The last day of school at Center Street Elementary School was a bittersweet time for several third-graders who talked about the experience.
The students will go to other elementary schools in the district this fall. Voters decided in May to close the school to deal with declining state aid.
Among those who commented, Abigail Gracey said that while the last-day activities were fun, it was very sad to be leaving for the final time. She attended since kindergarten. "I really had fun here," she said.
Autumn Nealis said it was a little sad but she was pretty happy being with friends and having pizza the last day. She will be attending Valleyview in the fall. She said she enjoyed the recent open house there, which included a barbecue.
"I'm really looking forward to it," she said, although she was unhappy about the closing.
Natalia Legname is also going to Valleyview. "I'm excited to be making new friends and experiencing new things."
But she said was sad to be leaving the school and some of her friends for the last time.
"I'm sad and happy," said Anna Fleury. "We have to say goodbye," but she will have some friends with her at the new location. Her favorite part of the final day was the graduation each class had to mark the event. Everybody got a chance to dance, she said.
Alyssa Ely graduated from sixth grade and will be attending middle school in the fall. The final day started upbeat, but it got to be down, she said. She has attended since kindergarten and "it's sad to see this wonderful school close. If I had to relive my childhood I wouldn't want to go to any other school." She said it was too bad that her siblings will not have the opportunity.
Parents who commented included Carlena Ficano who has a daughter in third grade. "I will miss walking to school every single day. I'm sorry to see it go."
She commended the Center Street staff and faculty for the professional way they handled things. That included the leadership of Principal Coleen Lewis, who made sure that it was a positive transition.
People praising retiring Otsego County Farm Service Agency Executive Director Bill Gibson included Gilbertsville farmer Richard Keene.
"He has been real farmer-friendly," Keene said. "He tried to keep people informed about programs available and bent over backwards to make participation as easy as can be."
Under Gibson's guidance "more farmers have seen the value of participating."
The reason that Gibson said he has enjoyed his work all these years is, "I enjoy working with farmers."
He grew up on a farm and started out as a dairy farmer after college before circumstances required a change, he said. But "my parents gave me the agriculture heritage that served me well."
When he started with the agency in 1979, it was called the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Its current name dates from the mid-1990. In the 1980s, it administered the Dairy Herd Buyout Program, which helped about 25 farms transition out of the business. But more farms were lost to the downturn in the dairy economy. The numbers went from about 425 farms in the county in the 1980s to about 170 today.
Mark Boshnack can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 218, or at mboshnack@thedailystar.com.
Local News
Reporter's Notebook: Sadness, excitement at closing of school
- Local News
-
-
Ramsaran freed on $300,000 bail
Accused killer Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran was freed from Chenango County Jail this afternoon after he and relatives posted $300,000 worth of real estate to meet bail conditions set by County Judge Frank Revoir Jr.
-
Area school budgets get voters' OK
With schools in the area proposing budgets at or below the state tax cap, all districts reporting by 10 p.m. said voters approved their spending plans.
-
School budget voting results
-
Tree-killing insect found near Unadilla
A tiny pest with a big appetite for ash trees has arrived in Delaware and Otsego counties, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
-
Roxbury artist's portrait exhibit is a record-breaker
ROXBURY -- Greg Frederick is an artist who has likely broken more records than anyone reading this story today. By records, we mean that relic of the musical recording industry -- vinyl long-playing albums (the ones with the small hole in the center) and 45 revs per minute single records (the ones with the considerably larger hole in the center).
-
Bruni to step down after 30 years
Children's programs, a computerized card catalog and online access to a world of information are among changes ushered in at the Huntington Memorial Library in Oneonta by Marie Bruni since she became library director 30 years ago. "It's been great,'' Bruni, who plans to retire, told the Oneonta Common Council during a meeting in City Hall on Tuesday night.
- Tuesday, May 21, 2013
-
State investigation seeks missing Bassett Rx pads
The state is investigating the possible theft of blank prescription pads from Bassett Medical Center, a spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed Monday.
-
Classes resume after threats at schools
School was opened on schedule at two area schools where Internet threats caused lockdowns Friday afternoon, two superintendents said Monday as the investigations continued.
-
Survey: Town residents cool to merger
More than half of Oneonta town residents responding to a survey oppose the idea of a merger with the city of Oneonta, the study summary said.
But a majority said "yes" to a partnership with the city to protect the reservoir and quality of drinking water. Two-thirds oppose drilling for natural gas, according to responses, the survey reported, and a majority supports commercial and industrial development in the town.
-
Lawmakers: Farm bill has 'devastating' mandates
-
Correction
-
Copes Corner Park gets new lease on life
The job description for town supervisor doesn't normally include mowing grass, but that's what Charlie Eckelmann found himself doing the other day over at Copes Corner Park in the hamlet of Gilbertsville.
-
School budget votes held today statewide|
Voters across the state go to the polls today to decide the fate of their local school budgets. In many cases, the selection of board of education candidates and propositions are on the ballot.
-
Blodgett plan review to continue at meeting
The Oneonta Planning Commission on Wednesday will continue its review of environmental impact documents submitted as part of a site plan application for a proposed student apartment complex on Blodgett Drive.
-
Area life coach wins state recognition
Heidi Friedman, a local life coach, has been awarded a statewide honor by The Arc, a 60-year-old national organization, and ANCOR, an associated organization.
- Monday, May 20, 2013
-
Fill each day, SUCO grads told
Two speakers at the State University College at Oneonta asked audiences to push the ``pause button'' on their lives Saturday.
-
Community comes together to build playground
The quote "If you build it, he will come" from the 1989 film "Field of Dreams" is often slightly altered to "If you build it, they will come."
-
Police to patrol schools after threats
Police will be present at public schools in Delhi and Walton today as a precaution in the aftermath of last week's online threats, school officials said Sunday.
-
Ramsaran remains in jail
Ganesh Ramsaran, accused of murdering his wife, remained in Chenango County jail Sunday on bail, authorities said.
-
Library, airport on council agenda
The Oneonta Common Council will consider the future of the Huntington Memorial Library and of the municipal airport, among other business, during a meeting Tuesday night.
-
Ramsaran freed on $300,000 bail
