Ralph F. Stearley PS (formerly Bob Hope PS) History
Opened: 1980
OPEN
Ralph F. Stearley Primary School – originally Bob Hope Primary School – was built by the Japanese government at Kadena Air Base. Construction was started in 1979 and completed in 1980. This school was one of two schools built to replace closing schools. Built on the site of former Kaden Riding Stables, the two-story elementary school buildings had classrooms clustered around activity centers. This was done so the entire faculty could operate on a team-teaching concept. The school opened with 750 students in the fall of 1980.
The school was directly adjacent to Amelia Earhart Intermediate School. Originally the primary school had grades kindergarten through three. Each cluster of three or four classrooms included a multipurpose room with a stove, refrigerator, sinks, and storage space. This multipurpose room had enough space for a variety of children’s activities. The school also had an elevator for the second story. The Learning Resource Center was the heart of the school. In the early eighties most students were bussed to the school which had a daily hot lunch program. The school had a very large playground that included a nature trail through the woods behind the school.
The school was originally named through a democratic process. Students voted by ballot and the results were overwhelmingly in favor of becoming Bob Hope Elementary School. Bob Hope was a famous comedian and humanitarian, who gave of his time and talent to entertain thousands of military men and women throughout the Pacific, during several wars, dating back as far as World War II. Mr. Hope never visited the school, but he wrote a letter giving permission to use his name for the school. The US Congress also had to approve the name of the school.
By the 1981-82 school year, the primary school had 960 students in kindergarten through six grade. The staff of forty-three educators included a learning development specialist, speech therapist, reading improvement specialist, librarian, nurse, counselor, and cultural teacher. Art, music, and physical education were half-time positions.
The first school yearbook (1981) described a special school event:
A Japanese Traditional Celebration is Girls Day. It is being observed by Ms. Irei, Media Center Assistant, and Ms. Sugiyama, Culture teacher. Mr. Condie has received a proper enculturation on this ancient custom.
In ancient times, all people, men, women and children, made crude dolls of paper and making them they transferred their ill-fortune or sickness to the dolls. Then gathering these dolls, they went to a nearby river or brook and cast them bearing all their evils, into the water. It was thus an occasion for a family outing. This was the original hina-matsuri. This was modified during the Tokugawa Period and elaborately dressed costly dolls were used for hina matsuri.
The present day doll display is a set of fifteen dolls consisting of the Emperor and Empress and other members of the court, but always balanced equally male and female counterpart.
The school song was published on the cover of the ’82 yearbook. The school mascot is the Panda, and the school colors are red and black.
By the end of the eighties the staff had increased to fifty-four educators and the enrollment was over 980. In the mid-nineties, the number of students dropped to 840.
The administrators in the eighties included principals Angelo Condie and Joseph Caruselle. Assistant principals were Francis Colby, Mr. Riley, Barbara Cooper, and Dr. Gerald Tanner. At the beginning of the 1988-89 school year, the school had a dedication ceremony, and a new portrait of Bob Hope was unveiled.
By the 1991-92 school year the enrollment was over 1,000 students in Pre-kindergarten development classes through third grade. By the 2000s, the enrollment began to drop, and by the 2003-04 school year there were approximately 775 pupils enrolled. By the 2017-18 school year, the school no longer included the third grade, and the enrollment was between 650 to 750. There were less than 450 students for the 2021-22 school year and less than 400 for the 2022-23 school year.
The principals for the ’90s included Elaine Grande (1990-97) and Shawne Cryderman. Assistants were Al Lohse, Van Furusho, Lucius Drake, and Carol Loshe. Bud Iles was the principal for the 2002-03 school year with Al Barney as the assistant principal. For the 2017-18 school year, the principal was Michele Moore Robinson, followed by Lori Vallone for the 2020-21 school year. Kelly Pulliam was the principal for the 2021-22 school year followed by Ms. Heather Mildon for the 2022-23 school year.
Students at Bob Hope Primary School participated in many cultural events and study trips. Some of these were trips to the Okinawan Pavilion at the Expo, visits to the Misato Orphanage, participation in a Japanese Tea Ceremony, and classes about Ikebana. Annual cultural events included the Taiko Drums and Soroban (abacus) Contest. The 18th Munition squadron (AMMO) participated in many school activities through the Adopt-a-School program. Other annual events at the school were Red Ribbon Week, Fire Prevention Week, the Storybook Parade, 100th Day celebrations, and family nights. The primary students also enjoyed presentations for Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage, and Read Across America. A special program at the school, DOGS (Dads of Great Students), provided opportunities for dads to celebrate the accomplishments of their children. Students also had several clubs including the fitness club, 100-mile club, Legos, and robotics.
The school was renamed Ralph F. Stearley Primary School starting in the 2021-22 school year, to coincide with the opening of Bob Hope Elementary School. The school yearbook stated that it was the same school, the same building, and the same mascot with a new name.
For the 2023-24 school year the school includes prekindergarten, Sure Start, kindergarten, first and second grades.
Information from dissertation by Harold Clifford Brown, 1981; school yearbooks; school webpage; and the DoDEA Pacific South District Chief of Staff