One last first day: Families say goodbye to Glenwood Elementary School
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- For generations of students, the first day of school at Glenwood Elementary marked the start of a new year. On Monday, it also marked the beginning of the end.
Families gathered for Glenwood Elementary's final first day before the school closes at the end of the academic year, bringing an end to more than 70 years of history in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
Built in 1953, Glenwood is the district's oldest school. Though some once viewed it as a symbol of segregation, many parents today see it as a community treasure known for its Mandarin language programs and diverse student body.
For Maria Palmer, the school's final year is especially difficult.
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"My grandson is Taiwanese American, and he feels this is a special school where he is valued," Palmer said.
Palmer has not yet told her first-grade grandson this will be his last year at Glenwood.
She helped write the grant that brought dual-language programs to Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and still keeps a binder from her time serving on the planning committee.
"I was shocked that a world-class university town didn't have this, so I kind of made it my mission," Palmer said.
At Glenwood, all students study Mandarin.
Students enrolled in the school's dual-language program spend half the day learning in English and half in Mandarin. Students in the World Language Pathway receive 90 minutes of Mandarin instruction each week.
Palmer said the benefits extend beyond learning a second language.
"They understand that there are different cultural ways of expressing thoughts and ideas, different customs," she said. "Children are much less judgmental and more open to new ideas."
The district says it remains committed to Mandarin instruction and plans to move the dual-language program to Rashkis Elementary School.
District leaders say declining enrollment made it difficult to justify keeping Glenwood open.
"There are fewer school-aged children living in our town now than there were 10 years ago," said Andy Jenks of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. "It's showing up in our schools, where enrollment numbers are lower now."
Jenks said closing Glenwood after this school year will save the district about $2 million annually.
He said teachers will move with students to other schools and that much of the savings will come from avoiding costly building maintenance and capital improvements.
"For example, you don't have to replace the roof. You don't have to replace the windows," Jenks said. "You don't have to upgrade the things behind the walls that no one ever sees but are just as important to operating a school."
Palmer said she still hopes the school can be saved. If not, she wants district leaders to keep Glenwood's language programs together.
"If we cannot keep Glenwood open, which I think we still can, we can dream big and mobilize the community," Palmer said. "But if we can't, we need to move both programs together."
The future of the World Language Pathway remains uncertain. The school board is expected to discuss the program's future this fall.
