Nearly 60 years of history resides within the walls of Portage Central Elementary School. Ahead of the school's demolition this summer, former students, teachers, parents and community members walked the halls a final time.
They reminisced about their own time as students. They caught up with old friends. Some found their classrooms or themselves in old yearbooks. Others captured photos of their own kids inside the school before it's gone.
The Final Walk-Through was a chance for us to bid farewell to the school that was built in 1969. The new school -- its blue exterior visible from inside the old classrooms at Central -- will open for students this fall.
The new school is the first of the PPS elementary schools to be replaced with the generous funds from our community.
Also opening this fall is the new Haverhill Elementary School. Woodland Elementary students will attend in the old Haverhill building while their own school is being constructed. A community Walk-Through is planned for 5 p.m. Monday, June 2, ahead of Woodland's demolition.
To follow along with more updates on the bond, visit portagebond.com.