School counselor Jenny Moyer (left) and teacher Jennifer Oakley served slices of cake and other refreshments specially made for the open house.
Photos Kay Dawson | Register-Herald
Not only did kids at the Englewood Elementary open house take a last turn on the playground equipment, seen here is Brianna Smith, student from 2001 to 2005, enjoying a last trip down the slide.
The PTO supplied refreshments for the open house. Principal Joseph Johnston, far left, stayed busy wrapping the hot dogs.
Visitors and former students could be seen walking through the school’s hallways for the last time, perhaps remembering their own school days.
Englewood Elementary School opened with this plaque showing the names of school officials.
This sign outside the school memorializes its lifetime.
ENGLEWOOD — Cars lined both sides of Albert Street and extended into the side streets surrounding Englewood Elementary School, as people arrived to attend a farewell open house held by the Northmont City School District on Thursday.
The open house provided a chance for the community to visit and reminisce about their time at EE, as the students call it, before it closes its doors at the end of the school year, according to Information Officer Jenny Wood.
The building, which opened in the mid 1950s, was opened before the Northmont School District was formed. The district was voted on by voters in May of 1957, and the new assignments of the Northmont schools took effect in 1959.
The school board decided the school would be closed as part of an overall plan to save money in light of upcoming shortfalls in state funding, as well other financing factors. Beginning in the fall, students will be divided between Union Elementary and Englewood Hills Elementary.
Superintendent Tony Thomas cooked hot dogs outside on the grill for everyone.
“The turnout was awesome, and it was lovely seeing so many past students and teachers at the building and the many visitors moving through the hallways,” Thomas said.
Joseph Johnston, principal of Englewood Elementary, was on hand wrapping hot dogs for members of the crowd. The refreshments also included chips, pop, and cakes.
“The refreshments were paid for by the PTO,” Johnston pointed out.
Seeing Englewood Elementary close may be nostalgic for Johnston; however, next year he will be taking over as principal at Northmoor Elementary.
For many of the visitors, it was a nostalgic chance to revisit school days’ memories and for some it was an afternoon to visit with people they hadn’t seen for a while.
For instance, Vivian Wombold, a sixth grader, will be attending Englewood Hills next year anyway, but Jeremiah Campbell said he will be going to Englewood Hills next year. He said he is sad and will miss Principal Johnston. His mother comforted him by saying, “All the principals are nice.”
Counselor Jenny Moyer and teacher Jennifer Oakley served chocolate and yellow cakes to visitors. When a young boy, Lucas Swearingen, dropped his cake, the two were quick to replace the slice for him.
Six-month-old Marshall Oakley, held by Angie Holloway, obviously won’t be attending EE.
“However,” said his mother, Jennifer Oakley, who was busy handing out cake, “he was almost born here at the school!”
Sara Parrish said she and her aunt had gone to school here.
“I understand the reason for the closure, but I’m concerned about possible crowding, especially at Union, (Elementary),” Parrish said.
Kimberlyn Foster may find it easier. She teaches art, moving among EE, Englewood Hills, and Northwood Elementary, so for her the closure eliminates just one school.
Jennifer Mills, family engagement coordinator, commented it was interesting how meaningful the school has been to the students’ families.
Student Winona Wilson will be going to 7th grade next year, so the closure doesn’t affect her.
“Winona is a bit nervous about such a much larger school and about the problems of maybe not seeing her friends as often. Some of them are moving, anyway,” her mother said.
Beth Rhoades Cuff, a student at EE from 1963 through 1968, said she went to kindergarten in the Old Concord Church that recently was torn down. It was known as the “church on the hill,” located behind Perkins Restaurant.
When the school was built, the area around it was full of new houses sold to young families in the middle of the Baby Boomer years. It became so crowded that kindergarten had to be moved to the church.
Cuff remembers the day’s attendance was supposed to be put in a clip on the door, and when it was her turn to put it out there, she came back crying because she was too small to reach the clip. The clips remained on the doors ‘til now.
“I’m out of the area now, but I was glad to have a last look at it. Englewood Elementary,” Cuff said.
Brianna Smith attended EE from 2001 to 2005.
“Sad to see it close, but I understand. I couldn’t resist one last trip down the slide,” Smith said.
