Palm Beach County came into existence on July 1, 1909. The county was created from Dade County, which at the time, stretched from the St. Lucie River to the tip of the Florida Peninsula.

The School District of Palm Beach County was then formed and had its first meeting on July 6, 1909. The first School Board was composed of Herbert A. Pennock, Chairman, Henry T. Grant and J.J. Schabinger. The first Superintendent, James C. Harris (photo), was appointed July 13, 1909.

The School District has played a very important role in the life and development of Palm Beach County. For example, the first woman Superintendent, Agnes Ballard (photo), served from 1921 to 1925.

During our Centennial Year, all Palm Beach County Schools will be given an opportunity to celebrate our history and to educate our students and communities about the role of our schools and educators.

District Centennial Kick off January 25, 2009...

Kaleidoscope 2009-Go Back 100 Years-Celebrating the Cultures and Rich History of Palm Beach County

CONGRATULATIONS to the twenty two Palm Beach County schools and Beacon Centers, their cultural group partners and the event staff of the City of West Palm Beach who participated in 12th Annual Kaleidoscope on Sunday, January 25, 2009, making it "the best ever," according to veteran visitors. Hosted and cosponsored by the City of West Palm Beach, Kaleidoscope lived up to its reputation as the “Best Educational Event” and “Best Community Outreach Event” by the International Festival and Events Association and Florida Festivals and Events Association, respectively.

And, to celebrate and kick off the School District's Centennial 1909-2009: Celebrating 100 Years of Educational Excellence, a replica of the county's very first one-room school, the "Little Red School House," stood proudly at the entrance welcoming the thousands of visitors to a picture-perfect day of the sights, sounds and aromas of the cultures of the world.

A very special THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to Okeeheelee Middle School who worked with the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach to construct the working one-roomschoolhouse for Kaleidoscope to demonstrate how education has changed in Palm Beach County over the past 100 years - from a strictly-run, one-room school to the nation's 10th largest public school system with four consecutive "A" ratings from the State of Florida. (Photo: Inside the Little Red Schoolhouse replica.)
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Among the events and activities that are planned:

• January 2009 - Centennial Kick-Off Celebration
• January 2009 - Kaleidoscope, an award winning replica of The Little Red Schoolhouse Village created by Okeeheelee Middle School under the leadership of  Dr. David Samore, Principal.
• January 2009 - Centennial Celebration Web site created.  It contains varied information; historical photos, historical facts about the District, photos of District alumni, Educational Resources Toolkit containing fun and educational activities for all ages, Centennial Screen Saver, and Centennial Bookmark.
• January 2009 - Little Red Schoolhouse Centerpieces designed by Gerre Wood and created by a collaborative team of 40 volunteers.
• January through December 2009 - School District of Palm Beach County’s schools and departments activities and events.  Examples:  art contests, plays, school rededications, school-wide theme day, documentaries, story boards, and history fairs.
• February 2009 - The Education Foundation’s Spirit of Youth Dinner honored the District’s centennial.
• April 2009 - The Spring Art Show of students work with a centennial theme related to the School District of Palm Beach County and Palm Beach County.
• May 2009 - Three (3) Centennial Recognition Breakfasts; Retirees Centennial Breakfast, Employees of the Year Centennial Breakfast, and Volunteers and Business Partners Centennial Breakfast.
• May to June 2009 - The District’s Student Centennial Essay Contests for elementary, middle, and high school students concluded.  Winning students and their sponsoring teachers will receive donated monetary awards and certificates at the School Board of Palm Beach County on September 16, 2009.  
• June 2009 - Facilities Management Department Annual Golf Outing with a centennial theme.  This event raises funds for the summer internship program. Special prizes will be given to golfers wearing outfits from the early 1900’s.
• July 15, 2009 - The School Board of Palm Beach County’s symbolic recognition of its first meeting on July 6, 1909.  It was originally called the Board of Public Instruction of Palm Beach County.
• September 16, 2009 - The School District of Palm Beach County’s district-wide Centennial Celebration Day. 
  * Interesting ways for students, teachers, principals, school centers, departments, volunteers and business partners to recognize the District’s Centennial,
  * Timeline of the School District of Palm Beach County from 1909 to 2009 power point presentation,
  * Centennial Proclamation,
  * Recognition of Bank of America as our Premier Centennial Partner, and
  * Recognition of our Centennial Committee Members.
• Fall 2009 - School District of Palm Beach County’s schools Centennial activities continue.
• Fall 2009 - A Centennial Time Capsule will be created and buried by students at our newest school; Hope Centennial Elementary School under the leadership of Principal Julie Hopkins, one of our centennial Committee members.
• November 14, 2009 to January 3, 2010 - Collaborative art and history exhibits displayed at the Norton Museum of Art related to the centennials of the District and Palm Beach County. Our collaboration with The Norton Museum of Art will be reflective of our year-long events.  It will include participation by students, teachers, principals, schools, staff, volunteers, business partners, and the Palm Beach County community at-large.
  * Four-days Exhibit: Mrs. Ineria Hudnell’s educational art and history collection and
  * Six-weeks Exhibit: Selected student art projects inspired by Mrs. Hudnell’s exhibit.

>Schools & Departments - Centennial Celebration Activities & Events