HARVEY DUNN HISTORY 

In September 1972, Harvey Dunn School existed only on paper and was known merely as the Southeast School through the two years of planning. At the end of that time, students throughout the city were given the unique opportunity of naming their newest school. Elementary schools suggested 77 different names, and the school board decided on Harvey Dunn, a name suggested by three students-Dennis Bell, Dawn Modica, and Jan Parker. All three felt

that Dunn, a native South Dakotan, deserved recognition for his contribution to prairie art. The pioneer series, which includes "The Prairie is My Garden", is one of Harvey Dunn's most noted works of art. These paintings were produced over a period of many years which portray Dakota's pioneering past.

Harvey Dunn was original in its design and function. The school has four "clusters" which wrap around an impressive, centralized library. Each cluster accommodated four classrooms without walls. Harvey Dunn was the first "open" school in Sioux Falls.

In the spring of 2002, a major remodeling and construction project began. The original clusters of classrooms were transformed into self-contained classrooms, two additional kindergarten classrooms were added, and the offices were moved to the front of the building. The Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation Department worked cooperatively with the school district to build a community center. Three classrooms, a game room, computer lab and double gym were built as an addition to Harvey Dunn School. The gym is used jointly during the day with a physical education class on one side and park & recreation department activities on the other. In the evening, many sports leagues use the gyms for activities throughout the year.