FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 4, 2016) -- When the final school bell rings for summer vacation May 27, Frank R. Loyd Elementary School will close its doors for good.
Julita Martinez, the principal of Frank R. Loyd Elementary School, explained that the closure comes as a result of a drop in enrollment in schools postwide. Although Loyd Elementary hasn't seen a significant drop in enrollment, it is one of the oldest buildings on post prompting the decision to close it.
Before that happens, the students, faculty and staff will recognize the school's namesake, its history and its impact on Fort Benning during a week full of events.
The bittersweet week will conclude with an official closing ceremony May 6 when the school's flag will be retired and a tree will be planted in honor of the school. In addition, students, faculty and staff will dig up a time capsule buried in 2009 and reveal its contents.
Bonnie Loyd, the sister of Frank R. Loyd and the only surviving member of his immediate family, arrived May 2 and will join the students, faculty and staff in saying goodbye to the school, explained Martinez.
During the week of special events, Bonnie Loyd will recognize the winners of an essay contest about her brother and the closing of the school.
May 2 also marked the day the Loyd History museum opened in the school's media center, Martinez added.
"It is a collection of artifacts relating to Frank R. Loyd, the hero, and our school that our resident Loyd historian, Michelle Ossa, has put together," she said.
The students who are part of the Loyd Historians club did research on the life of Frank R. Loyd that will be included in the museum, Martinez continued.
"We don't want the children to go out on a sad note. Our school theme this year is "To infinity and beyond." We have prepared the children to face adversity and be willing to go to infinity and beyond no matter what," Martinez said.
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