About the School

Historical Background

 

Cradled between two towering oak trees, West Side School's established learning environment is evident. Ever-changing yet educationally grounded, our West Side legacy radiates accomplishments that carry us through time to 2007. This school year, West Side's history was diligently collected through the excitement of our student-directed K-Kids Club, which has generated community projects since 2004.

The group of 32 members discovered historical data that culminated in a 100th-day celebration on January 25, 2006, honoring former 100-year-old teacher Mrs. Donna Netherland. Guided by an entertaining voice, the 233 students present became her prepared classroom and absorbed lifelong knowledge about our West Side School. Surrounded by antique desks, a school bell, textbooks, and inked sketches of the three school sites, her classroom transformed into the year 1929. City educator, Mr. Bill Armstrong, painted the school sketches.

Once again in a teacher role, Mrs. Netherland shared stories, as only one of West Side's reputable teachers could. Student led questions revealed that "West Side was an emergency formed school in the West End of town, which would only be housed for a few months in two small homes at the foot of Orchard road. The homes were given to the city by the Bemberg and Lanzstoff Corporation, with the promise to provide a school for the rapidly growing West End community.

That was August 8, 1929. Well, a few months became 19 ycars, as a new school was not built on Burgie Stroet until 1948!" Of interest to all who attended this memorable event was the fact that "School began daily with the ringing of a large school bell and eager children running out of their homes to go to school!"

Students, teachers, and parents took walking field trips to observe construction on Burgie Street for a new school building, which did not include a cafeteria. Food would be prepared at Immanuel Baptist church and transportod daily to the hallway - lined tables and hungry first through sixth graders. Photographs of West Side School are featured in The Watauga Spinnerette (May 1952). Former principal, Mr. Will Andrews, gave this issue to K-Kids for our archives.

Continued captivating and laughter-filled moments mesmerized listeners with stunning information that West Side's annual monarch butterfly project began 78 yars ago in the reading books of Mrs. Netherland's first graders when she "took the children out into the meadows around the school houses to colloct monarch caterpillars so that everybody could see them turn into a butterfly."

This event remains a highlight of learning every autumn. The project was chronicled in the J.C. Press in September 2005.

K-Kids furthered the historical foundations by honoring former faculty and staff members with an after-school tea on January 24, 2007. In interviews with the fun-filled group, it was learned that special events included Wild Cat Day, Gold Dust, Family Reading Night, Career Day, and Space Week, which won the TEA Spaco Award in 1993. K-Kids revealed memories that documented the highly successful population of students who yearly passed amongst these walls - walls that are now shaded by maturing oak trees.

The original building contained a multipurpose room, which is now the second-grade classrooms. Community growth led to additions constructed in 1968, with 4 classrooms, a gym, and a cafeteria. A larger multi-media library and classroom were added in 1981. The library was located in the present third-grade classroom and was shared with the principal.

West Side did not have a secretary until 1973 when Ms. Gayle Heaton arrived and remained for 23 years. The first computer entered the building in 1982 and was in Principal Willie Church's office. Further development occurred in January 2001, when a shared music/art room, a primary classroom, and a teacher assistant room were built for $300,000. Playground space, a track area (1995), kids' team tennis, and a resurfaced tennis court, along with outdoor learning areas, have added needed advantages to physical awareness in the school curriculum. In the spring, Barth Day honors an annual clean-up of the school grounds.

Ms. Bertha Hyder first established the leadership of the schoolhouses. Guidance at the new school was provided by Ms. Alice Hyder, who served as principal for 27 years.

Numerous faculty and staff have facilitated extended learning with educational nurturance and dedication for 87 years. Mrs. Netherland was graciously honored with 34 red roses at our 100th day historical celebration. Her tenure is presently the longest recorded one at our school.

The classroom audience on this special day also witnessed another historical event, as Mrs. Netherland was crowned West Side's May Day Queen of 2006. May Day tradition has permeated a time span of ribbons circling May Poles, crowning the Queen and King, upbeat music, and the creative arts. Returning students and colleagues readily share May Day performances. The original May Pole still stands at the cast end of our building. Community artist Ms. Suze Coetzco hand-painted it in honor of retiring teachers Mr. Bill Scott and Ms. Joyce Sweeney (2004).

History has a message to be voiced that only participants can fathom. History is meant to be voiced and shared. Weekly school communication has been published in the form of newsletters, The West Side Story, The West Side Pride, The Friday Note, and The Wildcat News. Ycarly annuals document the faces of our commitment to being here. During our 87 years, and as stated in the 1973-74 annual "many have come and gone - all having left a little of themselves to become a part of warm memories", and the educational traditions West Side School continually offers.

Recently, a former student surprisingly discovered the cultivators of our oak trees. "guestimated" planting rather "large oak seedlings during his second grade year (1965)."

Fortunately, the beauty and strength of our trees were rescued in the autumn of 2005. They will provide a fortress for pondering enriching teachable moments in history for all who enter the path of learning as a West Side Wildcat. West Side pride and knowledge travel onward in our students' minds.

Ms. Netherland gathered admiration from students and colleagues through the years. Her K-5th grade classroom on January 25, 2006, lovingly shared her last teachable moment as she celebrated 101 years of life on January 31, 2006, and quietly passed away on February 20, 2006. We are most grateful for this historical moment.

During the 2007 School Year, Mrs. Pam Norris, Mrs. Joyce Sweeney, and Mr. Corey Gardenhour worked on a project to increase technology at West Side. Northeast State Community College donated 65 computers to the school, which outfitted every classroom with at least four new computers.

The PTAC, led by Tracey Hayes, has also outfitted many of the rooms with smartboards this school year in a multiyear focus on increasing technology in our school.

Looking to the future, Mr. Corey Gardenhour dreams of a four-classroom addition and a full-size gymnasium.

The school system has asked for the capital expenditure to renovate the school. This will allow our school to grow and expand services for our students.

Principal: Mr. John Wright
Asst. Principal: Dr. Tammy Markland