Birchwood School Closed

My mother was born at home.  The home was on the corner of what became the school's property. 
She grew up in Birchwood and attended all twelve grades there.  My sister Jean and I also were schooled in the twelve grade school.   When I graduated there were approximately 500 students in the twelve grades.  I was one of 36 seniors.

Some time after we graduated, the school was changed to a kindergarten through sixth grade school.  The population in the area had shifted and the upper grade students were moved to larger consolidated schools in the surrounding areas.

So after the school year is over this year, the school will close.  This is after 98 years of service to the community.  A closing celebration was held May 4, 2013.  All past students were invited to visit the school for one last time.

Below are some of the pictures Walter took to help me document our visit.

The Rain Came Down for the Entire Day

We Waited Daily for the School Bus to Take Us Home on These Steps

Grade 1 Mrs. Ruth Murray - Now a Resource Room

Grade 2 Mrs. Betty Baker - I Was a Student Helper to Second Graders

Grade 3 Miss Marie - We Read "Little Black Sambo" & Created a Mural of the Story

Grade 4 Mrs. Ruby - All Rooms Had These Massive Closets

Grade 5 - Mr. Pendergrass Taught A Math Version That I Liked

Grade 6 - Mrs. Cross Readied Us for Junior High

While I was in sixth grade, the Beatles were sweeping the country and we all loved them.  I was becoming a social being as I had my first boyfriend.  We even stayed into the relationship until the first few weeks of seventh grade were over.

Our Old High School Lockers Are Now Repainted in Colorful Designs

Behind These Lockers I Received My First Kiss

A Library Display - I Used to Make Posters for the Library

 

Jean, Me, Rounder Ford & His Daughter

The picture of Rounder Ford is special to my sister and me.  He is the neighbor to my mother who repaired her car for years.  Later on as she slipped away from us with the Alzheimer's disease, he disabled her car so she would not pose a danger to herself or others.  He is a true and loyal friend to our family.  I was glad I had a chance to see him again.

A Rather Plain Gym Bathroom

Me in Front of the Pull Down Bleachers

Gym Floor & Stage - Also Used for Assemblies

When the Gym was Added to the School These Curtains Were Hung - Over Forty Years Ago

Walter and I Enjoyed the Day

I liked going into each of the rooms where so many memories were stirred up.  I did not expect to get emotional but I did.  Of the 36 students I graduated with, I think seven are already gone to their reward.

 

Things I remember were working in the cafeteria with my mother each morning prior to the start of classes, making posters and shelving books in the library for Mrs. Bower, making good grades and being a cheerleader my senior year.  Our principal was Mr. McCall who also taught algebra.  He and my father were good friends.  Many times they spent time together in our basement.  Our school was so small that we did not have any language offered, although we did have a typing class.  I think that class is now called keyboarding.

 

The school was started in 1915 and will last through the 2013 class.   Both Walter and I thought it would be nice if the closing was in 2015 so it would be open 100 years.  Instead it will be open for 98 years.  The Hamilton County administration has not finalized the use of the building.  It already has a Department of Health Clinic in part of the building now which will continue.  I hope the building continues in use for the community.  It is a great building which should be used.

After the celebration which included self-guided tours, lunch, school history and a musical performance by the Birchwood elementary students, Jean and Edd went home and we went to Olive Garden for dinner, then drove the two hours back home. 

God is good!