Cobden District Public School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cobden District Public School, located in Cobden, Ontario Canada serves students from the Whitewater Region and is under the jurisdiction of the Renfrew County Board of Education. The school usually has between 300-500 students from grades 1-8 with jr. and sr. kindergarten taught in an attached building (described below). Built in 1938 C.D.P.S. originally served as a high school until the construction of Opeongo High School finished in 1968. In the pre-war years times were different. The Cobden and District High School opened with an attendance of 42 students. During World War II 26 students and teachers volunteered for service, two died in action. In the early 50's the world was changing fast. Small schools were being phased out for large amalgamated schools that could offer diverse curriculum. Despite the inevitability of change it was resisted at every level. In 1960 a new public school was built next to C.D.H.S. The two buildings were attached by a tunnel for mutual use of gymnasium, this attachment now serves as a kindergarten ward. In the face of local schools closing county wide, and quick decay of Eganville and District High School, the two towns' councils decided to construct a school to serve both districts. After 1968 Cobden served only as a public school. Its excellent facilities (a remnant of it high school days) led to it being the only school in the area with a wood shop and home economics classroom. Students from other schools are bussed into Cobden one period a week to take advantage of these facilities.