Elementary School Rebuild
This is a picture of the Stevenson Elementary School that is soon to go into the rebuilding process.
Most people from Grandview have lived here their whole lives, or most of their childhood. So most of us remember the old elementary school, but unfortunately, it is getting torn down soon. This is for a new development and a new elementary school, but how do people in Grandview feel about this?
So you can get an idea about how much this old elementary school means to people, you have to know the history of the building first. The Elementary was originally constructed in the year 1926, not long after the high school was built, so this building has been around for 100 years and it is about time to get a renovation.
Tearing this building down also sadly tears the memories away, since there is going to be a new school building, and lots of the current high school students attended that school, many of us have lots of memories made there. Yes, the new Elementary school is sure to be nice and all newly renovated, but it is sad to see the old building go.
Not only does this affect the students, but also the teachers that have taught at that school for their whole employment within Grandview Heights. Currently, there have been pods placed outside of the Grandview Heights Middle School to ensure that while the old elementary school is getting torn down, the students that are currently being taught there will still have a place to learn during the demolition of the old school.
In addition to the effect on students and teachers, this also affects the parents of the children that attend Grandview Heights. As we all know, since all of the schools will be in one row for the upcoming school year, we have to prepare for the amount of traffic and cars that are yet to start filling up the parking lots. This is mainly because all of the students and teachers from the elementary school are now having to all come up to the high school area, this includes dropping children off, high school students parking for school, and teachers parking to get into school as well.
Based on the information from World Population Review, the estimated population of Grandview Heights currently is 9.300 people, the percent of that which are students and teachers is about 14% of the total population. With this information, this can determine the amount of students who also spent their whole life learning at Grandview schools, especially the amount of students who went to the old elementary school.
I decided to interview both a student and a teacher that experienced school time at the old elementary school. I chose to ask them a few questions, one: “What is your opinion on the demolition of the elementary school?”, two: “What are your feelings about the old elementary school being torn down?, and lastly: “Do you feel that this is a positive thing or a negative thing for the future of Grandview Heights?”
Sophomore Olivia Brandt said, “My opinion is that I don’t think that they should tear it down because it creates an inconvenience to many people. I feel sad because the building is really old, and a sentimental, original part of Grandview Heights. I think it is a positive thing for the future of Grandview but a negative thing as of this moment.”
Teacher Mrs. Williams said, “I think that since we put a renovation vote on the ballot, it feels too soon to demolish it. All three of my sons went there, so I have that sentiment. I feel that an option similar to the remodeling to the high school may be more beneficial to keeping the history of the elementary school, while updating it but making it more modern. I feel that the administration thinks it will be beneficial in keeping up with neighboring suburbs such as UA and Bexley. However, I would have liked to have known more of what the community as a whole felt, and if anyone felt the same as I do.”
With these responses, I can come to the conclusion that maybe with the way that this student and teacher feel, that maybe more people feel the same way as them. With this, people could also feel the whole opposite of how these two feel.
Overall, the demolition of the Stevenson Elementary School can affect people in different ways, and people may feel differently about the demolition than others. Whether or not you think this is a good thing is up to you, you don’t always have to voice your opinion but it can help people make decisions such as the decision to rebuild the Elementary School.