WELCOME TO VICTORIA PUBLIC SCHOOL

12433 Dillon Rd., Tecumseh, ON N8N 1C1
PH: 519-735-4051
FAX: 519-735-0832
PRINCIPAL: Dave Simone
VICE PRINCIPAL:
SECRETARY: Suzanne Beneteau
GRADES: JK-3
SUPERINTENDENT: Jeff Hillman
www.gecdsb.on.ca/schools/elem/vps

VICTORIA PUBLIC SCHOOL HISTORY

It was 1925 when Percy Clapp decided children in Tecumseh needed a public school in the area. This would save them from having to travel to the old schoolhouse on Jarvis St. (in what was then the Village of Riverside) to attend classes. From the Clapp land that stretched from Lake St. Clair to the CN tracks, and easterly from St. Pierre St. to Barry Ave., Percy donated a piece of his land on Dillon Drive where the school now sits. And as the story goes, Victoria Public School was named after Percy's mother, Victoria Clapp. It's heritage that saved the school from having to change its name. When the city and county boards amalgamated to form the Greater Essex County District School Board, it had two schools named Victoria (one in Tecumseh and one in Windsor), so one of the names had to be changed. The rich history of the Tecumseh school was enough for the Board to change the Windsor school's name to Queen Victoria Public School.

Our daily actions must demonstrate compassion and respect for the rights and feelings of others. As a caring society, we share an awareness that, as individuals, our greatest strength may be to use our gifts and talents for the benefit of others.

We are proud of what we do, and sincerely believe that we have the potential to make a positive difference in the lives of our students.

During the 1920's and 1930's there was no kindergarten. Children started their education in Grade 1. The old two-room school held classes for children from grades one to eight. The Junior Room and Senior Room each held four classes, with one teacher per room. The front doors of the school were located directly on Dillon Drive. At that time, Dillon Drive was called Ottawa, and was later renamed Dillon after John Dillon, who was killed in World War II. The school day ran from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an hour and a half for lunch. Many of the students walked home for lunch. Recess time was spent outdoors playing jacks, hopscotch, softball and skipping. Students were not allowed to walk on the grass in front of the school. There were no P.D. Days, but once every couple of years the students had a few days off for a Teachers' Convention.

When Charles V. Young started as principal and Senior Room teacher in 1936, he also taught some first and second year high school students. For some, it was too expensive to travel to Windsor to attend a high school. His starting salary was $830.00 a year.

There was a Home and School Club, which was run like a Parents' Committee would run today. There was a tent set up beside the school to host the annual September Fair. This was a real event and everyone brought jams, jellies, fruits and cookies. At Christmas time, the Goodfellows would visit the school, and Santa would bring everyone a small brown bag of hand-made Christmas candy.

In 1975, Victoria Public School celebrated its 50th anniversary. They also celebrated the extra room they got from the new addition. Before the construction, students were being taught at Tecumseh United Church because there was not enough room in the school. The school at this time went to Grade 6. That was the time when female staff were not allowed to wear pants, and Encyclopedia Brown and Curious George were favourite books.

The next major phase of construction, in 1993, included 11 classrooms and other facilities. The portables that had been added over the years were removed. Over the years, the school reduced the number of grades. Today, the school has Junior and Senior Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes.

Victoria's 75th Anniversary- September 30, 2000

Victoria celebrated its 75th anniversary on September 30, 2000. It was a lovely day and we had an excellent turnout of former staff, students and trustees. Bulletin boards decorated according to decades brought back many memories as people roamed the halls chatting with old friends. A video was playing at different stations throughout the school showing.many wonderful memories of Victoria from 1925 to 2000.

A short ceremony was held in the gym. Bob Garrett sang a song which he wrote about our school's history. Mr. Ed Renaud, our Mayor, presented us with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the town of Tecumseh. Mr. Ron Pronger, retired Director of the Essex County Board of Education was present and extended his best wishes. Millie Bozanich, our current principal and past principals Harry Fiddler, George Armbrust, Frank Kapasi, Bob Garrett, Stan Fraser and Grant Balsdon join vice-principals Carol Parkin and Bob Outram to cut the cakes.

We moved outside to plant trees in memory of students and staff who are no longer with us. Thank you to those who purchased plants to donate to our "Victoria Garden".

Mrs. O'Neil made the beautiful cakes that everyone enjoyed and many parents sent in delicious baked goods for us to munch on.

Over the past few months students were very fortunate to hear stories from former students Harry Hayes, Ken Koekstat and Jim Belcher, and staff Christine Menna, George Merritt and Bob Garrett.

Thank you to Pam Regnier, teacher/librarian at Victoria, who was responsible for organizing all of us and getting the plans in motion for our special anniversary. Thanks to Ruth Bridgen, (Grade 1 teacher) who made the video with many wonderful memories. We appreciate all the hours you dedicated to the video. It was terrific.

Our day was a great success and we would like to express a very sincere thank you to all those that worked so hard to make it happen, and to those who came to share our day and walk through our halls once again.