2 10 807 https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/40c0c145433a8c43a0e9225135f7a8d2.jpg dd95c09cf6e23cf390852ca3f85d74a5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 091_GriederStudyofDesMoines.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. 89 Forest Home School was situated on Forest Avenue between Thirteenth and Fourteenth Streets. In 1885 the principal of this school was Mr. A. M. Miller. Following him for two or three years came Mr. D. G. Perkins, for whom Perkins grade school of the present time is named. By 1889 two rooms had been added to the building and plans had been carried out to establish a high school. Mr. O. E. Smith had come to be superintendent of all the North Des Moines schools, for by this time the town had grown and other schools had been built, Summit, later called Given; Oakland, now Sabin being among them and and also Lake Park, now Clarkson. North Des Moines High School was then definitely launched in the fall of 1889, upon its long and honorable career. The high school department made use of three rooms and the hallway. One of these rooms known as the main room seated about seventy-five students and was used chiefly as a study hall, but it was often necessary for the teacher in charge of the study group to hear her classes therein. The time came when it was necessary for classes to be met in the hall, or down in the kindergarten room in the afternoons, and even as some of the students of that time may distinctly remember down in a cellar room, where physics and chemistry classes were held in very close quarters and with very little equipment. The first principal of North High was Miss Louise Patterson, a graduate of Grinnell College and a very lovely sweet spirited woman who left the impress of her own sincerity on the lives and ideals of many of her pupils. Following her as principal while she continued as a teacher of English in the school came Mr. A. W. Merrill, who stayed only one year at North at that time. The next year saw two principals come and go, Mr. E. N. McKay, and Mr. Samuel Cart. During these years there were besides the principal usually two other full time teachers and drawing and music teachers who also served the grade schools. At that time those boys and girls who did not intend to go to college were very likely to drop out of school while still in the grades or at the end of the ninth grade. A few years later than this, statistics showed that only ten percent of the fourteen-year-old boys were in school. With this in mind it is not surprising to discover that a rather large percent of the earlier graduating classes went on into college—four out of six in the first class; and four out of the five in the second, the fifth one is this group taking a business college training after high school, and so on, of course, the percentage decreasing as the larger numbers remained in high school until graduation. The curriculum at that time consisted of strictly college entrance subjects, English, Latin, Greek, German, mathematics, history and science with a little art and music. In the early 1920's, North High was becoming over-crowded. This condition was taken care of in the year 1921 and on for a while by rearranging the whole schedule for the day and running the classes in two shifts with home room period for the sophomores, juniors, and seniors at 8:15 a.m. with six forty minute periods until lunch period at 12:43, when many of these students went home for the rest of the day. In January, 1928, West Senior High was given up, because of the small number of students there. About one hundred of these students transferred to Roosevelt and over four hundred to North. Several teachers who had been at West also came to North. Every effort was put forth by all concerned to bring about as speedy and as perfect an amalgamation of the two groups of students as possible. Home rooms were formed of equal numbers of both groups, and the school went forward as usual, soon losing sight of the North and West idea entirely. The year 1929 marked the first activity toward again acquiring more room, which was then greatly needed because of the increasing number of pupils coming every semester from the three tributary junior high schools. Some years before the city had voted a $300,000 bond issue for improvement of the West High building, but for some reason the plan had not been carried out. The question of transferring this money to be used for an addition to North High building was placed before the voters in March and was decided favorable for North. As a result of this action, North High gained the whole new building facing Seventh street, including the boys' gymnasium, swimming pool, nurse's rooms, a much enlarged stage, and a complete change in the interior of the oldest building too complicated to be detailed here, but providing several extra class rooms, the little theatre, and the club or music room as they are now. 1939 - GRIEDER STUDY OF DES MOINES SCHOOLS The Grieder Report in 1939 on building needs said: "It is recommended that North high eventually be abandoned and a new senior school located on the site known as Haugo's Sycamore Hill Plat 2, across the river at N. Union and Sheridan. This recommendation was transmitted to the Board of Education March 4, 1939. Subsequently the Board of Education decided not to avail itself of the opportunity to acquire this site, and the city has sold it to private parties. "Proposal No. 2. A less desirable site except from the point of view of present transit facilities lies adjacent to the north edge of Union Park, between Second and Sixth Avenues, and extending north to Sheridan. Its area is about twenty-five acres. The land is low, would require a very large fill, and does not occupy a commanding position as does the first site. "Plant investment at North is so large that the operation of a school at this center for some years to come is imperative. As recently as 1930 approximately $200,00 was spent in remodeling the 1895 section and building a new addition for gymnasium and shop. Probably North cannot be abandoned for fifteen or twenty years. But when that time comes by far the best move will be to the large site recommended above. Immediate acquisition is strongly urged to protect the interests of the district in the future. Any other policy must be characterized as short-sighted." "The decision as to whether or not North shall be abandoned will affect the construction program. If North is to be retained for fifteen or twenty years capital and maintenance outlays should be kept at a minimum; if longer, the 1895 section should be torn out and replaced with new construction. The Survey staff can recommend, however, no other move than eventually relocating across the river." Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 091_Grieder Study of Des Moines Schools Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/657c89969e9adf77a2cfa22d1612828b.jpg 34081c9d4a223a31a9c9bcf3521a6428 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 089_LincolnHighSchoolHistory.jpg Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 089_Lincoln High School History Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/a2908d481c3668e29f7cf8ee2879fc52.jpg b6cb5ea48ecf46d35b0cd3c42fd69736 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 090_North High School Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/8697f5b66eca89499789ef05520a5be7.jpg 2cc168b23ef68bf59dea4079a39d85ee Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 088_HooverandLincolnHighSchools.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. 86 The first evaluation of Hoover by the North Central Association was conducted by a team that visited the school November 4, 5, and 6, 1969. Recommendations of the team were accomplished where ever financial resouces and physical facilities would allow. During the school year 1975-76 the Hoover staff again engaged in their self-evaluation with a follow-up visit by the North Central team during the fall of 1976. The first principal of the school was Dr. Donald Wetter, who served in this capacity from the opening of the school in 1967 until December 1973, when he was appointed as Executive Director of Secondary Education for the Des Moines School District. Mr. Gerald Dockum was then appointed to the position, at which time the administration of Hoover High School and adjoining Meredith Junior High School was combined under one principal. Implementation of this centralized administration included combining the custodial force into one total unit, sharing of teachers in specialized teaching areas and further sharing of physical facilities in addition to the combined food service plan that had been utilized ever since both buildings began operation. Looking ahead, the emphasis will continue to be centered on meeting the changing needs of the students and the society in which they live. The addition of a resource teacher to work with students who are identified as having specific learning disabilities and the implementation of a career education program are only two examples of programs that will continue to help implement the purpose of the school as stated in the opening lines of its philosophy, "The primary concern of education at Hoover High School is to encourage the student in the fullest possible development of his intellectual abilities, his capacities as a person and as a member of society." Principals: Donald Wetter 1962 - 1973 Gerald Dockum 1973 - Lincoln High (Photograph) LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL S.W. 9th and Bell Gr. 10-12 In September, 1966, Lincoln High School became solely a senior high school for the first time since it opened in September, 1923 as a 6 year junior- senior high school. Beginning in September, 1967, Lincoln will house only grades 10-12. The post WWI growth in Des Moines and the boom era of the 19201s required many new classrooms to house the high enrollments. The public school philosophy of the first two decades had looked to the 8-4 program; eight years elementary and a 4 year high school. The 19201s saw the rise of the junior high school philosophy or the 6-3-3 plan; six years elementary, three years junior high and three years senior high. The Building of Abraham Lincoln High School The bonds which were to pay for the building of Abraham Lincoln High School were voted March 18, 1918. They were sold as the money was needed between the years of 1918 and 1923. The site selected was west of Southwest Ninth Street. Samuel Bell bought the land from the government in the early 18501s. When it was purchased for the High School, most of it belonged to his daughter, Mrs. Rachel Mosier, although there is a list of some half-dozen owners besides. It was condemned for school purposes in 1919, costing the school district $49,280.80 including appraiser's fees and cost of condemnation. Work was started on October 7, 1921. The architectural work was given to Proudfoot, Bird, and Rawson, the general contract to J. E. Lovejoy; and the heating and plumbing contract went to the Van Dyke Heating and Plumbing Company. The cost of the building was $775,492.25; fixtures and furnishing increased it to a grand total of $949,754.95. The ceremonies that marked the laying of the corner-stone of the Abraham Lincoln High School Monday, May 16, 1922, were very impressive. J. W. Studebaker, the superintendent of schools, made a brief address, after which he spread the mortar and helped put the corner-stone in place. Mrs. MacKinnon, former president of the board of education, who was largely responsible for the school in south Des Moines, helped Mr. Studebaker. One of the interesting spectators at the laying of the corner-stone was Mrs. R. A. Mosier, pioneer resident of Des Moines. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 088_Hoover and Lincoln High Schools Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/1b4e5ac60edccd59fc6ee06bf551b92a.jpg adc0d2096db8713cadd1e2b2c868e961 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 087_HerbertHooverHighHistory.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. Contracts for a total of $3,065,988 were let in March 1966 for the construction of the building. Inflation of the 1960's had eaten into the money that had been allocated from the bond issue, and several modifications of the original plans had to be made. Two additions in later years were primarily the result of those items being eliminated from the original plans. On July 8,1964, John Haydon, a member of the Board of Education moved to name the new high school in honor of a native Iowa, Herbert Hoover. Mr. Hoover was born in Iowa in 1874 and died in 1964. During his illustrous career he served as chairman of the American Relief Committee during World War I, where he achieved international status. He later served as Secretary of Commerce from 1921 until 1928, when he received the Republican nomination for President and later went on to defeat the Democratic candidate, Alfred E. Smith. Following his defeat by Franklin Roosevelt in 1932, he served on many government and private committees, including the powerful Hoover Commission of 1953. A bust presented by this library and a personal letter from President Hoover to the President of the Board of Education in 1962 are both on display at Hoover High School. The first principal of Hoover High School, Dr. Donald Wetter, assumed his duties on January 23, 1967, and he capably guided the selection of personnel, ordering of equipment, and the handling of the multitude of details necessary to open a new school. Much discussion was held before deciding the make-up of the first student body. It was finally decided the school would house only the tenth and eleventh grades during its first year of operation. These students, who would have been attending either North or Roosevelt, began classes in September 1967. Much of the construction remained to be finished, but the use of classrooms at the adjacent Meredith Junior High and a great deal of ingenuity resulted in a smooth beginning for the school. Enrollment the first year consisted of 429 sophomores and 402 juniors for a total student body of 811. September enrollments the following years of the school's existence are as follows: 1968 - 69 - 1255 1969 - 70 - 1299 1970 - 71 - 1292 1971 - 72 - 1320 1972 - 73 - 1265 1973 - 74 - 1215 1974- 75 - 1134 Since the school attendance area is bounded on the north and west by other school districts, there is no room for further expansion of housing within the present school boundary area. Thus, unless district-wide boundary shifts are made in the future, it appears likely that total enrollment in the school will decrease, reflecting the nation-wide declining birth rate. As mentioned earlier, a shortage of available funds necessitated a modification of plans on the existing structure. Thus, in April 1971, contracts were let for additional space for science, music, homemaking, and shop facilities. The total expenditure for this addition was $366,700. Construction was completed and the first classes were held in these facilities in September 1972. Since only one gymnasium was built in the original construction, 85 another facility was needed for physical education classes from the outset. On February 18, 1975, contracts totaling $385,743 were let for this addition. Also, additional funds were allocated to install auditorium lighting, which had been omitted from the original plans. Completion of these projects thus provides a building very similar to the one recommended in the original plans but which had to be modified because of a shortage of appropriated funds at the time. The school soon established its own identity, reflecting the enthusiasm and competence of the students, parents, and staff. While the primary emphasis since the school's beginning has been to provide a strong academic background for the students, extra activities have also been an integral part of the school's history. Students in the school soon excelled in all areas, including music, drama, debate and athletics in addition to their class work. The result is that at least one area of the school's program has received statewide recognition through winning a state competition in its area each year since the school was opened. A large percentage of the graduates enroll in some type of post-high school training upon their graduation. Currently approximately 65% of the graduates seek additional training beyond the high school level. Although no comprehensive formal study has been made, it is obvious that a large percentage of these graduates complete their advanced training. From its beginning the school has maintained strong programs in the English, mathematics, foreign languages, science and social science areas, with most students enrolling in a full schedule of subjects from these areas. In recent years the addition of program in distributive education and office education have provided opportunities to combine school training with practical work experience. Students at Hoover have also participated in the Executive Intern program from its beginning in the 1974-75 school year. The art, industrial art and homemaking areas continued to develop their programs and courses to reflect the changing needs of the school community. The music department has enrolled large numbers of students in instrumental and vocal groups, with all groups receiving top ratings in state competition in their areas. The development of a wide variety of elective courses in the physical education area provides many opportunities for all students to develop their skills and increase their knowledge in activities that will help them to develop and maintain their physical health during and beyond their high school years. Nearly all students are enrolled in a daily physical education class throughout their three years at Hoover. Even though the school has had only a small number of minority students enrolled since its opening, a conscious effort has been maintained throughout the years to develop curriculum that will include the contributions of the minorities that make up our country. The development of the Voluntary Transfer Program by the school district is beginning to result in a larger number of minority students from other areas of the district electing to enroll at Hoover. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 087_Herbert Hoover High History Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/174a18ebb268c257e435a7314ffa4626.jpg 1fe41702db48dd091d03bd6d1074bad7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 086_HerbertHooverHighSchool.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. 84 Plans have been discussed with the State Department of Public Instruction of having an open space driving range constructed on this site. While houses have been acquired and land acquisition has proceeded in this direction, final plans for such a city-wide facility have not been finalized as of the summer of 1975. Curriculum Work in the 1970s One of the exciting new curricular core areas that has been added at new East High School was the communications and media department. This is housed in the north wing of East High and provides a unique educational offering for the students. Other projects at East High in the mid 1970s include the New Horizons program as well as an East High mathematics laboratory. There is also a Title III Career Interest Student Survey project as well as Title III Rent-A-Kid (Career Guidance). East High has maintained a vigorous project carried out with Alliance of Business with IPALCO. There is also a home remodeling class at East High school that provides unique opportunities for students to renovate older homes in the district and have practical learning experiences at the same time. There is also an English laboratory as well as a learning disabilities project. Minimum performances tests are being developed in Math, American History, English and Biology. These tests establish minimal levels of achievements that all students should attain at some time during their senior high years. 1885 - 1891 Frank Plummer 1891 - 1901 Elmer E. White 1901 - 1918 Miss May Goodrell 1918 - 1934 A.J Burton 1934 - 1954 O.G. Pritchard 1954 - 1964 D.Q. "Duke" Williams 1964 - 1970 Gareld Jackson 1970- Earl Bridgewater Herbert Hoover High School (Photograph) Herbert Hoover High School is located on a fifty acre tract of land in northwest Des Moines that was originally donated to the school district by the Meredith family. A junior high school, named after Edwin T. Meredith, was erected on the site in 1962 with future plans including the construction of a senior high school on the same campus. Establishment of a senior high school on this site was the center of controversy for a number of years prior to its construction. The primary concern was whether there should be another high school added to the Des Moines district. In 1962 the voters rejected the school adminstration and the Board of Education's proposal to construct additions to North High and Roosevelt High to house the high school students who lived in the northwest section of the city. Such additions would have been in lieu of building an additional high school in this area. Rejection of this bond issue was considered a mandate to build this additional high school, and the next bond issue in February 1964 included a northwest high school, which ultimately resulted in the construction of Hoover. This did not end the controversy, however, as the next issue involved whether or not the building should be air conditioned. At that time the school district had no air conditioned buildings and there was considerable discussion by the Board of Education and the community as to whether or not this "frill" should be included in this new building and a junior high school to be constructed in the southwest section of the city. Ultimately the decision was made to construct buildings that would include air conditioning, and Hoover High School and Brody Junior High School became the first school buildings in Des Moines to have climate control. Inclusion of this feature has resulted in Hoover High maintaining a large summer school enrollment ever since it was built and also serving as a meeting place for numerous school and community groups throughout the year. Three sessions of adult education classes kre held in this building each year, including a summer session. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 086_Herbert Hoover High School Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/bfd3772f045fb4a414899e9beb25624c.jpg 30dcf3709fba606cd9994e203d3e7405 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 085_EastHighSchoolCurriculum.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. Curriculum Changes at East High The curriculum grew as fast as the enrollment. The subjects offered now are quite different from the first course. Different languages were introduced into the curriculum—German in 1903, Spanish in 1915 and French in 1918. The study of German was discontinued in 1917 but has since been resumed. There were three four-year courses offered in 1908— 1. Latin 1. Scientific 3. Business Every student was required to complete four years of English, three years of mathematics and two and one-half years of history. In addition the requirements of the respective courses were: Latin—four years Science —three years plus an extra year of mathematics Business—commercial geography, bookkeeping, commercial law, and stenography. Students were allowed to elect subjects in the third and fourth years only. When manual training was introduced into the school in 1908, Miss Goodrell made the following report to Superintendent W. O. Riddell: "We are gratified that manual training has been added to the course at East High. I have waited long for this and have asked for it several times in the past seven years." In the same year, Miss Goodrell reported about the beginning and development of cooking classes in the school. "It was this desire that our school keep abreast of the times in providing means for the more practical side of education that led us four years ago to begin a series of cooking demonstrations once a week for all girls who desired to attend. The effort was materially assisted by the kindness of Mr. Jansen Haines of the Des Moines Gas Company, in donating a stove for our use. The demonstrations were given after school hours in the afternoon and the expenses were met by the proceeds of entertainments. The interest was so great, the course so successful, that it was repeated the next year. The third year a slight change was made. Mr. Haines extended his interest by donating the services of Mrs. Sarah Moore, demonstrator for the gas company and met all expenses of the food demonstrations. The past year we have enjoyed the privilege of Mrs. Moore's services, the school, however, meeting the other expenses." Through the years clubs have played a very important part in the school life of many students. The first formal club organisation was the Boys1 Debating Society which was recommended in 1901 by Miss Goodrell. The next club which lived any time at all was the Bible Club for boys, organised December, 1915. The Bicycle Club was a girls1 organization. The student council was introduced into East High in 1919 by Principal A. J. Burton. 83 The school publication, the QUILL, was started in the spring of 1905 by Miss Mary Patterson. The QUILL was quarterly until 1930 when it became a semi-annual and in 1963 became an annual. The SCROLL, a biweekly newspaper was started in 1930 by Mr. Kenneth Stratton. When Miss Goodrell was graduated from East High in 1877, she conceived the idea of an Alumni Association and assisted in its organisation. At first the meetings were held annually, later semi-annually when there were graduating classes in both January and June. In recent years with just June classes, the East High Alumni Association has met the first or second week of each June. Graduates comes from many of the fifty states and even from foreign countries. It is reputed to be the oldest high school alumni organisation in the United States. East High in the 1960s and 1970s The rising enrollments of the 1960s in the East Des Moines area required that an addition be built at East High School. Also there was the matter of modernization of facilities and in the 1950s and 1960s an adequate high school library became a standard feature of all of the high schools in Des Moines. Thus, plans were drawn and contract let in September, 1966, for eight classrooms and library addition to be built at the south of the original East High school building. The decision was made to use the same stone exterior finish so that there would be harmony in design with the existing facility. In 1973 there was a new wing added to the north of East High School replacing the inadequate cafeteria and the old outmoded classrooms on the third floor. This modern new facility again emphasized the need to maintain a vigorous academic program at East High by providing the physical plant to carry it out. In addition there was an addition to the heating plant at this time. Both the new north wing and south wing were air-conditioned facilities. Probably the most dramatic change in and around East High School has been the expansion of the school grounds. With the addition to the north, the city agreed to the closing of Walker Avenue and this incorporated into the immediate school grounds. Also, the square block to the west of East High School was acquired and converted to parking facilities. In 1975 an extensive plan was submitted to the School Board for landscaping and complete layout of the new land added around East High School. This plan totaled $250,000 When completed with plantings, East High School will be not only the same splendid building that it was before, but will have a more adequate landscaped background to show the dignity of the building. Other changes in the 1960s and 1970s that have taken place have been the expansion of the land area around Williams Field. Since this is now considered a city-wide stadium there was a need for adequate parking facilities. The city installed new mercury-vapored lights on the streets adjacent to the stadium so this was an improvement. Homes around the stadium were purchased and demolished. A gradual land acquisition has been taking place between Williams Field and the East High School physical plant. The ultimate aim is to have an open corridor exisiting from the high school to the stadium area. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 085_East High School Curriculum Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/9c3d7d542fddec9525869a8aeca15ae6.jpg 3276ceddcc6d4788adf2290e6ed3aefb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 084_EastHighSchoolHistory.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. 82 Court of Iowa in an opinion handed down on July 7, 1908. By this time the conditions at East High were such as to demand immediate relief. The new school board agreed that a new building adequate "to the present needs and future needs, should be built." The cost of the building would have increased the indebtedness of the school district beyond the legal limit. The Thirty-third General Assembly passed a bill allowing school districts of cities having a population of 65,000 or over to become indebted up to two and one-half percent of the actual value of the taxable property within the district, for the purpose of building and furnishing, a schoolhouse. This bill was Chapter 184 of the Acts of the Thirty-third General Assembly, May 21, 1909. One of the provisions of the bill was that before an indebtedness in excess of the pre-existing legal limit could be contracted, a petition signed by 2,500 electors, owners of real estate, asking for the erection of such a building, must be presented to the Board. Such a petition was prepared and circulated among the business men of Des Moines by a committee appointed by the East Des Moines Commercial League. East High students speedily circulated many petitions. On December 21, 1909, a petition with 2,994 names was presented to the Board. On March 14, 1910', the favorable vote was 7,695 for, and 2,153 against, issuing $400,000 worth of bonds for the erection of a new East High School. At this election women were allowed to vote. Ground for the building was broken September 6, 1910, by Miss May Goorell, principal. The cornerstone was laid January 18, 1911, by Miss Goodrell. Superintendent William Riddell gave the formal address. A few of the thirty-eight items that were placed in the corner stone were: 1. A Bible 2. An American flag 3. An Iowa Official Register 4. A Masonic directory 5. A copy each of the Register and Leader, the Daily Capitol, the Eve ning Tribune, the Daily News and Plain Talk 6. Copies of the school directory 1907-1911 7. Copies of the superintendents reports, 1907-08 and 1908-09. 8. Portraits of Amos Hiatt, for 20 years superintendent of East D.M., Mr. W. O. Riddle, first superintendent of the consolidated DM. district. Miss Goodrell, principal of East High 9. A football extra of each of the evening papers announcing East High victories. 10. Names of the Greater Des Moines Committee 11. A copy of the Des Moines plan of government Finally on May 17, 1912, after many trials and hardships the students and teachers marched triumphantly to the new school. Because the new building had cost so much, $400,000, it was impossible to have it furnished that spring. For this reason, the entire student body turned out with vehicles of every description to carry desks, chairs, equipment, books and waste-baskets from their old building to the new East High. A parade was formed by the students who marched to the new building, led by the G.A.R. Drum Corps of Kinsman Post No. 7. Within three hours after the moving began, the students were reciting lessons! East High was designed by the architects, Bird and Rawson. They used the classical style with the front entrance patterned after the north portico of the Erechtheum; the northeast door is taken from the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates; the northwest from the Tower Temple to Hephaestus. Throughout the building simplicity of the classic style is a factor. Much of the credit for the style and harmony of the building "is due to J. A. Mc- Kinney, who was president of the school board at that time." The motto, "For the Service of Humanity" over the front entrance was submitted by Charles A. Cumming in a contest held for that purpose. The ivy planted in 1915 was sent from Harvard University. The interest in athletics by East High students has always been very keen. Until 1893 baseball was the chief sport but it became less popular when track and football were begun in 1894. In 1895 the first track meet was held with the following high schools participating—East, West, North and Capitol Park. Neither Oak Park nor Grant Park entered this contest. East won the first meet as well as those for the next three years. Football was not common at this time and few boys knew how to play the game. Burdair Hartung, who owned a football used for Rugby, learned the game of football and taught it to some of his classmates who then formed a team. Football was adopted as a school sport through the efforts of Miss Millicent Cuplin, a teacher at East High in 1894. In that year, East played six games, losing only one. These victories in football seemed to call for school colors. The colors of Scarlet and Black, Grinnell College colors, were adopted by the East High Athletic Association. .The need for the development of a higher type of sportsmanship was seen as the football games often ended in a free-for-all. In 1904 Mr. S. A. Foster, offered the Foster Trophy to the Des Moines High School that won the city championship three years in succession. At the same time the students must conduct themselves in an orderly and friendly manner towards the opposing teams. East won this trophy, an American flag in 1910. The students who largely handled the athletic program, had much difficulty in finding a suitable athletic field. An old cemetery at East 18th and Maple was leased and converted into an athletic field. The tiling and grading cost about $2,800 and the senior class bought the bleachers with money obtained from a special benefit. The school board, convinced that this was a 'worthy1 project, contributed a fence and thus the "Alumni Field," dedicated by a large bonfire and speeches, was complete. The students expressed the wish that George Garton, Fred Van Liew Clark Beard, and J. A. McKinney should always have free admission to the field because of their untiring efforts in securing it. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 084_East High School History Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/c2bc424023f9229a30540bc842fd346f.jpg 7ecab903956b82dfd5db83a6415697f7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 083_EastHighSchool.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. East High (Photograph) EAST HIGH SCHOOL East 13th and Walker East High School, like the other Des Moines High schools, has been housed in several different buildings in its long and illustrious history. East High first existed in the Bryant School at East 9th and Grand which was the only schoolhouse in East Des Moines. In simple chronology the dates and buildings are: 1861 - 1877 Bryant School (top floor) East 9th and Grand 1877 - 1891 Webster School (top floor) East 12th and Lyon In 1888 the freshman class of East High was moved back to Bryant due to overcrowding. 1891 - 1911 East High—Built as a senior high with laboratories, audi- torium and cafeteria. East 12th and Court 1911 A "new" East High at 13th and Walker. Additions in 1955 and one slated for 1966. In making formal plans for a high school, the East Des Moines Board of Education has some definite ideas about their aims and goals. They appointed a committee of Honorable James Wright, William Matthews and D. E. Jones to draw up and report a plan or course of study for said school. "We would state that it is the sincere desire and wish of the Board, as this school is now organised upon a solid basis, that the people of East Des Moines be requested to unite with us in sustaining it by generous support. ""We would recommend as a standard of admission to the high school that each applicant be required to spell and read well, and write a fair hand, understand the rules of arithmetic so far as to solve questions in fractions, must understand descriptive geography and be able to define the parts of speech and analyze plain English sentences. 81 "We further recommend that females entering the high school be per mitted (at their own option) to substitute for geometry, trigonometry and survey, drawing, music and other branches suitable for young ladies such as French, German or Latin. "We would further recommend that an examining committee of the board be appointed consisting of not less than three persons, assisted by the principal of said school, to meet all pupils desiring admission to the high school for examination, at such time and place as may hereafter be agreed upon; at which time certificates of admission will be given to all applicants found qualified. "We would beg leave to recommend the use of Easton's Grammar Arithmetic instead of both Ray's Practical and Higher, believing that the pupil will acquire as much knowledge of arithmetic from the study of one sooner than the two. We are, however, at the same time opposed to the frequent change of text books." As Des Moines grew in population and as the public of the late 1800's came to accept education beyond the eighth grade as necessary and im- portant, the enrollment of East High increased. In 1871 the first class graduated—only one member: Miss Elisabeth Mathews who comprised the class roll. The dropout rate of the 1870 era must have been unusually high because there were no more graduates until 1875! As noted above, the high school moved to the third floor of the Webster building in September, 1877. But there were still no laboratories, gymnasium or cafeteria. In one end of the large room they spread mats and hung some rings and they called this the gym. There were three recitation rooms in addition to the large study-gym room at Webster. In 1888 school enrollments required the freshman class to move back to Bryant. In 1890 the high school used still another floor at Webster. Fortunately Webster had the "new" brick annex on the grounds to accommodate their pupils. This annex was known as the Louisa Mae Alcott building which honored a popular author of the day. In the spring of 1891 a new East High was completed containing facili' ties specifically designed as a senior high school. There were laboratories, sewing rooms, cooking rooms, auditorium, cafeteria in addition to recitation rooms. The superintendent of schools had his office on the first floor. The training school for primary teachers was held in the basement. The students were very proud of their new building and marched from Webster led by the freshman class and the principal, Mr. Elmer White. The new unit at East 12th and Court started with about 200 and soon grew to 700. By 1901, only 10 years after the new building was occupied, the first step was taken toward a new structure. The Board of Directors of the East Des Moines School District purchased a square block of ground bounded by East 14th, East 13th, Maple and Walker Streets. The land was purchased from the state of Iowa at a cost of $8,000. On May 21, 1907, the city of Des Moines was consolidated into one school district. The consolidation was finally approved by the Supreme Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 083_East High School Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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. https://www.iowaheritage.org/files/original/e87c6f01fb7804cf454e333cbc9e5b30.jpg 3d4603c71168719c72c4183c47c43a6a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools: 1846-1976 Description An account of the resource 1976 marked the 130th anniversary of the Des Moines Public Schools. This booklet is a celebration of that event.It provides many of the historical highlights of the development of schools within the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Iowa Library Services (State Library of Iowa) Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. File Name Name of digital file where digitized documents are stored. 082_DouglasLearningCenter.jpg Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound. 80 The library was opened in 1956. The school district allowed $1500 and two released periods for a librarian. There is now a full-time qualified librarian and 8,500 volumes. A full-time nurse is on duty all day. Team Teaching and individualized instrcution have become integral parts of the program at Wilson. The school paper, THE CHANTICLEER, has been instrumental through the years in forming a strong school spirit. The seventies have seen Wilson continue to grow — to the extent that it was necessary to add a portable classroom in the fall of 1974. Much of the continued growth has been the result of new housing, the Pleasant Hill area at the eastern edge of the District. A new open space elementary school, Pleasant Hill, has been constructed. To accommodate the increase in enrollment, the number of periods in the day have been extended from six to seven. Also, curriculum offerings have been increased so as to provide twenty-one electives at the ninth grade level, sixteen at the eighth and eleven at the seventh grade level. Pilot projects in career education and learning disabilities also became a part of the Wilson scene in the seventies. Both programs have been highly successful and, when coupled .with the upcoming expansion of Special Education, greatly enhance the services rendered to students. In 1975-76 school year marks the golden anniversary of Woodrow Wilson Junior High School. That it ranks among the leaders in Iowa is a fitting tribute, not only to its name sake, but to the thousands who have passed through its stately portals. Woodrow Wilson principals have been: 1925 - 1954 Everett Davis 1954 - 1959 Raymond Bishop 1959 - 1962 Walter Beasley 1962 - 1966 Wendell Webb DOUGLASS LEARNING CENTER Housed at YMCA Building 2nd and Locust HISTORY OF THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS LEARNING CENTER During the 1969-70 school year the unrest of junior high students, especially in the inner-city schools, became apparent. With this situation, a tentative plan was formulated to develop an alternative school to house these junior high students. A suitable location was found in the vacant St. Ambrose School building located at Fifth and Ascension. Richard E. Peters was named to direct the school. Before a program could be developed, spring arrived and there was unrest once again in the junior high schools. In order to show good faith to the teachers of these schools, the District moved swiftly. With no formal plan at hand, the school opened its doors on April 27, 1970. The school was named the "Parallel School" and generally followed the pattern of the other Junior High Schools in the District. 1967 - 1968 Don Blackman 1968 - 1972 Rolland Brownell 1972 - Richard Tuller The student body was composed of those students that were generally unruly in their Home Schools. At the close of the school year, one hundred thirty-eight students had been assigned to the "Parallel School." It had been a trying ordeal for the students, five staff members and the District. It did however fulfill its main purpose, to remove disruptive students from their Junior High School, there-by showing the teachers of Des Moines that the District understood their teaching problems. During the summer that followed, a committee worked on a philosophy and curriculum for the school. It was at one of these meetings that the idea of changing the name from "Parallel" to Frederick Douglass Learning Center was suggested. The thought was to name the school after a renowned black person, due to the fact that 90% of the student body was black. Frederick Douglass was chosen because of his anti-slavery belief. In history he was referred to as the nation's most renowned abolitionist. With a new name chosen, the next steps were to work on objectives, curriculum, a home and staff. The first year the use of Behavior Modification was successful. The students apparently accepted this approach, but by November the money allocated for the token system was depleted so other mehods in the realm of Behavior Modication were used. The 1971-72 school year brought two changes: New Horizon's, a work experience program was introduced to the students and Behavior Modification was dropped. The 1972-73 school year brought more changes: a secretary was added to the staff, an educational aide was lost, and a waiting list developed. The list of 20-25 students stayed somewhat constant during the school year. Even though the school was designed for fifty students this number rose to sixty students during the school year, because of the large number on the waiting list. The 1973-74 school year continued about the same as the previous year. Enrollment remained at sixty for the school year, and the waiting list remained about the same too. The Douglass Learning Center added an assistant director. The 1974-75 school year showed the greatest growth since the Center's beginning in 1970. A Learning Disabilities teacher, a Resource Teacher of Emotionally Disturbed Children, a Science teacher and a part time Nurse, have given strength and support to the educational program at the Douglass Learning Center. With additional staff came an increase in the number of students served from sixty to eighty. Even though the number of students allowed to attend the Douglass Learning Center increased, the waiting list increased too, from 20-25 to 30-35. Apparently the services provided by the Douglass Learning Center are being accepted by the various Junior High schools in the District. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 082_Douglass Learning Center Subject The topic of the resource Public schools Historic buildings History Educational Facilities Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines Iowa Education Description An account of the resource 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.