MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
First steps in centralization were implemented in the fall
of 1938 in the Del Bonita area. High school classes were
taught at Lens School. Mr. Gene Plunet was hired as a van
driver to transport high school children from Rinard and Del
Bonita schools to Lens, and elementary students from Lens
district to Rinard school.
That fall the Lens school burned down following a farewell
party for Bert Campbell. An oil well cook shack was moved
to the school yard and high school classes taught by John
Gordon completed their year in it.
By the fall of 1939 the Divisional Board of St. Mary's River
School Division had made arrangements to centralize the
schools at the present site of Del Bonita School. Land was
purchased from Harry Orcutt. One new classroom was built,
and the Del Bonita and Shanks Lake buildings and the barn
from Lens, were moved to the site. The sum of $745.00 was
paid for moving these two school houses and placing them on
cement foundations. The barn was moved by local people.
Three teachers, Mr. John Gordon, principal, Miss Edna
McLaren, and Miss Annie Walker were the teaching staff,
and Delbert Smith was the caretaker. Mr. Gordon left early
in the year to join the armored tank division of the Canadian
Army and Mr. Alec Dederer took his place as principal of
the Centralized school called Del Bonita in Lens No. 3328.
A few years later the name was shortened to Lens School
No. 3328. School districts included in the centralization
were Hillmer, Shanks Lake, De] Bonita, Lens, and Rinard.
Mr. Herman Hilimer was bus driver for the Shanks Lake-
Hillmer area, Mr. Osmond Allen for Del Bonita, and Mr.
Gene Plunet for Rinard and Lens. Roads weren't gravelled
and bus drivers had many hardships both winter and summer.
It was a mammoth task to bring children from five districts
together, and to foster school spirit among students who
had competed against each other in ball games, track
meets and school fairs. Mr. Dederer, Miss Walker, and
Miss McLaren were equal to the challenge. They helped
the children compose a school song, and held Friday
afternoon assemblies and sing songs. They supervised the
students with a Students' Union, a Junior Red Cross, and a
school paper. They put on a spectacular Christmas concert
which included every student in the school. When spring came
they coached the children for the Track and Field meet, and
on May 20, 1940 the school brought home the pennant for the
most points in the inter-school track and field meet for
subdivision 3, held at Taylorville.
In the fall of 1940 another new room and a basement had
been added to the new structure, and all three class rooms
were under one roof - with high school occupying the
basement room. The old Shanks Lake School was used
as a teachei-age for Mr. and Mrs. Dederer. During 1940
a well was drilled in the school yard.
In 1941 Twin River school district joined the centralization
and the staff was increased to four. The old Del Bonita
School was again pressed into service to house the
primary grades, one, two, and three. Grades four, five and
six; and seven, eight and nine occupied the main rooms of
the new building, while high school classes for grades ten,
eleven and twelve were held in the basement room. The
teachers boarded with families in the community.
Van drivers were Arvel Dustin, Twin River-Del Bonita;
Eugene Plunet for Rinard-Lens and Herman Hilimer for
Shanks Lake-Twin River areas.
The primary room was heated with a coal heater enclosed
in a jacket. The two main class rooms were heated with
a furnace, and the high school room had a separate heater
complete with jacket to increase circulation of warmed air.
Water for each room was stored in a covered earthenware
crock with a push button tap at the bottom. Each child
provided his own drinking cup. Outdoor toilets with high
board enclosures were some distance from the schools.
The school buildings weren't locked, and had no artificial
lighting. Library books included a few new ones, plus the
books that had come from the former one-roomed schools.
Books and supplies for each class room were kept in a
cupboard in the room.
Playground equipment had been built by the local black-
smiths, Loyal and Linden Jensen. This included teeter-
totters, swings, and giant strides. Softball and table tennis
were other games the children enjoyed.
July 26, 1945 the following lands were added: Those parts
of Sections 5 and 6 lying north of the North branch of the
Milk River and Section 7, in Township 2, Range 21; Sections
11-14, those parts of Sections I and 2 lying north of the north
branch of the Milk River, in Township 2, Range 22; all West
of the Fourth Meridian.
October 26, 1945 the following lands were added: That part of
Section 31 lying north of the north branch of the Milk River;
that part of Section 36 lying north of the north branch of the
Milk River in Township 1, Range 22; all West of the Fourth
Meridian.
In 1947-48 construction was begun to enlarge the school to
four classrooms and a chemistry lab all on one floor. A large
basement gymnasium was constructed under the addition, and
the former basement high school room was used as a kitchen
for community functions. At one time it even served as living
quarters for two young teachers. By 1950 with laying of
hardwood floor, the gymnasium was completed.
November 16, 1948 the sale of the old one roomed school was
given approval. This was the former Shanks Lake school
building.
On April 22, 1950 approval was given for sale of the other
oneroomed school at Lens. This was the Del Bonita one-
roomed school building which had been moved to the site
in 1939.
During the mid 40's a wind charger and later a power
plant were installed in the school. Calgary Power was
hooked on in 1954.
The teaching staff was increased to five in 1955 and the
old basement classroom was again utilized. Six teachers
were needed in 1956 so the lab was converted to a
classroom. 1957 saw the addition of a music teacher to
the staff, so a music and typing room was improvised in
the basement gymnasium. In 1958 grades 9,10,11 classes
were vanned to Magrath on Friday mornings for General
Shop and Home Economics instruction.
From about 1954 on, the local and divisional school boards
studied and worked on the proposal for a new school to
more adequately meet the needs of the area. Plans were
drawn up and approved by the Department of Education.
In 1960 the modern new building with six classrooms and
a Science and Chemistry lab, plus a standard size gymnasium
became a reality. The community helped the school board
to provide the gymnasium facility.
March 28, 1960 the following lands were transferred from
the Lens School District to the Del Bonita School District:
North-west quarter of Section 17, North-east quarter of
Section 18, south-east quarter of Section 19, south-west
quarter of Section 20, in Township 1, Range 21; West of the
Fourth Meridian.
April 6, 1960 the following lands were transferred to the Del
Bonita School District from the Lens School District; south-
east quarter of Section 18, in Township 1, Range 21; West
of the Fourth Meridian. The new school constructed in 1960
was located on this quarter of land and the name became
Del Bonita School No. 3275. The building was formally opened
with a special program on November 8, 1960. Six teachers
provided instruction from grades one through twelve, and a part
time teacher instructed classes in music from grade three through
high school. Four large school vans driven by Bob Manzke, Carl
Jorgensen, Albert Hilimer and Louis Secretan plus a feeder bus
driven by Dan Kolasko transported students to school.
In May 1961 approval was given for the old Del Bonita School
to be sold. Kolasko Brothers bought and dismantled it.
It wasn't long till seven full time teachers were required.
The laboratory and science room became the grade twelve
classroom in 1962. Seven full time teachers continued on
the staff till June of 1968 when the decision was made to
close the high school and van the students to Magrath.
1968-69 the school accommodated grades one through
nine with five teachers on staff. In 1970 the staff was
reduced to four and in 1973 to three teachers. In 1972
Janet Henry was hired as secretary and librarian, and was
succeeded during 1975-76 by Waltraud Jensen. In December
1972 Cecilia Patterson came on staff as a teacher's aid.
Del Bonita School has participated in intramural as well as
inter-school sports activities, basketball, volleyball, softball,
badminton, floor hockey, and table tennis have all been
enjoyed by students.
The annual school Christmas concert has been continued
ever since centralization in 1939. Excellent programs have
been arranged, followed by distribution of treats by Santa Claus.
The school is a vital part of the community. The gymnasium
and kitchen are available for social functions and sports
activities. School staffs have been co-operative and helpful
in the community.
When the schools were centralized a representative from each
former school district was appointed to a local school board.
Through the years the Del Bonita local school board has
been very helpful to the superintendent and the divisional board.
The members have taken their responsibilities seriously, and
have been an especially effective and interested local board.
They have made worthwhile recommendations to the divisional
board, and have been an effective means of keeping the
superintendent in touch with the community. Their diligent
efforts are much appreciated by local and divisional people.
Through the years many teachers have been involved in
education of students of Del Bonita centralized school.
John Gordon was the first principal in 1939 but left for
the armed service and was followed by Alec Dederer who
stayed for two years. Hugh A. Ferguson was principal from
1941-1944, H. L. West, 1944-1952; David Cooper, 1952-53;
Jasper E Blumel, 1953-55; Leon Zemp, 1955-57; H. L. West,
1957-68; David Cooper, 1968-69; George Taylor, 1969-71;
Ken Chipman, 1971-72; Henry Komelson, part of 1972,
followed by Bob Campbell 1972-75, Ken Williams, 1975-76;
Lloyd Evers 1976 to the present. Other teachers have
been Annie Walker (Jensen), Edna McLaren, Laprile Low,
Alex Semaka, Helen Bews (Newton), Elma Litchfield, Mrs.
Gladys Eddy, Mrs. Sadie Woods, Olga Odynsky, Mae Poulson,
Tillie Zoutiak, Joe Quintillio, Mrs. Mabel Weiss, Nick Kowalchuk,
Anita Bullock, Pauline Knight, Nick Ratsoy, Vera Law, Gwen
Broadhead, Bryant L. Stringam, Mrs. Vonza Mae Reeder, Mrs. E.
May Orr, Weltha Fullmer, Mrs. Alma J. Evanson, Emma Orosz,
Mrs. Magdalen Bleeks, David Cooper, Frances Willmott,
Geraldine Rubisch, Jane Dedio, Mrs. Lois Stapleton, Mrs.
Maurine Stanford, Beverly Caruthers, Mrs. Ella Poile,
Douglas Poile, Robert Secretan, Mrs. Alice Moffat, Mrs.
Nada Pilling, Harvey Mathers, Carolyn Gibb, Ron
Broadhead, Russell French, Carol Beswick, Priscilla
Blackmore, Mrs. Wilma Campbell, Mrs. Fay Bort, Mrs.
Selma Hadfield, Mrs. Donna Pitcher, Kent Pitcher, Mrs. Ann
Donovan, Mark Draper, Mrs. Mary Baldwin, Elaine Denkers,
Richard Meeks, Mrs. Ruth Bennett, Mrs. Rose Edgmond, Larry
Livingstone, Elaine Swenson, and Agnes Monroe.
Secretary-librarians have been Mrs. Janet Henry and Mrs.
Waltraud Jensen. Teachers aid, Mrs. Cecilia Patterson.
Caretakers have been Delbert Smith, H. L. West, Grace
West, Earl Jensen, Carl Jorgensen, Darel and Marlene
Smathers.
Bus drivers contracts for Twin River-Del Bonita have been
Oz Allen, Arvel Dustin, C. L. Secretan, L. J. Secretan, Edgar
Henry; for Rinard-Lens, Eugene Plunet, Michael Barnett,
Robert Manzke. Bob Manzke's bus has been driven by
George Williams, Tom Helgeson, Joe Gruninger, Darel Smathers
and Powell Foggin; northwest Lens, Earl Jensen, Carl J
orgensen, Darel Smathers; Shanks Lake-Hillmer, Herman Hillmer,
Hubert West, Dean Weiss, Robert Manzke and Albert Hillmer.
Divisional trustees for subdivision Number 3 have been: Fred
Luth, Lester Lee, Jim Godlonton, Les Campbell, and Glen
Powlesiand.
School Superintendents have been A. R. Gibson, Thomas
Hamilton, A. B. Evanson, E. W. Hinman, C. G. Merkley and
Grant Matkin. William Blackmore and Dr. Durfey have been
Assistant Superintendents.
In 1939-40 van drivers Gene Plunet and Herman Hilliiier were
each paid $5.00 a day and Osmond Allen $3.00 a day. This
was increased by $1.00 per day in 1940-41. In 1939 the
basic teacher's salary was $850.00 per year.
When Jefferson school closed in 1963 some of the students
from that district, and all those from Whiskey Gap attended
Del Bonita school for a few years.
It is a tribute to people of the area that from homestead
days to the present time ratepayers, school board members
and superintendents have been interested in providing the
best possible educational facilities for the community.
Their efforts and those of teachers who served the area
have been very much appreciated. It is gratifying that
students from Del Bonita School have gone on to be
successful in many professions and businesses.
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