Stewart Elementary School, erected in 1938, was located at 2400 N. Underwood Street, and named for Charles E. Stewart, a noted civic leader of East Falls Church.
It was rare to name a school in Arlington for a living person, but an exception was made in Mr. Stewart’s case. At the school’s dedication, Dr. Henry Knowles of the East Falls Church Citizens Association, said “. . . this school was not named for Mr. Stewart so much for what he did as for what he is. . . this school was named for character.”
In 1953 Tuckahoe Elementary School was built nearby at 6550 N. 26th Street. Third and fourth graders stayed at the old Stewart school while kindergartners, 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th graders attended Tuckahoe. Students of both schools visited the library, attended assemblies and had hot lunches at Tuckahoe. In 1971, Stewart school was given to the Recreation Department. Today, the former site of Stewart School is Charles E. Stewart Park with a multi-use field, playground basketball court, gazebo and wooded grassy area.
What About You?
Did you go to Stewart or Tuckahoe Elementary? Did you use Stewart when it belonged to the Recreation Department? Let us know what you remember!
I went to 3rd grade at Stewart in 1961-62 (Mrs Ward). On nice days, we'd walk single-file to Tuckahoe for lunch, but took the bus in inclement weather. Fond memories.
Attended Stewart School in Mrs. Brandt’s 4th grade class in 1967. Hit my first home run at the Stewart School playfield also in 1967. I do not remember ever going to Tuckahoe for lunch, perhaps because I brought my lunch to school in metal lunch box.
I also was in Mrs Ward’s 3rd grade ’61-’62.
I was also in Mrs. Ward’s 3rd grade class. 1962-63. I attended Stewart for three grades … 2nd, Mrs. Brown, 3rd- Mrs. Ward and 4th, Mrs. Fahy. Remember well the daily walks to the Tuckahoe cafeteria.
I went to Stewart in 1955-56 for 3rd grade. I was the first class at Tuckahoe in 1953-59. Mrs. Todd, Mrs. Roseman, McCurdy, Gardner, Kessler, Marshall, Mr. Maceachern. Miss Smith was the princ. and I loved it. Brand new school, first month half day at Nottingham as the school didn’t open until October. O’connell wasn’t built until 1956 so it was a vacant field.
Bruce Bailey in Miami
baileyflutes@hotmail.com
Went to Tuckahoe school the first day it opened ,too. Miss Smith was principal.Went to Stewart school for third and fourth, Mrs. Ann Buren was my third grade teacher. She was awesome.I became a teacher and retired after 34 years.Mrs Buren resonated in my teaching.She was a wonderful educator and cheerleader. Mrs.Lee was my fourth grade teacher. She was a good teacher. Miss Smith was my first grade teacher.I had three second grade teachers, Mrs. Roth,Mrs.Marshall, and Mrs Mcmann. Two of them had to leave because because their husbands were transferred.
I attended Stewart School for a part of the 1955-56 school year in the 3rd grade. We moved away in April, shortly before the school year ended. I do not recall my teacher’s name, nor do I recall going to Tuckahoe for lunch, although we did go there once a week or so where the librarian would read books to us. That was 60 years ago, so the memories are not as fresh as they might be. 😀
It’s Charles A. Stewart, not Charles E. The A stood for Alexander.
When I was a boy, if your birthday was after Sept 1, but before Feb 1, you could start first grade in February. The next fall, you received a brief evaluation of about 2 weeks, and either went on to second grade or repeated first grade. I went on, but my brother, Joe, who was 13 months younger than me had to repeat. so we ended up 2 grades apart.
I started at Stewart in February of 1950 and graduated from Tuckahoe in 1955.
There was no public pre-school (kindergarten)in Arlington in those years.
I have fond memories of Stewart, as a 2nd-grader during the 1956-57 school year under Miss Fish, a tall, dignified southern woman. It was a stately, comfortable brick building — but an ancient one — that, in my eyes, seemed to date to the Civil War. Our classroom was in the ground-floor, immediate right-side, as we approached from the street. Like the others, we walked in a single line down the hill to Tuckahoe for various events. I have some recollections of playing dodge ball on the Stewart playground. I had attended the newer Tuckahoe the previous year (1955-6) as a 1st grader (Miss Forest, who married to become Mrs. Stay), so I am not sure how/why I was assigned to Stewart. But I did not feel I was missing out on the action, especially since the principal, Miss Smith, stayed at Tuckahoe all the time. I later attended 5th (Mrs. Snell)and 6th (Mrs. Bozzo) at Tuckahoe.