User:Nqm5156/Miller v. Board of Education

Kendall School Division II for Negroes

Following the decision of the Miller v. Board of Education case, black students returned to Gallaudet Campus to be educated in "Ole Jim". Sixteen students made up the inaugural class of 1952 of Kendall School Division II for Negroes. Kenneth Miller, was one of these students, along with William (Billy) Matthews and Rial Loftis. Four black teachers were hired to work with the students: Rubye Frye Hughes, Mary Britt Phillips, Robert Robertson, and Bessie Thornton, all of whom had master's degrees. Students received additional instruction in woodworking (taught by Franklin Peters), sewing (Virginia Wilkinson, B.S.), crafts (Hylda Puree, B.A., of the Gallaudet College Graduate Department of Education, Class of 1953-1954), and physical education (Edward Phillips). Two Gallaudet College teaching students, Andrew Foster and Otis Massey, also worked with the Kendall Division II students, giving instruction in academics and vocational typing, respectively. In addition to having a separate faculty and staff, Division II also had its own school counselors. Ochie Lee served as a counselor for the boys of Division II, and Helen Middleton served as the counselor for the girls.

Division II also had its own PTA. During the 1953-1954 year, the elected board consisted of Mrs. Louise Miller (president), Mr. Youngs (vice-president), Minnie Mayfield (secretary), and Mrs. Rubye Frye (treasurer). Later, Miss Grace Jones would take on the role of secretary, replacing Minnie Mayfield by the second PTA meeting. Mrs. Synora Loftis served as chairman of the committee responsible for drafting the PTA constitution and by-laws. She was assisted by Miss Grace Jones and Mr. Robert Robinson.