Two Wichita Falls schools hold flag lowering ceremonies in wake of upcoming closure
Two Wichita Falls elementary schools; Lamar Elementary and Haynes Elementary closed their doors this week for the last time. To commemorate the event, the school held flag-lowering ceremonies Wednesday and Thursday.
"I think right now we're at the acceptance stage and that this is the reality of what is going to actually happen and I think they're more open now for the situation, and after being named the principal of Burgess Elementary, quite a few of the parents have said to me that they're very happy that I'll be with their students. I think me being over there is something that is reassuring for the parents and families of Haynes Northwest Academy," said Tristan Browne, Haynes Elementary School Principal.
The students of Haynes Elementary will be moved to Burgess Elementary School and Haynes will become an early childhood center called Haynes Head-Start.
Not all of the teachers currently working at Haynes will be relocated to Burgess, but some will make the transition along with Haynes Elementary School Principal Tristan Browne.
Browne has reassured and comforted the parents and families by letting them know that he will continue to be with their kids as the new Burgess principal.
"I think it will be more of a situation of it doesn't matter of the challenges that come, we will make sure that we persevere," said Browne.
Amanda Garcia, the Principal of Lamar Elementary School shed a few tears during her speech at the ceremony.
"Probably the hardest thing has been the merge of this campus and going into two schools and just ensuring that our students are well taken care of before they make their next destination to their next school whether it be Southern Hills or Booker T. Washington ... we know that they'll be taken care as far as moving the staff, ensuring that they feel supported throughout the entire process as they make the transition as well," said Garcia.
Lamar Elementary students will be split between attending Booker T. Washington and Southern Hills Elementary.
"The parents were very heartbroken at the very beginning, rightfully so. A lot of parents went to school here themselves and so it's really tough for them ... Overall they understood the reason why and what needed to be done. To be very, very frank they have just all worked together and supported us throughout this entire process and I couldn't ask for a better response from them," Garcia said.
Both principals have reassured the families, parents and students themselves, that everything will be ok during the transition process.
"Today our students were involved in creating the history to close Lamar's doors one last time," Garcia said.
Each school lowered their American flags, and carefully tucked them away. The elementary students from each school were in attendance and got to witness the end of an era.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Farewell ceremonies held at Lamar, Haynes schools
