Last year (2011-2012), I seemed to be a regular at Trail Elementary with a few forays into some of the more rural schools. This year (2012-2013) I've been a regular at Lincoln Elementary and Lingle-Ft. Laramie (LFL). The new vs the old. Lincoln is the newest school in the district. Lingle-Ft. Laramie might be the oldest. This school is like going back to second grade for me. It reminds me very much of the school I attended while living in McCook, Nebraska. LFL has been updated a bit but there is only so much you can do to a school built in 1939. Today, while I was there, I thought, "this school was built for the ages - too bad it couldn't predict that technology would make it obsolete." It looks like it might be ready for demolition and this makes me a little bit sad.
Here is some of the history of the school.
Lingle-Fort Laramie Elementary School - The Art Deco-style elementary school in Lingle was constructed in 1939 with funds provided by the New Deal, and is one of the remaining schools from that era in Wyoming. Like many schools of its period it was designed as an architectural landmark as well as an educational facility, and its position at the terminus of one of Lingle's main streets is testament to the prominent position of the school in the community.
I didn't really know any of that until I searched online - I figured there was some significance to the decor - when public buildings were built with some style. It is a small school and called a Grade School which probably meant that originally it taught students in grades 1 - 8. 8th grade used to be considered adequate education for most citizens of a rural/agricultural economy. Earlier this year, I was teaching in the 4th grade class (yes, only one class per grade) and the study was the Depression. I hope the teacher did a little research and discovered that the school she was teaching in was the result of some Depression style politics. I am not making a political statement here - I like this school.
I like the subway style tiles bordering the halls and bathrooms. I like the stair cases that have a landing and turn to go to the second floor. I like the little alcove at the top of a half set of stairs for the top floor. I like the "School house" ceiling light on one of those landings. I like the big windows and even though the steam radiators are inadequate and don't do the job anymore, I like them too. What I especially LOVE is the bathroom!On the second floor just off the girls' bathroom is a little room with a door that states quite boldly TEACHER in gold letters. I do believe those letters are original. I look at that word and remember when teachers were almost second to God in my world. Highly respected, somewhat feared, and definitely obeyed or you got a swat, stood in the corner, or some other punishment that was equally humiliating, but avoided at all costs. I love going in that little room - it isn't much - just a toilet, a little sink, a tiny radiator and window that can be propped open. AND the door can be locked! I imagine a few teachers used it to sneak a smoke before going back to the classroom to be the ogre of the classroom. There have been days when I've also been so tempted and I don't even smoke!
The schools district has tried to keep this building updated. The windows are not the original ones. There are computers and smart boards in every room. Floors and walls have been kept up. Each room has a wall of lockers that are now storage for the classroom. Various additions have been included - lunchroom with a kitchen, a gymnasium and various others nooks and crannies. I am torn. The students need a new school. To remodel is cost prohibitive, yet a new school means demolition for the old school. The terminus of that city block is where all the schools for the town have taken up residence. There doesn't seem another use for it that will keep it intact.
Until that day, I intend to enjoy it's idiosyncrasies and pretend that teachers are still held in high regard but I will try to temper my inner ogre.
