Recording the history of the Cypress River School District is a formidable venture, not because the early history is devoid of memorable features, but because the people who could remember them have passed on, and the records that could have told the story were destroyed by fire in 1943. Mr Joe Morcombe was the secretary treasurer in 1943. When his drug store was destroyed by fire in 1943, all the school records prior to that time were lost in the fire.

The first school in the district that was later to become the Cypress River School District was called Somerset. No reference to that school was ever made in the inspector's library. However, in the 1882 report, it is stated Somerset School was given approval for the sale of debentures totaling $500 to build a school. No location for the school was given, but one can assume it was "our" Somerset. The school at the town of Somerset was called Richard presumably because there already was Somerset School.

The approval for the debenture sale was recorded in the Inspector's report for Protestant schools. At that time in our history, Manitoba had separate Protestant and Catholic School Boards. Dr. Jackson records in "In Praise of Pioneers" that the Somerset School was built in 1882 on the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 13, ttownship 7, range 13 and opened in 1883. Dr. Jackson also notes that Maria Higginson was the first teacher of Somerset School. It was interesting that in the early records of teachers who had passed their "Certificate Examination" for 1883 to teach in Manitoba, to find the following note. "Miss Higginson, who arrived in the province since the last examination, has been granted an interim Certificate. Could this have been the same Miss Higginson?

Another unanswered question is the origin of the name Somerset. Could it have been named after J.B. Somerset who was the first Inspector for this district and who later around 1886, became Superintendent of Schools for the Province of Manitoba? Again, according to Dr. Jackson, the Somerset School building was moved into the then new townsite of Cypress River in 1887. At some time between 1887 and 1895 an additional room had been added making it a two room School. More classrooms were needed in 1896, so an attempt was made to raise the existing building and add two rooms below. During construction "a terrible hail and wind storm came up and being high up from the ground, largely open underneath, the building collapsed and was scattered abroad." At that time the large four classroom, brick school, that served this community so well, was built.

In 1997, the Inspector was Mr. E.E. Best. The Cypress River School had three teachers and 155 students. The principal was Mr. W.W. Denike, whose salary was $700 per annum.

in 1908, Inspector M.Hall-Jones reports, "The school building in Cypress River is an excellent building, well constructed and arranged for school purposes, due attention having been paid to lighting and ventilation.

Inspector J.S.Dunlop in his 1916-1917 report stated, "The war continues to influence the instruction given in geography, history, literatue, composition, manners and morals. The third year of its duration has made its stern reality felt more keenly be children, parents and teachers. a few secretary treasurers and trustees and eight or nine teachers of this division are now in uniform. There are very few unmarried male teahcers left and some of these are planning to enlist shortly. In this connection, Empire Day was different than it had ever been before."

We find both a somber and happy note in the 1918-1919 report from Inspector Dunlop. "The disastrous epidemic of influenza interfered with the work and took it's toll from among the children, teachers and parents from October to April and during this time the teachers showed their bravery, devotion and self-sacrifice. Boyne Creek and Norfolk schools were the only schools in my division not closed on account of this epidemic. The Advisory Board made very considerable allowances in the courses and examinations.

"This year brought our country out of the war, though we cannot say we are truly at peace. We gladly welcome our returning trustees and teachers and we honor the memory of those who will not return. We must not fail to learn the lessons the war had taught us."

J. S. Dunlop in hi 1920-21 report states "Cypress River district has decided to increase the number of school trustees from three to five" and in 1922 -1923 that "Cypress River district has purchased a church building, remodeled it and opened a fifth classroom." (That would be the old Presbyterian Church that became known as the "little school" where grades one and two were taught until 1959.)

In 1926-1927 M.r Robertson reports, "The Strathcona Trust Shield was won in my division by Miss K. Owens room of Cypress River School. The Manitoba Committee of the Strathcona Trust Fund have provided this year , a prize of approximately $27.00 in each Inspectoral Division, to be spent on playground equipment."

This come from Mr Robertson in his 1927-1928 report. "The majority of essays on Confederation written in connection with the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation, by the pupils in my division were of high standard and were a credit to the students and teachers in our schools. Ida Young of Cypress River won the competition for the secondary schools."

In 1950, because of the rising cost of operating the school, the school board began discussion and efforts to enlarge the school district. They were unsuccessful in these attempts.

At the annual meeting of January 14, 1957, a motion was passed instructing the incomeng board " to take the initiative in obtaining the feeling of the rate-payers and residents in the surrounding rural school districts re: the formation of a consolidated school district and to follow up with appropriate action."

With improved roads and methods of transportation as well as a belief that a larger more departmentalized school offered the students an improved quality of education, the surrounding rural school districts viewed consolidation with less apprehension.

see part two