and Hull; (Cattell) and Logan School E. 17th and Garfield as well as a wooden school known as Pleasant Corner. A report states as follows about this district; "Probably no district in the state of the size and wealth of Capital Park can make a better showing. Many of the best citizens of the Park have served on the board of education and given freely of their time and services." Capital Park High School was accredited by the NCA in 1905. Certainly this was no small indication of the educational institution that they maintained. In football Capital Park High School had an outstanding record. They played the usual high schools in Des Moines, East High and West High. They also ranged out over the state and played Waterloo High School and Ottumwa High School plus a high school in Chicago, as well as Highland Park College. Unfortunately when they played Highland Park College in 1903 the College score was 33 and Capital Park was 6. They fared somewhat better when they played the Ft. Des Moines cavalry troop team. This was the regular U. S. Army stationed at Ft. Des Moines. The score in 1905 was Capital Park High School, 86 and Ft. Des Moines Cavalry, 0. A report from that game was as follows: "The cavalry men were much heavier but were unskilled in the art of football." Duties of Early Board Members A note should be said in passing about the duties of the early members of the board of education in the 1800's and continuing into the early 1900's. This was an era in which the school superintendency had not emerged as a strong leadership role for the piloting of the school system, as it were, over the rough shoals of controversy. The superintendent's role of updating programs and carrying out curriculum improvement that we now have in the last half of the 20th century had not been perceived. Board members of these early times participated vigorously, enthusiastically and directly in the affairs of running the school district. They had committees in which they took charge of the affairs of that area. Typical of the standing committees in most of these districts were those that are listed in the 1897 report of the East Des Moines School District. The standing committees were: 1. Buildings and grounds 3. Finance 5. Janitors 2. Instruction 4. Supplies 6. Printing Kirkwood SchooL (Photograph) 27th and Clark Lincoln SchooL (Photograph) 9th and Mulberry Longfellow School (Photograph) E. 7th and Maple Logan SchooL (Photograph) E. 17th and Garfield
Page 013 Other Suburban Districts.jpg
]]>
Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:26:19 +0000
<![CDATA[015_North Des Moines School District]]> https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51769

Title

015_North Des Moines School District

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

Date

1976

Digital Reproduction Information

JPEG scanned at 600 dpi resolution on an Epson Expression 10000XL Scanner

File Name

015_NorthDesMoinesSchoolDistrict.jpg

Transcription

15 North Des Moines School District The growth of the city to the north ultimately required a North Des Moines School District to be formed. This was organized in 1875 in the Forest Home Building at 13th and Forest. Ultimately there were five buildings. Forest Home School held in the top floors the beginnings of North High School before it was moved to a new building at 7th and College. Other school houses included Lake Park School, later renamed Clarkson School at 6th and Boston; Oakland School, 5th and College, later this was renamed Sabin School; Summit School on the west side of 21st between Forest and Clark. Summit was later renamed Given School and torn down in the 1930s. The motto of the North Des Moines High School in 1898 was indicative of their feeling—"Third in size, second to none." A new high school building for the senior high school was occupied in 1896. This red brick structure located at 7th and College is pictured below. In passing, it is pointed out that the first principal of North High School was Miss Louise Patterson and the last woman principal who sat at the principal's desk was Miss Amelia Morton in 1905. (Historical Notes for the Women's Movement of the 1970's). The North Des Moines District came into the greater Independent School District of Des Moines in 1907 along with the others. Oak Park School System Continuing on to the north was another independent school district —the Oak Park Independent School. This district included, in 1864, what is now Capital Park, Canary Lake, and Center districts. Owing to the trouble over the location of a new school house, it was divided into the above named Independent School Districts. The Center District becoming known as the Oak Park School District. The school house that was erected at 6th and Madison was a K-12 unit. The original construction cost $10,000 and had additions within the next few years. It is interesting to note that Mr. Z. C. Thornburg was elected superintendent of Oak Park School District in 1894. He also had been superintendent of the Capital Park High School District and was later to serve as superintendent of the Des Moines Independent School District. The original Oak Park School building is pictured below. The third floor that housed the high school and the tower were removed in the 1930s. As this history is being written there have been structural problems with the original building and the present indications are that the old section of oak park might be torn down in 1976. Oak Park,(Photograph) 6th and Madison Riley, (Photograph) 53rd and Urbandale Need for Merger In doing research for this Bicentennial history one finds remarks about the inefficiency of running many small independent school districts. There was debate as to the efficiency of these separate units. However, others pointed out that the boards act "much more intelligently, not always much more wisely, however, than boards whose information comes to them from other than personal acquaintances—the patrons of (small) schools are able to assert their rights much more easily than in a large system of schools." However, others pointed out some of the disadvantages of small school units. They countered "there is a great loss of supervisory talent. For example, a supervisor of kindergardens could give attention to 30 schools about as well as to 15. At one time West Des Moines paid $1,200 for the supervision of eight kindergartens and North Des Moines paid $900 for the supervision of four kindergartens. Now, it seems that one supervisor could attended to the 12 schools and thus saving a large amount of money." The argument continued that the same things could be said of the supervisors of music, drawing, physical culture, and primary work. Henry Sahin SchooL (Photograph) 5th and College Saylor School, (Photograph) Euclid and Cambridge
Page 015 North Des Moines School District.jpg
]]>
Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:01:12 +0000