https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/browse/page/6?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Public+schools&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CCreator&output=atom <![CDATA[Iowa Heritage Digital Collections]]> 2024-03-28T09:07:21+00:00 Omeka https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51780 <![CDATA[029_Douglas and Dunlap Schools]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

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.

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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.
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51781 <![CDATA[030_Edmunds School]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

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.

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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
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51782 <![CDATA[031_Elmwood School]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

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.

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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)
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51783 <![CDATA[032_Elmwood School Programs]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

Title

032_Elmwood School Programs

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.

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30 Cole, would sometimes come to the school to give us talks. Perhaps the best student in our class was Vesta Peak who I believe is an aunt of George Peak who* is active in Des Moines business circles. "About 1900 or 1901 we moved from 38th and University to 38th and Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove was a dirt road and in the spring was an almost impassable quagmire with signs in it on figures upside down saying "He hasn't found bottom yet." "All the time I was at Elmwood I milked a cow every night and morning and after 1900 pumped all the water in a storage tank in the attic, that was required by a family of eight. Of course I walked back and forth to school twice a day. It was in 1901 that I first saw an automobile along a road out our way. Occasionally my mother would have a party for the teachers at our house at 38th and Cottage Grove (where the Grace Methodist church now stands.) "For a time the U.P. church which is the progenitor of the present Westminster held meetings in Elmwood. It must have been about 1900 or 1901 just before the church at 35th and Cottage Grove was erected. I remember well attending religious services in the Elmwood School on Sundays. Sincerely, Henry A. Wallace" During the 1920-1921 school year Elmwood maintained a Milk Station. Four pupils from each class took turns presiding during the morning recess. Over two' hundred underweight pupils received nourishment which helped build their health. By spring the percentage of underweight children in Elmwood had dropped from 40% to 25%. War stamps were sold during W. W. II and in the years that followed. During the 1950's Elmwood pupils used the radio programs broadcast by KDPS-FM. In the 1960's some of the classes began to use television programs from KDPS-TV. A satellite lunch program was inaugurated in the fall of 1964. Elmwood in 1975 - 76 Elmwood's enrollment has shown a continuous decline during the period of 1970-75. The school enrollment now stands at 282. Among the reasons for this decline are the following: 1. The purchase of property by Drake University in the area which in turn has either been turned into parking lots or rented to students more than families with children. 2. The continual decline of the area as the central core of the city spreads north and west. 3. Being an older neighborhood, there are more older people living in the area who at one time sent children to Elmwood. 4. An unusually large number of apartments in the area which are mostly rented to singles or newly-married couples. Programs: 1. Title I Reading Designated as a Title I school for the 1974-75 year, Elmwood had the services of a reading resource teacher and associate. Boys and girls in grades K-4 profited much from this additional help. 2. Headstart A Headstart class was begun in September of 1974. There were 27 youngsters, mostly from the adjacent areas who had a great year and a good send-off to kindergarten. 3. Specific Learning Disabilities In the fall of 1972 a half-time teacher for learning disabilities was added to the staff. Teachers identified boys and girls in K-6 who would need additional help for periods up to 45 minutes with a special teacher. 4. Satellite Resource Room In January of 1975 a specific learning disabilities room from Madison School was moved to Elmwood. These boys and girls in grades K-3 spent most of their day in their own room. As their ability and control permitted they are sent out to various rooms for periods of time ranging up to half a day. 5. School Community Council A School Community Council was begun in September of 1972. It meets once a month and discusses problems of concern to parents and faculty in regard to school and/or community problems. 6. 1975-76 Because of a further drop in enrollment, Elmwood moved to a self- contained organizational pattern for the 1975-76 school year. A special music planning time teacher was added and boys and girls in grades 3-6 have a physical educational teacher, thus retaining some of the benefits of the fused program formerly used. Principals of Elmwood School 1886 - 1900 Mr. Carter 1900 - 1902 J. W. Hay man 1902- 1913 Elizabeth Robb 1913 - 1933 E. Gertrude Burt 1933 - 1952 Blanche V. Toohey 1952 - 1953 Pearl Leander 1953 - 1959 Robert Denny 1959 (6 months) Kenneth Rankin 1959 - 1963 Carl Fehrle 1963 - 1967 Irene Perkins 1967 - 1972 Bernard Miller 1972 - Lester Rees0 Cole, would sometimes come to the school to give us talks. Perhaps the best student in our class was Vesta Peak who I believe is an aunt of George Peak who* is active in Des Moines business circles. "About 1900 or 1901 we moved from 38th and University to 38th and Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove was a dirt road and in the spring was an almost impassable quagmire with signs in it on figures upside down saying "He hasn't found bottom yet." "All the time I was at Elmwood I milked a cow every night and morning and after 1900 pumped all the water in a storage tank in the attic, that was required by a family of eight. Of course I walked back and forth to school twice a day. It was in 1901 that I first saw an automobile along a road out our way. Occasionally my mother would have a party for the teachers at our house at 38th and Cottage Grove (where the Grace Methodist church now stands.) "For a time the U.P. church which is the progenitor of the present Westminster held meetings in Elmwood. It must have been about 1900 or 1901 just before the church at 35th and Cottage Grove was erected. I remember well attending religious services in the Elmwood School on Sundays. Sincerely, Henry A. Wallace" During the 1920-1921 school year Elmwood maintained a Milk Station. Four pupils from each class took turns presiding during the morning recess. Over two' hundred underweight pupils received nourishment which helped build their health. By spring the percentage of underweight children in Elmwood had dropped from 40% to 25%. War stamps were sold during W. W. II and in the years that followed. During the 1950's Elmwood pupils used the radio programs broadcast by KDPS-FM. In the 1960's some of the classes began to use television programs from KDPS-TV. A satellite lunch program was inaugurated in the fall of 1964. Elmwood in 1975 - 76 Elmwood's enrollment has shown a continuous decline during the period of 1970-75. The school enrollment now stands at 282. Among the reasons for this decline are the following: 1. The purchase of property by Drake University in the area which in turn has either been turned into parking lots or rented to students more than families with children. 2. The continual decline of the area as the central core of the city spreads north and west. 3. Being an older neighborhood, there are more older people living in the area who at one time sent children to Elmwood. 4. An unusually large number of apartments in the area which are mostly rented to singles or newly-married couples. Programs: 1. Title I Reading Designated as a Title I school for the 1974-75 year, Elmwood had the services of a reading resource teacher and associate. Boys and girls in grades K-4 profited much from this additional help. 2. Headstart A Headstart class was begun in September of 1974. There were 27 youngsters, mostly from the adjacent areas who had a great year and a good send-off to kindergarten. 3. Specific Learning Disabilities In the fall of 1972 a half-time teacher for learning disabilities was added to the staff. Teachers identified boys and girls in K-6 who would need additional help for periods up to 45 minutes with a special teacher. 4. Satellite Resource Room In January of 1975 a specific learning disabilities room from Madison School was moved to Elmwood. These boys and girls in grades K-3 spent most of their day in their own room. As their ability and control permitted they are sent out to various rooms for periods of time ranging up to half a day. 5. School Community Council A School Community Council was begun in September of 1972. It meets once a month and discusses problems of concern to parents and faculty in regard to school and/or community problems. 6. 1975-76 Because of a further drop in enrollment, Elmwood moved to a self- contained organizational pattern for the 1975-76 school year. A special music planning time teacher was added and boys and girls in grades 3-6 have a physical educational teacher, thus retaining some of the benefits of the fused program formerly used. Principals of Elmwood School��� 1886 - 1900 Mr. Carter 1900 - 1902 J. W. Hay man 1902- 1913 Elizabeth Robb 1913 - 1933 E. Gertrude Burt 1933 - 1952 Blanche V. Toohey 1952 - 1953 Pearl Leander 1953 - 1959 Robert Denny 1959 (6 months) Kenneth Rankin 1959 - 1963 Carl Fehrle 1963 - 1967 Irene Perkins 1967 - 1972 Bernard Miller 1972 - Lester Rees
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51784 <![CDATA[033_Findley School]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

Title

033_Findley 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.

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Page031Findley School.jpg

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31 FINDLEY SCHOOL 3000 Cambridge Site 2.1 acres The first wing of Findley elementary school was opened in 1966. It was a primary unit of nine rooms situated on land on 3000 Cambridge that had been cleared of houses only a short time before. The school was named for William C. Findley, long-time assistant superintendent in the Des Moines Public Schools. Biographical sketch of Mr. Findley: Mr. Findley was born in 1894 on the Winnebago Indian reservation twenty-five miles southwest of Sioux City. His father was a home missionary to the Indians who made up about a third of the area population. The future educator spent the first five grades in a country school where he sat side by side in a double seat with a little Indian boy named Pete. After his father's death the family moved to Bellevue, Nebraska, where he finished his elementary schooling and entered Bellevue Academy. He later graduated from Bellevue College now joined with Hastings College. During the next nine years he was teacher and principal in several schools beginning in Fullerton High and in 1916 was superintendent at Beemer, Nebraska. In fact, the first twenty-nine years of his life were spent in his native state of Nebraska. Mr. Findley was superintendent at Rushville in September, 1917 but his tenure was interrupted in December when he was called to the U.S. Coast Artillery Corps. Training in American camps was followed by an assignment to France as a Lieutenant in World War I. Upon his return to civilian life in 1919 he became superintendent of Gordon and Gering public schools. Four years later he went to the State University of Iowa where he did graduate work and attained his Master's degree. Then he had two additional years of experience as teacher and principal in Iowa City elementary schools. In 1925, John W. Studebaker, Des Moines Superintendent of Schools, and later United States Commissioner of Education, impressed with the administrative and mathematical skills of the young school man, invited him to the Des Moines school system for a thirty-nine-year stay. For three years Mr. Findley assumed the principalship of Clarkson, Saylor, Barton, and Bly Schools. From 1928 to 1933 the post of Mathematics Supervisor was added to his responsibilities. Meanwhile Mr. Findley was performing a service to the educational publishing world. Scott Foresman's Study Arithmetic needed primary texts and workbooks. Mr. Findley provided the textbooks,workbooks and his name to the nations' most widely used elementary arithmetic series. The Study Arithmetic, authored by Knight, Studebaker, Ruch and Findley was 31 perhaps the most popularly acclaimed arithmetic text in American and Canadian schools in the decade of the 30's and early 40's. The position of Director of Elementary Education was assigned to Mr. Findley in 1933 and he took his place in the central office as a member of the administrative staff. Eight years later he was made Assistant Superintendent of Schools and remained in that capacity until his retirement in 1964. In 1967 all of the primary students from Saylor elementary were transferred to the new Findley School. Grades 5 and 6 at Saylor became a part of the Harding adminstrative routines. Saylor school was officially closed at that point. It was planned that Clarkson School which was of ancient construction going back to 1888 would be discontinued in the near future and those students also would attend the new Findley School. In the early 1970s an addition often teaching stations, art and music rooms, and media center were planned to completion of the Findley building. The remaining half-square block of houses were purchased and demolished so that the complete Findley site would thus be available for a larger and expanded school. The teacher and citizen planning committees that helped plan the new Findley addition decided upon an open-space concept with teaching stations rather than individualized and separate classrooms. In the fall of 1972 when the new Findley building was opened, it became then a K-6 attendance center with grades 5 and 6 removed from Harding and the K-6 students from the Clarkson building transferred to this new unit. The contracts for the first part of Findley School were let in June, 1966 in the amount of $213,645.00. The building was complete in November, 1967. The contract awarded in May, 1971 totaled $509,740.00 and were for 12 classroom teaching stations (much of this Open Space) library learning center and cafetorium The new wing was air-conditioned. Findley School Programs 1967-75 When Findley first opened in 1967 it was a traditional school. In the fall of 1971 the Wisconsin Design Program, a phonic program, and I.G.E., Individually guided Education, were introduced to help meet the needs of individual children. The new air-conditioned open space area was completed in the fall of 1972. The Findley Staff was doubled to accommodate the increased enrollment from Clarkson and Harding Junior High, and at this time a Title I Reading resource teacher was assigned to Findley. In 1972 Career Education was implemented and a Title I Math teacher was appointed. In 1974 a Specific Learning Resource teacher was shared with Cattell School. In the fall of 1975 a self-contained Specific Learning Resource room will be opened to help children in the primary grades living in the northeast area of the city. Principals: Nadine Machesney 1967 -
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51785 <![CDATA[035_Garten and Granger Schools]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

Title

035_Garten and Granger 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

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035_Garten and Granger Schools

Transcription

33 GARTON IN 1975-76 In the mid-1970's Garton Elementary School faces some of the declining enrollment problems that other Des Moines Schools are facing. Garton continues to maintain a six-unit program in grades 5-6 with the art teacher serving another building half time. Grades K-4 continue on an undepartmentalized basis. During the past two years Garton has been "paired" with Logan School in a program called "Shared Activities". Many worthwhile activities have been planned in all grade levels. Time was spent in sharing field trips, educational films, physical education, science and basic skills subject matter. Most of the activity was conducted at grade level for a period of one-half day but in the 5th and 6th grades Garton and Logan exchanged about 15-5th and 15 sixth grade students for a period of seven half days to participate in units in science, literature, physical education. In August of 1973 Garton requested permission to participate in Career Education. We were accepted and during the past two years we have incorporated this concept into our curriculum. In September of 1973 Garton initiated "Parent Orientation Week". This provided an opportunity for parents to visit their child's teacher and get a preview of the "things to come". It was a start in our awareness program which encouraged parents to become "School Volunteers" and become active in Garton activities. In 1974 Community Education sponsored a Pre-School class of 20 students which is scheduled for three half-days weekly. Garton has had an excellent Safety Patrol Program. The patrol captains during the school year of 1966, 1969, 1972, 1973 won first place in the AAA Safety Contest and won expense paid trips for the captain and Safety Patrol Supervisor. The Garton Staff participated in a First Aid Course first offered to entire school staffs in 1974 and all participants received their American National Red Cross Certificates. Principals of Garton include 1958 - 1966 LoRetta Patrick 1966 - 1971 Lorraine McFadden 1971 - Harry Elder GRANGER SCHOOL S.E. 2nd and Leach Street Grades K-6 Dates of Construction—1954 One-third 1957 Two-thirds Site—1 0.0 acres The first six rooms of Barlow Granger School were completed in August, 1954. The $452,000 addition, including 14 regular classrooms, a kindergarten, a practical arts room, a gymnasium, and kitchen facilities, was completed in 1957. This single-story structure was placed on a site of ten acres, Wetherell and Harrison were the architects. The School Board recommended that the elementary school at South Union and Leach Avenue be named Barlow Granger Elementary School. The following is an excerpt from the Granger P.T.A. bulletin of February, 1962: "BARLOW GRANGER—born 1816, m New York. At the age of 13 he quit school to become an apprentice printer. In 1846 he journeyed west — by coach to St. Louis; to Keokuk on steamboat; to Fairfield by coach; and on to Des Moines by horse and buggy. At that time the population of Des Moines was 127. Barlow Granger was the editor of the first newspaper published in Des Moines, the Iowa Star. Vol. 1, No. 1, was dated July 26, 1849. He was one of the most widely known of the early settlers. The press was set up in a log cabin on Second Street near Vine. The town was known as Fort Des Moines. Granger needed no reporters because he knew every family in town. He bought the press at Iowa City and sent to Keokuk for the paper. The Iowa Star was financed by a Curtis Bates, who later became a candidate for governor. Politicians often in that day sponsored newspapers in order to rush their personal political aspirations. Barlow Granger was asked to be the editor. He announced his editorial policies m spite of the political leanings of the owner, stating that the paper would publish his own views as "purely individual" but nevertheless the Star would be "Firmly, decidedly, radically democratic." However, the editor would hold himself responsible to no party, sect, creed or clique." Forty of the eighty acres of land purchased by Granger for a homestead is now Pioneer Park reached over S.E. 6th Street and Hartford Avenue, one of the oldest streets in Des Moines. This southside location became noted for its hospitality and Granger built a stone and wood house on the site. Part of this house, in so far as we can discover, is still a part of the custodian's residence. The well, 370 feet deep, was sunk by Granger around 1900, three years before his death, and furnished the water used by the park when it was first established by the city. He brought birch trees from Wisconsin and planted them on his property and otherwise beautified it. The park custodian, when the Pioneer Park was established, had a scrapbook owned by Barlow Granger in which he had kept clippings, especially poems he had gleaned from magazines and other newspapers. It is
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51786 <![CDATA[036_Greenwood School]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

Title

036_Greenwood 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.

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Granger (Photograph) Greenwood (Photograph) Hanawalt (Photograph) Hillis (Photograph) noted that in every issue of the Iowa Star when Granger was editor, a poem appeared on the front page. He imprinted his cultural and literary accomplishments on all who read the paper. He was a well educated man, a lawyer by profession. He practiced in Des Moines, ran a real estate business, became prosecuting attorney and was made Judge of the County Court when Byron Rice, our first school teacher, resigned that position. He was influential in molding public opinion in the early days of Des Moines. Many stories of this estimable gentleman are told in numerous articles and books about early Des Moines. In 1881 the Early Settlers Association held a reunion at the home of Barlow Granger, "two miles south of the statehouse". His southside affiliations are furthered by the fact that he was mayor of Des Moines one term and of Sevastopol for two terms. Sevastopol is, of course, a part of the south side. GRANGER—1975-76 Because of the development of new housing in the area, Granger Elementary School increased its enrollment in the early 1970s to 770. With the opening of Lovejoy School and the additions to Jackson School and Park Avenue School, two hundred pupils were sent to those schools from Granger. Since then Granger School has been maintaining steady enrollments as new housing continues to develop in the vicinity during the mid-1970s. In recent years "Career Education" has become an important part of the curriculum. There has been a team-teaching project in second grade for a number of years. Fourth grade will be semi-departmentalized in 1975-76. Other lower grades are undepartmentalized. Grades 5 and 6 are departmentalized with one teacher teaching reading skills in 5th grade and another teacher teaching reading skills in 6th grade. There is also a teacher that teaches social studies and science to all 5th and 6th graders. There are the usual arithmetic, art, music, and physical education teachers in grades 5 and 6. Principals of Granger School include: 1954 - 1963 Lucille Truitt 1963 - 1967 Lorena Riebhoff 1967 - Daniel Priest GREENWOOD SCHOOL 316 37th Street Grades K-6 Dates of construction—1901 1924 1961 (north wing) Site—3.4 acres The history of Greenwood School extends back to the days when it was a separate school district serving the western most suburban area. Greenwood School was named for the spacious woods which surrounded the school area. The first building was located near Thirty-fifth and Ingersoll. The present building at Thirty-seventh Street, south of Grand Avenue was constructed in 1901. The Greenwood Park community incorporated as a city in 1881. In 1890 it became a part of the city of Des Moines. The school district continued as a separate entity until 1900. At that time it joined the West Des Moines Schools and. sent its high school students to the outstanding high school that was recently built at 15th and Center—West High. The roster of PTA presidents and officers, Advisory Board members and students who have attended Greenwood throughout its existence reveal the names of many prominent families and persons who have made contributions to the life of the city of Des Moines, the state of Iowa and the United States.
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51787 <![CDATA[037_Hanawalt School]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

Title

037_Hanawalt 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

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Transcription

35 Greenwood continues to be a leader in the education of our city[s yound people.The various programs in operation attest to the fact that we are concerned about all students that attend our school. Greenwood participates as both a receiving and sending school in the District's Voluntary Transfer Program. We have community and adult education classes and have incorporated the career education concept into our total school program. The Wisconsin Design Reading Management System assists us in our tatal reading program in the primary grades and we have the service of a Title I Reading and Math Resource person as well as a Learning Disability Resource person. The kindergarten program has incorporated the "strategies for Early Childhood Education" plan and we also have the Kindergarten Language Enrichment Program. Principals of Greenwood School include: 1901 - 1909 Gertrude Burt 1909 - 1912 Nellie Elliott 1912 - 1925 Nellie Warren 1925 - 1944 Frances Umpleby 1944 - 1945 Murray Work 1945 - 1952 Lorene Lightfoot 1952 - 1958 Robert Langerak 1958 - 1972 Lorraine Kimball Reed 1972 - 1973 James Daugherty 1973 - Nicholas Aalbers Hanawalt School 56th and Roberston Drive Grades K-6 Dates of construction - 1913,1919, 1972 Site 4-8 acres There were four teachers assigned to Hanawalt when it opened in 1913. Slow development of the area has made future additions dubious. In the early 1960's the grades of 5 and 6 were sent to the new Merrill Jr. High School. In February, 1965, a one room portable unit costing $10,000 was placed north of the present building to accommodate one class of fourth graders. Dr. George P. Hanawalt a veteran medical manof the last half of the 1800's, practiced medicine and surgery in Des Moines for 45 years. He was Surgeon-General of the National Guard for 25 years. He served as President of the Polk County Medical Sociey in 1877 and of the State Medical Society in 1880. The early 1970's saw planning for the addition of ten classrooms, gym, and media center on the Hanawalt building. This addition was basically one that was planned by the parents and faculty as being one of the open-space concept. With its opening in the fall of 1972 the Frisbie school at 63rd and Muskogee was closed and later demolished. The elementary students from both Hanawalt and Frisbie who formerly attended Merrill junior high were now housed in their own elementary building for the first time in many, many years. Hanawalt is an IGE, multi-unit school. The 1972 addition cost $500,000. The Hanawalt Elementary School has embarked on several new and exciting programs during the early part of 1970's. The new programs involve students at all levels with some specialized programs for certain students. The new addition accomodates Unit A and B (Grades K through 3). Also included in the new addition are special service areas wuch as offices for the Principal, Secretary, Nurse, a Gymnasim-Cafetorium and an Instructional Material Center. These special areas of instruction such as Art, Music and Physical Education serve the entire student body. The Original Building is used to accommodate students in Unit C (Grades 4 through 6). The new addition was planned according to an Open-Space-Concept which lends itself to the newer developments in educational organization-to an organizational plan which makes possible a better approach to the varying needs of pupils. Individually Guided Education and Teacm Teaching are natural partners in accomplishing this goal. The Hanawalt School philosophy has been to develop programs that places emphasis on the individual student-his ability, his rate of learning, his style of learning and his progress. In the fall of 1972 the I.G.E. Program was initiated at Hanawalt. I.G.E. is an approach to instruction - INDIVIDUALLY GUIDED EDUCATION. It has been achieved through an in-service program designed to reorganize and redirect the time, talents, and energy of all concerned with the educational process. Instructional processes represent the heart of I.G.E. These processes provide appropriate learning programs for each student built on a continuous cycle of findings out where each student is and how he got there (assessment), deciding what he needs to learn next (specifying objectives), selecting the best ways for him to attain those objectives (diversified learning opportunities0, and making sure that he has met them (reassessment). The teachers assigned to each Unit, under the directon of the Unit Leader, are responsible for all instruction and supervision of students within that Unit. All planning is done together as a team making it possible to improve instruction through sharing of ideas and through teacher concentration on his or her areas of strength. Principals of Hanawalt include: 1913 - 1916 Elizabeth Robb 1916 - 1918 Ella Baker 1918 - 1919 Lulu Auracher 1920 - 1925 Nellie Warren 1925 - 1953 Frances Umpleby (Should probably be 1925 - 1943) 1943 - 1945 Murray Work 1945 - 1952 Lorene Lightfoot 1952 - 1958 Robert Langerak 1958 - 1966 Lorraine Kimball Reed 1966 - 1968 Howard Hart 1968 - 1971 Harry Elder 1971 - 1975 Melvin Kiner 1975 - Don Shaw
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51788 <![CDATA[038_Hillis and Hoak Schools]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

Title

038_Hillis and Hoak 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.

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File Name

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36 HILLIS SCHOOL 56th and Hickman Grades K-6 Dates of construction 1949 An annex unit was moved to site 1953 Main building of 18 rooms 1961 4 room addition at east end of building Site—7.5 acres The old wooden temporary building that was moved to the site in 1949 was called Tower School. It was so named because of its proximity of the water tower at 48th and Hickman. The main structure of 22 rooms was named after Mrs. Cora Bussey Hillis who was instrumental in organizing the Iowa Congress of Mothers. Mrs. Hillis made many other contributions as noted below. Mrs. Cora Bussey Hillis was born at Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1858. She grew up in New Orleans but in 1880 she married Isaac Lea Hillis and moved to Des Moines. In 1887 she was one of the incorporators of the Des Moines Women's Club. She soon began her notable career as a worker and organizer in the cause of child welfare by securing the first public bath house in Des Moines for children, so they could in safety enjoy the river. In 1898 she attended, in Washington, D. C, the second meeting of the Congress of Mothers as a delegate from the Iowa ChiM Study Society, a department of the Iowa State Teachers Association. Soon thereafter she organized the Iowa Congress of Mothers. She introduced the penny savings system in the Des Moines schools and m 1901 secured the first children's room in the Iowa Methodist Hospital. In 1902 she opened a public sewing room in connection with the Des Moines public schools, where children who were out of school for lack of clothing were supplied with garments by mothers' clubs. In 1904 she organized the Iowa Child Welfare Association and in 1915 urged the legislature to adopt a bill providing for the establishment of a Child Welfare Research Station at the University of Iowa. This Station was set up in 1917, having as its objective the investigation of the best scientific methods of conserving and developing the normal child. This station was the first of its kind in the United States and set the example which others have followed. It is indeed fitting and proper that the Board of Education named an elementary school to honor Mrs. Hillis, a pioneer in child welfare who perhaps had no equal in the country. In 1973 it became apparent that enrollments at Hillis were declining to a point that it would be possible to house all of the Riley students in the Hillis school building. Thus, a decision was made to close Riley at the end of the 1972-73 school year. Those students were given the option of attending several elementary schools but most chose the Hillis attendance center at their closest school. In the mid 1970s Hillis has an underpartmentalized program for grades K-4 and a six-unit plan B program for grades 5 and 6. In the six-unit Plan B program the art and music teachers remain in the buildings and teacher arithmetic. Hillis has been an EEO receiving school since inception of the voluntary transfer program in 1969. During the 1974-75 school year a student council was begun, and as an activity the council adopted the "Hound" as the school mascot. In the 1975-76school year the Hillis staff will implement a continuous progress reading plan in an effort to improve instruction. During the 1975-76 school year we plan to observe the silver anniversary of the construction of the permanent building. Principals of Hillis School include: 1949-1953 James L. Daugherty 1953-1962 Pearl Leander 1962-1966 Don Brubaker 1966-1968 Kenneth Rankin 1968-1973 Eleanor Singer 1973- Joseph Turner HOAK SCHOOL 18th Street and McKinley Grades K-5 Dates of construction—1955 Site—7.7 acres Hoak School was opened in September, 1955. It was named in honor of Percy E. Hoak, long time member of the school board. Mrs. Patrick, the principal, received the picture of Mr. Hoak from Mrs. Hoak during the 1956-57 school year. The family also presented a bronze statue of a boy in honor of Mr. Hoak. In 1956-57 a decision was made not to enlarge Hoak School because of new traffic patterns at the Des Moines airport. When originally planned this matter had been checked out with appropriate authorities and was not a problem. Pupils for grades 5 and 6 may attend Wright School which is nearby. Hoak and Wright Schools are operated as a single unit under the jurisdiction of the same principal. In the mid-1970s Hoak elementary school is operating on a K-5 undepartmentalized program. During this time declining student population has created space for two new programs: (1) a theraputic learning center for children with emotional problems severe enough to prevent their functioning within a regular classroom, and (2) a learning disabilities resource teacher to provide for the specific needs of learning disabled students. Also, space has been accrued through student attrition to allow students to utilize a double room for physical education activities. The small school atmosphere allows for a close relationship to be developed between students, parents, and teachers, and this "caring" climate is perhaps the most singular characteristic of the school. Principals of Hoak School include: 1955 - 1956 Kenneth Rouse 1961 - 1965 James L. Daugherty 1956 - 1957 LoRetta Patrick 1965 - 1972 Mildred Kaisand 1957 - 1961 Ruth Pritchard 1972 - 1976 Barbara Sloan
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https://www.iowaheritage.org/items/show/51789 <![CDATA[039_Howe School]]> 2014-11-25T07:58:34+00:00

Title

039_Howe 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

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37 HOWE SCHOOL S.E. 7th and Indianola Grades K-6 Dates of construction-1919 One-fourth 1925 One-fourth 1951 One-fourth 1957 One-fourth Site-4.3 acres Howe School in its present location replaced the old frame building located at S.E. 7th and Davis. The "old" Howe was known originally as Sevastopol School which took its name from the area. The school honors the name of Julia Ward Howe famed author of the words of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." A former student of the 1890's, O. J. Potthoff, has written of Mrs. Howe's visit to the school: "Mrs. Howe visited the Howe School and I remember her very well but I don't just remember what year it was-somewhere around 1895 or 1896. The class sang her song and she seemed quite pleased." One night during the Civil War, Julie Ward Howe, fell asleep in her Washington hotel with the melody of a southern camp meeting tune ringing in her ears. Later she awoke, rose and wrote the words of what became, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." She said the words seemed to come to her as a revelation. This song captured the minds and hearts of the northern armies and was sung as a marching tune. Even President Lincoln enjoyed singing it. After the war, Mrs. Howe became a women's suffrage leader and continued to write, turning out travel books, essays and poetry. But no poem she wrote ever again reached the heights of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". In 1882 the Julia Ward Howe School was opened with only two rooms for pupils up to the fourth grade. The older children had to go to Washington School. Mr. Parish was the first principal of both Washington and Howe schools. By the mid-1970's enrollment pressures at Howe Elementary have been eased by the enlargement of Jackson to a full elementary unit as well as the construction of Lovejoy Elementary School and the boundary adjustments with Granger. It uses an undepartmentalized program for grades K-4 and has a six-unit plan A for grades 5 and 6. It has a family learning center as a part of the adult education outreach. HOWE IN THE 1970s Howe has worked hard to keep pace with the many improvements in education and had added many programs to meet the needs of its students. In 1970 the old auditorium was converted to an instructional media center becoming the first of its type in the elementary schools. This is an area where all types of media are consolidated for student use such as books, magazines, filmstripes, tapes, T.V., 16mm films, overhead transparencies, cassettes, etc. As Des Moines grew so did the traffic on Indianola Road and for safety purposes a new crossover was constructed in 1971. Parents accepted it with reservations but it has proved to be a beneficial addition to Howe. In 1972 a program called SPURT (Special Program Utilizing a Resource Teacher) was added and it helped mildly handicapped in LD, ED, and EMR. This was a state financed program that is now a Des Moines district supported program. Then in 1973 a family learning program was initiated and this was an adult education concept to improve adult education through workshops and child/parent relationships. In 1974 still another program got off the ground and it was titled Therapeutic Learning Center which is designed for emotionally disturbed children in cooperation with Orchard Place. Principals who have served at Howe include: 1907 - 1908 Loretta Blake 1908 - 1909 Iva Scott 1909 - 1913 Elizabeth Culbertson 1913 - 1915 Jeanette Mills 1915 - 1939 Alice Bradshaw 1939 - 1946 Edna L. E. Peterson 1946 - 1949 Kenneth Rouse 1949 - 1955 Merle Wilson 1955 - 1963 Paul Pace 1963 - Nov. 1965 Lucile Truitt Nov. 1965 William Molleck Hoak (Photograph) Howe (Photograph) Hubbell (Photograph) Jackson (Photograph)
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