Category: Schools

Posted in Schools, Then and Now

Then & Now Oakland Schools – Part 17

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

In this series of posts, I hope to show Then and Now images Oakland Schools.  Along with a bit of history of each school, I highlight. Some of the photos are in the form of drawings or postcards, or from the pages of history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — some are a work in progress. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

Bella Vista Elementary School

The original Bella Vista Annex
2410 -10th Avenue

“Bella Vista was a name once given to a two-teacher school of the primary standing.’ This school will become an annex of the new “Bella Vista School.”

In 1924 the Bella Vista School moved to the “Old” Intermediate School No. 1 at 1930 12th Avenue.

From the Views Oakland

The Old Bella Vista school was located at 13th Avenue and East 19th Street. The building that was being torn down in 1951 traced its lineage back to 1863 when the first school on the site was built by the Brooklyn school district. When the Brooklyn school was annexed by the Oakland system, the school became the Franklin school formally but was known by the residents as the East Oakland school. Later it was renamed the A.W. Swett School (see Then & Now Oakland Schools Part 2)

Showing 1906 Earthquake Damage

The building in the above clipping was built in 1892. It was described as a “well-planned building of nine-rooms.” The building cost $52,952 and was designed by Howard Burns. In the 1912 Swett School was renamed the Intermediate School Number One, and 12 years later, in 1924, it became the Bella Vista School, and the name is held at the time it was condemned in 1934.

After the condemnation, only part of the building was in use until the new school was built in 1951.

New School and Location

Oakland Tribune

The new school building is located on East 28th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues a few blocks from the old site.

Oakland Tribune 1949

In October of 1949, construction began on the new $538,213 Bella Vista School.

Reynolds and Chamberlain designed the building.

The new building has:

  • 17 Classrooms
  • A kindergarten
  • Cafeteria
  • Auditorium

Built for a capacity of 630 and is a two-story structure of concrete and steel.

Oakland Tribune Dec 10, 1950

The dedication was held on February 7th, 1951.

Bella Vista Today

The school is located at 1025 East 28th Street.

Google Maps

Bella Vista – OUSD photo

Bella Vista – OUSD photo
  • Bella Vista Website – OUSD
  • Bella Vista Oakland Local Wiki – page

More Info:

Glenview Elementary School

Glenview started as McChesney Annex School and was located at 13th Avenue and East 38th Avenue.

In 1924 the board approved a new school on a new site in the upper part of the district.

Oakland Tribune July 1927

The laying of the cornerstone was in January of 1927. The two-story mission-style building was ready in April of 1927.

  • Eleven Classrooms
  • Assembly Hall
  • Administration Offices

Locker-RoomsThe McChesney Annex name was changed to Glenview Elementary School in October of 1927.

Glenview Elementary school was formally dedicated in a ceremony with the Native Sons of California in November of 1927. The school cost about $110,000 and was designed by architects Williams & Wastell

Glenview School in 193
From the Brenkman Family

In 1938 the students were moved to portables while the main school building was reconstructed.

Oakland Tribune Aug 29, 1938

The school was ready for occupation in March of 1939.

Glenview Class of 1938
From the Brenkman Family

Glenview Baseball Team 1941
From the Brenkman Family

Glenview Today:

The school is located at 4215 La Cresta Avenue

New Campus: August 2020

New Campus

The new classroom building will also feature:

  • New Multipurpose room with a new stage
  • Storage under the step for chairs
  • Folding cafeteria tables
  • Striping for basketball for indoor physical Education
  • Modern and efficient plumbing, electric HVAC, and WiFi systems

Students at Glenview Elementary are currently being housed at the Santa Fe school site. At the same time, their new state-of-the-art facility is being built at its permanent location (4215 La Cresta Avenue) in the Glenview neighborhood.

More Info:

Harbor Homes School

No pictures of Harbor Homes School

Location of Harbor Homes

Harbor Homes School was located in the  Harbor Homes Housing Project. Harbor Homes Housing Project was a temporary housing project built by the federal government in 1943 during WWII.

When the war ended, the temporary housing remained. The board of Education decided there was a need for a temporary school for the children living there.

Oakland Tribune Nov 18, 1947

A school was constructed for $85,000, and 266 students enrolled for classes on Mar 9, 1948. In the beginning, the ten portables were heated by a pot-bellied coal-burning stove.

Oakland Tribune Mar 8, 1948

In 1951 Benjamin Hargrave was the first-ever African American principal of an Oakland Public school.

Oakland Tribune Feb 8, 1954

The school reached its peak enrollment in February of 1961 with 456 students. Over 4000 students passed through its doors in the 15 years it was opened.

Oakland Tribune Dec 29, 1960

Oakland Tribune February 8, 1963

The final day was Friday, February 8th, 1963. Mrs. Lillian Clancy held a class with just five students; Stanley Watts, 11; Earl Watts, 10; Steven Watts, 9; Lee Jones, 10; and Jackie Jones, 6. Charles Cline was the Principal

Oakland Tribune Feb 8, 1963

By June of 1963, all of the Harbor Homes buildings were gone, including the school.

More Info:

The address of the school was 1740 Ferro St

Washington School

In February of 1905, F.H. Danke’s bid of $3,100 for laying the cement foundation of the new Washington School was accepted by the board of Education.

Awards Contracts for Work

The Board of Education awarded contracts for the building of the Washington School to a variety of bidders. The list is as follows.

Brick and Stone Work P.J.Walker $20,799
Structural Steel Work Judson Manufacturing $5,551
Fire Proofing Roebling Const. $8,845
Galvanized Iron/Roof Pacific Ref. Roofing Co. $794
Plaster Work William Mehady $3,681
Tile Work Columbus Marble Co. $369.94
Plumbing Ingram Hardware Co. $1,507
Carpentry H.E. Brown & Co. $15,821
Painting W.H.Blake $1,913

They started building the school on Aug 31, 1905.

Before 1906

The new school was a ten-room two-story building, fire-proof throughout, constructed of red brick and terra cotta. The building was designed so that later additions can be made at either end, and when it was completed, it was to contain twenty-two class-rooms.

1906 Earthquake

The school still under construction sustained considerable damage in the 1906 earthquake.

In June of 1906, the school board reported they needed $100,000 to repair the damage and make the school earthquake-proof.
Judson Construction Company was re-awarded the contract to rebuild the ironwork and E.J. Walker for the brickwork.

In April of 1908, it was reported that the school would be ready in August.

Oakland Tribune August 1908

In 1927 a new $45,000 assembly hall was built.

Principal C.E. Hudspeth

C.E. Hudspeth was the principal of the school from 1905 until his retirement in 1942.

CE Hudspeth 1909

For recognition of his service, the auditorium was named Hudspeth Hall.

The Washington School Alumni Association was formed in 1939. They held annual get-togethers to discuss the old days.

Oakland Tribune 1951
Oakland Tribune Oct 16, 1963
Oakland Tribune 1913

The school after the new additions in 1913
Circa 1913

New School

Oakland Tribune 1951

A new two-story reinforced concrete structure designed by William E. Schirmer was built in 1952, costing $634,000.

  • Fourteen Classrooms
  •  Kindergarten
  •  Cafeteria
  •  Auditorium
  • Library

Oakland Tribune Dec 1953

Washington School Today – OUSD Photo

The school is located at 581 61st Street, Oakland, CA.

The school is called Kaiser-Sankofa.

Kaiser and Sankofa are two Oakland elementary schools that will be merging together into one school on the Sankofa campus starting in August 2020. To learn more about the two existing schools, you can visit the following sites.

More Info:

The End

Posted in Black History, Buildings, Schools, Then and Now

Then & Now – Oakland School Part 16

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

In this series of posts, I hope to show Then and Now images Oakland Schools.  Along with a bit of history of each school, I highlight. Some of the photos are in the form of drawings or postcards, or from the pages of history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all from home and online — a work in progress for some.  I have been updating my posts with new information or corrections.

Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

King Estates Junior High School

In 1956 the city of Oakland and the Board of Education (OUSD) agreed to purchase a 46-acre tract on Mountain Blvd. near the Oak Knoll for future development as a combined school and recreation area.

Central National Savings Bank Map 1923

They purchased the land from the heirs of Arthur Dale King a Hillsborough millionaire, who died in 1952.

Under the agreement, 19 acres of the total 46 were for the two new schools.

In June of 1958, the Board of Education approved the plans for the new King Junior High School on Fontaine Street.

Groundbreaking Oakland Tribune Feb 1959

The estimated cost of the school was $1,638,445. The school was designed by the firm of Confer and Wills.

Oakland Tribune Jun 1958
 

Oakland Tribune Jun 1958
  • Twenty-six classrooms
  • Gymnasium
  • Library
  • Multipurpose room
  • Administrative Offices
  • 800 Students

In October of 1960, the board ok’d the name “King Junior High” for the new school in King Estates.

 

Oakland Tribune Sept 06, 1960

School Shooting

 

Oakland Tribune March 18, 19

Oakland Tribune March 1973

In March of 1973, 15-year-old Leonard Key watched his mother die by a sniper’s bullet outside the school gym. Leonard’s mother, Mrs. Kay Key, and two sisters had just seen him play in an all-star basketball game.

Police arrested two 15-year-old boys who confessed to firing random shots onto the campus with a sawed-off shotgun and a .22-caliber pistol.

King Junior High Today

 

Google Maps
 

Google Maps
 

OUSD Photo
 

Google Maps
 

OUSD Photo

In 2005 two small highs schools opened at the campus; they are the Youth Empowerment School and East Oakland Community High School.

Now Rudsdale Continuation School and Sojourner Truth School are there.

More Info:

Ralph J. Bunche Elementary

No early pictures of Bunche Elementary

 

Oakland Tribune

Named in Honor of

The school named for Ralph Johnson Bunche (1903-1971). He taught Political Science at Howard University and was the first African American to get a Ph.D. in political science from an American university. He worked with helped Martin Luther King Jr. He was the first African American to be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. He helped form the United Nations and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President John F. Kennedy.

Bunche Visits the School

In 1966 Ralph Bunche paid a visit to the school that bears his name.

“I have been waiting to come and see you since the school was established. I’ll try not to do anything that would anything that will embarrass you.”

Ralph K. Bunche 1966

Ralph K. Bunche 1966

Ralph K. Bunche 1966

He spoke to the 450 students in the play yard of the school. He then spent about an hour shaking hands with all the children and signing autographs.

After the event, some of the children said:

“He’s real nice, I liked the way he talked,” said Claudia Mason age 10

“He’s an intelligent man,” “He’s a real fine gentleman “
said Wayne Jackson age 10

Tribute to Bunche

Ralph Bunche Day was held on November 19, 1971. The children of the school paid tribute to the man the school is named after.

Oakland Tribune Dec 11, 1971
 

Oakland Tribune Dec 11, 1971

Ralph Bunche died on December 9, 1971.

As good as anyone”

Shirley Coleman, 5th grader

Shirley Coleman, 5th grader

Shirley Coleman, 5th grader
 

Oakland Tribune Dec 11, 1971

Bunche School Today

Ralph J. Bunche Continuation School – 9-12

The school is located at 1240 18th Street

 

Ralph J Bunche Today _ OUSD
 

Ralph J Bunche Today _ OUSD
  • Ralph J. Bunche website – OUSD
  • Who is Ralph J. Bunche – OUSD

More Info:

McFeely School

No early pictures of McFeely School

McFeely elementary school opened in Sept pf 1947. The school was located at the corner of Fifth and Peralta Streets.

 

Oakland Tribune 1947
 

Oakland Tribune
 

Oakland Tribune 1949

The school was closed in the early 1960s because it was in the way of the New Post Office in West Oakland

More Info:

Redwood Heights Elementary School

No early photos of Redwood Heights

The school was called the Laurel Annex School and was organized in May of 1935.

The name officially changed to Redwood Heights School in June of 1935.

 

Location of the first School

The first school was located at 4359 Bennett Place.  Avenue Terrace Park is there now.

New School and location

The Oakland Board of Education officially broke ground on the site of the new school at Mountain Blvd and 39th Avenue. The new school was the tenth building as part of the 1948 tax election.

The two-story building had 11 classrooms, a kindergarten, an auditorium, and a library. Donovan and Kerr were the architects.
4401 39th Ave, Oakland, CA 94619

 

Redwood Heights Construction 1959
Oakland History Room Photo

Redwood Heights Today

4401 39th Ave, Oakland, CA 94619

 

Redwood Heights Home – OUSD
 

Redwood Heights Home – OUSD
 

Redwood Heights Home – OUSD
 

Redwood Heights Home – OUSD

Westlake Junior High School

No early photos

The Board of Education approved plans for the new school in February of 1927.

The plans called for a two-story steel and concrete structure at an estimated cost of $260, 000. The “Spanish type” building constructed in the form of an L and had 35 classrooms, a gymnasium, shops, and an auditorium.

 

Oakland Tribune 1928

Westlake Junior High was known as Lakeview Junior High.

Dedication Ceremony

The formal dedication of the school was held on March 14, 1928.

Name Change

Renaming the school became necessary to avoid conflict with Lakeview elementary school.

The students wanted the school named after Col. Charles Lindbergh. The board decided against that. Lakeview Junior High became West Lake Junior High in May of 1929

One hundred sixty-two students graduated from West Lake Junior High on June 06, 1929. “The Biggest Class Ever.”

Oakland Tribune June 1928
 

Oakland, CA December 13, 1953 – Heralds from Westlake Junior High School opens the Christmas Pageant at the Oakland Auditorium. (Russ Reed / Oakland Tribune Photographer) (Photo by MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)

Westlake Today

2629 Harrison Street, Oakland, California 94612

  • Westlake Middle School website – OUSD
 

Westlake Today – OUSD
 

Westlake Today – OUSD
 

Westlake Today – OUSD
 

Westlake Today – OUSD

More Info:

The End

Posted in Buildings, Schools, Then and Now

Then & Now – Oakland Schools Part 15

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

I plan to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools can sometimes take time and effort. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

I didn’t have much luck with this group of schools. I figured I better share it now, as I was spending too much time on it.

Laurel Elementary School

Laurel School
Photo By Cheney Photo Advertising circa 1915

The Laurel School opened in February 1910. The school was a part of the Allendale School district.

Laurel School – 1937

Unique School

Oakland Tribune August 26, 1928

New School Building

Oakland Tribune October 31, 1957

In 1959 the wooden three-story school building was demolished to make room for a new school building.

Oakland Tribune October 30, 1958
The new school was the building on the bottom right side.
Google Maps

School Bell

For almost 50 years, the ringing of the bell in the wooden three-story building played an essential part in the neighborhood around the school.

The area residents were determined to save the bell as a local shrine. It was the last public school bell used in the city.

The bell is mounted and on display in the hallway by school offices.

Oakland Tribune June 12, 1960
Laurel Bell Today

Laurel School Now

3750 BROWN AVE, OAKLAND, CA, 94619,

Laurel Elementary School website – OUSD

More Info:

James Madison Junior High School

Sobrante Park Junior High, as it was first called, opened on February 01, 1960, and was the 27th project to be completed, paid for money from the 1958 bond issue.

The $1,425,525 school would eventually house 900 students. The school s campus is 14 acres and has the following. The school was designed by Mitchel Van Bourg & Associates.

  • Eight General classrooms
  • Two Science Rooms
  • Two homemaking rooms
  • Two arts & crafts rooms
  • Two music rooms
  • Three shops
  • Two special ed rooms
  • a library
  • a gymnasium
  • a multipurpose room
  • offices

In May of 1960, the Board of Education approved James Madison Junior high school as the permanent name of the new Sobrante Park Junior High.

Oakland Tribune Wed June 15, 1960
Oakland Tribune 1960
The plaque on the school

Madison Today

Madison Today – OUSD

400 Capistrano Drive, Oakland, CA 94603

Today it is called Madison Park Academy of Engineering and Graphic Design. It has approximately 800 students in grades 6-12.

Madison Park Business & Art Academy Campus Expansion

The new 30,464-square-foot classroom building will feature:

  • Fourteen classrooms equipped with modern classroom furniture
  • Two science laboratories
  • Four student restrooms will feature low water flow fixtures
  • Six administrative offices and increased staff workspace, including a break room, conference room, workroom, and staff restrooms
  • Exterior assembly area for student activities
  • Renovation of kitchen shared by MPA and James Madison Middle School
  • Restoration of the parking lot
  • Madison Park Expansion – OUSD
  • Madison Park Academy Website – OUSD

Sobrante Park Elementary School

In 1956 a new school was proposed for the site on El Paseo drive that a group of portable buildings occupied.

Oakland Tribune July 05, 1956

The new school was designed by Ralph N. Kerr and Robert E. Riggs.

  • Thirteen general classrooms
  • Special Ed classroom
  • A kindergarten
  • A library
  • A multipurpose room
  • Offices

Sobrante Park Today

The school is located at 470 El Paseo Drive

Today the school is called Madison Park Academy (MPA Primary). MPA Primary serves students in grades TK-5. Our vision at MPA Primary is to educate, challenge, and nurture our students to succeed in secondary school and beyond.

Madison Park Academy – website

More Info:

Stonehurst Elementary School

Wow, this school’s history was hard to put together.

Stonehurst School opened in 1915 as one portable school.

The citizens of the Elmhurst and Stonehurst districts attended a school board meeting in August of 1915. They demanded each area get a portable school, one north and the other south of the Southern Pacific and Western Pacific tracks.

“We have working men down in South Elmhurst, workmen have children!”

JA Halpruner August 1915

The Stonehurst people based their claim on growth, and the Elmhurst people based their claims on more children.

“The rich people in Stonehurst don’t have any.”

August 1915

Small or Not!

“Stonehurst is a small insignificant burg, but we have a big district and many children,” continued Sherwood. At the time, there were 78 students and 89 not yet in school in South Elmhurst and only 41 Stonehurst.
The meeting was adjourned!

The South Elmhurst school was located on Edes and Douglass Avenues.

Oakland Tribune April 28, 1916

New School

Oakland Tribune Dec 25,1917

In 1916 it was reported in the “School Building Report” that they intended to purchase another site for a new Stonehurst school building to replace the portable one. The district was leasing the land the school was on.

Demand

After demanding a new school as promised in 1916, the residents were guaranteed by the school board the first money that was received from selling school bonds

 “shall be used in the construction of the Stonehurst school.”

Oakland Tribune 1921
Stonehurst School in 1926 –
showing the 1922 school building with a proposed addition
Oakland Tribune November 07, 1926

Work began on the new school in late May of 1921. The new school consisted of eight classrooms and an assembly hall for about $50,000. An addition was added to the school in 1927, costing $60,000.

Grocery Store.

Oakland Tribune October 05, 1926

“The scene in the Stonehurst School grocery, where second- grade pupils are learning how to make play dollars go far.”

Unsafe School

In 1972 a $1.2 million project to replace the 50-year-old Stonehurst school building because it is an earthquake hazard was approved by the Board of Education.

Built before 1933, when California’s Field Act established new construction standards for earthquake safety, the building was surrounded by a cluster of 29 portables -10 were built before 1933. The school was built to house 380 students and had 973 enrolled in 1972.

Ratcliff, Slama, and Cadwalader architects designed the new $1.2 million school.

No Name Change

At different times, Madison Junior High and Stonehurst requested their school be renamed for Dr. Marcus A. Foster. They were turned down.

Stonehurst Today

10315 E Street, Oakland, CA, 94603

Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy is a public community K-5 elementary school in East Oakland with an integrated focus on academics, youth development, family support, health, and social services. KDA website – OUSD

Korematsu Discovery Academy

Esperanza Elementary is a dual language school that prepares students to be college and career ready. Esperanza website – OUSD

More Info:

Whittier Elementary School

On November 07, 1928, the new $116,000 Whittier School was dedicated. The first principal was R.S. Wheeler.

Oakland Tribune November 07, 1928

The school was named after John Greenleaf Whittier, an American Quaker poet, and advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States.

In 1953 Whittier was closed after being declared an earthquake hazard.

The school reopened in 1956 after a $376,722 reconstruction project. Eleven thousand square feet of added space in the basement was converted into a cafeteria and a special education classroom.

Oakland Tribune July 06, 1956

Whittier School Today

Whittier school closed in 2012. It reopened as Greenleaf Elementary school in

Whittier School – OUSD

More Info:

6328 E 17th St, Oakland, CA 94621

The End

Posted in Buildings, Schools, Then and Now, Uncategorized

Then & Now – Oakland Schools Part 14

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

I wasn’t able to locate pictures of Sheffield School. I am hoping someone might have some. The same goes for Burbank, although I think the school looks pretty much the same now as it was built in 1950.

Update January 17, 2020

Burbank School

In 1928 plans for the new Burbank School on 64th Avenue in East Oakland were approved. The new six-room brick structure was to cost $60,000 and house 270 students.

 

The school is named after Luther Burbank, a botanist and horticulturist who made his home in Northern California.

 
Oakland Tribune Dec 8, 1928

 

Oakland Tribune Dec 28, 1928

New School

In 1948 plans for a new school and the reconstruction of the old school, the building was approved. They added an auditorium and a couple more classrooms. Hudspeth and Cerruti were the architects.

Oakland Tribune November 16, 1950

The new $297,777 Luther Burbank Elementary School was dedicated on November 15, 1950. The building is a one-story and had a capacity of 315 students.

 

Oakland Tribune Nov 16, 1950

School Song

High Upon a hill near home, there’s a school my very, very own
Its name is Burbank Elementary, and of all the schools in Oakland, It’s the only one for me
Burbank School, where we study hard each day
Burbank School, where we have some fun and play
Burbank School, you’re the best in every way
So we give three cheers for Burbank School
Hurray, Hurray, Hurray!

Burbank Today

 

Burbank Today – OUSD

 

Burbank Today – OUSD

Burbank was closed by the Oakland Unified School District in 2004.

In September 2010, Burbank Preschool Center was opened.

Burbank is a special place in OUSD that supports infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs through exemplary special education programming as well as related services

 

Burbank Today – OUSD

More Info:

It is located at 3550 64th Ave.

Burbank School – Oakland Local Wiki

Burckhalter Elementary School

 

Oakland Tribune Aug 30, 1925

In 1923 a new one-room school was built on Sunkist Drive; the school was called Columbia Park (Columbian Park). Susie Thompson was the custodian of the school for three years. She lived next door to the school at 6868 Sunkist.

 

Oakland Tribune Aug 18, 1925

In the obituary of Susie Thompson, it is reported that a wind storm destroyed the first school, which was replaced by a new building in 1925.

 

New School

In September of 1948, they broke ground for the new Burckhalter School.

 

Oakland Tribune Sep 16, 1948

Burckhalter Today

 

Burckhalter Today – OUSD photo

 

Burckhalter Today – OUSD photo

 

Burckhalter Today – OUSD photo

More Info:

The school is located at 3994 Burckhalter Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94605

Burckhalter School Website – OUSD

Carl B Munck Elementary

Plans were approved for the new Redwood Road Elementary School at 5000 Redwood Road. E. Geoffrey Bangs was the architect. The site included a field for the Oakland Recreation Department.

 

Oakland Tribune Nov 18, 1959
  • 12 Classrooms
  • Administration Offices
  • Library
  • Multipurpose Room

The new school opened in 1960. The name was changed to honor Carl B Munck, who was the president of the school board (five times), was president of the California School Board, and was the president of the National School Boards Association in 1958.

 

Oakland Tribune Apr 1962

On a rare snow day in 1962, icicles formed on the shrubs after a sprinkler was left on.

 

Oakland Tribune Jan 22, 1962

In 1962 five local Girl Scout troops they donated a Colorado blue spruce tree to the school in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts.

 

Oakland Tribune Mar 27, 1962

Bus Service

In 1965 students were able to ride the bus to school. The bus made six to seven trips daily.

 

Oakland Tribune Sep 14, 1966

In 1966 without warning, the service was ended at the beginning of the school year as part of the Oakland School Board’s effort to make ends meet. Parents were concerned with the safety of children who couldn’t get a ride to school.

The young fourth-grader walks about a mile to school every day, up a steep and winding Redwood Road.

Mrs. Niall Quinn – Sep 1966

Mrs. Niall Quinn – Sep 1966

Munck Today

 

Munck Today OUSD

 

Munck Today OUSD

 

Munck Today OUSD

More Info:

The school is located at 11900 Campus Drive.

Howard Elementary School

Before being named Howard Elementary School, it was called King Elementary School. The ground was broken for the school in March of 1959.

Alvin Fingalo and George Kern, with David Horn, designed the school.

Oakland Tribune December 10, 1958
School Opens – September 06, 1960
School Opens September 06, 1960

The new Howard School was dedicated on December 13, 1960. It was named after Charles P. Howard, a civic leader.

 

Oakland tribune Dec 13, 1960

 

Oakland tribune Dec 13, 1960

Howard Today

 

Howard Today – OUSD

 

Howard Today – OUSD

Today it is the Sojourner Truth Independent Study (K-12), an alternative public school.

Sojourner Truth website – OUSD

More Info:

The school is located at 8755 Fontaine Street

Kaiser Elementary School

Oakland Tribune Feb 1962

The school was named in honor of Henry J. Kaiser Jr., an industrialist and civic leader.

 

Oakland Tribune Feb 05, 1964

Integration Bus Program

 

Oakland Tribune Sept 12, 1966

 

Oakland Tribune Sept 12, 1966

Kaiser Today

The school is located at 25 South Hill Court

 

Kaiser Today – OUSD

More Info:

Markham Elementary School

The Krause Avenue School (Webster Annex) was formally dedicated in November 1928.

 

Oakland Tribune Jul 31, 1928

The “Krause Avenue School” before being demolished to make room for the new school in 1956.

Oakland Tribune February 04, 1956

In March of 1929, the Oakland Board of Education changed the name of the Webster Annex school to Edwin Markham School in honor of the widely known California poet and educator. Edwin Markin was principal of the Tompkins School from 1891-1899

New School

 

Oakland Tribune Oct 14, 1949

In 1949 a new $450,000 school building with ten classrooms, an auditorium, and a kindergarten was dedicated. The building has a capacity of 385 students and was designed by Edward T. Foulkes.

 

Oakland Tribune Oct 14, 1949

 

Oakland Tribune Oct 23, 1949

 

Oakland Tribune Apr 1958

Markham Today

 

More Info:

Located at 7220 Krause Avenue.

Sheffield Village School

Note: I have not been able to locate any pictures of the school

 

Oakland Tribune March 1950

The Sheffield Village School opened in March 1950. The four-classroom building was designed by C.A. Whitten, Dir. of Architecture for the Oakland Public Schools. The school cost $40 300.

The school closed in 1964, and the students were transferred to the San Leandro School District. The site is now used as a park and the Sheffield Recreation Center.

The school site today

More Info:

The school was located at 241(251) Marlow Drive.

The End

Posted in Buildings, Schools, Then and Now

Then & Now – Oakland Schools Part 13

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

Updated September 2021

I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

John Swett Elementary School

John Swett Elementary School was constructed in 1926, opened in January 1927, and closed in 2004.

The school was named for John Swett (1830–1913), who is considered the “Father of the California public school” system. He served as the 4th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1863-1867.

Oakland Tribune 1927

Boys Build Amphitheater

Oakland Tribune May 6, 1928
Oakland Tribune May 6, 1928
Oakland Tribune May 6, 1928

John Swett Today

John Swett Today OUSD
OUSD

The school is now a K-8 community school called Roses in Concrete.

“Our mission is to develop youth committed to lives characterized by self-discipline, integrity, love, and hope in the pursuit of justice and equity for all communities.“

Roses in Concrete – Website

More Info:

John Swett Elementary School – Oakland Local wiki

Located at 4551 Steele St, Oakland, CA, 94619

Parker Elementary School

Updated
The newly constructed Parker Elementary School-1926. From the Oakland History Room

In 1925 a new small school was being constructed at 78th Avenue and Parker Avenue near Foothill Blvd ( now MacArthur Blvd.) The Oakland school board ordered the new school be named the “Francis W. Parker” school. I have only seen it being called the Parker Avenue School or just Parker School.

Oakland Tribune Sept 1925

Dedication

Oakland Tribune Feb 1926

Parker School was opened and dedicated in February of 1926.

Class Photo 1938 -from Facebook

New School

Oakland Tribune May 1948

Parker School was to be the first permanent building to be constructed from the 1945 school bond.

Oakland Tribune April 21, 1948

Bids for a new two-story school at the corner of Ney Avenue and Ritchie Street in April of 1948.

Dedication ceremonies were held in November 1949

Oakland Tribune Nov 7, 1949

Parker Today

OUSD

More Info:

Located at 7929 Ney Street

Roosevelt High School

Groundbreaking for a new school at 19th Avenue and E. 19th Street occurred on November 11, 1922. The cornerstone was placed on March 24, 1923. The school costs $917,452.43 to build. The school was named after Theodore Roosevelt.

 

Roosevelt in 1923

The school would house about 1500 students. The dedication took place in September 1924.

From 1923

In 1934 the main school building was closed (I assume due to it being unsafe).

Roosevelt Today

Roosevelt is now a middle school.

More Info:

1926 19th Avenue

Tompkins School

Oakland Evening Tribune Sept 22, 1877

Tompkins School opened on January 7, 1878, at 5th and Linden Streets in West Oakland, named after State Senator Edward Tompkins. There were 231 students enrolled.

Sanborn Map – Library of Congress

C.H Clement was the first Principal from 1877 to 1881.

Edwin Markham was the principal from 1891-1900.

Observation School

Oakland Evening Tribune April 21, 1897

In October of 1894, Tompkins became an observation school under the supervision of the University of California Department of Pedagogy.

Many Firsts

Tompkins school was known for its many “firsts.”

  • First Kindergarten – in Oakland
  • First American Flag to fly – in Oakland
  • First Scientific Child Study Club
  • First Health Study Club
  • First Observation School
  • First Parents and Mothers Club
  • First of the Experimental playgrounds

The first American Flag to fly over an Oakland School was raised over Tompkins in 1890.

Oakland Tribune Jun 30, 1918

Experimental Playground

In 1909 the first two experimental playgrounds were set up at Tompkins and Prescott Schools.

Fire Destroys Tompkins

In August of 1914, the school was destroyed by a fire. Arson was suspected. There were seven school fires in four weeks during July and August.

Plans for a new school were put in place at once. The new school opened on October 11, 1915. There was a $96,000 six-room addition added in 1924. In 1954 another addition costing $148,000 was added.

Oakland Tribune Aug 16, 1964

No More Schooldays

In 1965 the school was razed to make room for the Acorn Projects.

Oakland Tribune Sep 1965

More Info:

Woodland Elementary School

Woodland Elementary School started as Lockwood-Highland School. It was built to relieve the overcrowding in Lockwood and the Highland Schools.

On January 4, 1960, the school opened with 540 students. The one-story school with 14 classrooms, a kindergarten, a library, an administration office, and a teacher’s lunchroom. It was the 29th of 51 school projects proposed in the 1956 school bond election. The school costs $432 296 to build.

Dedication

Oakland Tribune Apr 26, 1960

A new multi-purpose building was dedicated in November of 1961. Then Municipal Judge Lionel Wilson spoke on “The Role of the Parent in the Eyes of the Judge.”

Oakland Tribune Nov 22, 1961

Woodland Today

Today the school is called Acorn Woodland Elementary (AWE)- At ACORN Woodland Elementary (AWE), we employ various strategies to ensure that a solid base of grade-level skills is mastered while fostering creative and critical thinking among our students.

Woodland Today – OUSD
Woodland Today – OUSD

Acorn Woodland Website – OUSD

More Info:

1025-81st Avenue Oakland

The End

Posted in Buildings, Schools, Then and Now, Uncategorized

Then & Now – Oakland Schools Part 12

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

In this series of posts, I hope to show Then and Now images Oakland Schools. and a bit of history of each school, I highlight. Some of the photos are in the form of drawings or postcards, or from the pages of history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

Updated March 2, 2020 – see Highland School

Edison Elementary School

In 1927 the Old Grant school at 29th and Broadway was closed, and two new schools were built to replace it, one on each side of Broadway.

Grant School No. 1 was at Kempton Ave and Fairmount Avenue and, Grant School No. 2 was at Summit and 29th Street.

Oakland Tribune Dec 11, 1927

Oakland Tribune Sep 29, 1929

Edison School 3239 Kempton Ave circa 1940

Edison Now

The school was closed in 1975 because it was not up to earthquake standards. The school was later sold to developers, and the classrooms were converted into expensive condos.

The playground turned into a city park called  Oak Park.

Edison Today –CC SA-BY Our Oakland

More Info:

The school was located at 3239 Kempton Avenue, Oakland

Highland School

88236386_226450348485354_7798874888218869760_n
Highland School – circa 1910-12
Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising

Oakland Tribune Dec 28, 1907

Highland School was established as part of the Highland School District in 1908 and was annexed into the Oakland School district in 1909.

New School

The school was dedicated on November 14, 1908. There were 250 pupils had enrolled in the new Highland Grammar School. The Mission-style building was built at the cost of $23,000. There were 8 classrooms with the possibility of adding more.

Oakland Tribune 1908

1923 a one-story 8 classroom addition was built, and in 1924, they added an auditorium for $44,200.

New School

In 1957 the old school building was demolished. Plans were approved for a new school to house 644 pupils. The new school was designed by Andrew P. Anderson and Irwin M. Johnson.

Oakland Tribune Jan 29, 1958

In 1958 a new school was built to replace the one from 1908. The new building has 9 classrooms, a special classroom, administrative offices, a library, and a multi-purpose room. The total cost was $411,999. The 1923 addition was retained.

 8521 A Street, Oakland, CA
Highland School Today – google maps

More Info:

The school is located at 8521 – A Street Oakland, CA

Today the school is called the New Highland Academy. The vision for New Highland is that our students become creative thinkers, effective communicators, and compassionate members of their community.

Grant School

Oakland Tribune Jul 28, 1885

Grant School was built in 1885 and was located on Broadway at the corner of 29th Street, then called Prospect Avenue. The Grocery Outlet is now where the school was originally.

Grant School in 1891
Gift of Miss Marietta Edwards
http://collections.museumca.org/?q=collection-item/h68104

Oakland Tribune 1892

New School

Oakland Tribune 1905

A new school was approved in 1904. The plans were drawn up by San Francisco Architects Stone & Smith.

Another New School

The last day of school in the “old Grant School” building was January 9th, 1928. The 500 grammar school children would march in a parade to the new school buildings that were built. The two new buildings were constructed to replace Grant School. At that time they were called

  • Grant School No. 1 – Edison Elementary School (see above)
  • Grant School No. 2 – Grant School at 29th and Summit

Oakland Tribune May 30, 1928

The Front entrance in 1928

Building Abandoned

The old school building was abandoned and demolished. The land was sold for $350,000, and the money was used to pay for the new schools and property.

Oakland Tribune Jan 1928

Continuation School

In 1966 Grant became a continuation school.

Grant School Today

It is now the site of the Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy.

The vision of Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy (OEZSA/Street Academy) is to provide students a small, safe, high school with a social justice-focused college-preparatory education.

More Info:

Toler Heights School

In December of 1925, Toler Heights School was just one portable classroom, where 40 students attended school. There were six grades in one room under the guidance of two teachers.

New School

In 1927 a new school was built. The school had four classrooms and was Spanish in design. The new school’s capacity was 180 students and cost about $36,000.

Dedication 

Oakland Tribune May 1928

The new school building was dedicated on May 24, 1928.

Oakland Tribune May 1928
Shared in the Oakland History Group on Facebook

Toler Today

The school is located at 9736 Lawlor St.

In 2007 the school became known as the Alternative Learning Community, a middle school.

In March of 2009, it became notable as the first, middle school in the United States to be officially named or renamed after US President Barack Obama.

It is now the Francophone Charter School. It opened in 2015 as Transitional Kindergarten through third grade, which offers a French language immersion program.

More Info:

The End

Posted in Buildings, Schools

Oakland Schools – Tech High

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

In researching the schools in Oakland, I found out that there are a lot of them and a few schools more than their fair share of photos or history.

Technical High and Oakland High are two of those schools.

Tech High School also has a great website celebrating its Centennial in 2012.

Oakland High School has a great history with photos on their Oakland High School Memorial site.

So, with that in mind, I wasn’t going to spend much time on either of these schools, but I found these of Technical High, and I couldn’t resist sharing.

The following are from the book by one of the architects of Tech.

School Architecture Principles and Practices By John Joseph Donovan 1921

The End

Posted in Buildings, Schools, Then and Now

Then & Now – Oakland School Part 11

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

I plan to showcase ‘Then and Now’ images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings, postcards, or from the pages of history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some older schools can be challenging. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

Chabot Elementary School

Bungalow Annex

The Board of Education approved the plans for a new school in May 1926 to relieve overcrowding at Claremont School.  

Oakland Tribune, May 20, 1926

The new school was on Chabot Road at Patton Street. The Tudor Revival-style school was constructed in 1927 and was initially known as the Claremont School Annex. The seven-room structure was designed to hold 350 students and cost $50,000 using funds from a 1924 voter-approved school bond.

Oakland Tribune, May 20, 1926

The “Claremont” Annex was dedicated on April 21, 1927—the school cost approx. $89,000. The architect was William G. Corlett (1887-1954).

  

Oakland Tribune April 21, 1927

Soon after the school opened its doors, the name was changed to Anthony Chabot School.

New Addition

In 1937, an addition was added and funded by the Living New Deal.

Chabot School – New Living Deal
Chabot School – New Living Deal

In the mid-1950s, a portion of the old Sacramento Northern right-of-way was acquired and converted into an upper playground field.

Chabot Today

Chabot is located at 6686 Chabot Road

Google Maps
Google Maps

More Info:

Claremont Middle School

The new school at the corner of College Avenue and Birch Street was to be named Claremont School, and it opened in August of 1913 as an elementary school. John J. Donovan and Walter D Reed designed the school.

By 1916, the school was so crowded that they were using the teachers’ room and the auditorium as classrooms. Portables were added later.

List of Graduates 1921

Oakland Tribune 1921
Oakland Tribune, December 8, 1922

In 1925, they added 7th and 8th grades. The elementary grades were transferred to The Annex (Chabot School) when it opened in 1927. Claremont, soon after 1927, became Claremont Junior High.

Oakland Tribune August 18, 1933

In the 1950s, 28 classrooms were added to the Claremont campus, plus a cafeteria and gymnasium.

Oakland Tribune May 13, 1951

50th Anniversary

Oakland Tribune 1963

Claremont Today

The Photo By Dorothy Londagin

The historic gates are all that remain of the original school building that was demolished in 1976. The gates were moved to the corner of Birch and College Avenue.

OUSD Photo
5750 College Avenue 
Google Maps

More Info:

Members of the Vernon-Rockridge Improvement Club had hoped that the school would be named Vernon-Rockridge.

Oakland Tribune December 3, 1913

Centennial Celebration 2013

Letters to the Editor

  1. Claremont Middle School needs historical accuracy – April 4, 2013
  2. Claremont Middle Centennial will be Accurate- April 11, 2013  

Crocker Highlands School

In 1922, the Board of Education authorized the purchase of land for a new school, named Crocker Highlands School.

Oakland Tribune June 14, 1925

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in April 1925.

The six-room structure costing $40,000 was built as part of the 1924 school bond issue. Wythe, Blaine & Olson designed the school.

Oakland Tribune January 17, 1926

The school was dedicated in September 1925.

Miss Bernice Baxter was the school’s first principal. There were 61 students enrolled that first year, and by 1929, the number had increased to 485.

In 1929, plans were approved for a new $95,000 addition of 11 classrooms and an auditorium. Blaine & Olson were the architects.

Oakland Tribune 1929

In 1937, another addition was made.

In 1971, the original building, constructed in 1924, was declared unsafe due to an earthquake and was slated for replacement.

Oakland Tribune April 22, 1971

In 1976, the school underwent an upgrade for earthquake safety. They added a two-story basement with ten classrooms, two special education rooms, a multipurpose room, a library/resource teachers, a music room, a teachers’ lounge, a computer lab, a kitchen, storage, and custodial rooms. 

Crocker Highlands Today

Google Maps
Google Maps

More Info:

Grass Valley School

Oakland Tribune, November 4, 1953

In 1952, Oakland’s newest school was officially known as Grass Valley School. The name was chosen by the parents of the children attending the school after it was temporarily known as the Toler Heights Annex. Meadow View and Rancho Benito came in 2nd and 3rd.

On December 11, 1952, the school was dedicated. For the first 3 or 4 years, the school consisted of three portables and 100 students.

New School Building

Oakland Tribune July 5, 1956

In October 1957, plans were submitted to build a new school with eight classrooms. A kindergarten, a special education room, a library, a multipurpose room, and an admin. office. The new school was to house 362 students, cost about $350,000, and was expected to be completed by August 1958.

First Day of School 1958

Oakland Tribune September 8, 1958
Oakland Tribune September 8, 1958

Grass Valley Today

The school is located at 4720 Dunkirk Avenue

Google Maps
Google Maps

More Info:

Grass Valley Website – OUSD

Hillcrest School

I couldn’t find any earlier photos of the school. I will update you if I do.

Construction on the new Rockridge Highlands school began in 1950.

Oakland Tribune January 12, 1950

The new school housed 210 children in six classrooms, a kindergarten, and a library.

It was designed by Anderson and Simonds and cost $218,697.

The school was dedicated on January 19, 1951, and was the 27th building constructed as a result of the $15 million bond issue voted on in 1945.

Oakland Tribune January 19, 1951

In May 1951, Rockridge Highlands School’s name was changed to Hillcrest School.

Oakland Tribune May 31, 1951

1991 Fire

Hillcrest was spared during the 1991 Oakland Hills fire.

October 28, 1991

Forty-six Hillcrest families, including 59 of the 236 students, lost their homes in the fire.

The playground in 1993
S.F. Examiner
S.F. Examiner November 1, 1991

Hillcrest Today

The school is located at 30 Marguerite Drive

APPLE MAPS
Hillcrest Today – Google Maps

More Info:

Rockridge School

Note: I was unable to locate any pictures of the first school. I will update this if I find some.

Oakland Tribune, December 8, 1922

They purchased a triangular piece of property on Broadway Terrace, adjoining the Claremont Country Club, facing Broadway.

Triangle piece of land – Apple Maps

The school opened in February 1922. It cost $75,000.

They built a Spanish colonial renaissance-style two-story structure with cement stucco and a tile roof. The exterior was painted coral, with windows in a green-blue hue and tiles in a bright red.

Every one of the classrooms opened onto a terrace that sloped down to a garden.
Ventilation in the new building was provided by windows, rather than a fan, and there was a warm bench for drying wet shoes.

Large Play Space

“The kindergarten is one of the best in the west.”  

Oakland Tribune

The kindergarten contained ample play space, a fireplace, various nooks, and a glass porch.

Plans were approved for a new addition consisting of an assembly hall, and three classrooms were added in 1927.

Oakland Tribune, March 23, 1927

From Elsie’s Column in 1938

Condemned Building 1953 and 1971

In 1953, the auditorium was condemned and closed. Preliminary plans for a new one were drawn up in 1957.

Oakland Tribune September 9, 1953
Oakland Tribune December 12, 1957
Oakland Tribune April 29, 1959
Oakland Tribune April 29, 1959

The 1922 building was deemed unsafe after an earthquake in 1971.

Oakland Tribune April 15, 1971

In 1978-1979, the school building was demolished, and portable classrooms were installed on the grounds.

S.F. Examiner May 25, 1978

 The school closed after the 1988-89 school year and later became Far West High School, which closed in 2011. 

Rockridge Today

Apple Maps

The school is located at 5263 Broadway Terrace.

More Info:

Update Dec 2022

The End

Posted in Buildings, Schools, Then and Now

Then & Now – Oakland Schools Part 1 – B

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin

This is a continuation of Part 1 – University High School

I hope to show Then and Now images of most of the schools, along with a bit of history of each school I show. Some of the photos are in the form of drawings, postcards, or from the pages in history books.

Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.

University High School

University High School, which was built in 1922 and opened in 1923 and was designed by Charles W. Dickey.  The school is located at 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, (the original street name was Grove Street, but became MLK, Jr. Way in 1984)

The school initially opened in 1923 at what was 5714 Grove Street. “UNI” gained the reputation of the “feeder” high school of Oakland of students directly to the University of California.

 

The high school was closed following World War II in 1948.

University High School Circa 1922

In 1954, the campus was converted into the first location of Oakland City College, which later became Merritt College. Merritt College moved to its new campus in 1967. In the early 1970s, the location temporarily became a high school again, as Oakland Technical High School moved its students into the campus. In contrast, its normal location was retrofitted for earthquake safety. At the time, many called this site “Old Tech,” although Oakland Tech was actually opened at its current location in 1914, before University High School.

National Register of Historic Places

This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

The following photos are from the 1992 National Historic Places Registration Form.

National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.
National Register of Historic Places
University High School
The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 92001300.

University High School Today

University High Today

The school is now used by the North Oakland Senior Center. Annual events at the Center include holiday dances, birthday parties, and flea markets. There are weekly salsa, swing and line dancing classes, along with activities such as Tai Chi and blood pressure screening.

More Info:

The End

Posted in History, Schools

School War Work in 1918

Posted on by Dorothy Londagin
Oakland Tribune October 15, 1918

War work in the Oakland Public Schools during 1918 was considered one of the most essential items in the curriculum by both the school administration and the teachers.

They felt the first duty of the schools was to aid the national government in winning the war to the best of their ability.

Service became the keynote of all work. Oakland’s boys and girls realized that they had a particular part to play in making the world a safe place to live in.

Sewing and Knitting Classes

Oakland Tribune July 07, 1918

During the summer vacation, thousands of garments for refugees were made by the children as part of their regular classwork.

Sewing Classes
Board of Education 1919

Boys and girls of all ages learned to knit, and tireless little hands were busy every spare moment making garments for sailors, soldiers, and people of stricken countries.

Berkeley Schools also helped
Oakland Tribune August 25, 1918
Oakland Tribune August 25, 1918

School and Home Garden Army

The urgent need for higher food production led to the organization of the School and Home Garden Army in Oakland. Fifteen thousand children enlisted, and 6,00 brought their gardens to successful harvests.

Oakland Tribune April 18, 1918
Gardens
Board of Education 1919

Jackson Furniture Company offered two silver loving cups as prizes, one for the school having the best school garden, and one for the best home garden.

Oakland Tribune April 18, 1918

Luther Burbank visited Oakland and personally inspected many of the war gardens.

Oakland Tribune May 15, 1918

Jefferson School won the School Garden Cup, and Lakeview School won the Home Garden School Cup.

Oakland Tribune October 04, 1918
Oakland Tribune June 16, 1918

The Art Department devoted its time propaganda of publicity of the was needs through posters.

Oakland Tribune May 06, 1918

The Manual Training shops worked closely with the Red Cross. They created items needed for hospitals.

Liberty Loans

The schools helped raised money through the various Liberty Bond/Loan Campaigns.

Board of Education 1919

More Info

Looking back at a 1918 parade that helped spread the deadly flu, leaving nearly 13,000 dead – SF Gate – September 22, 2019

1918 Flu Pandemic – Oakland Local Wiki

The End