Beach school receives historic plaque
Beach Elementary School became the fourth historic structure in 2010 to receive designation at a Monday ceremony in the school cafeteria. A recognition plaque dated 1948 will be hung outside of the oldest structure on campus.
Officials from the Town of Fort Myers Beach and the Estero Island Historic Society joined past and present Beach school teachers and administrators and the student body in honoring the 62-year-old building. Lee County School District Chief Academic Officer Connie Jones, FMB Councilwoman Jo List, Town Community Development Director Frank Shockey and Estero Island Historic Society Founding Member Roxie Smith were among the guest speakers.
“A school is truly the heart of a community and some place you feel safe and welcome,” said Jones. “It’s very appropriate for this school to be recognized for its history, but the beauty of this recognition means it’s also going to protect the school for future boys and girls who come here.”
Shockey gave a history lesson about two other structures which were used as a school on the Beach before Beach Elementary was built. He explained the school district hired an architect who designed the historic building right off Oak Street in 1947 and, thus, opened in 1948.
“Before this was built, there were two other buildings in town that were used as elementary schools,” he said. “One of them was a little cottage right on the beach front on Cottage Avenue whicht had one teacher who taught 20-30 children. A couple of years later, the Beach Woman’s Club was used as a school in the 1930s.”
Smith, a long-time Beach resident, spoke on the importance of possessing a community school.
“We are so grateful to have a true community school,” she said. “Throughout the years, whenever the school needs something, the community has come together to raise funds to see that it happens. To all the staff, teachers and you wonderful students, thank you for being a part of our community.”
Principal Larry Wood echoed Smith’s words and added the support from the school district which built the school stage and put in new lights, ceilings, carpeting, floor tiles and fans.
“The school district supports us in a lot of different ways,” he said. “The community is supporting us with the golf tournament and silent auction. if you read a local newspaper, you’re going to see all the things that the community does for us. You’re also going to see all the things that we do to return the favor to the community (like the student participation in the Coastal Cleanup this past weekend.)”
Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony include Town Manager Terry Stewart; Councilman Tom Babcock; Local Planning Agency member Rochelle Kay (whose children attended the Beach school); former Beach Elementary teacher Judy Pizzano (taught from 1988-2005); former Beach Elementary Media Specialist Gertrude Shevlin (taught from 1967-91); Robert and Shirley Brodhecker (Shirley taught at Caloosa Middle; Robert was principal at Beach school from 1971-79 and recently retired from 60 years in public education).
The Beach school designation and plaque awarding follows presentations for The Rain Barrel, The Annex and The Historic Cottage on Jan. 19. It is part of the continuing effort to identify structures of historic significance.