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From: "Carolyn Feroben" <>
Subject: [CASANFRA] VERNA JEAN SCHOOL
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2000 06:46:52 -0800


Hi Folks-

I am looking for any information you might have for a private school founded
in San Francisco about 1928- here is the information that I have (Thank you
John Ireland!)

Page 97-98: "Founded and organized by Ella Shaffer, the Verna Jean
Kindergarten and primary school in San Francisco has been in existence for
three years and was first located on Avilla street. It soon outgrew the
original quarters and a substantial brick building of fireproof construction
was erected at 2357 Chestnut street, in the heart of the Marina district.
The three floors of the building are used for the school and this beautiful
structure is being enlarged by the addition of a dormitory. The school
takes the children up to and through the third grade. There are large
indoor playrooms, as well as large outdoor yards, where the children enjoy
supervised play. Hot, dietary lunches are served and regular dental and
medical service is maintained - unusual features in schools of this type.
Connected with the school from June 15 to August 15, during the period of
vacation, is the summer school, ideally situated on the campus of Stanford
University in Palo Alto, which enjoys a salubrious and delightful climate.
Well known in her profession, Miss Shaffer is widely recognized as an
authority on matters relative to the education of children and has made the
Verna Jean Kindergarten and primary school one of the finest institutions of
the kind in San Francisco."

The reference is found in:
> "The History of San Francisco, Biographical, Vol. II" (only); Lewis
> Francis Byington,
> Supervising Editor, Oscar Lewis, Associate Editor, The S. J. Clarke
> Publishing Company,
> Chicago-San Francisco, 1931.

I am interested in anything further, and especially more information on Ella
Shaffer- I do know that this school was operating as a boarding school in
Palo ALto in 1949- I do not know if the San Francisco School was also
operating at that time.

Anything appreciated, Thanks, Carolyn

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