By Rachael Rifkin
Staff Writer
So many people have come forward to share their memories and reflections of Burroughs Elementary School that the Signal Tribune has decided to make “Burroughs Elementary staff share memories of their school that will soon close” a three- or four-parter. The tight-knit school opened in 1950 and is slated for closure at the end of the school year.
“I worked in the library for about 15 years, and you really got to learn who all the children were. I would see the kindergarten, first- and second-graders. It was really neat to be able to see them grow throughout the years. When they got older, they would pop in to say hi. We knew everybody, so it was really nice in that way.
“The staff would meet in the lunchroom, and everybody worked together really well. If you asked anybody for help, they would help you. I really tried to accommodate in the library as well, getting them the extra books they needed in their classroom. There’s a real sense of community there. The parents would come and help. There would be a lot of participation.”
Former library media assistant Agnes Knight
“I attended Burroughs for my last two years of elementary school— the fourth and fifth grade. I also have two kids who go to the school now. One’s in kindergarten and the other one’s in second grade. I’m always at the school. I help out at both of their classes as well do activities and plan fundraisers.
“I still see some teachers from when I was [a student] there. My daughter’s teacher was actually my sister’s third-grade teacher when we went here. It’s nice that my kids were able to have some of the same teachers.
“It’s a very family-oriented school. You can walk through the halls and everybody knows everybody. You can’t walk into a room without someone smiling at you or saying hello or asking if you need help. Everybody’s really friendly and welcoming there. It was the same way when I went there.
“I have a son who’s going to be starting kindergarten next year, so he’s not going to be able to go to Burroughs. He’s going to have to go somewhere else. I live so close to the school too. It’s going to be sad driving by it knowing it’s not open anymore. I’m going to miss seeing all the kids and teachers.”
PTA president and former Burroughs student Constance Ropadas
