Conejo Grammar School

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Conejo Grammar School

In January of 1927 the children who attended Duke School returned after Christmas vacation to a new build – the Conejo School. The building was erected near the corner of Conejo and Peach Avenues at a cost of $16,000. The architect was E.W. Peterson, and the builders were Graham and Sons of Dinuba

The new school was viewed by the community with much pride. Built of red bricks covered with concrete, it was described as one of the most attractive rural schools in Fresno County. It resembled an early California mission with a tile roof, large bell tower, arched doorway, and a covered open corridor with arched openings. Augie Bisi remembers that two classrooms, a library and social room, a kitchen, and modern restrooms were contained in the L-shaped building. No photograph of this Conejo school was found; however, blueprints were found which verify written and oral descriptions.

The grounds were landscaped and water came from a well on the school property. Restrooms were approached from an open corridor. The principal had no office – he was usually one of the teachers.

The personnel of the Duke School District remained as the governing body of the new Conejo School; J. M. Rutherford, clerk; H. E. Crane and R. H. Capehart, trustees; teachers were William Ryan, principal, and Frances Bower.

Nola Whitley taught second and third grades for five months in 1947 in the main building. She remembers that a wooden framed bungalow at the back of the brick building housed the first and second grades, which were taught by Mrs. Knapp. Mrs. Knapp also taught instrumental music to the upper grades. Dale Western taught fourth and fifth grades and the principal taught the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.

Mrs. Whitley remembers that the school enrollment had swelled because of an influx of people from the ‘Dust Bowl’ area. Some of these families lived in tents on farms, but their children came to school dressed immaculately. Robert Crabtree was one of Mrs. Whitley’s students and his family still resides in the area.

A new school was built in two phases starting in 1951 with an office and a classroom. The next year four more classrooms were added. Cost of the construction was reported at $140,000.

The 1927 building was torn down in 1952. The old bell, originally taken from the Duke School, was mounted in front of the new building.

The graduation program of the first graduating class from the new school in June 1952 named the following trustees; M. R. Crabtree (clerk), Mart Raven, H. B. Mason, and Howard Nash. The program also listed five classroom teachers plus a music teacher. The principal, Joseph E. Lewis, taught the eighth grade class – the graduating class. The fourth and fifth grade teacher, Dale Western, was also the bus driver. The other teachers were Neva Keith (first and second grades), Dorothy Crow (second and third), Maguerite Riggs (sixth and seventh) and Barbara Gipson (music).

The graduating class included seventeen students – all active in sports or music. Linda Miller was valedictorian, Robert Crabtree and Dennis Leavelle shared salutatorian honors. Thomas Souza was Class President.

The last trustees of the Conejo School Board were Arlie Rogers, Tom Dighiera and Ethelene Morris. Clark McGoon was the principal. This board dissolved in 1963 when the school unified with the Laton School District. Enrollment the last year of separate operation was ninety-four students.

By the 1980s, enrollment began to decline, which resulted in the closing of the school in 1984. However, in 1989 Laton Unified had increased attendance, needing more classrooms. Conejo School was reopened as a junior high with four full-time teachers and two half-time to serve 119 seventh and eighth grade students.

By 1990 attendance had increased to 207 students. The same year, sixth graders were added; also eight full-time teachers, one half-time teacher, and a music instructor. Five new portable buildings were placed at the campus to handle the increased enrollment, to expand the library and to help develop special classes. Conejo School now operates as a middle school for the Laton Unified School District.

*This information was obtained from a book located at the Fresno County Library’s Main Branch in Fresno titled Public Schools of Fresno County 1860 – 1998.

I need photos of both the school and students to add to this page.  Also, any additional information for Conejo Grammar School will be greatly appreciated. I would also like to include your memories of Conejo Grammar School. Please email Linda at: LatonHigh@comcast.net.

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Photo courtesy of August Bisi

Conejo 1935, Grades Unknown (#2003)
Top Row (left to right)   1 ,    2 ,   3 , 4  , 5, 6 , 7, 8, 9 , 10, 11,  12,
2nd Row (left to right) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
3d Row (left to right) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
4th Row (left to right) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

Please Email Linda with names and corrections.  LatonHigh@comcast.net

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Photo courtesy of Emma Hennesay Owens.

Conejo - March 21, 1946, 1st & 2nd Grade (#2001)
Front Row (left to right) Judy Thornsberry, Gerald Woodard, Jolene Dover, Bobbie Morton,
Glenda Mathis, Faye Glass, Linda Miller, Patricia Dotson,
Joyce Russell, Emma Jo Hennesay
2nd Row (left to right) Aaron Phillps, Gordon Masson, Gay Hennesay, Delmer Reese,
William Newberry, Marilyn Irwin, Patricia Singh, Stella Hagopian,
Clara Taylor, Bobby Glaser
Back Row (right to left) Joe Woodard, Carl Newberry, Gene Hofer, Billy Dover, David Tipton,
Floyd Bogle, William Lee, Jimmy Stone, Miss Johansen

Please Email Linda with names and corrections. LatonHigh@comcast.net

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Photo courtesy of Marilyn Keith Baker

Conejo Grammar School 1947/48 - 2nd & 3rd Grades (#2016)
Top Row (left to right) Freddie Newberry, Otis Thompson, Hargis Wilson, David Tipton, Gordon Mason, David Singh, Tommy Crosno, Ernest ???, Teacher Mrs. Keith
2nd Row (left to right) Elaine Latham, Barbara Nash, Toni Raven, Bobbie Morton, David Stucky,
Harold Lane, ??? Childers, Paul Tomlinson, Carl Newberry
Bottom Row (left to right) Barbara Tolbert, Anna Webster, Nadine Woodard, Doris Tipton, Louise Allen, Patty Adams, ??? , Norma McJunkins, Marilyn Keith

Please Email Linda with names and corrections. LatonHigh@comcast.net

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Photo courtesy of Marilyn Keith Baker

Conejo Grammar School 1948/49 2nd & 3rd Grades (#2017)
Top Row (left right) Jimmy Harris, Gerald Webster, Kenneth Tomlinson, Russell Dove, William Draqoo, Clarence Morton,Wilbur Thompson, Eugene Nichols, Larry Bandy,
Teacher Mrs. Keith, Ruben Tomlinson,
2nd Row (left to right) Hargis Wilson, Ernest Pilgrim, John Neighbors, Oliver Hampton, Jimmy Lay, Barbara Bradshaw,Phyllis Zack, Barbara Childress, Louise Allen, Opal McGee
Bottom Row (left to right) Nadine Burns, Nancy Cook, Arlene Fry, Laura Simpson, Peggy Lee,
Leah Stucky, Joyce Brassart, Gloria Madrid

Please Email Linda with names and corrections. LatonHigh@comcast.net

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Photo courtesy of Marilyn Keith Baker

Click here to email Linda van der Veur with names or corrections.

Conejo Grammar School 1949/50 - 2nd & 3rd Grades (#2018)
Top Row (left to right) Clarence Morton, William Dragoo, Billy Green, Hargis Wilson, John Neighbors, Jimmy Lay, Ernest Pilgrim, Jack Walden, Teacher Mrs. Keith
2nd Row (left to right) Louise Allen, Laura Simpson, Peggy Lee, Phyliss Zack, Barbara Childress,
Leah Stucky, Patsy Morris, Michael Miller, Wilbur Thompson,
Eugene Nichols, Gerald Webster
3rd Row (left to right) Nadine Burns, Evelyn Peterman, Betty Patee, Arlene Fry, Judy Klein,
Jackie Brandenburg, Mary Wilson, Betty Mott, Delores Barnes,
Bottom Row (left to right) Gene Alvey, ???, Jimmy Harris, Wayne Nash, Warren Keith,
Wayne Hester, Fred Patrick, Larry Bandy

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Photo courtesy of Marilyn Keith Baker

Click here to email Linda van der Veur with names or corrections.

Conejo Grammar School 1949/50 - 4th & 5th Grades (#2019)
Top Row (left to right) Robert Crabtree, Tommy Cosno, Joe Woodard, David Stucky,
Dwight Mott, Stephen Hatcher, Eugene Singh or Perez
2nd Row (left to right) Otis Thompson, Johnny Nutt, Donald Patrick, David Singh, Patsy Singh,
Barbara Nash, Linda Miller, Dennis Leavelle, Freddie Newberry
Bottom Row (left to right) Marilyn Keith, Leah Stucky, Nadine Woodard, Regina Harris, Doris Tipton, Judy Thornsberry, Norma McJunkins, Anna Webster, Patty Adams,
Miss Brique Lette was their teacher but she is not in photo.

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Photo courtesy Marilyn Keith Baker

Click here to email Linda van der Veur with names or corrections.

Conejo Grammar School 1952/53 - 6th & 7th Grades (#2020)
Top Row (left to right) E.M. Morton, Dennis Levealle, Wilbur Jennings, David Singh,
Dwight Mott, Jim Neighbors, Leonard Krisp
2nd Row (left to right) Anna Webster, Edith Woods, Ilene Shamp, Barbara Nash, Wanda Woods,
Louise Allen, Carolyn Doke, Yolanda Mendoza, Doris Tipton
3rd Row (left to right) Teacher Miss Riggs, Evelyn Peterman, Marilyn Keith, Della Marquez,
Marlene Lindbeck, Patty Adams, Linda Carrick, Rita Lee, Nancy Hensley,
Bottom Row (left to right) Charles Burns, Jimmy Harris, Clarence Morton, William Dragoo,
Gerald Webster, Larry Bandy, Woody Carrick, Tony Perez

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Photo courtesy of Marilyn Keith Baker

Click here to email Linda van der Veur with names or corrections.

Conejo Grammar School 1953-54 - 6th, 7th & 8th Grades (#2021)
Top Row (left to right) Charles Burns, Jerry Webster, William Dragoo, Clarence Morton,
Lloyd Reeves, Wilbur Jennings, E.M. Morton, David Singh, Dwight Mott,
James Lay, Mel Carais, Principal Joe Lewis
Bottom Row (left to right) Evelyn Peterman, Della Marquez, Patty Adams, Louise Allen,
Carolyn Doke, Barbara Nash, Doris Tipton, Anna Webster,
Marilyn Keith, Rita Lee, Nancy Hensley

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Photo courtesy of Patricia Adams Spears

Click here to email Linda van der Veur with names or corrections.

Conejo 1953/54 - 8th Grade (#2002)
Top Row (left to right) Barbara Nash, David Singh, Nancy Hensley,
E.M. Morton, Rita Lee
2nd Row (left to right) Mel Carais, Dean Martin, Mr. Lewis,
Doris Tipton, Patricia Adams
3nd Row (left to right) Carolyn Doke, Marilyn Keith,
Dwight Mott, Anna Webster

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