CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

"I have fond memories of Roosevelt in the '40s.  Attended first grade with Phoebe King as our teacher.  I think Else Thomas was an assistant teacher. We lived on East Valerio St., so the Upper East Side was my childhood world. Of course Roosevelt was close to the Mission and to Mission Creek, which I loved.  In the fall, we in first grade would gather sycamore leaves for the trees lining the creek to create autumn displays for the classroom. I remember Mrs. King as a kind and much-loved figure. I do have a photo of our class in font of the school.

Several years later, I was in 6th grade with Mr. Rambeau--a great teacher. By that time we were studying world affairs and I well remember doing a presentation on Communist China! Then there were special assemblies and holiday events, including Christmas pageants.  I have my 6th grade report card and some class photos. Good memories."

"I lived at 2211 Garden St (corner of Garden & Los Olivas St) and spent lots of time "running around" the Old Mission & seminary grounds. When I was in sixth grade, (1957-58) my brother & I built a sail car (instead of a go cart) and sailed it on the smooth black- top play ground of  Roosevelt. My favorite teacher of my Roosevelt years was my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Penny. I remember he let the class listen to the radio during the World Serries games. I thought he did that for us students but it probably was for his own reasons! I'm pretty sure he was a Dodgers fan. I'm forwarding a photo of my 4th grade class. I wish I could remember more names of the students, but the few I do recall are: John Smith, lower right; Tony ?, third of lower right; Richie ?, third from top left; and yours truly; bottom left."

"My father attended Roosevelt in the late 1920's, as did my sister and brother and I in the 1950s-60s all from kindergarten through sixth grade. We lived two blocks from school, so walked or biked everyday past the dog at Garden & Mission to school. 

I remember kindergarten "naptime", participated in after school sports,  and orchestra with Miss Santee learning to play drums in 3rd grade. Those formative years bring warm memories and spawned lifelong friendships to this day more than 60 yrs ago. I clearly remember all my teachers and names, all of which taught life-long lessons and learning and prepared me to tackle life downstream to this day. 

Memories include school carnivals and the Maypole and cakewalks, earthquake "duck and cover" drills, learning to square  dance in the auditorium, our school nurse, occasional "field trips",  being a "milk monitor", and working in the cafeteria. Also sometimes led the morning pledge of allegiance at the flagpole  between the upper and lower playgrounds.  Of course  developed my first crush and "steady" girlfriends. Learned my multiplication tables and cursive handwriting, sports and team lessons, built models of the Old Mission with dyed red macaroni for the roof tiles. Watched movies and filmstrips, and in 3rd grade a 20 minute weekly television program teaching beginning Spanish language.  Also had my 1st "charge account", a credit line for $2.00 with the Helms Bakery truck which stopped by on Emerson Ave above the school steps after school. I collected soda bottles and turned them in for redemption value to pay my balance if I didn't have enough left from my weekly allowance... 

Lots of independence, no computers, calculators, smartphones or beepers, just mimeograph newsletters and hopefully a good report card..

My father as a Pediatrician often reminded me how important our elementary school teachers are, and to thank them where possible for their many life-lessons.  All great memories to this day."

"I attended Kindergarten ('60-''61) and 1st grade (''61-''62) at Roosevelt. I lived on Grand Ave and remember walking down (and up) the very steep Pedregosa and entering campus from the playground. I had Miss Robson for K and Mrs. Shurtleff for 1st. I was delighted to see them both again about 15 years later at a concert at Westmont. I called Miss Robson on her birthday sometime in the '90s and told her I'd been in her class 30-odd years before. She asked if I was in the morning or afternoon class and I didn't remember, but when I told her the names of several other classmates she immediately knew which one."

"My sisters Meredith (1949) and Robin (1952) and I walked to Roosevelt from our home on Olive Street.  I have lots of memories from my years there, including meeting my best friend Sue Toll, who remains my best friend today, in kindergarten, teacher Mrs. King (1st grade?), the brownie troop I belonged to, playing on the blacktop, and more.  I'll have to put my attention to some of the other teachers, as their names aren't immediately coming to mind. Hopefully I can add to these recollections.

The area around Roosevelt was wonderful.  We participated in activities at the Natural History Museum, Rocky Nook Park, and the grounds of the Mission.  It was a lovely and carefree experience!"

"So many memories! The jog-a-thon, 4th grade sleepover in the cafeteria, selling popsicles on Fridays, outdoor school. In particular, I remember helping with the Rebuild Roosevelt campaign. We sat in the library stuffing envelops for what felt like hours to 10-year-old me. I licked envelopes until my stomach hurt. At which point an adult offered me a sponge.  I also walked door-to-door asking people to please vote yes on the ballot measure. It helped teach me a sense of civic duty."