Bamberg ES History
Opened: 1946
Closed: 2014
Bamberg American Elementary School was part of the Bamberg military community that had three schools: one high school and two elementary schools. Bamberg American Dependent School, the original name of the school, was one of the first schools in Germany after the war. The school opened in 1946 and was part of the Erlangen district, which had a student enrollment of 115 students in fourteen locations. The original school served students in grades one through eight. By the 1953-54 school year, the school population had increased to 299 students, and the school principal was James Laster.
Warner Barracks were selected by US occupying forces to become a new base in April 1945. There were already complete facilities that were constructed and established for military purposes. Some buildings were converted for residences and government quarters, while horse stables were converted into shopping areas and other base facilities. Parts of Warner Barracks were constructed in the late 1800s for military facilities for the Royal Bavarian Light Cavalry and were first occupied in 1898. Other parts of the Bamberg military areas, including other parts of Warner Barracks, Muna, and the Airfield, were built during World War I, while additions were added during the mid-1930s and were continued until mid-World War II. In 1950, the buildings were appropriated for US forces and named for Cpl. Henry Warner. In 1951, development for long-term use of the post began with planning for a commissary, medical clinic, churches, and schools.
Until 1978, the Elementary School was housed in the high school and the annex. Fourth through sixth grades were located in the annex across from the high school. In 1984 the primary grade building was expanded, enabling the school to house kindergarten through sixth grade. The two-story edition was added in 1989, and all students could attend the current BES together.
At the beginning of the eighties both schools were relatively new. Two schools were located adjacent to the post in the Flynn Housing Area, and the third was located in Strullendorf, about ten minutes from Bamberg. The Bamberg military post and housing area were located in the northeastern edge of the city of Bamberg, Germany.
For the 1981-82 school year, Bamberg Elementary School was housed in the newest building of the three schools serving the community. The school served children in grades kindergarten through six living in the Flynn Housing Area. The faculty and staff numbered about twenty-five and there were 550 students enrolled. Specialists at the school included learning development, reading improvement specialists, speech therapist, health education, media specialist, music, art, and physical education and counselors. The specialists were shared with Strullendorf American Elementary School.
In 1984, eight classrooms were added, and sixteen more were added in 1987. For the 1987-88 school year, the student enrollment was almost 800 students with a faculty and staff of over forty.
By the 1993-94 school year, Bamberg Elementary School was located in a new building. Due to the military drawdown in Europe, the school enrollment had dropped to 500 students in grades K–5 for the 1992-93 school year. That year the sixth graders attended school at Bamberg Middle/High School. The elementary faculty staff was less than thirty. The sixth grade returned to the elementary school for the 1994-95 school year, and the enrollment increased to 680 students in grades K–6. The high school staff provided specialists to the elementary school for art, music, host nation, physical education, and enrichment. Local field trips included visits to the pumpkin patch; the Bamberg Christmas Market; the cave in Pottenstein, Gelchberg Castle; the Bamberg fossil museum; and the Bamberg Theatre.
John Rhyne was the principal beginning in the early eighties and remained at the school for over a decade. During this time the school’s enrollment reached 700 and then decreased when the military drawdown began in the mid-90s. During the 92-93 school year, the elementary school was included in the high school yearbook due to the fact there weren’t enough students in the high school to support a separate yearbook.
The school population began to increase again by the end of the decade. By the 1996-97 school year there were over 800 students in grade preschool through six. The administrators were Joan Luczai, principal, and Samuel Rice, assistant principal. Yearly events included drama and choir presentations, Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, and the D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). A variety of after-school clubs were offered.
Liz Dunhan was the principal for the 1998-99 school year, and Stephanie El Sayed was the assistant principal. The elementary school had Spanish immersion classes for grades one through three and clubs for German and Spanish.
The school mascot was the Eagle, and a school song was written by music teacher Tim Heit.
If you want to Fly-a, Fly-a, Fly
You must learn to try, try-a, try.
If you want to Soar, Soar, Soar
You must find the key to your door.
Refrain:
Bamberg Eagles, Bamberg Eagles, Bamberg Eagles
Learning today, Soaring Tomorrow.
If you want to walk an easy path,
You must learn to read-write, do math.
The teachers there to help your way
Help you not to fall down or stray.
During 1999-2000 school year the enrollment had remained at 700 and was at 800 the following year. The administrators were principal Ian Coubrough and assistant principal Martha Steinman. The school had several multi-age classes for the primary grades.
Beverly Erdman was the principal from 2009 until the school closed. Her assistants were Wanda McKinzy then Cheryl Tibb. Although the enrollment was continually decreasing, less than 200 the final year, student activities and annual events continued. The school still held the annual events of Harvest Fest, Academic Awards, Spelling Bee, Read Across America, Spirit Days, and musical performances including multicultural presentations.
The school was closed after the 2013-14 school year.
Information from DoDDS School guides and school yearbooks