Just as the early 20th century doctor the school was named for was famous for his generosity, kindness, and caring, in the years between 1974 and 1992 the campus of C.E. Mason opened its arms for students of many experiences, challenges, and backgrounds. Beaverton’s Community School called C.E. Mason home beginning in 1980, and a highlight of those open arms years came when the area that was once the cafeteria became the home for Continuing Education for Young Parents program, often known as CEYP.
The basement, now the counseling office and once the cafeteria, held a nursery for children from one month to six years old. Parents entered through what is now the counseling office door and were able to see their children play just to the right, in what is now the lobby, study-room, file room, and bathroom. This area was divided by age groups and the other section of the basement held a space for tutorials, a small cafeteria, and a place for social gathering. It also was the place where the young parents would come to work on homework or prepare for tests.
The support staff for CEYP was located in the offices near the cafeteria, where they would help some students study for the GED. At the same time, other students would take general core and elective classes with the rest of the Community School “Masonites.”
These years marked the transition of campus from serving elementary students to seeing teenagers at C.E. Mason. Rooms built for youngsters were refurbished and remodeled for bigger kids. It was the start of our school’s life with an eye toward life in the years after school, helping young adults see futures where they could thrive.
Left alone, C.E. Mason might have remained a stable positive influence for years, but from the start this has always been a changing and evolving educational landscape, and as the 1980s gave way to the 1990s, the spark of an idea appeared.
This little campus was about to be changed by one of the most powerful transformative powers around: Art.
bjornpaige 