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Bucknell Elementary School

GPS Coordinates: 38.7671406, -77.0743137

Bucknell Elementary School

Here follows a school history as published by Fairfax County Public Schools on their website:

What's in a Name?
The land on which our school stands was once the hunting ground of the Taux people, also known as the Dogue. In 1649, it was part of a land grant issued by King Charles II of England to John, the 1st Baron Culpeper of Thoresway, and sixth other men, among whom was John's cousin Thomas Culpeper. It later passed down to Thomas, the 6th Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron, for whom Fairfax County is named. In the 20th century, the land became the property of a university located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Learn about the connection between this university and the name of our school in this video produced for Fairfax County Public Schools’ cable television channel Red Apple 21:

Bucknell Elementary School was established in 1954. The school was built on land owned by Bucknell University from the 1920s to the 1950s. In the late 1880s, several real estate investors formed the New Alexandria Land and River Improvement Company. The company bought 1,600 acres of land in Fairfax County south of Alexandria along the Potomac River. The businessmen planned to develop the land into a town called New Alexandria realizing that a streetcar line would spur the growth of the community. The businessmen chartered The Washington, Alexandria, and Mount Vernon Railroad. This streetcar line began operation in 1892 carrying passengers from Mount Vernon up through Fairfax County, Alexandria, and Arlington County into Washington DC. On the board of trustees for the New Alexandria Improvement Company was a man named James Schwartz. Schwartz was one of the founders of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and was on its board of trustees. By the early 1920s, the improvement company was deeply in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy. A shrewd businessman, Schwartz gave 594 acres of land in and around New Alexandria to Bucknell University. In 1923, he encouraged Henry Loftus, another investor in New Alexandria to donate 250 acres to Bucknell as well. The New Alexandria Improvement Company declared bankruptcy the following year and its remaining holdings were sold at auction to developers who built the Belle Haven community following World War II. Fairfax County went through a period of rapid population growth. As land value skyrocketed, Bucknell University sold off its land to developers who built the Bucknell Manor and Bucknell Heights neighborhoods. Bucknell Elementary School was built to serve these rapidly growing communities and was named for the community's connection with Bucknell University.

School History: 1945-1955

Bucknell Elementary School opened during the post-World War II period known as the baby boom. Following World War II, rapid growth of the Federal government brought an influx of workers and returning veterans to Northern Virginia. In June 1945 there were 8,235 children enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) at 42 schools. By June 1949 enrollment had increased to 12,118 children, but there were still only 42 schools in operation. In October 1949, the Fairfax County School Board began discussing the need to locate suitable land upon which to build a school in the Bucknell Manor subdivision, however it took almost three years to secure a proper site. In the 1950s, Fairfax County’s landscape was rapidly evolving from one of rural dairy farms into sprawling suburban subdivisions. FCPS administrators had been projecting record enrollment growth for several years, but were unprepared when actual growth far exceeded their expectations. Because very little funding was available for school construction, FCPS teachers and students were forced to cope with large class sizes and difficult classroom conditions for many, many years.

Pictured here, in 1954, are the tarpaper-covered four-classroom temporary building and one of the five Quonset huts used at Groveton Elementary School. During the 1950s, enrollment growth outpaced school construction so significantly that FCPS found it necessary to house students in many temporary classrooms, such as World War II military surplus Quonset huts, old wooden schoolhouses, and rented rooms in churches, firehouses, and apartment complexes.

Design and Construction
Funding for Bucknell Elementary School was secured in February 1953, when an $11 million school bond was approved by the voters of Fairfax County. Bucknell Elementary School was designed in 1953 by the architecture firm of Willgoos and Chase of Alexandria, Virginia. Originally, Bucknell was designed as a 14-classroom building with a library and a multi-purpose room called a cafetorium (a combined cafeteria and auditorium). In February 1954, the School Board awarded the contract for the construction of our school to Allen C. Minnix & Sons at a cost of $363,897. However, it soon became clear that 14 classrooms would not be enough to house the significant number of school-aged children moving into the neighborhoods surrounding Bucknell Elementary School. Three months into construction, the School Board directed Willgoos and Chase to prepare plans for an addition to Bucknell to include as many classrooms as could most economically and practically be added to the school. A nine-classroom addition was approved, bringing the total number of classrooms to 23 and the enrollment capacity to 690. The addition would make Bucknell the largest elementary school in Fairfax County at that time.

The First Year
The 1954-55 school year began on September 1 with 28,700 children enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. Construction of Bucknell Elementary School was incomplete, so future Bucknell students were housed at Belle View Elementary School.

In December 1954, it was announced that Dr. Sylvia Dunnavant Allen, principal of Woodlawn Elementary School since 1944, had been appointed principal of Bucknell Elementary School. Her transfer became effective in January 1955, when Bucknell was ready to begin operation.

Principal Allen in 1957. She had formerly been a 5th grade teacher at Lorton Elementary School, and a principal at Floris and Woodlawn elementary schools before coming to Bucknell.

Bucknell Elementary School opened its doors to students for the first time on Monday, January 24, 1955. Some of the teachers at Bucknell during the first year were Ruth M. Chester, Marjorie S. Hess, Lillian B. Kibler, Eileen A. Markham, Joyce H. Milam, Madelyn T. Post, Shirley A. Shipherd, Marie E. Sigmund, Frances J. Smith, and Evelyn J. Tubbs. Their salaries ranged between $3,200 and $4,100 for the year, depending upon years of experience and level of certification, with the majority of the teachers earning around $3,300.

School History: 1955-1970

Bucknell Elementary School opened its doors to students for the first time on Monday, January 24, 1955. Our first principal was Dr. Sylvia Dunnavant Allen. She led Bucknell from 1955 to 1962.

Undated newspaper article from the dedication ceremony for Bucknell Elementary School. Pictured at center, with the key in the door, is Principal Allen. During her time as principal, she was recognized by the National PTA "for her outstanding contributions toward fostering mutual recognition of both home and school, and promoting the well-being of children."

Bucknell began its second year of operation on September 6, 1955, with 20 teachers and a part-time librarian, Margaret H. Cleland, who travelled between Bucknell and nearby Hollin Hills Elementary School. 32,000 children were enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in September, approximately 3,300 more than the previous school year. Although Bucknell was the largest elementary school in Fairfax County when it was being built, overcrowding was immediately apparent when our school opened. The nine-room addition, forming the wing where our library and gymnasium are located today, was completed in the fall of 1955, but even this additional space proved inadequate. Within four years our enrollment swelled from 728 to 760 pupils, well over the building's capacity.

The first Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dealt with such issues as getting sheets and pillowcases for the clinic, a flag, a piano, cafeteria supplies, and playground equipment. In addition, these parents were instrumental in initiating the construction of two all-purpose blacktop courts and fencing around the school property. They also promoted the construction of sidewalks around the neighborhood to make it safer for children to walk to school. During the 1950s, the PTA dues were $1.00 per person. In order to raise funding for improvements, the PTA sponsored an annual bazaar. Held each May, the bazaar included pony rides, movies, various craft booths, and performances from local television celebrities such as Billy Johnson who autographed pictures for the children. In 1957, funding from the third annual bazaar was used to purchase books for the school library, furniture for the school lobby, and a back stop for the playground.

Undated newspaper article, believed to be from 1957-58. One fondly remembered annual tradition at Bucknell was sledding on the hillside next to our school. Adults would build a bonfire in a large tin barrel at the top of the hill for the children to warm themselves after a long day of play in the snow.

The 1960s
The decade of the 1960s brought several major changes to Bucknell Elementary School. In September 1960, FCPS opened its first intermediate schools. Prior to this time, elementary schools in Fairfax County educated children in grades one through seven. The seventh grade children in our community were assigned to Bryant Intermediate School on Quander Road. The shift of the seventh grade class out of Bucknell lowered our enrollment to approximately 600 children.

Bryant Intermediate School was originally located on Quander Road. In 1976, Bryant and Groveton High School traded campuses. Today, the original Bryant site is home to West Potomac High School.

Also in the early 1960s, FCPS began the process of slowly desegregating its schools. When Bucknell opened, public schools in Virginia were segregated by race. Bucknell was built to serve the rapidly expanding white suburban communities near Alexandria. At that time, African-American children living in our area were bused to Drew-Smith Elementary School, located at Gum Springs on Route 1.

Drew-Smith Elementary School, an all-African-American school located at Gum Springs on Route 1, closed in 1965 and was converted into a special education center. Courtesy of the Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library.

Bucknell Elementary School integrated in 1964, when 20 African-American children were reassigned to our school from Drew-Smith. These children came from neighborhoods along Emmett Drive, Quander Road, and Beacon Hill Road.

Head Start and Kindergarten
The 1960s also saw continued improvements made to the programs offered at Bucknell, as well as to our school building and grounds. Dancing lessons and chess instruction were offered as after school programs. Major improvements were made to the school yard and playground. In 1962, Arthur R. Mitchell was appointed principal of our school. He led Bucknell for five years, departing in 1967 to open Rolling Valley Elementary School. Principal Mitchell was assisted by Nancy Calvert (1965-66) and Mrs. Yance (1966-67).

FCPS Directory photograph of Principal Arthur Mitchell from the 1969-70 school year when he was at Rolling Valley Elementary School.

During Principal Mitchell's time at Bucknell, construction began on a second addition to our school. These classrooms were added to the far end of the 1955 nine-classroom addition on the Canterbury Lane side of the building. The new classrooms, completed in 1965, enlarged the capacity of Bucknell to 840 pupils. A kindergarten program was piloted in several schools in 1967, and in 1968 Bucknell opened its doors to the five-year-olds of the neighborhood.

A Challenging Time
During the 1960s, fears of a nuclear conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union were ever present. Students practiced air raid drills and there was a fully stocked fallout shelter on the lower level of our school where the itinerant offices are located today. Every Wednesday at noon, instruction paused for the testing of a loud air raid siren. PTA notes from this time record discussions about purchasing black-out draperies for the cafeteria.

Principal Rufus B. Cooley (1967-76)
With the transfer of Principal Mitchell to Rolling Valley in 1967, Rufus Bart Cooley became principal for the next nine years, assisted by Mrs. Sublett in 1967, Melba Cannan in 1968, William Dudgeon in February 1971, and Miss Lanier in August 1971. Under their able leadership, Bucknell became an accredited school in 1968. A breakfast program was also started at this time, and meals cost 10 cents per child.

School History: 1970-2000

In the 1970s, many new concepts in education were being initiated. Bucknell, as always, was on the cutting edge of change. Bucknell was one of ten schools to participate in a pilot program to test the theories of Glaser's "Schools Without Failure," with ungraded classes, team teaching, and new math. To accommodate the implementation of these new ideas, Monday became a shortened day so teachers could have the time for planning they needed. Report cards were also revised and became more standardized throughout the county. Principal Cooley regularly held "coffees" with parents and community members to keep them educated and informed about these innovations.

In 1971, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) acquired funds from a beautification program started in the 1960s by Lady Bird Johnson, the First Lady of the United States. 47 shrubs were purchased, and planting was scheduled to take place on May 8, 1971, with the help of volunteers. Ann Myatt, supervisor of the activity, had diligently placed markers around where holes were to be dug for the shrubs. It just so happened that same day was "clean-up" day, and a first grader methodically removed all the markers and deposited them in the trash, thoroughly satisfied that he had helped beautify the school.

The First Renovation
Bucknell Elementary School's first renovation was conducted in two-phases in the 1970s. Plans called for updating the lighting, heating, ventilation, and electrical systems, removing glass bricks, adding a full-sized gymnasium, and expanding and relocating the library as a "media center" to a more centralized location. In July 1974, the School Board authorized architects to proceed with drawing up the schematics for part of the systems renewal. Work on these upgrades began in the summer of 1976. In January 1977, the firm of Smith and Smith Architects, Inc., of Springfield, Virginia, was assigned to the second phase of the renovation and addition. One year later, as the plans neared completion, it was decided to simplify the designs because the projected cost of the project exceeded available funding. It was decided to relocate the media center into existing classroom space on the first floor and partition the old library into a resource area for speech and learning disability (LD) instruction. In June 1978, the School Board awarded the contract for the project to the N. S. Stavrou Construction Company, Inc., at a cost of $524,550. The gymnasium was completed the following school year and was dedicated on October 26, 1979.

Mrs. Buckreis' Head Start class in 1994-95. By the early 1970s, Bucknell offered classes for preschool-aged children and the Head Start program. In 1977, the number of children in these programs increased significantly when Quander Road Elementary School closed and the children in that school's Head Start program were moved to Bucknell.

No Gym?
It's hard to imagine now, but from 1955 to 1979 Bucknell Elementary School did not have a gymnasium. Prior to 1979, physical education was taught in a classroom on the ground floor level across from the fallout shelter. Marian Miller, an administrative assistant at our school, attended Bucknell as a child in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She recalls that during physical education class the children did a lot of exercises such as motion drills and jumping jacks. They were also taught square dancing. Outdoors, the children played kickball on the blacktop. One of Mrs. Miller's fondest memories as a student at Bucknell is of the home-cooked meals served in the cafeteria. Her favorite was Salisbury steak, served with rice and green beans. The cafeteria staff made the steak patties by hand out of hamburger meat. On special occasions, they also served homemade cookies and pies. She also said that back then children couldn't buy ice cream like they do today, because families could not afford it.

Bison and Bulldogs
Did you know that Bucknell's first mascot was a bison, and that our school colors were originally orange and blue? In July 1977, a white stuffed bison, which stood approximately three feet tall and had a maroon and yellow banner, was presented to Freda Skirvin, who became principal in 1976. This school mascot was displayed in the library, and mysteriously disappeared one day in the 1980s. Our mascot "Bucky" the Bulldog, and the new school colors of blue and white, were adopted during the 1985-86 school year.

The 1980s
From the beginning, Bucknell Elementary School was a center of activity for the community. There were fall and summer recreation programs, Little League baseball and football teams played games on our fields, and Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and a 4-H club met in our school. Local citizen associations gathered in the building for their meetings and various activities, such as Halloween parties, Christmas parties, and community yard sales. Even a local church held services here temporarily when it ran out of space.

Another thing our building lacked, prior to the late-1980s, was air conditioning. When you look at old photographs of our school, you'll frequently see classroom windows propped open on warm days to allow the air to circulate throughout the school. Air conditioning was installed building-wide during the 1988-89 school year at a cost of $504,900. Also in 1988, the PTA raised more than $15,000 to build a new playground, and the community celebrated its completion with a dedication picnic.

The Sara J. Fowke Library
In February 1987, the Fairfax County School Board formally named our library in honor of Sara J. Fowke. Ms. Fowke was the librarian at Bucknell Elementary School from September 1969 until December 1986. She is fondly remembered for giving freely of her time and love to students and faculty, and giving personal attention to individual students—showing them how to “open doors” with books and the ability to read. Ms. Fowke's dedication and devotion earned her a nomination for the FCPS Teacher of the Year Award in 1985.

Sara Fowke (right) and school counselor Miriam Rosenthall (left) during the celebration of Bucknell Elementary School's 40th anniversary in 1994. Ms. Fowke is wearing a patchwork skirt made by Bucknell students in the 1970s.

The 1990s
In 1993, construction began on the second renovation to Bucknell Elementary School. The project was completed approximately 18 months later at a cost of $3.3 million. A new library, computer lab, a stage in the gymnasium, and a new main entrance were constructed. On Friday, December 9, 1994, four decades of students, educators, and community members gathered to celebrate Bucknell's 40th anniversary and the completion of the renovation.

Bucknell's Library (Media Center) in 1989. Prior to the renovation, the library was located on the first floor down the hallway from the main office.

The new computer lab came equipped with 15 state-of-the-art Macintosh computers with CD-Rom and multimedia communication capabilities. They replaced obsolete work stations such as this one, pictured in 1989.

Also during the 1994-95 school year, the first English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes began at Bucknell. The program was added to accommodate the increasing numbers of non-native English speakers in the Bucknell community. For the first time, school signage was printed in multiple languages: Arabic, English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Mrs. Blackwell's 1st Grade Class, 1995-96. The 30-year period from 1964-1994 witnessed the slow transformation of Bucknell's student body from the era of racial segregation to the cultural and ethnic diversity we cherish today.

Our Principals
During the period of 1970 to 2000, Bucknell Elementary School had six principals: Rufus B. Cooley (1967-76), Freda Skirvin (1976-83), Janet Turney Mulvaney (1983-86), Mary Beth Spencer (1986-87), Nancy Dyer Manning (1987-90), and Juanita Trapp (1990-03). Enrollment at Bucknell gradually declined from approximately 600 students in 1970, to 329 in 1985, then rebounded again to about 400 students by 2000.

School History: 2000-Present

At the start of the 21st century, Bucknell received an award in recognition of our school achieving outstanding School-wide Achievement Index (SAI) gains as a Project Excel school. There was a heightened focus district-wide in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to close the student achievement gap, and Bucknell Elementary School led the way with a Minority Student Achievement Program.

Also during this time, our school entered into a partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), creating a Junior FBI Academy at Bucknell. These two programs were featured before the Fairfax County School Board as part of the Spotlight series. Take a few moments to watch the Spotlight videos created for the School Board by staff from the FCPS cable television channel Red Apple 21.

Reading First
Principal Juanita Trapp departed at the end of the 2002-03 school year, and was succeeded by Joanne Jackson. In September 2003, Bucknell was the recipient of a $224,825 Reading First grant from the Virginia Department of Education. The grant provided funding to establish reading programs for students in grades K-3, and for professional development for teachers. Bucknell was one of 47 schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive grant funding that year.

The Parent Center
During the 2010-11 school year, Bucknell Elementary School opened its first parent center. The center was staffed by three parent liaisons, and during its inaugural year offered parenting classes, English for Speakers of Other Languages classes, computer classes, and books for parents and children.

Bucknell's Parent Center in 2011. Computer classes were offered to parents who wanted to learn computer skills or simply improve their working knowledge of computers.

The Third Renovation
Our most recent renovation began construction in 2015. On November 11, 2015, the School Board awarded the contract for the project to Keller Brothers, Inc., at a cost of $15.9 million. During this renovation, the fallout shelter built in the 1960s was excavated, and new itinerant offices were constructed in that space. The three aerial photographs below show the progress of the renovation from 2015 to 2017.

Our Principals
Principal Joanne Jackson departed Bucknell during the 2008-09 school year. Assistant Principal Raquel Alcarez served as the acting principal for the remainder of that year. She was succeeded by Sheila Eller, who was principal for one year from 2009-10. Timothy H. Slayter became the 12th principal of Bucknell Elementary School in 2010, and served in that role for six years. In 2016, he departed to become the principal of Cameron Elementary School, and Assistant Principal Nancy Mercer served briefly as acting principal until LaRonda Peterson, was appointed to the position in November 2016. In 2022, she became the principal of Riverside Elementary School, until our current principal, Rashida Green was appointed in 2022.

A Look at Bucknell Today
Bucknell teachers are talented members of a professional learning community that aims for high academic results. Through collaborative team planning, co-teaching in an inclusive environment, and continual professional development on research-based instructional practices, teachers work to meet the learning needs of each student. In language arts, students participate in small group guided reading, Socratic Seminars, word study, and writing throughout all content areas. Students acquire higher-order math skills through small group instruction, hands-on manipulatives, and authentic problem-solving activities. Students explore topics in science and social studies using interactive methods of study, such as Smartboard technology, interactive notebooks, and project-based learning. Students learn the scientific process and use this knowledge to conduct investigations that are shared in a school-wide Science Fair.

Bucknell also benefits from an award-winning mentor program that matches West Potomac High students with Bucknell students. Mentors provide homework help and school-success coaching for a variety of age levels. In addition, Bucknell’s 6th graders are fortunate to participate in the Bucknell-FBI/CAAA leadership and outreach program. 6th graders hear speakers, travel on field trips and participate in special events centered on leadership, positive self-image, fitness, and success in school. Bucknell is also proud partners with...

FBI/Citizens Academy Alumni Association
Hollin Hall Senior Center

Bucknell believes strongly in the parent-school partnership as a critical element to the success of students. Parents and family members are encouraged to volunteer, visit the Bucknell Parent Center, and connect with teachers and staff regularly. The parent center is open daily and is the portal for accessing school volunteer opportunities. It also serves as a community and educational resource for parents.

The Bucknell school community believes in the ongoing power of education and the academic success of all students. The mission at Bucknell is to prepare students for advanced classes in middle and high school and to enable students to pursue higher education. “High expectations for all” and giving it “Your Bulldog Best” are words teachers and students live by at Bucknell Elementary.

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