Court Street School Community Center

[admin]

Over this past weekend, I posted an old article from the News transcript about the Court Street School on the history board. The reason it was on my mind is because I had the pleasure of visiting the school for a project I am working on for the Community Information Committee. One of my committee mates joined me and brought her daughter to see the school.


Most readers should be aware by now of the historic aspect of the school. It served as a school for African American children when segregation was still a practice. The school was integrated in 1949. What readers need to know of is what the school has turned into and what it has to offer all of our town.

Now the school is a true community gem, one that I encourage all residents to visit and become familiar with. While there, I was met by two of the schools trustees, Andrea McPherson and Lily Hendry. Both were great to talk to and their passion for what they are doing there really came through. Ms. Hendry was really great to talk with because she is a former student of the school. It was a real pleasure to listen to her as she related her experiences about our local history. Equally interesting was listening to her passion for what she and several others have turned the school into.

We sat for about an hour as Lily and Andrea both talked about the school programs and needs. Then we were treated to a nice tour of the facility. During the visit there was a dance program for children in progress and it was really good to watch.

I started this post to get the school out in public view a little bit better. I know that many readers are people who care about this town and are active.

I will post some more in the very near future about the programs that have been there. I will also highlight the very real need for donations and volunteers. The board of trustee has done an excellent job with what they have, but they need more help. I will also post the contact information for those who wish to help out.

I encourage readers to get involved and donate to this school. When I post the wish list of things that are needed for the school, you will see why.

My visit was in reference to a small CIC project, but I came away with much more. Those of you who visit will too.

[novillero]

www.courtstreetschool.org/home.cfm

unforunately, their website only seems to have two pages, a home page and a membership application page.

If you search "court street school" and freehold there is a lot of stuff out there:
schoolsforthecolored.com/index_files/page0-1011-full.html

an interview with Lily and MS. Ham:
www.visitmonmouth.com/oralhistory/bios/Hendry-Russell.htm

article on the school:
newstranscript.gmnews.com/News/2002/0508/Front_Page/016.html

weird architect's page, with satellite picture.
www.archiplanet.org/wiki/Court_Street_School

[admin]

May 12, 2008 12:05:20 GMT -5 novillero said:

www.courtstreetschool.org/home.cfm

unforunately, their website only seems to have two pages, a home page and a membership application page.

If you search "court street school" and freehold there is a lot of stuff out there:
schoolsforthecolored.com/index_files/page0-1011-full.html

an interview with Lily and MS. Ham:
www.visitmonmouth.com/oralhistory/bios/Hendry-Russell.htm

article on the school:
newstranscript.gmnews.com/News/2002/0508/Front_Page/016.html

weird architect's page, with satellite picture.
www.archiplanet.org/wiki/Court_Street_School

The Court Street School web site is in the process of being upgraded and redone. That is why I had not posted it yet.

[admin]

More on the CSCC, straight from their brochure.....

OUR MISSION

To preserve the structure of the Court Street Schoolhouse as a historic viable community based Education Center.

To inspire hope in all children and their families.

To provide educational, multi-cultural and historical activities to all in the community.

To work in collaboration with other groups, organizations, institutions and individuals to provide supportive services to all in the community.

To work with families and schools to enhance educational development opportunities for the personal growth of all people.

[admin]

more from the brochure....


C
ourt Street School is one of the principal structures associated with the segregated history of early twentieth century education for African Americans in Freehold, NJ.
The original school was organized in 1915, exclusively for the education of African American children by the Freehold Board of Education. It was a one-room wooden building located just west of the present site. The existing school was constructed in two phases in 1920 and 1926. All African-American children in Freehold were educated at Court Street School from kindergarten through eighth grade until World War II, when the school was used as an air raid shelter and a ration station. Under pressure from war veterans, a court order integrated the school and it reopened for kindergarten through third grade in 1949. The school finally closed in 1974.

In 1990, the Court Street School Education Community Center, Inc. was formed as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization to restore the school for use as an Education Community Center and to preserve it as an African-American historic landmark. The group received more than $800,000 from the New Jersey Historic Trust and the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders to restore the facility. In 1995, the building became an official historic site in the state of NJ, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The school now operates as a community education and historical center.

[admin]

AS promised, here is more on the Court Street School Education Community Center. This post is a partial list of the programs and events that are there, or have been there. Some of these programs have been reported on this site and are found in other local publications.

Orators club helps youths build up self-confidence
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0531/Front_page/059.html

The Orators took third place in a state competition. This program still exists.



'Virtual tour of Israel'

to be held in Freehold


On May 20 from 9:15-11:15 a.m., the Religious School of Congregation Kol Am will be staging its own celebration of Israeli Independence Day at the Court Street School in Freehold Borough. The faculty and students will be presenting to the public a "virtual tour of Israel," as it would be if they were to actually travel to Israel. The event will feature a flag ceremony, games, song and dance, as well as traditional Israeli barbecues and trips to the main tourist attractions of the country. Children wishing to participate in the arts and craft segment must bring a clean plain white T-shirt. Anyone interested in more information concerning this free "learning is fun" event or directions to the Court Street School may call [phone].

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0516/Bulletin_Board/087.html


Groups support local health fair
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2004/0505/Bulletin_Board/022.html


......Mini health lectures were held at the Court Street School Educational Center. CentraState physicians and health practitioners presented topics on diabetes, depression, OB/GYN care, colon care, asthma, men’s health and weight management.



Other programs with no arfticles found...

Skip Jack Boat Buiders- This was a program where kids built model boats.

Home work assist program

Drama workshops for children

Jump at the chance- Double Dutch jump rope offers exercise and fun

Computer skills- Instruction and skills reenforcement

Al Mitchenfelders Car club for kids also meets at the Court Street School. When Al was looking for a place to hold his club meetings, the CSS allowed him to use the space there.

The School has also partnered with Brookdale Community College for lectures.


I will add one more thing. When I was speaking with Lillie Hendry, she continually emphasised the family and community elements that are very present in the Court Street School. When speaking with her, I could not help but to understand that the Court Street school is a true community center. The above list of programs really show that.