Deputy Lab School for Children, 1936

Deputy Lab School, 1936

The Bemidji Normal School was also the site for an elementary school – or Observation School as the first brochure called it – that taught kindergarten through fourth grade. According to College in the Pines by Dr. Art Lee, “President Deputy saw this observation school as the heart of a normal school.” Enrollment totaled 81 with Miss Emma Grant in charge of the school. Miss Letheld Hahn taught kindergarten and first and second grade and Miss Lucy Dunigan taught third and fourth grade. The school’s purpose was “to illustrate the best methods of teaching for the Normal School students enrolled” said President Deputy. Normal School students had the opportunity to complete their observation and student teaching in this on-campus elementary school.