J.E. Benson Public School (formerly Wyandotte Street School) was an elementary school in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. J.E. Benson School was administered by the Greater Essex County District School Board, which also services sixty-one other elementary schools located in Windsor, Ontario and Essex County, Ontario.

History Construction began in 1914,Windsor: Windsor’s Public Schools, "History of J. E. Benson School," Windsor Public Library 1972. Print. just before the outbreak of the First World War; the school opened in April 1915. Originally named Wyandotte Street School, the building contained twelve classrooms and a Manual Training Room. Ten of the rooms were in use by 1916, and by 1917 the school was in full use. J.E. Benson's, or at the time Wyandotte Street School's, first principal was Mr. Fred SniderBenson 75th Anniversary 1915-1990, Benson Public Library. (City of Windsor Executive Office, 1990) and the first recorded attendance was 95 students.

Addition In 1921–1922, Sandwich Township was annexed by the city of Windsor; this included a three-room school that now fell under the jurisdiction of the Wyandotte Street School. The combination of students from Sandwich Township and the rapid population growth being experienced by the city from the post-war twenties, made it necessary for the School Board to provide additional rooms and accordingly built a fifteen-room addition. The new addition officially opened at noon, Thursday December 20, 1923,"Western Ontario’s Largest School Opened", Windsor Star Dec. 20, 1923, pg. 12 the elementary school re-opened as a full Rotary School hosting 900 pupils "making it the largest institution of its kind in Western Ontario" at the time.

Re-naming: becoming J.E. Benson School On August 12, 1936, at the age of 63 Inspector John Edward Benson died from a heart attack."Inspector J. E. Benson", Windsor Star Aug.12, 1936 pg. 1 The Board of education decided to honour Mr. Benson by renaming Wyandotte Street School, giving it its current name, J.E. Benson School. A commemorative plaque can be seen hung in the hallway to the Auditorium.

J. E. Benson J. E. Benson was the son of James Benson and Angeline Parliament; he was a resident of Roblin's Mills, Prince Edward County. Benson taught in public schools around Prince Edward County until he became the inspector for public schools in Prince Edward County, after his graduation from Queen's University. Inspector Benson was first appointed to His Windsor position on December 16, 1919; he started his duties February 1, 1920. Benson was the first educationalist to bring the rotary system to Canadian schools;"J. E. Benson Sparkled New Era in Education", Windsor Star, Sept. 4, 1954 he was a trusted school inspector for twenty five years. Inspector Benson died from a heart attack on August 12, 1936, after returning to his summer home, his usual custom following the closing of schools for the summer; he "looked in good health" when he retired for the night but suffered from a heart attack and died before help arrived.

Mascot The mascot for J.E. Benson Public School was the Bobcat; students were also known as "The Benson Bobcats".

Principals Year Principal 1915–1920 Mr. Fred Snider 1920–1945 Mr. Thomas W. Draper 1945–1959 Mr. Peter McCallum 1959–1960 Mr. Stuart Tuck 1960–1963 Mr. Harvey Brown 1963–1969 Mr. Harold Kidd 1969–1971 Mr. Arthur Kidd 1971–1979 Mr. Robert C. McIntosh 1979–1988 Mr. George Sutton 1988–1990 Mr. Ken Angus 1990–1995 Mr. Wayne French 1995-1998 Mr. William Chantler 1998-2001 Ms. Louise Rea 2001-2005 Mr. Joe Younan 2005-2010 Ms. Francine Voy 2010-2014 Ms. Patricia OsharList compiled from Windsor’s Public schools until Principal McIntosh then the rest of the list is from Benson 75th Anniversary 1915-1990

List of staff: 2012–13 Grade Teacher Principal Mrs. Oshar Vice-Principal Mrs. Muzzin Secretary Mrs. Sandrin JK/SK Ms. Bonato Mrs. Mialkowski / Mrs. Adjin JK/SK Mrs. Masotti Mrs. Ryan JK/SK Mrs. Pickersgill Mrs. Merlo Grade 1 Mrs. Crowder Grade 1/2 Mrs. Gelinas Grade 1/2 Ms. Moffatt Grade 2/3 Mrs. Zaidan / Mrs. Greer Grade 3 Mrs. Li-Dickinson Grade 4 Mr. McGinnis Grade 4/5 Mr. Jenkins Grade 5/6 Mrs. Vidamour Grade 5/6 Mr. Malmberg Grade 7/8 Miss Colebrook Grade 7/8 Mr. Kennedy S.E.R.R. Miss Landry S.E.R.R. Mrs. Harrison LST Mrs. Laberi Music Mr. Williamson FSL Mme. Kazoun FSL Mme. Gigliotti / Mme. Atris

References

External links J.E. Benson Public School