1 september 1968 & 19 students bused from meyer elementary to bannockburn elementary @bethesda

#OTD 1 September 1968 Nineteen students who had attended Meyer Elementary School (11th & Clifton Sts, NW) last year were preparing for a new school experience. Instead of attending Meyer this year, they were going to Bannockburn Elementary School in Bethesda. They were part of a new 'busing' program, initiated by parents at Bannockburn and negotiated with DC Public Schools, which would have students at Meyer attend Bannockburn for the school year. On Tuesday 3 September, the students were expected to meet at Meyer and then board a school bus for the 25 minute ride to Bannockburn. After school, they would return via bus to Meyer.

The nineteen students, who were six to eight years old, included 17 black students, 1 Chinese American student and one white student.

Your comments are welcome below. Did you, family members or neighbors attend Meyer or Brannockburn in 1968? Were you one of the students bused? Were you a teacher at either school? Do you remember the principals--Margaret Jones (Bethesda) or Sarah Newton (DC)? Do you have photographs and other material related to this program? You may comment privately here.

Photo source: Courtesy Washington Post, September 1968. Fair use. Retrieved from digital newspaper archives via DC Public Library. Harry Naitchayan, photographer. I hope to find an original photo.
Ellen Hoffman, "19 District Pupils Start Busing to Suburbs," Washington Post 4 September 1968.