COMMUNITY HISTORY
Changing Times Roosevelt approaches a second century of change In March, our community will have the chance to vote on a zero projected tax-rate increase bond proposal which would yield $125 million for our schools. If passed, Roosevelt would transition to the new home of the Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts (CASA) in 2022 to begin its second century of service to our community. This would be made possible by the construction of a new Lower Elementary School in Jackson Park for our Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. This new building, budgeted for with only 20% of the bond funds, is designed to better fit our K-2 curriculum and free up the Roosevelt Building for a low-impact alternative use by CASA. Transitioning from a school of younger students to teens would not be the first dramatic change in Roosevelt’s first century. Originally built as an 8-room primary school (K-6) in 1921, the building served K-8 from 1932-1959. This capacity change prompted site expansions in 1939 and 1949. Even after the 7th and 8th grades moved to Lincoln High School in 1959, four more classrooms and a music room were needed on the Ridge Road side of the building site (completed in 1969.) The 8-room school cost $91,428 to build and had an enrollment of 313 in 1921. Classroom size was between 39 and 54 students to a teacher: nearly double the modern ideal. Throughout these many years, Roosevelt has been the home of many fine student memories. Recently, Oakland County Fire Marshal Paul Benedict and family toured the building where five generations of their family have started their education. “A memory I have is the June Fair. We always looked forward to this event. My mother, Josephine Arquette, always baked a beautiful chocolate cake for the bake sale, and my dad would always go there and buy it,” said Madelynne Cudney (1949-1958).
The Roosevelt School Kindergarten Class of 1937-38 sits proudly on the front steps of the building.
“My memories of Kindergarten are wonderful. My mother and her three sisters all lived on Maplehurst, Hyland, and Lewiston. Between the four families, there were thirteen children; and we all went to the same church and school,” said Mary Ann Sdao (1946-1954). Members of the Benedict family attended Roosevelt at various times from 1946–1966.
ABOUT CASA: a consortium program composed of Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Lamphere, Madison, Oak Park and Pontiac school districts–offering sixteen Advanced Placement courses, a vibrant visual arts curriculum, and a robust Advanced Dance program
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www.FerndaleSchools.org
