SCHOOLS OF HIGHLANDS AND BELLEVUE

BELLEVUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

John Tidridge never really sets out to make a historical document... his writings hopefully add a little humanness! Holly Platt, is with the Edmonton Public School Board (Archives) and is a colleague of Lori Clark. Both have either provided or caused to be provided, the information used.

The start of the project (Schools in the Highlands-Bellevue area) had a rocky start due to mismatched computer systems... we all worked at making it easier for John Tidridge.

From: "Holly Platt" Holly.Platt@epsb.ca
To: "John Tidridge" jtidridge@interbaun.com
Subject: Emailing: Bellevue History.doc
Date: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 9:10 AM

Bellevue History.doc

Hello John,

We will do this one school at a time.
Bellevue School opened in 1950.
It was named after the district.
It closed in 2003.
Address is 11515 - 71 street.

Bellevue is one of the City's smaller neighbourhoods, Bellevue was developed prior to 1950. Eastglen Composite High School, which serves students in much of east central Edmonton, is a dominant feature of the area (though a high proportion of area residents are over the age of 60 or retirees).

Bellevue is highlighted by stunning views of the river valley and the city skyline.

The attached information is what I have on the companies involved in building it.

June 27, 1949

EDMONTON PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD

Madam and Gentlemen:

Re: Bellevue School

Tenders for the General and Electrical Contracts for the above *school closed at twelve noon, Friday, June 24 ^the. Tenders were opened in the Board Room in the presence of M. J. C. Macdonald, Chairman of the Board, Mr,. R.H. Rae, Chairman of the Property Committee, and Mssrs. William Morrow, H. Fowler, R.S. Sheppard, H. G. Turner, and the writer. All tenders received were offered on a firm bid basis as tabulated herewith.

I have examined the tenders carefully and recommend that the Prudham Construction Company's tenders in amount of $197,114.45 for the Bellevue School be accepted for the General Contracts and that the tender submitted by the Young Electric Co. in the amount of $13,996.00 for *Bellevue School be accepted for the Electrical Contract.

My recommendations are in each case that the lowest tender received and the firms are well established, reliable contractors. The Prudham Construction Company has carried out several contracts for the Board with entire satisfaction and Young Electric Co. are successors to the firm S.E. Noble Electrical Contractors on the five elementary schools now nearing completion. I have every reason to believe that their work will be of the same high standard as that of S.E. Noble

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

W. W. Burchart, M.R.A.I C.

ARCHITECT AND SUPT. OF PLANT.

* letters changed to reflect only the cost of Bellevue

April 29, 1955

EDMONTON PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD

Madam and Gentlemen:

Tenders for the above noted additions closed at 12:00 noon, Friday April 29 ^th, and were opened at that time by the Secretary-Treasurer in the presence of Trustee D.H. Bowen, Assistant Superintendent W.F. Wagner and the writer.

I have examined the tenders submitted, and present a tabulation herewith for your consideration.

Bellevue School Principals

1950-51 - 1953-54 Ralph O. Pritchard
1954-55 - 1965-66 John S. Sandercock
1966-67 - 1967-68 Archie D. Marzolf
1968-69 - 1971-72 Nick L. Hrynyk
1972-73 - 1977-78 Donald C. Geake
1978-79 - 1979-80 Wesley S. Rider
1980-81 - 1984-85 Audrey Clark
1985-86 Neil Robblee
1986-87 - 1988-89 Louise Bentley
1989-90 - 1993-94 Marty Bodnar
1994-95 - 1995-96 Joan McIsaac
1996-97 - 1997-98 Sandy Sawchuk
1998-99 - 2002-03 Pat Fizell

Prior to 2003

The last month or so has continued to be jam-packed with authentic learning adventures for all our students. Ms. Lopatinski's "Meet the Shapleys" project challenged Grade 1 and 2 students to apply geometry skills using a problem solving approach. The children were highly engaged in mathematics, language arts and art as they designed, created and described their own "Shapley Family" world.

Our Grade 3 and 4 students investigated Natives in North America through field work integrating cultural anthropology, science, language arts, art and music. Bellevue parent Anna Curtis enriched the project, as did support from Human Resources Development Canada, EPSB Native Liaison Consultant Edith Dalla Costa and Strathcona Wilderness Centre personnel. Besides building a 12-foot teepee, our junior anthropologists created reports and displays describing what life was like 900 years ago.

Students in grades 5 and 6 enriched their studies through several field experiences. Miss Jespersen and students used University of Alberta Museums and Collections to learn about archeological research, explore artifacts and prepare reports, presentations and displays depicting life in Ancient Greece. Research into aerodynamics and flight with Mr. Goulden was also a hit. Guest presenters included a professional pilot from Kenn Borek Aviation who used actual model aircraft to demonstrate his points. Students created research reports and displays to share their knowledge of aerodynamics, including flight before aviation. Highlands Library visited us twice, hosting Young Readers' Choice Awards voting for students in grades 3 through 6 on March 21 and an author visit by Karleen Bradford on April 11. Bellevue students are learning to read and reading to learn.

Thank you to all our learning community helpers. Our Team Works!

Some school closures are alright, especially during those lazy days of summer, when the last thing a student wants is to attend classes!! Closing a school permanently, however, evokes many memories-some good, some bad. What follows is a mixture of mainly good (plus some not-so-good) memories connected to Bellevue Elementary School.

Speaking at official opening ceremonies on Dec. 2, 1950, Mr. H. B. Fowler, chairman of the Edmonton School Board property committee, said Bellevue elementary school had been made as perfect as is humanely possible. As reported by the Edmonton Bulletin, he also said a high school, with technical shops, would open in the adjacent grounds. The school, which had been open since the previous September, would accommodate 400 pupils and 10 teachers. The school's first principal, Mr. R. Prichard, presided at the opening. Mr. R. H. Rae, chairman of the Edmonton public school board indicated the city was trying to keep its education facilities apace with growth. Mr. W. F. Quilley, president of the Bellevue Home and School Association, talked of the vital part this organization could play in the future life of the new school.

A woman who served the school as secretary for 16 years is among those who recall happy memories. A cooperative and enthusiastic staff and interesting (had a bit of a struggle for the right word!!) children, immediately came to mind. She also recalled a sparkling clean school, a sign of efficient custodians. She particularly remembered the 50th Anniversary where bulletin boards covered with student work lined the hallways. The Minister of Education at the time, David King, was a speaker for the occasion. See accompanying article for more school memories.

Seeing into the future: "Bellevue school reunion could be its last," proclaims a headline in the Edmonton Journal of June 9, 1981. Reunion organizer Marilyn Cross, a former student, is quoted as saying, "With enrollment going down the school may disappear, so this is sort of our last kick at the cat." The article quotes Audrey Clark, the principal, saying that enrollment was just over 70 and she fears closure may be just around the corner.

Closure became reality at the May 27, 2003 meeting of the Edmonton Public School Board Trustees.

1. June 28, 1949: Payment authorized for a $120 bill submitted by Mr. W. Bulmer to rewire his house, which was moved from the Bellevue site.
2. July 9, 1949: Stainless steel sinks substituted for porcelain enamel sinks in Bellevue school at extra cost of $92.01.
3. April 24, 1951: Contract awarded to Prairie Nurseries Ltd. to supply planting materials and landscaping labour for Bellevue ground, at a cost of $209.90.
4. Jan. 22, 1952: Church of Gospel Hall granted use of Bellevue school building for Sunday school.
5. Dec. 8, 1953: Three portable classrooms to be built at Bellevue school at estimated cost of $10,000 each.
6. Jan. 11, 1954: four-room addition planned for Bellevue.
7. Jan. 19, 1954: Beginning Sept. 1, Bellevue overflow will take advantage of unused classrooms in Eastglen composite high school. Acting assistant principal appointed.

a. approve recommendation (that the school be closed)
b. Trustee Hansen suggested the the administration consider providing students with transportation at no extra costs.

School closure policy
Excerpted from Edmonton Public School Board Policies and Regulations
The board believes that the closure of schools is an important consideration in ensuring the responsible use of the resources placed in its trust; making efficient use of the district's school space and safeguarding the health and safety of students, staff and the public
The board reserves to itself the authority to close an entire school or three or more consecutive grades in a school...
An entire school of three or more consecutive grades in a school may be considered for closure if one or more of the following criteria are met (criteria abbreviated)

1. for elementary schools, an average of 15 or fewer students per grade;
2. less than 40 per cent of the space is utilized;
3. unreasonably high costs of keeping/making the school operable
4. building presents health and safety concerns;
5. parents and guardians of a majority of students agree closure should be considered.

Grades 1 to 3 students at Bellevue school are preserving and beautifying a little bit of nature in their neighbourhood. Every week, the students bring their rakes and garbage bags to a small park on 71 Street and 114 Avenue. There they energetically pick up litter, leaves and even the messes left behind by neighbourhood dogs.

Kimberly Criss and Wendy Olund

"As the weather warms up, the students and their teachers plan to plant flowers, put up bird feeders, and weave birds nests from twigs at the park," says teacher Linda Parasiuk. The students started the project on Earth Day, April 22, and will continue to keep the park clean in the coming years, Parasiuk says. Students and teachers also plan to get together during summer vacation months to care for plant life and pick up litter at the park.

Article by Liz Rees, provided by City of Edmonton Archives

The following ladies have been identified:
Rear row: second from left, Millicent McPherson; fourth from left, Evelyn Yakemchuk; right rear, Marjory ?.
Front row: first left, Ann Danyluk; third, Gloria Duckworth; seventh Jill ?

If you know others, contact John Tidridge, 474-1594, jtidridge@interbaun.com

I attended Bellevue from grades 1 through 6 (there was no kindergarten). My Grade 1 class had 30 students. We were in Room 8 with Miss McDonald, who attended our 50th Reunion.

Grade 1 students usually received a tree on Arbour Day in June. In my Grade 1 year, the Minister of Education came to Bellevue and with the entire school body of over 300 students on the front lawn planted the elm tree that now sits majestically by our front entrance.

The school was full to the brim. In fact, there was no music room, no library, no staff room-just classrooms and portables. The playground consisted of monkey bars, teeter totter, a roundabout and uneven bars at the south end of the school where the parking lot is now located.

Community was important, and the school was enhanced by the way the community supported it. Each year, the School Council would put on a tea for the community in our school gym, with students as waiters. The school also showed movies on Saturday mornings for the students who could return.

When my children attended Bellevue, we had become smaller. There were fewer children in the surrounding area because Northlands and the freeway had taken many of the homes in our catchment area. My youngest son was at Bellevue when there were only 45 students. He was in a 3-4-5-6 combined class. The playground by this time had been moved to where it is located now, but we had lost the teeter totter and the roundabout because of safety issues.

During the years that followed, as a staff member I saw the school once again grow in numbers to around 150. We were able to put in a new playground for the children in the community. Things bustled-concerts, teas, field trips. But again, enrollment declined. It is with fond memories and a sad heart that I see the last of our students complete their years at Bellevue.

Living in our home on 68 Street in 1944, we could believe that we were in a rural area. Facing west, we saw trees and bushes, heard birds, picked flowers and even saw a cow grazing. Northwest we could hear and smell Burn's Packing Plant and regularly hear the train whistle during the night. With the ending of the war all quickly changed, as homes were built in the area for returning veterans and their families. By 1949, it was well settled.

September 1950 saw the opening of Bellevue School. All classes were filled and in a few years it was necessary to add more rooms to the north end. My three children all attended Bellevue and have many memories of their elementary days. The parents quickly formed a Home and School Association, meeting once a month with staff. I remember good meetings, interesting speakers, plenty of discussion, bake sales to obtain funds for the extra equipment-a busy time for all of us.

I joined the staff in 1959 and remained for 15 years. I remember crowded classrooms, work-filled days but many exciting, happy events: Christmas and spring concerts, sport days, Halloween parties, Valentine boxes, class picnics in Borden Park, Grade 6 girls serving tea at their "graduation" afternoon. The Bellevue Community League was also active and there was a close relationship between parents in the neighbourhood.

Changes took place on the opening of Capilano Bridge and subsequent streets, as blocks of houses were removed and Bellevue lost many families. School attendance rapidly reduced and continued to do so. After leaving the staff, I returned to the school as a volunteer and so have witnessed the decline of the school population. In spite of the low attendance, the excellent teaching and parent cooperation has always been present. After 53 years, Bellevue School will be closed but happy memories will always be with us.

THE END OF AN ERA

Bellevue School closed in and later was used by DECSA

DECSA

IMPRESSIONS... first impressions, if people only realized how important they are... Now take the Distinctive Employment Counselling Services of Alberta... located in the former Bellevue School.

I initially visited the premise about four months ago... my aim: to secure an interview with a staff member. The receptionist greeted me cheerfully, gave me all kinds of helpful advice on how to set up the appointment. On my return in September, different receptionist, but the same courteous help. I met Darrel Regehr, Associate Executive Director, and spent a pleasant 45 minutes with her discussing the function of the organization. I was also given a tour and staff members we passed said good morning, to me, as if they meant it... and, the facility is well laid out and sparklingly clean...

So while most of our discussion centred around what is provided and, for whom... and this covered many, many areas, including but not restricted to, working with victims of violence, assisting those whose limited abilities restrict them to very specific tasks, helping to rebuild injury-shattered careers, providing loans to start small businesses, providing free computer and telephone accessibility, teaching people how to complete a résumé, supporting an art program for those with mental health concerns,... that they were funded by a Provincial Government Agency, that they had the cooperation of employers, from varying industries, that they helped employers in the task of developing people, and, that they were very conscious of their position in the community, that a staff of 40-44 people was on the pay roll, that the group started in 1977...all very good and professional... however, what struck me during the course of the interview was that a tremendous sense of caring existed in this organization, it was not just a place where people came in and were shunted or shuffled through various 'steps', alone and frustrated... Persons were carefully monitored with mentoring both during and after a completed program. A desire to see results in the people... I was impressed!

Why not drop-in and ask for a tour!!

© All Rights Reserved by John Tidridge, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada