Amana High School - Bugle Yearbook (Amana, IA)

Page 19 text:

Elementary School The construction of the Amana Elementary School at the lake side addition of Middle was officially begun on July 8 1953. At this time the board mem- bers contractors and a small gathering of visitors were present to watch Mr. Rudolph Blechschmldt, president of the school board, and nr. H. c. Moershel perform the ground-breaking by spading the first shovelso dirt. On February 1, seven months after work was begun, the building was opened by Hr. Blechschmidt at a brief ceremony in the gymnasium. Here all invited guests, teachers, and Amana Township School students had assembled foriie occasion. Dr. Moershel president or DDB Amana Church Society gave the invoca- tion which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Superintend- ent Selzer also introduced the various individuals who had planned and helped in the construction of the school. The 'L' shaped building on highway 220 is brick with Waylite interiors-- 30,000 bricks were used and 26,300 Waylite blocks. It consists of seven class rooms and rooms for storage, the furnace, and a kitchen, aside from the gym and shower rooms. No basement was provided for the school, but a tunnel around and under the structure takes care of plumbing facilities. All the floors except the gymnasiu are made of concrete, and the -finish work is all oak. Some of the attractions that help to form a cheerful atmosphere for the teachers and younger pupils attending school here are the many pleasantcomb- inations of colors in the big rooms and halls, large, numerous windows with venetian blindsg new green chalk boardsg and modern room conditioning systems which provide proper ventilation. The number of students at the school is l6l., 89 of whom are girls, 75, boys. Grades taught here range from kindergarten through sixth. Contractors who took charge of the construction were Mr. David Toenjes, architect from Waterloog Gethman Construction Company, Gladbrookg Boyd and Runmelhardt Heating Co. Iowa Cityg Young Plumbing Co., Waterloog Olson Elec-- trlc Co. Harengog Model Paint and Wallpaper Con Cedar Rapidsg Homestead Deco- ratinga iarshalltown. Various other businesses took charge of other details. addition, the school appreciated the contributions of various local businesses and organizations. These helped to bring about the completion of the building's facilities.