Elementary School opens its doors

[Guest guest]

June 2, 1999

Elementary School opens its doors

BY DENISE WATSON BATTS, The Virginian-Pilot

Copyright 1999, Landmark Communications Inc.

NORFOLK -- And there was light. Plenty of it, streaming through

crystal-clear skylights and new light fixtures.

And space. Gobs, in cherry-veneer cabinets that sat along solid classroom

walls.

And fresh air. Cool air swirling through corridors untouched by mildew.

And there were smiles as W.H. Elementary students walked into their

new school building for the first time Tuesday.

``I think it's beautiful, I really want to be here,'' said 7-year-old

Steele, reading a book at a table in his new classroom.

``It's just so beautiful.''

The new Elementary sits just seven feet from the old

Elementary, an 82-year-old building plagued by leaky windows, a damaged

roof, broken light fixtures, termites and more. Leaks throughout the

building created mildew and mold problems and health hazards. The School

Board voted in 1997 to replace the old school.

The vote split many West Ghent neighbors. Some praised the decision; others

set out to reverse it. The most vocal opposition group, the Parents, Alumni

and Friends of School, campaigned at the city, state and federal

levels to keep the school standing. But two lawsuits failed to save the old

building.

It is scheduled to be demolished by the end of the month after asbestos

removal.

But there were no protests Tuesday; it was a day of celebration for many

staff, students and parents.

There are only 15 school days left, but Principal Ann Bowen wanted to

introduce the children to the new, $5.6 million school before the summer

break.

``Coming here lessens the anxiety of what they've been going through for the

past 19 months,'' Bowen said.

``Now they won't be waiting all summer wondering what it will be like. They

can visualize what it's like. That's important.''

Students saw a school that is very much like their old one. The same clean,

neo-classic design of , stucco on the exterior walls, tall windows and

ceilings. Granite steps from the old building have been placed on the new.

The Toner family was so excited by the move they shortened their weekend

vacation in ton, S.C., to be back for the Tuesday opening. Regina

Toner said her two children insisted on it.

``It was like Christmas,'' she said. ``They absolutely didn't want to miss

this day.''

She walked her two sons, and , to school and toured the

building.

``It's amazing, I have nothing but good things to say about it,'' said

Toner, the school's PTA president. ``To not see holes in the walls. And I'm

not going to miss that smell that comes home with the children,'' she

said, referring to the odor of mildew.

Students said they will not miss the smell, either. Or the lunchroom, which

could fit only five classes. The new one seats eight.

Elevators are now available for people with disabilities. Some classes have

private bathrooms and water fountains.

First-grade teacher Carolyn Baker said sending her students for water was an

ordeal in the old . With one water fountain near her class, it took up

to 20 minutes for the students to finish. On Tuesday, she split her class

between the fountain in class and another close by in the hallway. Students

were back in their seats in five minutes.

``This is a much better arrangement,'' she said.

Some work remains at the school -- landscaping, caulking, and moving the

famous statue of Washington to his new spot in the terrazzo foyer.

But the children were still pleased.

``The rooms are fancy,'' said 10-year-old Carney. ``They're big

and have open spaces.''