Silas Bartsch
Encyclopedia
Silas Bartsch was the first superintendent of the Kings Canyon Unified School District
in Reedley, California
. He remained superintendent for five years, leaving to begin a career at then Fresno Pacific College. He moved to Reedley with his family when he was 14. He graduated from Reedley High School
and enlisted in the army at age 17. Returning to Reedley upon discharge, he graduated from Reedley College
in 1949, attended Fresno State and San Jose State, and graduated from Chapman College in Los Angeles
with a major in history and education. He completed a year of post graduate study at Berkley Baptist Divinity School before beginning his teaching career in 1952 as a fourth grade teacher at Washington School.
Bartsch later taught at General Grant School before becoming principal in 1958. In 1961, he was appointed superintendent of Reedley Elementary School District, and in 1965, of the newly formed Kings Canyon Unified School District
. Five years later, he began a new teaching career at Fresno Pacific College, but he remained active in his hometown until his death.
For the legacy he left behind in his hometown, a new K-8 school is named after him in Reedley, California
. He and his wife also have a building on the Fresno Pacific University
campus named after them; Bartsch Hall.
In June 2008, a new K-8 school in Kings Canyon Unified School District was named Silas Bartsch School. In July, Silas Bartsch School chose its school colors and mascot. Its colors are forest green and orange. The mascot is the Bengal; the Bartsch Bengals! The campus was opened on October 2008. It is located at 2225 East North Ave., Reedley, CA 93654.
On October 23, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Silas Bartsch School took place with over 500 people in attendance. Six days later on October 29, Silas Bartsch School opened its campus for the first time to over 440 students.
Kings Canyon Unified School District
Kings Canyon Unified School District comprises mainly Reedley, California area schools, but also those for the town of Orange Cove and the mountain areas . All of these schools boast excellence and school pride...
in Reedley, California
Reedley, California
Reedley is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. Reedley is located east-southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 348 feet . The population at the 2010 census was 24,194. Its chief economic source is agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetable cultivation. The city is dubbed as...
. He remained superintendent for five years, leaving to begin a career at then Fresno Pacific College. He moved to Reedley with his family when he was 14. He graduated from Reedley High School
Reedley High School
Reedley High School is the first public high school in Reedley, California and in the Kings Canyon Unified School District. The marching band is one of the largest marching bands in the West Coast. The school was established in 1918 and has since created many unique traditions for the high school...
and enlisted in the army at age 17. Returning to Reedley upon discharge, he graduated from Reedley College
Reedley College
Reedley College often referred to as Reedley, RC, or known to locals as The College is a public community college located in Reedley, California, USA southeast of the Fresno Metropolitan Area and only a 3 hour drive south to Los Angeles or 3 hour drive north to San Francisco...
in 1949, attended Fresno State and San Jose State, and graduated from Chapman College in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
with a major in history and education. He completed a year of post graduate study at Berkley Baptist Divinity School before beginning his teaching career in 1952 as a fourth grade teacher at Washington School.
Bartsch later taught at General Grant School before becoming principal in 1958. In 1961, he was appointed superintendent of Reedley Elementary School District, and in 1965, of the newly formed Kings Canyon Unified School District
Kings Canyon Unified School District
Kings Canyon Unified School District comprises mainly Reedley, California area schools, but also those for the town of Orange Cove and the mountain areas . All of these schools boast excellence and school pride...
. Five years later, he began a new teaching career at Fresno Pacific College, but he remained active in his hometown until his death.
For the legacy he left behind in his hometown, a new K-8 school is named after him in Reedley, California
Reedley, California
Reedley is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. Reedley is located east-southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 348 feet . The population at the 2010 census was 24,194. Its chief economic source is agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetable cultivation. The city is dubbed as...
. He and his wife also have a building on the Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University also known as FPU is an accredited Christian university located in Fresno, California, United States. It was founded in 1944 by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The university awarded its first bachelor of arts degree in 1965...
campus named after them; Bartsch Hall.
In June 2008, a new K-8 school in Kings Canyon Unified School District was named Silas Bartsch School. In July, Silas Bartsch School chose its school colors and mascot. Its colors are forest green and orange. The mascot is the Bengal; the Bartsch Bengals! The campus was opened on October 2008. It is located at 2225 East North Ave., Reedley, CA 93654.
On October 23, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Silas Bartsch School took place with over 500 people in attendance. Six days later on October 29, Silas Bartsch School opened its campus for the first time to over 440 students.