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Today’s number: 6, schools that won’t be opening in Pinellas next week

Posted Aug 17, 2009 by Dennis Joyce

Updated Aug 17, 2009 at 03:25 PM

The mascot and the school, sadly, sail off into the sunset.

Energy and optimism fueled by hundreds of kids still spill from the Web sites.

Except for one. It speaks instead with concise and painful realism:

“Gulf Beaches Elementary School has been closed. Please go to the Pinellas County Schools Web site at www.pcsb.org for information.”

Gulf Beaches is one of six Pinellas elementary schools that closed over the summer because of a historic decline in student population. In addition, four middle schools have merged into two.

Florida’s population overall has declined, a University of Florida study is expected to reveal this week. If past trends hold true, Pinellas will decline the most of all.

This puts sunny St. Petersburg-Clearwater in a league with cities more commonly associated with closed schools, like Detroit or Philadelphia. The eager messages on all those outdated Web sites notwithstanding.

North Ward Elementary in Clearwater was and “A” school and “Home of the Tigers.” It still is, online. The note from the principal, expressing pride at leading such a fine community, still sounds just as earnest.

Here’s how you’re greeted at the Web site of Clearwater’s Kings Highway Elementary: “This newly renovated school has been in existence for the past 30 years. Serving a diversified student body, we are proud of our history and look forward to the future.”

Sigh.

Rio Vista Elementary in St. Petersburg was proud of a heritage dating back to 1925, when it had 50 students, a principal and a teacher. Rio Vista came by its mascot honestly: Several eagles were seen nesting nearby during a construction project.

Palm Harbor Elementary was home of the Proud Pelicans and a stirring mission “to provide the optimum learning environment for children with diverse learning styles, cultural differences, and learning needs.”

At the Web site of Clearview Avenue Elementary in St. Petersburg, they’re still pushing T-shirts to raise money and school pride: “We Are Family,” the message reads, “I Stand Up For You And You Stand Up For Me.”

You have to hope all the sentiments endure even if the bricks and mortar don’t.

Especially this motto from Gulf Beaches: “Where everybody knows your name.”

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