Alexander Hamilton K-8 School
Traditions, Memories & Treasures
Exerpts from Hamilton's 1958 Student Handbook
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| Student Handbook from 1958. |
It was the late 1950's and each Hamilton student was given a small book that contained important information about our school rules, traditions and history.
This little book was carried by students during school hours for a variety of reasons. Perhaps a student needed the words for the "Hamilton Yell" or wanted to learn the class bell schedule. It was all in this neat little handbook.
In many ways, our school's Web site serves as a 21st Century representation of that original Student Handbook, providing students, parents/guardians and alumni with current information and news about Hamilton School.
The reprinted information below is taken from an early student handbook (pictured at right). Selected excerpts of the content are displayed here.
Please Note: Information below is from 1958. To the best of our knowledge it is historically accurate.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON [Top]
As the population of Fresno was rapidly growing in 1923 the Board of Education realized that a junior high school was badly needed in the northern part of town.
In the fall of 1924, therefore, the Alexander Hamilton Junior High School was organized. Since the school did not, as yet have a building of its own, classes were housed in the LeConte and Palmer Halls of the Fresno High School Building. Mr. Grayson N. Kefauver, the Vice Principal of Fresno High School, was made the Director of Hamilton. In 1925 Mr. Walter B. Munson was made Principal of Hamilton and Miss Willa Marsh was made Counselor.
All foreign languages taken by Hamilton students were taught in the high school, domestic science and shop classes were taught in the Fresno State College. The Hamilton Junior High School was also used for the training of student teachers from Fresno State College. As the number of pupils increased more rooms in the Fresno High School Building had to be used, and it became apparent that a separate junior high school building was needed. Bonds were voted and soon after, plans were submitted and accepted, and the erection of the new building was begun on Clinton Avenue.
In the meantime, Walter C. Schlein had become principal in the fall of 1928 and later actively worked for the erection of the building which we now enjoy. The Walter C. Schlein Fountain which now stands in Schlein Park is in honor of this man whose untimely death in November 1941, occurred just three months before the date set for moving into the new building. Mr. A. C. Young became the new principal.
In February, 1942, the building was completed and teachers and students were very happy to begin the spring semester in their new surroundings. Mr. Young worked diligently to make the new school a success.
Miss Marion Lewis became principal in the fall of 1944. During her years at Hamilton many improvements continued to be made to the buildings and grounds. In 1947 the 9th grade was moved to Fresno High School and three 6th grade classes were moved to Hamilton. This was done to relieve the crowded condition in some of the elementary schools. The 6th graders were here for two years.
Mr. John W. Lehr became our principal in the fall of 1949. Since then Hamilton Junior High School has added a cafeteria, new shops, and rooms 26, 27, and 28, work for which was completed in the period 1951-52. The fall of 1953 witnessed the return of the 9th grade to Hamilton which brought the enrollment to a new high of 972 students. In the school year 1956-57 the enrollment passed the 1000 mark.
As a result of the improvements that have been made each year, Hamilton Junior High School is today a school of which we can all be proud.
TRADITIONS, MEMORIES AND TREASURES [Top]
It has always been traditional with Hamilton students and faculty to be alert to needs about the school that will add to its lasting beauty and interest.
Customs established by former students have become a tradition at Hamilton and you are not only keeping them alive but are continually sowing the seeds that produce additional ones.
The fact that your school is considered by many to be the most beautiful Junior High School in the city of Fresno is due to the willing cooperation of students with school personnel and student service clubs in the care of the buildings and grounds. The planting of trees in the Schlein Memorial Park has richly contributed.
About your building and grounds are many keepsakes that are a result of the excellent teamwork that has always prevailed at Hamilton. These treasures are proof of the many individual efforts, group projects and schoolwide campaigns.
Several of these treasured Keepsakes are:
- The oil portrait of Alexander Hamilton above the front entrance is the original work of a former Hamilton student, Malcolm Allen, painted from the picture of Alexander Hamilton on the ten dollar bill. The painting was a gift to the school from the graduating class of February 1942.
- The famed Hamilton Creed displayed in the front corridor was a composite project. Every student in school during the fall of 1941 was given an opportunity to contribute to the wording of the creed. A close inspection of this historic document reveals that each individual word was the work of several students Some sixty students of the art classes worked on it. The Hamilton shop made the frame for it and the glass was purchased by the school from student body funds. The lettering and framing of the companion picture the American Creed, was handled by many student; in the same way as the Hamilton Creed.
- The panoramic mural or tapestry, "Storybook Land," hanging along the main corridor between the library doors was a group project. Its purpose was to enhance the library entrances. It is the original design and handwork of the students of art classes under direction of Mrs. Margaret Weyburn. The finished mural measures 28' by 3' and depicts many important literary, characters from classics of particular interest to Junior High students. There are forty characters represented, both human and animal, with the figure grouped beneath a spreading central tree. The two superhuman characters—Paul Bunyan and Aladdin' Genie, were designed to occupy the end spaces. The structure for hanging it was made possible, by the appropriation of money from the student body fund.
- The idea of leaving something concrete to the memory of Walter C. Schlein who served as Hamilton's principal from 1938 to 1941, was another schoolwide project started in 1942. Hamilton students voiced their desire to make contributions toward the building of a fountain somewhere on the grounds. The teacher contributed toward the buying of the bronze plaque. The order to have the plaque made was placed just before the grave metal shortage at that time. The building of the fountain did not materialize until 1954. The extra expense for building the fountain was handled by the Board of Education of the Fresno City Unified School District.
- A more recent addition to our traditions is the development of the red and blue Hamilton book covers. Again, this was a group project. The design for the cover was worked on by the art classes and a copy of the original painting of Hamilton over the front entrance to the school was used as a central theme.
When you return to Hamilton from horizons near and far it is such treasures as these that help to bring back the memory of your stay here.
SCHOOL SONG: HAMILTON FOREVER [Top]
(Click for printable version).
THE HAMILTON CREED [Top]|
I believe that education . . . gives me knowledge of the fundamental subjects . . . develops leadership and cooperation inspires me to be courteous and thoughtful of others .. . offers me lasting friendships ... increases my civic responsibility ... and my respect for property ... deepens my loyal-ties ... and my desire to serve my country.
I believe that my school ... provides me with opportunities ... for developing these qualities ... through my appreciation of the buildings and grounds . . . through willing acceptance of responsibilities.
Therefore, I pledge myself .. . to make the most of every opportunity my school offers . . . in no way . . . to mar or disfigure it . . . and always ... to uphold the honor . . . of the Alexander Hamilton Junior High School.
SCHOOL COLORS
Royal Blue and Red
SCHOOL NICKNAME
Hurricanes
PEP SQUAD YELLS [Top]
HAMILTON FOREVER
Oh Ham-il-ton for-ev-er we will fight for you
Under that great ban-ner of the red and blue.
Nev-er nev-er fail-ing we will see you through
March-ing to vic-t'ry we're ev-er true.
A-chieve-ment is the watchword of our fine school
We'll al-ways try to keep it high for you.
You have taught us cour-age we love your spir-it bright
We'll win our vic-t'ry so fight, fight, fight.
LOCOMOTIVE
H-A-M-I-L-T-O-N (slowly)
H-A-M-I-L-T-O-N (faster)
H-A-M-I-L-T-O-N (Quite fast)
Hamilton! Hamilton! Rah!
HAMILTON CLAP YELL
H-A (clap, clap) M-I (clap, clap) L-T (clap, clap) 0-N (clap, clap)
H-A-M-I-L-T-O-N, H-A-M-I-L-T-O-N, Hamilton, Hamilton, Rah!
HURRICANE YELL
H-U-R . . . . H-U-R . . . . H-U-R-R-I C-A-N . . . . C-A-N . . . . C-A-N-E-S
Of Hamilton we are so proud
Here we come to say aloud
H-U-R .... H-U-R .... H-U-R-R-I C-A-N ....C-A-N . . . . C-A-N-E-S Yea !
THE H-A YELL
H-A . . . . H-A .... H-A-M-I,
L-T .... L-T .... L-T-0-N,
H-A-M-I L-T-0-N, H-A-M-I L-T-0-N
Hamilton! Hamilton! Rah!
FIGHT YELL
Hey Team Yea Team
Fight! Fight! Fight!
WE'RE FROM HAMILTON
We're from Hamilton,
Couldn't be prouder;
If you can't hear us,
We'll yell a little louder.
(Repeat) We're from Hamilton,
Couldn't be prouder;
If you can't hear us,
We'll stand up and holler! (Rah!)
WE'VE GOT A TEAM
We've got a T-E-A-M That's on the B-E-A-M
We've got a team That's on the beam
That's really hep to the jive
Come on Hamilton Skin 'em alive.
VICTORY, VICTORY
Victory, Victory Is our cry
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
That's the, way you spell it Here's the way you yell it Hamilton! Hamilton!