Previous to the location of the Black Hills Ordnance Depot near Provo, the school in the village of Provo, South Dakota had an enrollment of approximately fifteen.

Construction at B.H.O.D began in l942 bringing contractors with their itinerate crews. Many of these workers were accompanied by their families, including children of school age. The fall of 1942, therefore, presented a school problem to the officers of the Provo School District No. 25. The children, even temporarily within their midst, come September, must be enrolled in school, first because it was the law of the state and secondly, it was their just due.

Anticipating an increase in their enrollment, the Provo School Board bought and moved into Provo a one room school once used by the people living on the land recently purchased by the government. This one room was attached to the one room building already in Provo.

Carpenters were at a premium due to construction on the area and much of the work on these two rooms had to be done after school had begun in September. A new six-room building allowed by the U.S. Government to care for the emergency was not even begun. Although dates for its completion were set repeatedly it was actually not ready for occupancy for one year.

After a conference with Miss Genevieve Frawley, Fall River County Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. John Hines, South Dakota State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mr S. T. Lillehaugen, Senior Specialist of School Facilities of the U. S. Office of Education, made arrangements with the School Board at Provo to care for the children of all Ordnance workers connected with the Area whose parents were living at Edgemont and for those children whose parents had set up temporary dwellings on the Area. At the suggestion of Mr. Lillenhaugen and on the recommendation of Miss Frawley, Miss Adelaide Ward was hired by the Provo School Board to act as Coordinating Supervisor between the two schools. It was her duty to see that all children of workers at B.H.O.D. be given an opportunity to attend school. In addition she taught four grades in the Provo School.

The Edgemont School began on a two-session basis with two sets of teachers, the children of Ordnance workers attending in the afternoons from 1:00 - 6:00. Miss Christina Hajek was hired to teach in the Edgemont grades and commuted from Provo that she might supervise the school buses. At one time that year over one hundred children were being transported to Edgemont from the Area at a cost of $l,000 every twenty days.

At Provo, on registration Day, Sept. 14, only one room was ready. Registration was carried on in that room. By the following day desks had been purchased, as many texts as possible had been procured through the office of the County Superintendent of Schools. Orders were placed immediately for additional texts and supplies. Getting these texts and supplies with wartime shortages, proved to be one of the greatest problems of that year and the years to follow. Miss Ward and Ada Rickenbach were the teachers of the two rooms at Provo for the first three months. All eight grades were taught with an enrollment of about 65-70.

Difficulty over buses and a decrease in the number of children to be schooled necessitated a change of plan, and in December of 1942 no more children were transported to Edgemont for a time. The Provo School went on a double shift, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades attending from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Grades one, two, seven and eight were in school from 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Both sessions having to use the same desks, orange crates were set up to serve as make-shift lockers in which pupils kept their books and supplies. Different teachers were in charge of different shifts, four teachers handling the eight grades.

Winter and longer hours necessitated the installation of electric lights which was no small problem with the shortage of electrical supplies. Electric wire was finally acquired from a vacated tourist camp and borrowed extension cords provided drop light.

A revival of construction on the Area resulted in an increase of workers in the spring of 1943. The enrollment again necessitated the transportation of some pupils to Edgemont. The transportation from this time on to the end of the year was provided by the Ordnance at the direction of Major Curtis, C. O.

During the entire year every possible effort was made to enroll in school all children in and near the Depot. Also the school cooperated with local County Health Authorities in School Clinics, home calls, pre-school clinics, etc. preventing epidemics in a community made up of trailers, shacks, and almost void of sanitation.

In April of 1943 Col. Herbert Keith, the new Commanding Officer, State Superintendent Hines, the Provo School Board, Mr. Lillehaugen, Mr. Lewis, attorney for the Board, and Miss Ward met in Hot Springs for the purpose of formulating plans by which the Provo School Board would handle the school problem for the Black Hills Ordnance Depot for the coming year. A temporary budget was drawn up at that time for both grades and high school. The six room school already mentioned was already under construction having been located on the Depot rather than between the Depot and Provo as originally planned, this despite the fact that it was the Provo School Board that had procured the funds for the building through the Lanham Act. Upon learning that the Depot land had been ceded to the United States Government and therefore no longer lay in the State of South Dakota, the Provo School Board was loathe to assume the burden of such a school problem outside their own district. They could foresee any difficulties ahead in a school on an army post run by a district school board from off the post. Two such problems will illustrate: There would be a definite clash of authority between the Army command who would normally have control over all agencies on the post and the Board responsible to the State of South Dakota for the operation of the school according to the laws of the State of South Dakota; second: the State Department of South Dakota would not and could not assure accrediment to a school not yet set up and with said school lying on Federal land. Accrediment from the State Department of South Dakota to such a high school, were it to be set up, was problematical. However, Col. Keith, anticipating the more permanent nature of the Area, was so anxious that children for years to come should not need to be transported off the Area to schools miles away, that the Provo Board finally consented to work with him for a school at B.H.O.D The decision once made, the Board immediately made application for additional school housing and an operating fund for the coming year 1943-44. The original six room school building was leased from the government by the Provo School Board, construction on it having, been completed in the summer of 1943.

Weeks went by with no action by the U.S. government on the application for funds. In July Miss Ward was hired as Superintendent and has remained Superintendent until the present date, December, 1945. From when until August every possible department was appealed to bring about definite provision of building and funds. In the meantime teachers were contacted but not contracted, texts and supply orders were made out and filed with companies subject to confirmation by wire, once funds were assured. A school district election was held to legally register the wish of the district for a high school. No one showed up at the meeting and the Board voted yes. Finally President Roosevelt returned to Washington D.C. from his conferences in Canada with Winston Churchill; the necessary papers were signed, our money and a school were assured. Some weeks later the Provo School Board was notified that their request for additional school housing had been allowed, $l52,000 of Tanham Act Funds having been appropriated for a building to be constructed under the supervision of P. B. A This building was to be attached to the six room building previously mentioned.

Until the newly allowed building, would be constructed the problem of immediate housing still faced us. It was decided to use the original six room building for a high school since it was not large enough for all the grades and was more adaptable to high school than any other building available. The Ordnance set up three CCC barracks as temporary quarters until better housing could be provided by them.

In the week previous to the opening of school, several meetings were held with the residents of the Area to discuss school problems and plans. One of the greatest problems for Col. Keith and the Provo Board at this time was the lack of faith on the part of the residents that a school could be set up that late in the year. There was a general consensus of opinion that it would be better to send pupils to neighboring schools. Plans for an immediate and permanent school continued at B. H. 0 D despite all opposition. To alleviate this opposition a committee was chosen from the people on the Area to confer with the Provo School Board on school problems. Also in this one weeks time desks were purchased, orders were definitely confirmed, teachers were contracted and janitors were hired. Briefly, from scratch, buildings, equipment and personnel were made ready.

School began September 6 with a grade enrollment of 261 and with 70 in high school. The faculty at the beginning date consisted of eight grade teachers and six high school teachers including the superintendent. In the first weeks grades were housed in the two rooms at Provo, in three CCC barracks, and one grade was located in the high school building. During that year the enrollment increased to 82 in high school and to 419 in the grades. These figures are for the close of the year, not the entire number enrolled throughout the year.

The high school faculty remained the same in number, though not in personnel, as at the beginning. Seven additional grade teachers were hired making a total of fifteen teachers in the grades. This increase in enrollment and the winter weather necessitated utilization for school purposes of several Ordnance buildings over the Area. By spring the fifteen grades were housed in nine different buildings. During this year some of the Ordnance children were transported to the Provo building where the sixth grades were housed; the Provo children in all grades but the sixth were transported to the grades located on the Area. Transportation was provided by the Ordnance.

A school brought together so hastily as this one this first year met many problems: twenty one teachers all strangers to each and their pupils; over 400 grade children from almost as many communities, some from country schools, others from large systems; over eighty high school pupils from dozens of schools in as many states to be fitted into a cirriculum such as could be handled by five teachers; the difficulties involved in acquiring texts, supplies, and equipment in the face of the wartime shortages; a large pupil turnover and heavy teacher loads; a starting from scratch for the records of all pupils enrolled in high school and grades; no library or laboratory equipment; no traditions or school spirit---instead a student body all strangers to each other.

One by one these problems were met, adequate equipment was procured, the school received its accrediment from the State Department of Education of the State of South Dakota, an extra curricular activity program was provided resulting in a student body welded together in common school interests and friendships; the community interest was behind the school program. With a fine new building actually under construction before the close of the year the prospects for the children of B.H.O.D looked much brighter.

Work on the construction of the new and largest part of the school building was begun in the spring of 1944. Progress was very slow due to lack of materials and labor. The Askevold Construction Company was compelled to set up its own saw mill in Montana to provide timbers; repeated unseasonable snows made it impossible to get the same to Igloo. Other materials such as wall board were, while enroute, redirected to other projects, leaving Askevold without materials to occupy the crew at the site of construction. All these and other difficulties were finally overcome. Although not ready to be turned over completely as there were details of construction still incomplete, the building was near enough ready by the last of August that the contractor gave permission in writing for the school Board to occupy the building for school purposes.

Miss Ward, Supt. and Miss Hajek, grade principal were on the job all that summer. All of the desks, books and equipment of all kinds were moved from the nine different buildings in which the grades had been housed to the one completed school building used by the high school the year before. As the new building approached completion these books, and teaching supplies had been sorted and were taken to the rooms to be occupied the coming year. Desks were likewise sorted out and installed in their proper rooms. Equipment such as sewing machines, desks, tables, etc. furnished by the government had arrived during the summer and were taken from storage and set up ready for school. Teachers were hired, supplies ordered, additional janitor service provided. Operating funds were secured through Lanham Act for the coming year.

School began Sept. 4 with saws, planes and hammers still competing with attempts to register pupils. 478 enrolled the first day. The entire enrollment for the year was to prove to be 742. The grade faculty this year consisted of two teachers for each grade, one kindergarten teacher, one vocal music teacher and one certified teacher to serve as office help and substitute teacher. One additional high school teacher was added making a total of six high school teachers, that a greater number of high school subjects could be offered. This was found to be necessary as many pupils entering during the year from larger schools were compelled to drop courses they had already begun since they could not be offered at Igloo with a small staff of teachers.

Some of the more difficult problems confronting this school year were the acquiring of equipment for Home Economics, Manual Training and Chemistry. Greater than this was the lack of cooperation between the school and the commanding officer of that period. The situation which the Board had foreseen had arisen; a commanding officer had arrived at the post who set about to take over the school building, its equipment and the direction of the school. The following months were ones of contention which was not allowed to effect unduly the progress of the school. Before the close of the year and before Col. Keasler was able to take command of the school a new commanding officer arrived and the usual cooperation between the command and the school resumed.

School opened on Sept. 4, 1945 for the current school year. Anticipating an increase in personnel on the Area, an additional high school teacher was hired. The number of teachers in the grades remains as last year. The high school enrollment this fall shows an increase to 130; there is to date a slight decrease in the grade enrollment but the enrollment in each grade is still too large to warrant any decrease in the grade faculty. Such a decrease is not felt desirable in any event; the children of war workers have moved so often that money paid to provide enough teachers that these children can now receive some individual attention is felt to be money well spent. This is that child's opportunity to make up what he or she has lost in the past three or four years of war.

Funds have again been allowed under the Lanham Act for 1945-1946. To date, Dec.7, 1945, none of this money has reached the Provo Board, and the handful of tax payers whom they represent. In addition to the hours of work and planning they have given to the cause of the children in the War Period they have each fall allowed their district to be involved for may thousands of dollars, trusting that for no reason would the funds from the Federal Government fail to reimburse them. Should these funds have failed to come or should they do so now, the dozen or so members of the Provo School District would be bankrupt for life meeting the obligations they have incurred.

No great decrease in enrollment is anticipated for the current school year at Igloo, but resulted in but a very small decrease in school population. Since the Black Hills Ordnance Depot is be a permanent storage depot it is anticipated that there will be a need for a school here for years to come. It is anticipated that the permanent personnel will be cut in number promising a cut in the school enrollment. How much the enrollment will drop, if any, is problematical depending upon the type and age of personnel employed at the depot.

The greatest problem facing those who will provide a school here at B.H.0.D for 1946-1947 is the provision of funds. No funds will be available under the Lanham Act after the present school year 1945-1946. With housing at B.H.O.D on the post no revenue is derived by taxation from the workers. The little school district of Provo cannot provide the revenue for any such number as will still be at B.H.O.D. Letters have already been sent by Miss Ward to Mr. Studebaker, Nat'l Commissioner of Education at Washington, D.C. and to Congressman Francis Case of South Dakota and to the Hon Chan Gurney acquainting them with the situation and soliciting their assistance. In his reply Mr. Case stated that he knows of no bill in Congress providing for funds for cases such as the one that exists at Igloo. He enclosed copies of correspondence from his office to Major Fleming, Administrator of F.W.A, Commissioner Studebaker of U.S. Office of Education and to the Hon. F. R. Lanham in which he urges some provision be made for these communities where the close of the war has not ended the school problem. Since Miss Ward's letters have only recently gone forth, no replies from Mr. Gurney or Mr. Studebaker are as yet at hand. Provision for these funds should be made soon that the services of the better teachers may be retained by contract for the coming year.

In conclusion I should like to summarize some of the aims and accomplishments of the Provo School at the Black Hills Ordnance Depot:

1. Instead of departmentalized work the school was set up with home rooms. Many of the children had been torn from their home environments by the war. Many had moved many times in one school year. In many instances both parents were working and there was little real home life. For these reasons it was felt better to have each child have a room of his own under one teacher where he would have a desk of his own; security and permanence for six hours each day as long as he was with us, with one teacher who could really know his needs and help him.

2. With the homes from which many of these children came little better than bachelor's quarters, the teachers were urged to insist that the pupils keep their desks and room orderly and neat that they might riot miss this part in their training. Especial attention was paid to their personal hygiene--an important item with children from many types of homes and races. To counteract the prevalent attitude of lack of respect for government property, stress was laid on appreciation of the school building and equipment and its care.

3. A truant officer was employed at all times that the children might benefit most by the school facilities available. Also that they might not become delinquent through skipping school and using their homes as hangouts while both parents were away.

4. Mental ability tests and achievement tests were given that each teacher might best understand her pupils and give them the best help time would allow. Nothing was spared in teaching aids to make the program worth while and interesting

5. A part time school nurse in cooperation with military doctors immunized all school children and pre-school children preventing any diseases to reach an epidemic proportion. In addition the school in conjunction with the Red Cross obtained glasses and medical attention for any child whose parents could not manage.

6. Each child was given opportunities for music three times a week and in addition participated in operettas, musicals, Christmas programs, etc. that these normal activities might not be missed from their childhood.

7. The school cooperated in the work of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in addition to providing playground equipment and organized play. A list of high school extra cirricular activities appears elsewhere.

8. Each room in the school was organized as a member of the State and National Young Citizen's League and the Junior Red Cross. Flags were present in each and every room as well as displayed on the school grounds. Call to colors was blown each morning at which time everyone in the school stood at attention as the flag was raised.

9. Parents and friends were kept acquainted with the school page in the weekly paper edited by the grades each six weeks and the Rattler-High School monthly paper. A year book was published each spring. In addition open house, exhibits, programs were arranged to bring the people to the school.

In High School in addition to the regular courses, the following extra curricular activities were provided: Football, Basketball, Track, Kittenball, Lettermen's Club, Girls Athletics including kitten ball, basketball volleyball, bowling were organized. Ping pong, badminton were available at all hours. Girls Pep Club, Girls Glee Club, Boys Glee Club, Mixed Chorus, and Band provided a music program for all interested. Other high organizations were Dramatics Club, Home Ec Club, Paper Staff, Annual Staff. Student council met with Miss Ward twice a month to consider ways of remedying faults in the school or to give ideas to improve the school morals. In brief: everything possible was done to see that the students at B.H.O.D had an opportunity for a good education and for a happy constructive school life. The happy children and satisfied parents have given ample testimony to the appreciation of both.

• 1942-1943 No High School. Pupils went to Edgemont to school.
• 1943-1944 Four years of English, International Relations, Commercial Geography, History, American Government, Latin, World History, Typing I and II, Bookkeeping, General Business, Shorthand, Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Solid Geometry, General Science, Physics, Social Studies.
• 1944-1945 The same as above except no Journalism, Chemistry instead of Physics,---Commercial Arithmetic, Home Ec I, Manual Training, Economics, Trigonometry were added.
• 1945-1946 The same as 1944-1945 except no call for Latin; Physics and Chemistry both taught; Home Ec. II added and Commercial Law was added.