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Parkview

Alumni reflect on school's history

Mitchell Elementary officials used the school's 90th anniversary and remodel as a chance to teach students about the past.

By ELISABETH DYER
Published April 22, 2005

Yvonne Todd Lopez first came to Mitchell Elementary School as a student in 1936. Now 74, she returned this month to tell students about the school's past.

"We want to give kids a perspective of what the past means to the future," said parent Paula Meckley, who helped bring alumni speakers, including teachers who attended Mitchell in the 1950s and 1980s.

Mitchell students launched a historic study of the 90-year-old school as it undergoes a $5.3-million renovation and expansion to restore wood floors, replace windows, doors and transoms, and add a multipurpose room large enough for all the students and staff.

The school on Bungalow Park Avenue was built the same year as Wilson Middle School and ranks within the 10 oldest schools still in use in Hillsborough County.

During Lopez's visit, students acting as reporters quizzed her on her memories. Fifth-graders Abby Meckley and Jilan Shimberg videotaped Lopez for the Mitchell Morning Show.

Dylan Rogero, 11, wanted to know if she had dipped her pen in ink to write and whether she remembered the custodian who lived in the basement.

Lopez used a fountain pen and remembered the custodian, she said. She also remembered a penmanship teacher who taught her to believe in herself and another teacher who read to them after recess.

"My fondest memory is the story of Pollyanna," she said. "Every day we couldn't wait till we could get back in here and hear the rest."

Ten-year-old Elise LeBlanc asked Lopez if she was surprised at how different the school looked.

"Yes and I think it's great," said Lopez, who lives in Riverview. When the renovation is complete, pride in the school will be even greater, she told students.

Phase one of Mitchell's renovations began in March. Students in the north end of the original structure moved into portables on the back playground.

Workers are refinishing wood floors and restoring the ceiling height to its original 12 feet 10 inches. They will uncover transoms over doors and the top of windows that had been covered by drop ceilings when air conditioning was added.

"It will help bring natural light into the corridors and classrooms," said John Williams, project coordinator for Hillsborough County schools. Historic looking pendant lights will replace ceiling lights.

Once the north end is complete, renovations will begin on the south end. Each section will take six months.

Workers will also bring the building up to code with fire alarms, sprinklers an intercom system and an elevator.

A state historic preservation grant for $300,000 may help pay for some of the improvements. The grant is ranked 16th of 116 submitted this year, said Meckley, who wrote the grant for the school.

If approved by the state, the funds will offset some of the costs of the renovations, allowing the district to tackle other projects, including improvements to the rest rooms.

The final phase is set to begin next spring and take 10 months. Construction crews will build a new kitchen and a larger multipurpose room with a stage where students can eat and gather for performances. A wing of 12 new classrooms will replace the current cafeteria site.

The school plans a celebration for students, parents and alumni once construction is complete.

Elisabeth Dyer can be reached at 226-3321 or edyer@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 21, 2005, 08:33:10]