A Farewell -- Washington Elementary
Burlington, Iowa
The Mustangs Page

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Washington Elementary
Home of the Mustangs
(1907 - 2002)

Students at Washington Elementary School in Burlington, Iowa knew that their last year in that school would be the 2001-2002 year. The school was scheduled to close, as an elementary center. The fifth graders will go on to middle school and the students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade will be assigned to other schools beginning in 2002-2003.

The students, staff and I worked together on a project to "save" some part of their school -- to save memories of the school and its final year. During the school year (2001-2002) students kept journals which included writings and drawings, papers and other mementos important to them. Each student worked with his or her own journal. Students at times wrote class entries as well.

October, 2001

		Students wrote, and read, and shared their memories. Each student selected one writing to be printed in the final booklet. Washington Elementary closed at the end of the school year, 2002. At the end of the project each student received a new journal -- a new journal in which to begin their new memories of a new school and a new school year.

Memories of any school year, special people, special events can be saved. Make a journal (or buy one), a few pieces of paper stapled together will do. If you like decorate the cover to make it your personal journal. Write in it each day, record your thoughts no matter how brief. When you are ready you might want to take one of those ideas or thoughts and expand it into a more complete narrative about the event or person.