Red Schoolhouse

Announcer: VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] Huell Howser: HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER AND HERE WE ARE IN HOLLYWOOD ON HIGHLAND AVENUE.

AND TODAY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN HONEST TO GOODNESS NOT ONLY ADVENTURE, BUT A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE AFTERNOON VISITING A PLACE THAT I GUARANTEE YOU HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DRIVE BY EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE SEEN IT HERE ON THE SIDE OF HIGHLAND AVENUE FOR DECADES, BUT NONE OF US REALLY KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT IT-- HOLLYWOOD'S LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE, ESTABLISHED 1945.

AND HERE ARE THE 2 LADIES RIGHT OVER HERE WHO ARE GOING TO FILL IN ALL THE BLANKS AND TELL US THE HISTORY OF THIS WONDERFUL PLACE.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

Debbie: DEBBIE WAVEY.

Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU.

Ruth: I'M RUTH PEASE, THE FOUNDER.

Huell: THE FOUNDER OF HOLLYWOOD'S LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE.

Ruth: THAT'S RIGHT, OF HOLLYWOOD'S LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE.

Huell: NOW, TELL US--I'M GOING TO LET THE TWO OF YOU TELL THIS STORY TOGETHER.

Debbie: OK. Huell: HOW THIS--IT DIDN'T START RIGHT HERE, DID IT?

Debbie: NO.

ACTUALLY, MY MOM STARTED IN THE EARLY FORTIES ON ORCHID NEAR THE MAGIC CASTLE AND HAD STARTED WITH A CHINESE BABY AND-- Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, STARTED WITH A CHINESE BABY?

Debbie: SOMEONE CAME.

SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER HOW IT HAPPENED, BUT SHE WAS RECOMMENDED BY A FRIEND.

IT WAS DURING WORLD WAR II.

MOTHERS NEEDED SAFE PLACES TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN WHILE THEY WORKED, AND SO SHE ENDED UP TAKING CARE OF THE LITTLE GUY FOR QUITE A WHILE, AND MORE AND MORE KIDS KEPT COMING.

Huell: SO WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS DIDN'T START OFF REALLY AS A SCHOOLHOUSE.

IT KIND OF STARTED OFF AS PEOPLE JUST LEAVING THEIR BABIES WITH YOU DURING THE DAY.

Ruth: THEY ALL LOVED ME, AND THEY SAID, "I WANT TO BE HERE."

Huell: AHA.

AND SO, WHAT, YOU HAD ONE BABY, A LITTLE CHINESE BABY, AND THEN YOU HAD SOME MORE BABIES, AND THEN YOU HAD SOME MORE BABIES?

HOW MANY DID YOU END UP WITH?

Ruth: 6.

Huell: 6 OF 'EM.

Ruth: MM-HMM.

Huell: AND THAT CAUSED A PROBLEM, DIDN'T IT?

Debbie: YES.

THE LANDLORD DIDN'T LIKE HAVING THE CHILDREN THERE AND GAVE THEM AN ULTIMATUM-- EITHER GET RID OF THE KIDS OR TO MOVE.

SO MY MOM AND DAD SAID, "WE'RE KEEPING THE KIDS, AND WE'RE MOVING."

AND THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP HERE ON HIGHLAND.

Huell: SO, YOU MOVED FROM ORCHID.

Ruth: RIGHT.

Huell: YOU CAME DOWN HERE ON HIGHLAND.

AND WAS THERE A SCHOOLHOUSE ALREADY HERE?

NO.

Ruth: OH, NO, NO, JUST A LITTLE HOUSE.

Huell: AND HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE IT THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE?

Ruth: WELL, ONE OF OUR FATHERS SAID TO MY HUSBAND, "WHERE'S YOUR LITTLE BOY?"

AND MY HUSBAND SAID, "YOU KNOW, THAT LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE DOWN ON HIGHLAND AVENUE."

"OH!"

AND WE CAME HOME, WE PAINTED IT RED IMMEDIATELY.

Huell: HA!

SO IT WASN'T RED WHEN HE SAID THAT.

Ruth: NO.

Huell: SO THEY KIND OF IMPROVISED AND GOT INTO THE WHOLE MARKETING THING EARLY ON.

Debbie: THAT'S TRUE, THAT'S TRUE.

MY DAD WAS GOOD AT THAT.

Huell: AND SO IT WAS YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND RUNNING THE WHOLE THING?

Ruth: THE WHOLE THING.

Huell: WELL, HOW AMBITIOUS AN IDEA WAS THAT TO ACTUALLY OPEN UP YOUR OWN LITTLE SCHOOL HERE?

Ruth: WELL, JUST BEING WITH PEOPLE THAT NEEDED US, AND WE SAID, "WELL, WE NEED YOU, ALSO."

Huell: MM-HMM.

Ruth: AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, DEBBIE DECIDED TO COME ALONG.

Debbie: I THINK SHE'S REMARKABLE, BECAUSE FOR A WOMAN AT 37 YEARS OLD TO START A BUSINESS IN THOSE DAYS WAS SOMETHING REMARKABLE.

BUT SHE THINKS IT WAS JUST WHAT SHE NEEDED TO DO.

Huell: YEAH.

Debbie: AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SHE SAID FROM '45 TO '50 IT WAS JUST THE 10 OR 15 CHILDREN.

THEN WHEN I WAS BORN IN '50, MY DAD SAID, "I'M GOING TO WORK WITH YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR DAUGHTER."

AND IT STARTED GROWING.

Huell: SO, WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS IS WHERE YOU WENT TO SCHOOL.

Debbie: ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: WELL, YOU HAD TO.

YOUR PARENTS OWNED THE BUILDING.

Ruth: WE COULDN'T PUT HER ON THE STREET.

[ALL LAUGH] Huell: WELL, SO IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

Ruth: YES, PRIVATE.

Huell: BUT DID YOU MAKE IT AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE?

I MEAN... Ruth: WELL, OF COURSE.

Huell: IT WASN'T JUST A PLACE WHERE RICH KIDS COULD GO, WAS IT?

Ruth: ANYBODY--BLACK, WHITE, CREAM COLOR--EVERYBODY.

Huell: SO, YOU WERE INTEGRATED FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS.

Ruth: THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: THERE WAS NEVER ANY DISTINCTION MADE.

Ruth: NEVER AT ALL.

Debbie: MY MOM TAUGHT ME ABOUT PREJUDICE EARLY ON.

BOTH OF HER PARENTS WERE DEAF.

SHE WAS THE OLDEST DAUGHTER, AND SHE WAS THE INTERPRETER AND WAS THWARTED WITH OLD KIDS, "STAY AWAY FROM HER."

SO, FROM THE TIME I COULD REMEMBER SHE TAUGHT ME NOT TO PREJUDGE PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THAT THAT JUST EXUDES FROM HER, AND PEOPLE ALWAYS FEEL COMFORTABLE BEING HERE.

Huell: WELL, NOW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A TOUR OF THE SCHOOL.

IT'S 3:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, SO SOME OF THE ACTIVITY'S KIND OF DIED DOWN, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON OVER HERE, RIGHT?

Debbie: YES, WE HAVE A FULL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM AS WELL.

BECAUSE NOW WE GO UP THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE.

MY HUSBAND AND I STARTED EXPANDING IN THE EIGHTIES, AND SO YOU'LL SEE A LOT MORE THAN JUST THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE BUILDING.

Huell: YEAH, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, NOW?

YOU HEARD ME OPEN UP THIS PROGRAM.

I BET YOU A MILLION PEOPLE KNOW THIS BUILDING, KNOW IT'S BEEN RIGHT HERE ON THE SIDE OF HIGHLAND ALL THESE YEARS.

Debbie: YES.

Huell: BUT NO ONE, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAS EVER BEEN IN THE DOOR.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S BEHIND THERE.

THIS COULD BE A MOVIE SET, FOR ALL I KNOW, WITH NOTHING ELSE THERE.

Debbie: WELL, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN THERE.

Huell: DO YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO JUST KIND OF KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND SAY, "WE'VE ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT WAS GOING ON BACK HERE"?

Ruth: OH, YES, YES.

THEY LIKE TO COME THROUGH, AND THEY'RE CURIOUS AND THEY SEE SO MUCH.

THEY'RE AMAZED.

Huell: YEAH.

Ruth: AND THEY GO AND TELL SOMEBODY, SO THAT PERSON TELLS SOMEBODY.

AND I'M OUT, AND THE CHILDREN WILL COME UP TO ME AND SAY, "OH."

GRANDMA RUTH, THEY CALL ME.

"DON'T YOU KNOW ME?

I GO TO YOUR SCHOOL.

I'VE BEEN THERE.

I'D GO AGAIN."

Huell: SO, NOW YOU'VE GOT SECOND AND PROBABLY THIRD GENERATION KIDS COMING HERE.

Debbie: I HAVE TAUGHT THE CHILDREN OF PEOPLE WHO CAME THROUGH THE SCHOOL.

Huell: WOW.

Debbie: SO, YEAH.

Huell: WELL, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE SCHOOL, BUT IN A FUNNY WAY, I KIND OF HATE TO LEAVE THE FRONT HERE, BECAUSE THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

BUT YOU TOLD ME THIS WASN'T-- THIS ALSO ISN'T THE EXACT LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE THAT WAS BUILT HERE IN THE 1940s.

Debbie: THE ORIGINAL BUILDING CAME OFF OF THE CHARLIE CHAPLIN STUDIOS.

MY GODMOTHER, WHO OWNED THE PROPERTY INITIALLY, TOLD US THE STORY OF HOW IT WAS ROLLED ON PIPES DOWN TO THIS LOCATION.

AND IN THE SIXTIES, MY PARENTS WERE FORCED THROUGH BUILDING SAFETY TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING.

THEY WERE GIVEN NO CHOICE.

BUT TODAY, IT WOULD'VE BEEN CONSIDERED A HISTORICAL SITE, AND WE WOULD STILL HAVE THE LITTLE BUILDING.

BUT THEY WERE VERY WISE WHEN THEY REBUILT.

IT WAS FOR TWICE AS MANY STUDENTS, BUT THEY KEPT THE SAME FACADE, SO THAT WE COULD STILL HAVE THE WARM, COZY, NURTURING FEELING.

Huell: AND IT'S STILL PAINTED RED.

Ruth: WELL, YES.

IT'LL NEVER END.

Huell: IT'S STILL THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE.

Ruth: THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: HA!

ALL RIGHT, WELL, LET'S GO INSIDE.

LOOK AT THIS.

IT'S GOT A CLOCK UP ON THE TOP.

THAT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD CLOCK.

Debbie: OH, THAT'S BEEN THERE A LONG, LONG TIME.

ACTUALLY, SOMEONE-- Huell: I KNOW, BECAUSE IT SAYS IT'S 8:30.

Debbie: IT'S--YEAH, IT'S A LITTLE CRANKY.

Huell: IT'S 10 AFTER 3:00.

[DEBBIE LAUGHS] Huell: SO, IT'S HISTORIC, BUT IT'S NOT CORRECT.

Debbie: IT NEEDS A LITTLE WORK, YES.

Huell: AND YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE BELL--A PLACE FOR THE OLD SCHOOL BELL UP THERE.

Debbie: YES, BUT NOW WE HAVE THE BELL IN THE YARD SO THAT THE KIDS CAN RING THE BELL.

Huell: DID YOU USED TO HAVE A BELL UP THERE?

Debbie: YES.

Huell: OK, WE'RE INSIDE, AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HERE, DEBBIE?

THE KIDS ARE HAVING JUICE AND COOKIES AND ORANGES.

Debbie: THIS IS THEIR SNACK TIME.

THEY'VE JUST FINISHED NAP TIME.

Huell: UH-HUH.

Debbie: A REGULAR PART OF THE ROUTINE FOR PRESCHOOL.

Huell: OH, WE'VE GOT STORYTELLING GOING ON OVER HERE.

Debbie: YES.

Huell: NOW, WHEN YOU SAY PRESCHOOL, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

HOW YOUNG ARE THE KIDS WHEN THEY START?

Debbie: THE YOUNGEST WOULD BE 2 YEARS OLD AND NON-POTTY-TRAINED.

Huell: OH.

NON-POTTY-TRAINED.

SO IS THAT PART OF COMING TO THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE?

Ruth: THAT'S PART OF IT.

Huell: YOU POTTY TRAIN 'EM?

Ruth: YOU HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IT.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

Debbie: A LOT OF PRESCHOOLS HAVE STOPPED WITH THE POTTY TRAINING AND START AT 3 YEARS OLD, BUT MOM FEELS THAT IT'S AN IMPORTANT SERVICE TO PARENTS, AND SO WE CONTINUE.

Huell: WOW.

I NEVER WOULD'VE-- WELL, I GUESS THAT IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR, ISN'T IT?

Ruth: VERY, VERY.

I SHOULD SAY.

Huell: WELL, HOW DO YOU-- ISN'T THAT KIND OF A-- THAT'S A LABOR OF LOVE.

Ruth: GO BACK THERE AND TALK TO THAT TEACHER, AND SHE'LL-- Huell: ABOUT POTTY TRAINING?

Ruth: YES.

Huell: WELL, THIS IS PBS.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S TURN AROUND AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Debbie: WELL, AS WE MOVE FURTHER DOWN THE BUILDING, WE'RE GETTING TO YOUNGER CHILDREN, AND MISS ROSA IS OUR-- BEEN HERE 20 YEARS.

LOVES THE LITTLE TINY ONES.

Huell: WHICH ONE IS THIS?

Rosa: THIS IS IAN.

Huell: HI.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

HUELL HOWSER.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

Rosa: NICE MEETING YOU, TOO.

Huell: AND YOUR NAME?

Stacy: STACY.

Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU.

AND WHO ARE YOU-- WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

WE'RE PUTTING ON OUR JACKETS?

Stacy: THEY'RE GETTING READY TO GO OUTSIDE.

Rosa: YEAH, WE'RE GETTING READY TO GO OUTSIDE.

Huell: OH, WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE PLAYING TODAY.

NOW, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT THE SCHOOL?

Rosa: 10 YEARS.

Huell: 10 YEARS?

Rosa: YES.

Huell: SO, WHEN YOU COME, YOU KIND OF GET HOOKED ON THESE KIDS, DON'T YOU?

Rosa: OH, YES.

YES.

Huell: AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?

Stacy: I JUST STARTED AUGUST 23.

Huell: SO, OH, YOU'RE GETTING YOUR TRIAL BY FIRE, AREN'T YOU?

Stacy: YEAH.

Huell: THEY DO KIND OF GROW ON YOU, DON'T THEY?

Stacy: THEY DO.

Huell: IS EVERYBODY GOING TO GET TO GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY?

Boy: YEAH.

Huell: OH, GOOD.

Boy: I LIKE YOUR MICROPHONE.

Huell: OH, YOU WANT TO HOLD THE MIKE?

VERY GOOD.

THIS IS ANOTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

Debbie: EVERYTHING IN PRESCHOOL IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, WHETHER IT'S THE ARTS AND CRAFTS PROGRAMS THAT THEY'RE DOING OR THEIR DANCE MUSIC.

LEARNING HOW TO PUT THEIR JACKET ON--A TOTAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

Huell: AND AGAIN, HAVE YOU ALWAYS HAD PATIENCE AS THE TEACHER?

Ruth: WELL, YOU HAD TO OR ELSE GO HOME.

Huell: YEAH.

BECAUSE IN THE EARLY DAYS, WAS IT JUST YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND RUNNING THE SCHOOL?

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR FACULTY?

Ruth: WELL, I DON'T REMEMBER HOW THAT HAPPENED.

THAT'S-- YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD COME AND SAY, "I WANT A JOB.

I NEED A JOB."

AND WE'D SAY, "WELL, WHAT CAN YOU DO?"

"WELL, I LOVE CHILDREN."

AND I SAID, "WELL, YOU'LL HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL."

"OK.

ANYTHING YOU SAY."

Huell: AND THEY WOULD GO GET QUALIFIED AND THEN COME BACK.

Debbie: WELL, IN THE EARLY DAYS, YOU WERE JUST LICENSED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS JUST HEALTH AND SAFETY AND NOTHING ELSE.

AND IN '51, SHE WENT OUT WITH A GROUP OF 6 PEOPLE AND FORMED THE PRESCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THEY ACTUALLY LOBBIED FOR CLASSES AND CERTIFICATION, SO THAT PRESCHOOL TEACHERS WOULDN'T BE THOUGHT OF AS BABY-SITTERS.

AND THAT'S NOW A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION, SO SHE'S A REAL PIONEER IN THAT AREA.

Huell: NOW, LISTEN, WHAT ROLE DID YOUR HUSBAND PLAY IN ALL THIS?

DID HE GET INVOLVED IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS?

Ruth: HE PLAYED WITH THE CHILDREN AND HEARD THEIR STORIES AND COMPLAINTS, AND HE'D COME BACK AND SAY, "THIS ONE AND THAT ONE NEEDS HELP.

GET YOUR TEACHER BUSY WITH THAT ONE."

Huell: SO, HE GOT INTO IT AS WELL AS YOU DID.

Ruth: YES.

Huell: WAS THIS ALWAYS YOUR FULL-TIME-- ONCE YOU STARTED THIS LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE, THIS WAS YOUR-- THIS WAS WHAT YOU DID.

Ruth: ABSOLUTELY.

Debbie: IT WAS FOR MOM.

DAD WAS AN INSURANCE ACTUARY, BUT HE ENJOYED BEING AT THE SCHOOL, AND HE BUILT ALL OF THE PLAY EQUIPMENT.

WE HAVE A PICTURE OF A TREE HOUSE THAT HE BUILT AND... OTHER NICE THINGS.

Huell: AND IT WAS A SUCCESS RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

YOU GOT RICH THE FIRST YEAR.

Ruth: NO, WE DIDN'T GET RICH.

WE NEVER GOT RICH.

[ALL LAUGH] Debbie: WHEN SHE GAVE ME THE SCHOOL IN THE SEVENTIES-- SHE ASKED ME TO COME IN AND RUN THE SCHOOL-- I GOT A BUSINESS CARD MADE, AND YOU WOULD'VE THOUGHT THAT I HAD DONE THE MOST HORRIFIC THING IN THE WORLD.

SHE SAID, "WE ALWAYS GET OUR STUDENTS FROM REFERENCES.

WE DON'T NEED THE BUSINESS CARD."

AND... [ALL LAUGH] Huell: SO, YOU CAME IN, AND YOU GOT RICH OFF THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE.

Debbie: OH, WELL, RICH IN THAT MY CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL HERE.

AND I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE.

IT'S VERY FULFILLING.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO OUTSIDE AND WATCH THE KIDS IN THE PLAYGROUND.

Debbie: THERE'S MISS ROSA WITH THE-- Huell: OH, LET'S TAKE A LOOK OVER HERE.

OH, LOOK OVER HERE.

Woman: BOO!

Ruth: THESE ARE THE MIDDLE ONES.

Huell: THEN THEY GO OVER HERE.

OH, THIS IS GREAT.

Woman: HI, GRANDMA.

Huell: YOU CALL HER GRANDMA.

Woman: YES.

Huell: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?

Woman: I HAVE BEEN HERE 20 YEARS.

Huell: YOU'RE THE ONE SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT.

YOU'RE ALSO THE ONE THAT-- SHE TOLD US YOU HELP POTTY TRAIN THE KIDS.

Woman: I'M THE QUEEN OF THE POTTY TRAINING AT THIS SCHOOL.

Huell: THE QUEEN OF THE POTTY TRAINING.

KIDS?

HOW MANY OF THE KIDS-- HOW MANY OF YOU ARE POTTY TRAINED?

Girl: I DID, I DID, I DID!

Second girl: I DID, I DID, I DID!

Huell: 2?

ONLY 2 ARE POTTY TRAINED.

SO, YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF YOU.

Woman: YES.

Huell: NO WONDER YOU'RE SITTING DOWN.

[BOTH LAUGH] Woman: THIS IS THE TIME THAT MY ROOM GETS VERY SMELLY, BECAUSE EVERY HALF AN HOUR I HAVE TO BE CHANGING DIAPERS OVER HERE.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S A WONDERFUL THING THAT YOU'RE DOING.

Woman: ABSOLUTELY.

AFTER BEING ALL OVER THE SCHOOL TEACHING DIFFERENT POSITION, THIS WAS THE ONE THAT REALLY TOUCHED MY HEART.

Huell: WHY IS THAT?

TOUCHED YOUR HEART?

Woman: BECAUSE THIS-- WHEN THE KIDS ENTER THE SCHOOL, THEY ARE SO VULNERABLE THAT I HAVE TO TEACH, YOU KNOW, THE DAILY SKILLS-- AND IT'S A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR ME WHEN I SEE THAT THEY MASTER, YOU KNOW, THE BODY NEEDS.

Huell: YEAH, WELL, YOU'RE GETTING THEM AT A-- JUST AS YOUNG AS YOU CAN.

I MEAN, THESE KIDS ARE-- THIS IS THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE AWAY FROM HOME, ISN'T IT?

Woman: ABSOLUTELY.

SOMETIMES WHEN THEY GET OVER HERE, THEY-- IT'S THE FIRST SEPARATION FROM HOME, FROM THE PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, TOO, SO IT'S VERY HARD FOR THEM AS WELL AS HARD FOR US, TOO, SO... Huell: WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE GOOD WORK YOU ARE DOING AND HAVE BEEN DOING FOR 20 YEARS.

KIDS, EVERYBODY LOOK AT THE CAMERA AND GIVE US A WAVE.

HI!

Children: HI!

Woman: CAN WE GO HUG GRANDMA?

LET'S GO GIVE GRANDMA A HUG.

Huell: EVERYBODY GO AND GIVE GRANDMA A HUG.

Woman: LET'S GO HUG GRANDMA.

Huell: OH, BOY.

Woman: LET'S GO GIVE GRANDMA A BIG HUG.

[CHILDREN CHATTERING] Huell: BOY, THIS IS A BIG CAMPUS.

HOW MUCH SPACE DO YOU HAVE HERE?

Debbie: OH, GOODNESS.

IT'S CLOSE TO AN ACRE.

Huell: 'CAUSE THERE ARE LIKE 5 OR 6 BUILDINGS HERE.

Debbie: YES.

Huell: AND HOW MANY STUDENTS-- HOW MANY STUDENTS DO YOU HAVE?

Debbie: 250 UP THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE.

Huell: NOW THAT'S A LOT OF STUDENTS, 250.

Ruth: THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: YOU STARTED WITH 6 UP ON ORCHID.

Ruth: LITTLE ONES.

Huell: HAS IT GROWN KIND OF-- IT'S BEEN A CONTROLLED GROWTH, THOUGH.

Debbie: IT HAS, AND, UM, WHEN MY MOM ASKED ME TO COME INTO THE BUSINESS, I BROUGHT IN KINDERGARTEN, AND THEN AS MY FAMILY KEPT GROWING, MY HUSBAND, WHO IS THE BUSINESSPERSON, SAID, "WELL, LET'S JUST EXPAND."

AND LITTLE BY LITTLE, WE KEPT EXPANDING ONE GRADE AT A TIME.

Huell: WHAT IS THIS?

Debbie: THIS IS, AGAIN, MY HUSBAND FERRIS IS VERY CREATIVE AND I ASKED FOR A LITTLE WATERFALL, AND HE CAME UP WITH SOMETHING A LOT GRANDER.

HA HA!

Huell: WELL, IT'S PART OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

Debbie: YES.

LITTLE HISTORY OF WATER.

Huell: OH, THE HISTORY OF WATER.

Debbie: YES.

HA HA!

Huell: NOW THIS IS KIND OF INTERESTING, TOO, BECAUSE YOU WERE TELLING ME--I WAS ASKING YOU ABOUT THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS.

HOW DOES--HOW DO KIDS GET INTO THIS SCHOOL AND WHAT IS IT THAT YOU'RE HOPING TO OFFER THEM THAT THEY WOULDN'T GET IN A NORMAL SCHOOL SITUATION?

Debbie: WELL, THE FACT THAT WE INCLUDE THE ARTS FOR EVERYONE IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES US UNIQUE, AND WE'RE ALSO VERY INVESTED IN HELPING OUR CHILDREN BECOME CREATIVE AND NOT JUST CREATIVE THINKERS, BUT ANALYTICAL THINKERS, PEOPLE WHO LOOK AT NEW SITUATIONS AND RESPOND WITH A FRESH VIEW.

Huell: BUT DO YOU STILL TEACH THE HARD-CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS?

Debbie: OH, YES.

Huell: IT'S NOT JUST A TOUCHY-FEELY SCHOOL OR SOMETHING.

Debbie: NO.

WE'RE FULLY ACCREDITED-- Huell: IT'S NOT A NEW AGE SCHOOL OR SOMETHING, IS IT?

Debbie: FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

OUR KIDS GRADUATE HERE, GO INTO HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAVE KIDS AT BERKELEY AND U.S.C.

NOW WHO'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

Huell: DO YOU HAVE CELEBRITY KIDS HERE?

FAMILIES?

Debbie: ALWAYS.

FROM THE BEGINNING.

FROM THE EARLY TIMES WHEN SHE HAD ALAN HALE JR.'s KIDS HERE AND MARIE WILSON AND PINKY LEE.

AND, MAMA, YOU WANT TO TELL THEM ABOUT JAYNE MANSFIELD WHEN SHE WAS HERE?

Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

JAYNE MANSFIELD?

WELL, SHE WASN'T HERE.

IT MUST'VE BEEN HER KIDS.

Ruth: SHE BROUGHT HER CHILD.

BUT SHE'D COME AND SAY TO ME, "DO YOU HAVE SOME MAKEUP THAT I CAN BORROW?

I'M ON AN INTERVIEW."

I SAID, "SURE.

I'LL GET IT FOR YOU."

SO OFF SHE'D GO.

Huell: WHEN SHE WAS BRINGING HER CHILDREN TO SCHOOL HERE-- Ruth: ONE LITTLE GIRL.

Huell: ONE LITTLE GIRL.

SHE WOULD COME INTO YOUR HOUSE AND USE YOUR MAKEUP.

Ruth: RIGHT.

Huell: SO YOU HELPED JAYNE MANSFIELD GET SOME WORK.

Ruth: THAT'S RIGHT.

Debbie: HA HA!

WHY NOT?

Huell: WELL--BUT I KNOW YOU HAD CELEBRITIES HERE, BUT REALLY THE CELEBRITY THING HAS REALLY KIND OF BEEN SECONDARY, HASN'T IT?

Debbie: WELL, IT'S IMPORTANT TO US THAT THE PARENTS WHO COME HERE WANT TO BE INVOLVED.

WE SAY THAT IT WORKS 3 WAYS.

IT'S THE TEACHER, THE PARENTS, AND THE SCHOOL, AND WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

SO IF THE PARENTS WANT TO BE A PART OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATIONAL PROCESS, THEN THEY'RE EXTREMELY WELCOME TO BE HERE.

Huell: DOES EVERYBODY LIKE COMING TO THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE?

Boys: YES!

Huell: WHAT DO YOU LIKE SO MUCH ABOUT THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE?

Boy: IT'S FUN.

Girl: THEY GIVE US POPSICLES.

Huell: WHAT?

Girl: THEY GIVE US POPSICLES.

Huell: THEY GIVE YOU POPSICLES.

BUT WHAT DO YOU LEARN WHEN YOU COME HERE?

Girl: I LOVE MATH!

Huell: YOU LOVE MATH?

YOU LIKE MATH?

Boy: YEAH.

Huell: SCIENCE.

Boy: MATH, MATH.

Huell: AND WHAT ABOUT YOU?

MATH?

YOU LIKE MATH?

Second boy: YES.

Huell: BUT YOU ALSO LIKE-- Third boy: I LIKE IT A LOT.

Girl: I LIKE MATH!

Huell: WELL, LET'S SEE YOU ALL PLAY ON SOME OF THIS EQUIPMENT.

LET'S SEE YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN.

Second girl: ART.

Girl: WE ALSO LIKE ART.

Huell: YOU LIKE ART.

Girl: YEAH.

LOT OF ART.

Huell: NOW THIS IS INTERESTING.

THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER DIMENSION TO WHAT GOES ON HERE AT THIS SCHOOL.

Debbie: IN THE EVENINGS, WE OPEN UP THE SCHOOL FOR THE POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE.

SO ALL THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO NO LONGER GET ART AND THE EXTRAS IN SCHOOL CAN COME HERE IN THE EVENINGS AND HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

Huell: NOW THIS IS YOUR HUSBAND'S IDEA, RIGHT?

WE HAVEN'T MET YET.

HUELL HOWSER.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

Ferris: FINALLY.

Huell: THIS IS DEFINITELY A FAMILY AFFAIR, ISN'T IT?

Debbie: YES, IT IS.

Huell: SO YOU'VE GOT KIDS HERE FROM-- Ferris: ACTUALLY, THIS STARTED MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THIS AREA WAS REALLY VERY BAD.

WE HAD--WE HAD A LOT OF DRUG DEALERS AND GANGBANGERS, AND THERE WERE KIDS THAT DID NOT HAVE ANYPLACE TO GO.

THEY WERE CALLED THE LATCHKEY CHILDREN.

AND WE OPENED UP OUR SCHOOL HERE FOR THESE KIDS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN THIS AREA, AND IT TOOK US ALMOST 10 YEARS TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

NOW YOU SEE KIDS COME HERE AND SPEND TIME WITH DIANA, WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS, AND THEY HAVE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS IN THEIR LIVES.

Huell: SO WHAT TIME DO THEY COME INTO THE SCHOOL EVERY DAY?

Diana: BASICALLY, FROM 6:00 TO 8:00, 2 TIMES A WEEK, TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.

Huell: AND WHAT HAPPENS?

DO THEY USE THE CLASSROOMS?

Diana: YES.

WHAT WE HAVE IS A PLACE FOR THESE KIDS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO COME IN AND DO ARTS AND CRAFTS, TUTORING, WE HAVE SWIMMING.

WE OFFER OTHER CLASSES LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY, SPORTS.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF CLASSES.

Huell: THIS IS WONDERFUL!

THIS-- I MEAN, THIS TAKES THE WHOLE IDEA OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL INTO A WHOLE OTHER MEANING, DOESN'T IT?

Debbie: WELL, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SCHOOLS TO BE THE ANCHORS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE PLACES WHERE PARENTS CAN FEEL SAFE, THE CHILDREN FEEL SAFE.

THEY CAN COME AND BE INVOLVED.

WE'VE HAD CLASSES FOR PARENTS, TOO.

HA!

Huell: WOW.

Ferris: I MEAN, IF YOU WALK A COUPLE BLOCKS DOWN THE STREET, WE TOOK A VACANT LOT AND WE TURNED IT INTO AN EDUCATIONAL GARDEN, AND NOW YOU SEE NEIGHBORS AND KIDS ARE PLANTING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IT'S--THIS IS REALLY A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT YOU WALK 4 BLOCKS AND YOU SEE PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND IT'S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING.

IT'S A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

Huell: WOW.

WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT ONE.

THIS IS SOMETHING I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT.

Diana: IT ALSO GIVES THE STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, SO WHEN THEY'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY KNOW THE POLICE ARE THEIR FRIENDS, AND THEY CAN WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

Huell: IS THERE A NAME FOR THIS-- Ferris: YEAH.

IT'S CALLED "THE HOLLYWOOD POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE."

Huell: THE HOLLYWOOD POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE OUGHT TO INVESTIGATE OURSELVES FOR A FUTURE STORY.

Ferris: YOU SHOULD.

THEY ARE NOW IN 5, 6 DIFFERENT SITES, AND IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE, THE CHANGE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE.

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE CHANGE.

Debbie: THE POLICE CAPTAIN HAS ACTUALLY TRACKED JUVENILE CRIME AROUND THE SITES OF POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE, AND IT GOES DOWN WHENEVER THERE'S A PROGRAM THERE.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, NOW WE'VE DONE IT.

WE'VE COME INSIDE THE GYM, AND WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?

Woman: WE'RE HAVING A MARTIAL ARTS CLASS.

Huell: NOW IS THIS PART OF THE REGULAR CURRICULUM AT LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE?

Woman: IT IS NOW.

WE'VE JUST STARTED IT THIS SCHOOL YEAR, THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM.

IT'S PART OF THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM.

Huell: THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM.

SO WHEN REGULAR SCHOOL IS OVER, A LOT OF THE KIDS STAY A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

Woman: YES, THEY DO.

Huell: THIS IS KIND OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

Woman: RIGHT, RIGHT.

AND FOR PARENTS THAT CAN'T PICK THEIR KIDS UP RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

NOW THIS IS IT.

THIS IS ALMOST LIKE LIVE TELEVISION RIGHT HERE.

IS EVERYBODY READY TO SHOW OFF THEIR KARATE?

PUT IT BACK-- Woman: KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON.

Huell: KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON.

Woman: ALL RIGHT.

Huell: HERE WE GO.

I'M GONNA JUST STEP OUT OF THE WAY, 'CAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

Woman: ALL RIGHTY.

OK, YOU GUYS READY?

ATTENTION!

Kids: OSU.

Woman: AND READY POSITION.

Kids: OSU.

Woman: ATTENTION!

Kids: OSU.

Woman: BOW.

Kids: OSU.

Woman: READY?

Kids: OSU.

Woman: DO YOUR KARATE.

READY, GO!

[ALL GRUNT] Woman: HYAH!

Kids: HYAH!

Woman: ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY BACK.

Huell: WE'RE HERE WITH DAUGHTER AND FATHER.

Father: THAT'S CORRECT.

Huell: NOW IT MUST GIVE YOU A LOT OF JOY JUST TO COME HERE TO PICK HER UP EVERY DAY AND SEE HOW--THIS KIND OF AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SHE'S BEEN IN ALL DAY.

Father: AND I'M THE ONE THAT DOES IT.

MY WIFE'S A TEACHER, A SCHOOLTEACHER, SO SHE HAS TO GO OFF TO WORK AND I COME EVERY DAY.

I DROP HER OFF ON MY BICYCLE AND PICK HER UP 'CAUSE I LIVE CLOSE AND IT'S WONDERFUL.

AND IT'S SUCH A GOOD COMMUNITY, THE SCHOOL IS, YOU KNOW?

Huell: YEAH.

DO YOU ALL LIVE CLOSE BY?

Father: YEAH.

I MEAN, MOST EVERYBODY DOES.

I CERTAINLY DO.

I JUST LIVE OFF OF MELROSE, SO-- Huell: AND IS THIS ONE OF THOSE DEALS WHERE THE PARENTS TALK TO EACH OTHER ABOUT THIS AND SO-- Father: YUP.

Huell: THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE TO DO MUCH RECRUITING TO GET STUDENTS.

Father: NO, IT'S GOOD WORD OF MOUTH, GOOD WORD OF MOUTH.

AND THEN ONCE YOU'RE HERE, YOU'RE INVOLVED IN A LOT OF WAYS.

THERE'S A COMMUNITY GARDEN THAT I'M INVOLVED WITH.

WE ALL VOLUNTEER TO DO STUFF.

WE JUST HAD A FAIR AT, UM, AT LARCHMONT, AND IT WAS A GREAT, YOU KNOW, FUND-RAISING FAIR, SO... Huell: SO AT THIS SCHOOL, THEY DON'T HAVE TO BEAT THE BUSHES TO GET THE PARENTS INVOLVED IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.

Father: IT'S PART OF GOING TO SCHOOL HERE.

EVERYBODY'S INVOLVED IN SOME WAY.

Huell: AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HER BEING A PART OF THIS TRADITION OF THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE?

Father: OH, I THINK IT'S GREAT.

I THINK IT'S GREAT.

'CAUSE, YOU KNOW, BEFORE I HAD HER, YOU WOULD DRIVE UP AND DOWN HIGHLAND AND YOU WOULD SEE THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE AND YOU WONDER, "WOW.

WHAT'S THAT?"

AND NOW, HERE I AM, A FATHER, AND SHE'S HERE.

Huell: WHAT ARE WE DOING OVER HERE?

Man: WE'RE TRYING TO WRITE WORDS.

WE'RE WORKING ON "WAY."

Huell: NOW IS THIS YOUR SON?

Man: YES, IT IS.

Huell: SO WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?

THIS HAPPENS EVERY AFTERNOON AFTER SCHOOL?

Man: IT'S PRETTY MUCH THE SAME PEOPLE HERE ALL THE TIME.

Huell: SO YOU COME TO THE SCHOOL... Man: YEAH.

Huell: AND WHAT--ARE YOU KIND OF DOING HOMEWORK?

IS THAT THE DEAL?

Man: WE'RE DOING HIS HOMEWORK.

AND IF HE DOES IT REALLY WELL, HE GETS SNACK SHOP.

Huell: AH.

Man: RIGHT, SAM?

Sam: YEAH.

Man: HA HA!

SAM, SAY HI.

Huell: NOW YOU OBVIOUSLY ARE VERY HAPPY WITH HIM BEING HERE.

Man: YEAH.

I LOVE HIM, AND THIS SCHOOL IS AMAZING.

Huell: NOW IN WHAT WAY?

Man: WELL, THE SCHOOL'S REALLY-- IT'S CREATIVE AND IT'S ARTISTIC AND THEY DON'T JUST GET REGULAR ACADEMICS THINGS HERE.

THEY GET ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF STUFF.

ANYTHING THEY WANT TO DO, THEY PRETTY MUCH CAN GET A START HERE.

IT'S AMAZING.

Huell: YEAH.

Man: YEAH.

AND THEY'VE BEEN WONDERFUL FOR HIM.

Huell: WELL, THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING HAPPY WITH YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

Man: WELL, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD.

Huell: AND THE KIDS SEEM LIKE THEY'RE ALL GOOD KIDS, TOO.

Man: THESE ARE GREAT KIDS.

I KNOW SO MANY OF THE KIDS HERE BECAUSE I WAS TEACHING SOME IMPROV CLASSES LAST YEAR AND I MET EVERY GRADE FROM KINDERGARTEN TO EIGHTH, AND THEY'RE JUST--THEY'RE AMAZINGLY HAPPY.

IT'S A REALLY HAPPY GROUP OF KIDS, AND THAT'S WHY WE KNEW WE WERE GONNA BRING HIM HERE, MY WIFE AND I.

Second man: IT'S A GREAT COMMUNITY.

IT'S A LOVELY COMMUNITY SCHOOL.

THE FAMILIES ARE INCREDIBLE.

SO THERE'S A CERTAIN SORT OF WARMTH AND A NURTURING QUALITY THAT THE SCHOOL HAS.

IT'S VERY CREATIVE AND PROGRESSIVE AND IT'S GOT A GREAT BALANCE BETWEEN THAT CREATIVE, PROGRESSIVE SIDE AND AN ACADEMIC SIDE.

SO YOU'RE GETTING A BIT OF BOTH.

YOU KNOW THAT ACADEMICALLY THE KIDS ARE WORKING, BUT YOU KNOW THAT ALSO THEY'RE IN A CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT LOOKS TO EACH TYPE OF INTELLIGENCE.

AND THE TEACHERS ARE GREAT AT REALLY KNOWING YOUR KID INDIVIDUALLY.

Huell: NOW THIS IS INTERESTING.

YOU ARE ON THE FACULTY NOW.

Woman: THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: BUT YOU HAVEN'T ALWAYS BEEN ON THE FACULTY.

Woman: NO, I WAS A STUDENT HERE WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

Huell: WHAT YEAR WAS THAT?

Woman: THAT WAS WAY BACK IN THE 1980s FOR ME.

Huell: WOW.

ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE 1980s.

AND NOW YOU'RE TEACHING.

Woman: YEAH.

Huell: WHAT WAS IT THAT--THAT KEEPS DRAWING YOU BACK HERE?

Woman: WELL, THIS WAS A PLACE WHERE I WAS VERY ACCEPTED.

IT'S VERY DIVERSE, AND I LIKE THAT STILL RIGHT NOW AND I SEE THAT IN ALL MY STUDENTS IN MY CLASSES, AND SO IT'S WHAT KEEPS ME COMING BACK.

Huell: IT'S KIND OF LIKE--ALMOST LIKE A LITTLE OASIS HERE, ISN'T IT?

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HOLLYWOOD AND YET IT'S PART OF HOLLYWOOD.

IT'S NOT SEPARATED FROM IT.

BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE A KINDER, GENTLER PLACE HERE.

Woman: IT IS, IT IS.

WE REALLY PROMOTE COMMUNITY HERE AND IT'S A BIG PART OF OUR LESSONS AND IT'S WHAT MAKES OUR PLACE SPECIAL.

Huell: OK, WE'RE ENDING OUR VISIT IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE WHERE WE STARTED IT A COUPLE OF HOURS AGO.

BUT I GOTTA TELL YOU, WE HAVE LEARNED FIRSTHAND THAT THERE'S A LOT GOING ON BESIDES THIS LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE FACADE OUT HERE IN FRONT.

THIS IS A BUSY AND A VERY PRODUCTIVE PLACE.

Debbie: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING YOU HERE.

Huell: WELL, THIS HAS BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE NOT ONLY FOR ME, BUT I'M SURE FOR ALL OF OUR VIEWERS AND ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN DRIVING UP AND DOWN HIGHLAND ALL THESE YEARS.

Debbie: RIGHT.

Huell: CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL FOR CARRYING ON THE TRADITION.

Debbie: THANK YOU.

Huell: AND THANK YOU FOR STARTING... Ruth: STARTING IT.

Huell: ALL OF THIS.

Ruth: LAYING THE FOUNDATION.

Huell: BOY, I GOTTA TELL YOU, YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Ruth: OH, THANK YOU.

Huell: YOU KNOW, THIS IS ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS GOING ON.

THIS IS A--THIS IS A HOLLYWOOD TREASURE RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS JUST WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING IN THAT FIRST LITTLE CHINESE BABY BACK IN THE 1940s.

Ruth: THAT'S WHAT STARTED IT.

Huell: AND FROM ALL OF THAT HAS GROWN THIS WONDERFUL PART OF WHAT OUR CITY IS ALL ABOUT.

THE LITTLE RED--THE HOLLYWOOD LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE, ESTABLISHED 1945 AND STILL GOING STRONG.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR A WONDERFUL DAY AND FOR MAKING SUCH A DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES.

Ruth: THAT'S TRUE.

Huell: BYE-BYE.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] Huell: VERY GOOD.

CAN YOU DO IT, TOO?

Girl: YEAH.

I CAN DO IT, TOO.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, LET'S WATCH 'EM.

Boy: I CAN DO IT BACKWARDS.

I CAN DO IT BACKWARDS.

Huell: YOU CAN DO IT BACKWARDS?

Second girl: I CAN, TOO.

I CAN GO UP ON THE MONKEY BARS.

Huell: DON'T HURT YOURSELF.

Boy: IT'S EASY TO GO BACKWARDS.

Announcer: VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM...