CASANFRA-L Archives

Archiver > CASANFRA > 2003-11 > 1069697693


From: carolyn <>
Subject: [CASANFRA] VERNA JEAN BOARDING SCHOOL- PALO ALTO
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 10:15:26 -0800


There was a boarding school in Palo Alto named Verna Jean.(exact dates
unknown-but I do know it was there in 1944 and through approx 1954)
Prior to this the school was located in San Francisco-

The school was run by Ella Schaeffer (called "Auntie" by the students)
She had two daughters, Verna and Jean- that is the reason for the
name of the school.

The school was located in the Barron Park neighborhood of South Palo
Alto- just off El Camino Real - It was located on La Selva way -off of
Military Way

The cooks name was Mrs Roberts-

This is not a request for genealogy information. I am just in hopes
that I may be in contact with someone who also shares memories of this
school, or has further historical information.

It was a one room school - and when located in Palo Alto most of the
kids were boarding students from San Francisco as I recall. I was one
of the few day students.
Thanks,

Carolyn

prior research collected:

from Ron Filion:
In 1929 and 1930 Ella L. Shaffer, a widow (husband William), was listed
as a teacher living at 251 Avila. From 1931 to 1941,
she was listed as a principal at the Verna Jean School at 2357 Chestnut,
also her residence.


"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."
from:
"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.
>
>






This thread: