Large Capital "W"hat is our school's history?

Our school is a beautiful old building that is rich in history. Construction on Hyde Park Elementary School began on December 16, 1938. The cornerstone was laid on December 21, 1939. Funding for this building along with Violet Avenue Elementary School and Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School was made possible by a grant from the Public Works Administration under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Hudson River fieldstone was used in the construction of the buildings.

The original F. D. Roosevelt High School is now Haviland Middle School.

There have been several additions to Hyde Park Elementary. In 1955, six classrooms were added. The gymnasium, the Library and the Art Room were added in 1963. The BOCES wing was added in 1990.

Hyde Park Elementary School Today

Over the years things have changed! Here are some remainders of days gone by...

  • The Special Education room was the cafeteria.
  • The ESL (English as a Second Language) room was the kitchen.
  • The cafeteria was the Gymnasium.
  • The faculty room and the kitchen were first-grade classrooms.
  • Ms. Blossom's office was the faculty room.
  • K-6th grades collected metal scrap during WW II to help in the war effort.
  • HPE raised $202 in war bonds and stamps.
  • First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt spoke at HPE on "Education and the United States".
  • Students living near HPE were encouraged to eat lunch at home due to overcrowding in the lunchroom.
  • Students did their banking at school.
  • Milk was sold in school for 3 cents and ice cream was 10 cents.
  • The report card grading system used: outstanding, satisfactory, and needs improvement.