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Bass Lake Elementary closes

Brian Wilkinson

(Updated: Thursday, June 17, 2010, 1:38 PM)

Bass Lake Elementary School's doors were closed and locked for the last time June 9.

The school served the community for 84 years, 53 in the current building. Before that, a one-room schoolhouse catered to year-round families of the regional recreation area.

The Bass Lake School District board of trustees voted more than a year ago to close the school because of declining enrollment and reduced state funding.

Robin Ward, a second- and third-grade teacher at Bass Lake, said her students were aware of the closing but that she did all she could to keep the last day happy for them.

"We had three bounce houses, a rock wall, sack races, bubble station, water slide and a ton of water activities planned for the students," Ward said. "Casie Thearle of the Parent Teacher Club made a slide show of the year that started with the song 'Time of Your Life,' and that was a major tear-jerker."

Students called out each person's name as pictures flashed on the screen. They clapped with the music and relived the year, from the first day of school to the end-of-the-year barbecue.

"Parents and teachers at the back of the room marveled at the changes in each child from the beginning to the end of the year and tried to discreetly dab their eyes with Kleenex," principal Lisa Kernaghan said.

Ward said Bass Lake has "wonderful community spirit and fabulous families," pointing to the many parents and grandparents who came to help.

"Many siblings of the students were also there enjoying the sun and the fun," Kernaghan said. "The students ate their lunches outside and had ice cream sandwiches for dessert."

Former teachers Bill Shennan, Shirley Schlichting and Bill Earnest came for one last visit and to reminisce.

Camille Simpson, president of the Parent Teacher Club, said it was hard to believe that June 9 was the last day of school at Bass Lake forever and that kindergarten and first-graders would never again be hugged by Anne Guynn in front of the building as they leave each day.

"The children's screams of happiness at recess will not be heard by the neighbors," Simpson said. "Parents and students will not be greeted by cheery staff each morning. It is really hard to believe that what has come to be a family is being torn apart."

Simpson said Bass Lake Elementary School was one of the few things that Bass Lake residents had for themselves.

"It belonged to those of us who live here year-round, and it saddens me that the community was not more behind trying to keep it open," Simpson said. "As a neighbor to the school, I am also concerned with what will happen to the building and the land."

She said her children received a good education at Bass Lake School.

"I would like to thank the teachers and staff for all of their hard work and dedication to the school and for their care and love of all of the students and their families," Simpson said. "I would also like to thank parents for endless hours of volunteering. I will miss them all."

When the end of the day approached, Kernaghan said, students, parents and teachers sensed that the end of an era was at hand. Students returned to their classrooms for gifts and one last good-bye. Parents exchanged promises to keep in touch and arrange play dates.

"There were smiles and tears, and then the students raced for the buses or their parents," Kernaghan said.

The principal said it was a bittersweet day for teachers and staff.

"The last day of school is one of celebration," she said. "You look at each child and remember a way in which they have grown during the year. You worry about the insecure one. This year there were many, many tears. A way of life was ending."

Kernaghan said the closing of the school also meant the school-staff family was being divided.

"We will all be at different sites next year, and a few will be unemployed," she said.

"At the end of the day, I realized that each and every one of those children were 'my kids,' and knowing that I would not be able to watch all of them grow next year was gut-wrenching," Kernaghan said. "But there were many smiles through the tears, smiles for the camaraderie, learning, success and family that was, is and will forever be Bass Lake Elementary School."