CORNWALL, Ontario – Two Cornwall elementary schools celebrated the end of an era on Thursday afternoon as Gladstone Public School and East Front Public School prepare to say farewell and close their doors for good.
The separate festivities were held at each respective school and both included bouncy castles, a BBQ, great music, and plenty of memorabilia looking back on years gone by.
Gladstone principal Chad Brownlee was very involved throughout the day and said “We wanted to celebrate the 62 years that Gladstone has been around rather than have a memorial service for it”.
People and families of all ages were on hand to enjoy the excitement and remember Gladstone. Kimberly Cameron was in attendance, as all four of her children have been students there. She said “I’m seeing a lot of people that used to come here and some of my oldest kids’ friends who I haven’t had a chance to see in years”.
The same energy was felt across town at East Front’s Farewell BBQ. Alumni from all decades came out in droves to remember the school and take in the gym full of memorabilia. Retired teacher Margaret Hyatt taught at East Front for 21 years and helped to decorate for Thursday’s celebration.
She said “It brings back a lot of awesome memories but it’s pretty sad too because we were always a family here”.
East Front opened 82 years ago and its waterfront location is something many people expressed they will miss the most. Principal Kelty Grant said “It’s mixed feelings because you’re in this beautiful location and it’s this smaller, more intimate school but the building itself is tired and old and it’s no longer working for the students”.
Bridgewood Public School, located on the corner of Nick Kaneb Dr. and Marleau Ave, will open in September and amalgamate students from both East Front and Gladstone into one building.
Gladstone teacher Jen Fullerton is excited for the change. “I cannot wait to get out of my portable and into a brand new school with brand new technology and a new start to everything”.
Grant echoed that sentiment saying that “We’re going to an incredibly beautiful school that’s perfectly set up for today’s learners and that’s really exciting”.
Although exciting, the closing of both schools has been hard for many and amongst the fun of the day it was evidently emotional for those who hold GPS and EFPS close to their hearts.
Cameron said “There’s been a lot of tears around our house over Gladstone closing, we’ve always considered it a little gem in the community and it always had that extra little something”.
Thursday’s farewell celebrations mark the closing of two schools that have impacted and influenced many Cornwall and area children for decades but as Hyatt puts it “We’ll always have the memories and that’s what we can keep with us forever.”
