Community bids farewell to closing schools

Teachers are beginning to clear a few personal items from their classrooms, and some curriculum used earlier in the year is being boxed up.

But this isn't the normal preparation for summer vacation in some Colorado Springs School District 11 schools. This is the beginning of a massive move of students, teachers, books, computers and hundreds of other items.

Students will not return to seven elementary schools and one middle school in August. Another elementary school will be converted to a Montessori school and an alternative high school will move to a new location.

That could mean a lot of empty buildings in neighborhoods around Colorado Springs, and D-11 administrators are working diligently to ensure that none become boarded-up targets for vandalism and graffiti.

"We have every intention of trying to get these buildings in use this fall," said deputy superintendent Michael Poore. "If it doesn't happen, we'll ensure the building is kept up and doesn't become an eyesore."

The immediate priority once the D-11 board voted to close schools was to get boundaries adjusted and staff and students assigned to other schools.  A "moving czar" is overseeing the effort to move books, computers, desks, chairs and hundreds of other items out of the closing schools and into others or into storage until they are needed. The facilities department is planning modifications and additions where needed.

In the meantime, administrators are talking to nonprofits, the city, schools and colleges, churches and community groups about what's to become of several of the buildings. And in the next few weeks, Poore said he expects more attention on the "what next" for the buildings.

Before the transformations begin, however, the school communities are planning proper goodbyes to buildings where thousands of school children spent their days. Although there's an acute sense of sadness within those hallways, school officials and volunteers say the farewell celebrations will honor all who have worked and learned in the buildings and will be opportunities for current and former staff and students and neighbors to share memories.
  
Here's details on the celebrations and on what's being considered for the future at schools that are closing:

Adams Elementary School, 2101 Manitoba Drive
Students: 223
Students will move to: Hunt Elementary
Farewell: "Thanks for the Memories" event, 5 to 7 p.m. May 8. The school is seeking memorabilia to display at the event; items should be brought to the school by Friday. Refreshments will be served. Contact: Cynthe Winebrenner, 328-2540 or 237-1391.
Possible building use: The district is talking to early childhood care providers about creating a nonprofit preschool center, "but we're not too far along," Poore said. The possibilities include a district-run facility.

Buena Vista Elementary School, 1620 W. Bijou St.
Students: 189
Students will move to: regular students to West Middle School; Montessori students to Washington Elementary.
Farewell: "Our Farewell Fanfare," 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 22. Event will feature a band, May Pole Dance and other student performances, open mic for memories and light refreshments. Contact: Laura Dohrmann, 328-4100.
Possible building use:  The city is deep into discussion with the city of Colorado Springs about moving the West Intergenerational Center from West to Buena Vista. Poore said he hopes to finalize an agreement with the city in May, and if that happens, the center could be moved by the fall. 

Ivywild Elementary School, 1604 S. Cascade Ave.
Students: 158
Students will move to: Hunt, Columbia and Midland
Farewell: The school is on an extended year, with the last day for students on June 12. So its celebration will be 3 to 7 p.m. June 5, and will include the school's annual rummage sale to raise money for one final field trip for students. There will be refreshments and a time to reminsce. Contact the school: 328-4300.
Possible building use: No clear vision. "We've had people express interest, we have done some tours, but we're not engaged in any kind of formal discussion," Poore said, adding that the poor economy has stymied some community groups that might be interested.

Jefferson Elementary School,1801 N. Howard Ave.
Students: 183
Students will move to:  Twain elementary school.
Farewell: Gathering to celebrate more than 50 years of Jefferson schooling, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. Contact the school: 328-3000.
Building use: The building will house D-11's adult education offices and probably the home school and online school facilities. The expelled student tutoring program housed there will remain.

Longfellow Elementary School, 3302 Alpine Place
Students: 191
Students will move to: Grant, Audubon.
Farewell: Open house 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 15, which is a conference day at the school. Events in the media center include historical displays and presentations, refreshments and a chance to greet current and former staff and students. Contact the school: 328-3100.
Possible building use: The district is finalizing a contract with GLOBE Charter School to use up to 60 percent of the building, Poore said. The district wants to use the remainder for a tuition-based preschool program, but has not pursued details yet. It likely would be only a couple of preschool classes this fall rather than the six to eight envisioned, he said.

Pike Elementary School, 2510 N. Chestnut St.
Students:  126
Students will move to: Bristol, Jackson and Howbert elementary schools.
Farewell: Community barbecue, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16, with a special farewell ceremony at 2 p.m. Various historical items, including school scrapbooks from the 1950s and 1960s will be displayed. Contact the school: 328-4600.
Possible building use: There has been interest from other educational organizations, a religious organization and a social services nonprofit, but nothing firm. The district might use some space for its record-management group.

Washington Elementary School, 924 W. Pikes Peak Ave.
Students: 218
Students will move to: West Middle School, Columbia and Midland.
Farewell: Barbecue potluck, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16, featuring music, games and an open mic for people to share memories. There also will be a walk to West Middle School, where most students will attend next year, and a timeline for people to sign their connection to the school. Contact: Clydette Ingram, 434-7731, or the school, 328-4800.
Building use: Move in Montessori program from Buena Vista.

Whittier Elementary School, 2904 W. Kiowa St.
Students: 191
Students will move to: West Middle School, Howbert
Farewell: Gathering and school tours, 2-5 p.m. May 15, with details still in planning stage. Contact the school: 328-4900.
Building use: The Bijou School will move in.

The Bijou School, 730 N. Walnut St.
Students: 135
Farewell: "Farewell to Walnut" will include potluck luau, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 22. The school is inviting former Educational Options Program students and staff, as well as those from Bijou School. Both alternative schools have used the site. Participants are asked to bring a nonperishable food bank donation. Contact the school: 328-7900.
Building use: The site has one permanent building, the gymnasium of the original Bristol Elementary School built in 1891 and added to several times, and several portable buildings. The site will be sold and should be on the market soon.

Irving Middle School, 1702 N. Murray Blvd.
Students: 528
Students will move to: Emerson and Sabin middle schools.
Farewell: Cinco de Mayo lunch on the patio, 11 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. May 5, with school tours 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact the school: 328-6900.
Possible use of building: The district has had talks with churches, senior citizens, private colleges and community groups, but there have been no serious proposals. A new community group led by Delia Armstrong-Busby will meet May 14 to discuss how the building's use could help revitalize the neighborhood.
For now, the school will be used as a staging area for items from closing schools awaiting a move. When possible, items will go directly to a receiving school, but in some cases that won't be possible, Poore said.