Warren Elementary School, Santa Clara

Finding Warren School, Santa Clara is a creative project of alumni, John Ott.  The Otts lived right across the corner from Warren School.  "Finding Warren" is a cleaver title for sharing Mr. Ott's research for Warren School, Santa Clara.  You'll find his story, maps, pictures, and wonderful art renderings of the Warren School of Cupertino School District.  Here's a link to Finding Warren: Finding Warren School, Santa Clara

Memories from Mrs. Andress

Martha Andress, Warren office clerk, writes:  It was Emilio (Roman) that hired me to support Ruby (Buell) in the front office and that was in September 1968.  I remember much love for him from parents and staff.  Emilio left 2 or 3 years later.  He died shortly thereafter from cancer.  After Emilio, Bert Gibbs became the new principal.  He was there one year. 

The next September, Sam Lawson came to Warren.  He was, as you know, loved and respected by all.  He was great with children, but firm when they got out of control.  He made Warren a very special time for all of us -- children and staff.  Ruby, Barb Flynn and I have fond memories of Warren.  My memories are special since my four children, Anita, Audrey, Allison, and Steve went there, and it is often mentioned among us.

Warren School Song  

Yes, there was a Warren School Song.  I'm not sure anyone would actually remember the tune.  I'm not sure it was ever written down.  The first verse was sung at some school assembly.  There was no chorus, so you will only see the lyrics of the first verse below.

We like the sunshine, we like the rain. 

We like the sound of a rushing train. 

We like the playground, the monkey bars,

And we like Warren School because it's ours.

Sam Lawson Middle School was named after the last Warren School Principal.  You can find out why they would name a whole school after him in the book by Wes Morse.  E-mail him at wes morse@fuhsd.org

Who was Sam Talutto or Carl Gerber?   Did you go to science camp at Redwood Glen?  There were Meadow cabins and Forest cabins.  Was there a sixth grade picnic?  Did your class take a field trip to Sacramento?

Rose Tyson passed away.  See the Contact Page.

This part of our history will include some dates and times with names of principals, teachers, and other staff.  Since the school was closed, much of this section is ready to be written by the staff and students who have some input to contribute.  This space is reserved to mark the untold history for people who have now scattered to all walks of life.  Possibly this will spark some information from you, my reader.  When we collect enough material, we can start a unique website for Warren Elementary School, Santa Clara,CA

Dedicated 1959 368 students

Principals: Mary Hedges?

Steve Maslyar 1959-60

Emilio Roman   ?

Bert Gibbs   ?      -1971

Sam Lawson  1971-1975

Closed  1975

Memories from Dennis Geiszler  (6th grade 1967)   K- Mrs. Pearson, 1st- Mrs. Stewart, 2nd- Mrs. Carlin, 3rd- Miss Blum, 4th-Mrs. Tunnell, 5th-Mr. Capaci, 6th-Mr. McCallum, Principal- Emilio Roman.  My backyard (lived on Hancock Dr.) backed up to the kindergarten playground.  Once a big windstorm blew the fence over, and the baby chickens, the kindergartnerers were raising, all came into our yard.  Before the water tanks were built, that space was a prune orchard with a spooky barn in the back towards Steven Creek Blvd.  The other side of the schoo,l towards Tantau, was a cherry orchard.  We always played in the tall mustard grass in spring.  A couple of times, the pollinating bees swarmed and attacked us on the playground.  We had a competitive individual sports challenge every year comprised of maybe 10 events (a sprint, a long distance run, throwing a ball, long jump, etc.).  There were awards for the top 3 placers in each grade (grades 4-6 only).  I was the "Crew Chief" for the audio/visual team, under the Custodian, Carl Gerber.  The multi-purpose building was built sometime between '63 and '65 and was a great addtion to the school.

Early Memory  My name is Cathy Constantz.  My identical twin sister, Robin and I attended Earl Warren '59-'65.  At that time our last name was McLaughlin.  I remember most of my teachers' names:  1stGrade-Mrs.Stewart, Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Nafsker, 5th/6th combination-Mr. McCallum (in the round building where the library and auditorium were), 6th-Mr. McCallum ( in the portables attached to where the kindergarten classroom was).  We had our 6th grade graduation party at Mr. McCallum's house because he had a pool.  Robin's teachers that I can remember were Mrs. Carlson, Mrs. Tunnel, Mr. Capacci.  I remember band being offered, and a man that would come into the classroms with his guitar to teach us song, and there was an annual talent show for the older classes.  There was the President's Physical Fitness test for the older classes that we had yearly where we were scored for push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and perhaps 50 yard dash.  I remember the playground equipment room on the end of the main school building closest to the playground.  Jump rope, tetherball, 2 square, and 4 square took place at recess and dodgeball during P.E..  I remember Bobbi (Roberta) Schouten, Sue Weller, Becky Scharr, Scott McDowell, Buddy Grotzinger, Spook Jones, Mark Bardett, Peggy McCallister, Paul Denton, Chris Ott.  by Cathy McLaughlin Constantz

Ted Engberg remembers Mrs. Ban from fifth grade.  "Mrs. Ban was there between 70 and 72, I believe.... a great teacher and quite beautiful, as I recall as an 11 year old.  Mr. Lawson, the principal at the time, was very strict but also a very good organizer, particularly for intramural noon sports programs.  I remember several student leaders were invited to his house for a backyard lunch.  He had the most amazing set up in his backyard: a basketball court, a trampoline, ping pong tables, and other choices any kid would enjoy.  Those were good years for me at Warren School." 

Jan Cruze Morgan shared some memories.  She was a Native American at Warren School in the late 50's.  Not all of her memories were good.  She did mention that Mrs. Tunnell ". . . . was wonderful.  I knew she cared about me."  Jan and her husband serve as pastors on Flathead Indian Reservation. 

Debbie Mortensen (68-75) writes about Mr. Lawson, "I remember the giant parachute that was such a cool activity at the time.  I also remember him walking around with a transistor radio and ear piece listening to the A's World Series.... I remember going to the Ford factory (perhaps GM?).  We got to wear hard hats...cool.  We also took a trip to take BART of all things.... We also did the Christmas shows every year....seems to me I played the recorder in one."

"From rocketry to science experiments you even got us to enroll in summer school- a remarkable feat."  Jim Canavan, Principal, International School of Amsterdam.

Michael Heinsohn writes, "Warren closed in 1975.  The students all started attending Eisenhower Elementary a few miles away.  Warren Principal Mr. Lawson also moved to Eisenhower, becoming principal there......Then, an orthodox Jewish college, Kerem College, purchased the property. They were there for a few years." Later, "Local developers displayed an interest in building condos there, but the neighborhood was staunchly against that,....the city made half of the property a park, and the back half a storage area for city materials, which is how it remains to this day. The name, Jenny Strand Park, is in honor of a local girl....."

Karyn Mills (1972-1975) remembers: "...the big trampolines. . . gold stars from Mrs. Rugee...math workbooks from Mrs. Peak....a March of Dimes documentary with Marty Mimack....Taco Bell Day, where you could buy Taco Bell tacos for 35 cents.  Being able to walk and ride my bike to and from school, and singing folk songs in Chorus like: If I Had a Hammer, This Land Is Your Land, and Battle Hymn of the Republic."  Field trips mentioned were to the Frito Lay Factory, Mission San Juan Bautista, and Alcatraz.  She also remembered California Missions in Mrs. Erickson's class and the first school holiday because of Martin Luther King Day, but not knowing who he was.

Below is Mike Farley who had a picture of the sign.

Yes, this is the part that is reserved for student memories.  This is not a list of former students, though each will be credited with the memory that is provided.  This section may easily take the rest of this page, and perhaps another.  Send your memories about teachers, classrooms, classroom activities, school wide activities, principals, subjects, field trips, even the features of the playground and campus.  If you have good pictures, please start looking for them.  This whole page and a future website will need some of the best pictures you have.  There is no stash in the school office.  We do need your help.  Email Larry Pine at tallpinetree@att.net    

David Scott (59-65) remembers split classes.  I believe I was in a 3rd/4th grade split class in the 1962/63 school year (Miss Graham?).  And I was in a 5th/6th/ grade in 1965 with Mr. McCallum.  Spanish lessons from Mr. Roman.  Being on the playground when we heard that JFK had been shot.  Getting into trouble for throwing rocks at the big water tank on the adjacent property.  Seeing jack rabbits scared out of the homes as the highway was being built.  Being a crossing guard.  Hearin sonic booms during classes.  He remembers: Mark Bardet; Cindy, Leslie, and Jim McFarland; Robin and Caitlan McLoughlin; and the Reber's.

Do you remember Chess Club, Rocketry Club?  Tell us where you went on the Sixth Grade Picnic.

Alex Howe (71-73) mentioned:  I have fond memories in Mrs. Tyson's class singing "On Top of Old Smokey."  I remember Mrs. Rugee, Mrs. Peak, Mr. Doze' and his aluminum yard stick, and Mr. Gubler, who taught me how to read.  Alex's memories included when some students were holding their breath and one passed out right in front of Mr. Pine's desk.  "Watching Mr. Pine leap clean over his desk to render aid to the fallen student really impressed me."  "Sam Lawson was the most incredible principal ever. . . . "

Mike Farley (63-69) remembers Mr. McCallum, Mrs. Tunnel, Miss Dandridge, Mrs. Stewart, Camp Redwood Glen, and 1st Place in Crossing Guard competition.