ANSBACH, Germany (June 4, 2015) -- A crowd of students, their parents, school staff, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach community members and more attended the closure ceremony for Rainbow Elementary School at Barton Barracks Tuesday.
Rainbow and Illesheim elementary schools, two of three elementary schools within USAG Ansbach, are closing with classes and student populations to consolidate at Ansbach Elementary School at Katterbach Kaserne for the 2015-2016 school year.
Lt. Col. David A. Markiewicz, USAG Ansbach executive officer, represented garrison leadership at the event.
"From the first day of opening, Rainbow has been a crucial element in bringing together a diverse group of people to create a close-knit community while providing a quality education in a nurturing environment," said Markiewicz. "You can see the positive impact of this community spirit and this nurturing environment in the students' faces as they walk these halls and interact with one another. This is a result of the strong partnership between the teachers, parents and administration in working for the best interest of the students."
The Department of Defense announced in April as part of the Aviation Restructuring Initiative that approximately 1,900 military positions would be reduced throughout Germany as part of restructuring the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, USAG Ansbach's main tenant unit. Because of the significant effect this has on the military and Family populations of USAG Ansbach, DoDDS-E had to make plans to consolidate the elementary schools for the coming school year.
Markiewicz, during his remarks at the school, praised the staff, students and parents for making the best of the transition.
"Your enthusiasm and positive attitude over the past four weeks has maintained a great school climate, and because of that, we will only have positive lasting memories of Rainbow Elementary School," said Markiewicz.
Dr. Elizabeth Dunham, superintendent of the Bavaria District Office for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools -- Europe, spoke next.
"You have continued to focus on the needs of the students and Families despite the turmoil in your own lives," said Dunham.
The event at Rainbow was the closing of nearly 29 years of history. The school opened Nov. 5, 1986, and was named after the 42nd Infantry Division, the "Rainbow" division, whose campaign during the closing months of World War II took them through Middle Franconia.
Rainbow Elementary School, during its nearly three decades, survived both fire and flood, according to Mary Salerno, principal of the school, who spoke at the closing ceremony.
Salerno attributed some of the success of her school to the students.
"Our students have made Rainbow a truly wonderful place to work," said Salerno. "And I thank you for that, students."
Salerno also thanked the teachers, the support staff, the administrative office staff, the transportation office staff, the para-educators and assistants, the host nation team, the cafeteria team and the Rainbow Elementary School Parent, Teacher, Student Association.
"Together we form this great team of people servicing our military children," said Salerno. "And if I may say so myself, we really do an outstanding job."
As part of the ceremony, several of the students spoke of their favorite memories of their time at Rainbow Elementary School.
"I have grown and learned so much thanks to the amazing teachers and staff," said one of the students. "I have made so many good friends and hope to cross paths with them later in life. I hope the teachers will continue to teach for a long time because what they are teaching is worth learning."
The teachers of Rainbow Elementary School are moving on. One Rainbow teacher is retiring after this school year. Some teachers are leaving DoDDS. Some are moving to DoDDS -- Pacific. Some teachers are moving to DoDDS-E's Mediterranean District. Some teachers are staying in the Bavaria District. And some are going to Ansbach Elementary School.
"It's really hard when a school closes," said Courtney Bazen, a second grade teacher who is heading to Bahrain next. "Rainbow had its time, and I'm glad I was here for it."
Regine Pöflinger, a local national resident, worked with the school when it opened in 1986, and now works with SKIESUnlimited.
"This was my home," said Pöflinger. "I still remember all the teachers and the principals and the events. It was an important part of my life."
At the end of the ceremony, the crowd moved outside where they lowered the American and German flags and released balloons.
Students begin summer vacation after their last day of school Friday. American elementary school students in the USAG Ansbach community will attend Ansbach Elementary School Sept. 8 for Kindergarten and Aug. 31 for all others for the 2015-2016 school year.
Related Links:
USAG Ansbach official Twitter feed
USAG Ansbach official home page
Franconian News: USAG Ansbach official news page
USAG Ansbach official Facebook page
USAG Ansbach official Flickr page
Social Sharing