ATLANTIC CITY — Sylvia Stewart drove more than 600 miles from South Carolina because she promised her friends she would do whatever it took to join them in saying goodbye to the New Jersey Avenue School due to the impact it had on her life.
Stewart, a former principal, alumni, former staff and community members gathered at the school Wednesday afternoon for a farewell ceremony. The building is set to be demolished for a new district administration facility.
“We did many things that other people didn’t,” said Stewart, who led the school from 2001 to 2012. “We entertained a lot of folks in the community and dignitaries. We had Home Depot come in and talk to parents and teachers about how to do floor tiling and electrical paneling, and how to fix all kinds of things because that’s how we did it in New Jersey. I had the pleasure of working with some of the most amazing individuals. Some of them are like sons and daughters I never had. We had fun every day.”
Attendees heard remarks from several speakers, sang the school’s song, “To You We Sing New Jersey,” and got to take home bricks from the building. Multiple items, including old clocks and the school’s original podium, were on display as well.
“When you look at this building, every single brick has a story,” said Charles Wilson, who was vice principal from 1996 to 2001. “I’ve been assistant principal at four other schools since then, but I learned everything I needed to know right here. New Jersey will soon be the old Madison Avenue School, the Massachusetts Avenue School and the old high school, but it will never be forgotten because too many lives have been significantly changed. I will leave here with a smile on my face.”
Schools Superintendent La’Quetta Small unveiled renderings of the new administration building that will be built on the site. Construction is scheduled to start March 3.
“This is truly a special occasion, but it’s bittersweet,” said Superintendent Small. “I’ve been connected to this community for 26 years since I started as a student teacher here. Then fast forward to 2003, I began my teaching career in Room 23 on the third floor.”
The history of New Jersey Avenue School dates to 1881, when the first building opened.
Firefighters were battling a blaze Friday evening at the old New Jersey Avenue School, which was set to be demolished, an Atlantic City spokesperson confirmed.
It was expanded three times before officials realized another building was necessary when the population grew, said Jacqueline L. Carrington-Brown, who taught at the school from 1973 to 2008.
Construction took place on the new building between 1925 and 1927, and cost about $680,000. The structure featured 23 classrooms, a gymnasium and auditorium that could be joined together and seat up to 900 people, and a branch of the public library, Carrington-Brown said.
The school also hosted conventions, cultural programs and community events.
“We were always proud of our school and the community that it served for more than 80 years,” Carrington-Brown said.
Mayor Marty Small Sr., who was a student at the school from 1979 to 1986, believes it made him who he is today.
“We called it the school of hard knocks,” Small said. “This is where I learned my skills academically, athletically and musically. I’ve haven’t forgotten the teachers who blazed a trail for me.”
The school operated until 2012, when the Pennsylvania Avenue School opened. Superstorm Sandy also damaged the building, and it was deemed unusable. Then in August of this year, a three-alarm fire tore through the building. No one was injured.
Superintendent Small said demolition is expected to be completed by November.
Contact John O’Connor:
609-272-7247
joconnor@pressofac.com
X @acpressoconnor
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