Students, staff and alumni from Garfield Elementary School in Danville reflected on memories at that building this (Wednesday) evening as the 119-year-old school prepares to close. Principal Nicole Zaayer noted some families have attended Garfield for generations…
{AUDIO: ‘’Three and four generations of families. I had talked before about my mom and my aunts and uncles attending school here and growing up on Chandler (Street), but we’ve had so many generations of families come through here. They say ‘my grandchild goes to school here – and I went to school here’, and their parents went to school here. So definitely generations of families that have come through Garfield.’’}
(Principal Nicole Zaayer (on left) and Garfield music teacher Joe Legg sell Garfield cups and other items during the tribute.)
Susan Willaman is a Garfield alum with lots of ties to the school…
{“I’m past PTA president, I taught school here. I was a T.A. (teaching assistant) here. I coached basketball, and I coached volleyball. And…it’s hard. I’ve cried numerous times that they’re closing it. However, I can say I’m glad that they’re going to save the school and at least use it for a purpose.’’}
District 118 School Board President Dr. Randal Ashton outlined plans for the building once the current school year ends…
{AUDIO: ‘’We’re going to re-purpose the building for community outreach services, some food pantry services that we’re trying to arrange for it. And for some of the community agencies that need a place for either storage or to be able to do some of the outreach to the community.’’}
Citizens attending the tribute poured over hundreds of old photos of classes and school events over the past 100 years at Garfield. Outside students were enjoying bubbles, sidewalk chalk and face painting.
