HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-06 - Walter Hays Elementary SchoolProclamation
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Walter Hays Elementary School
WHEREAS, from 1917 through 1921, it was obvious that the little two-classroom building near the corner of
Bryant and Churchill was a temporary location for the young children whose families had purchased homes in
the Seale property below Embarcadero Road; and
WHEREAS, in 1921, the City School Board bought nearly seven acres from two of Palo Alto’s founders,
Timothy and Mary Kellogg Hopkins, for $11,000. Palo Altans voted favorably on bonds that were issued to build
the new school located on Blocks 103 and 104 near the new Rinconada Park; and
WHEREAS, the school’s namesake, the Rev. Dr. Walter Hays, was the unanimous choice of the City School
Board, since Dr. Hays had served as a board member since 1911 and as president until his untimely death in May
1920; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Dr. Hays served as the founding president of the Union High School Board in 1916,
which brought together the communities of Mayfield, Palo Alto, and Stanford into a district that obtained a
generous offer of land from Stanford University; and
WHEREAS, on December 24, 1918, Palo Alto High School moved into the new mission-style buildings on
Embarcadero and El Camino, a legacy in the vision of Rev. Dr. Walter Hays; and
WHEREAS, the new Walter Hays School, the first permanent school in 18 years, opened in the fall of 1923
with around 200 students and Edith Patton serving as the school’s first principal.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lydia Kou, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council do
hereby honor and congratulate Walter Hays Elementary School on its 100th Anniversary and commend it for its
significant educational contributions to the community.
Presented: May 6, 2023
__________________________
Lydia Kou
Mayor