Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » School

Wells Street Public School Blackboard Graffiti Left Behind

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:44:52 +0000

Blackboards in schools – give some time and they will be a history. White boards, smart boards probably are and will be the next big thing in the future schools.

Blackboard, Welcome To Well St. P.S.

Blackboards, still standing, will be history in the near future at the former Wells Street Public School, now own by the Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts Inc.

When the school closed for good and students did not return for the 2008 school year, a bit of blackboard history from previous school year was left behind – the blackboard graffiti, that is notes and scribbles probably left by teachers and students.

Antique Chalk Holder, Well Street Public School

When I photographed inside the school anything that was physically attached to the school walls – blackboards, cork boards, lockers and shelving was in its original place.

What was also in its place collecting dust and probably never to be used, was this unique antique five finger chalk holder attached to one of the blackboards in the newer section of the school built in 1952. I searched the Internet to see if there are any out there in other schools. No luck.

Perhaps this one was made especially for this school? Or no body bothered to photograph one yet?

Our Giving Tree, Wells Street Public School

Scribbles, scribbles and more scribbles.

I remember those elementary school days when on the last they of school we left some scribbles on the classroom blackboard and when we came back from summer vacations, our teacher made us erase all.

Sometimes there were teacher’s classroom notes left as well. And some teachers in their designated classrooms kept one blackboard almost permanent – things like the periodic table in my chemistry class, and in the case of Wells Street Public School, Our Giving Tree.

Goals, Wells Street Public School

As time passed, the slate (type of stone the board was made of) blackboards started to become obsolete. Any new classroom would get the green board. For many it was hard to change and everyone continued to call it a blackboard. At some point it was generalized and called a chalkboard.

Green Board, Wells Street Public School

Some speculate that it was price that drove the change in the chalkboard industry, but it was the research in early sixties that suggested that the green background board was easier on the eyes of students – the lower contrast.

Schools Out, Wells Street Public School

To conclude, the school is out again here and hope those blackboards will bring some memories back for those who attended former Wells Street Public School. Never know may be you will also recall the five finger chalk holder you have never paid attention to. The school is now owned by Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts. Furthermore, the school will be back with some art on the wall.

Wells Street Public School, A Closer Look, Yes The Inside

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:34:58 +0000

I rolled my sleeves up and started to type an e-mail. If you don’t try then you have a zero chance of getting something, but if you do then at least you have fifty percent of getting yes as the answer. And the worst – no. I believe they teach this in school.

Wells Street Public School, Inside

After few days I did receive a reply to my request from Joanne Birch, President, Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts. ‘We’d be pleased to allow you to take some posterity photos’ – she wrote.

This is where I got nervous and excited at the same time and knew that something will go wrong. The same day I was going to meet with Ms. Birch my camera flash got jammed. Lucky me it was just the camera flash. Even after little hiccup I was able to take many photos – inside, below, outside and from the top.

Wells Street Public School, A Classroom

It was another great photo journey through our town’s amazing structures, just like the time I had an opportunity to photograph the Petch Log house last summer. One of the things I always keep in mind – something that cannot be preserved as a material can always be preserved in photos.

We are very fortunate that both the Petch Log house and the Wells Street Public School are not going to be demolished this time.

Wells Street Public School, Classroom Wall Lockers

Like many of us I was too skeptical what would be the faith of the school once it was acquired by the developer. A prefect example is the George T. Browning house – there will be no house.

However, after meeting with Ms. Birch I cannot emphasize enough that the Wells Street Public School is in the good hands especially to know that her company do specializes in converting heritage buildings.

Wells Street Public School, Teacher's Rooms

But it was more her passion for that kind of work that I admired. She herself gave me two hour grand tour of the ins and outs of the school and because of her patience I was able to capture many interesting details.

Some of the interesting features to note in this post’s pictures are:

The jade color scheme through out the school; the 3 piece doors (2 doors & 1 window on top) to the auditorium that will be preserved; built-in wall units in the teachers rooms; interesting design of the in-classroom coat lockers with one common link mechanism that opens all the doors at the same time; and probably one of the original squeaky staircase and railing leading up to teacher’s restroom.

Wells Street Public School, Staircase

But that is not all, at least not in this post. And before Schools Out, note that last month the Wells Street Public School received the heritage designation plaque.

Wells Street Public School, Schools Out

School Like Lofty Ideas, Wells Street School Future Transformation

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 04:41:08 +0000

Partially we should be happy that the Wells Street Public School will not be demolished, but unfortunate that it is not going to be a school in the near future. Something also tells me that many are not happy about the transformation to the residential area, or so called lofts.

Wells Street Public School

If everything goes through in the upcoming months or years, Aurora will have lofts on Wells Street.

I am not sure if the reconstruction of old factories into lofts is still booming as it was over ten years ago in Toronto. When we looked for our first house to buy we did tour one of those lofts. They were nice. Not within our requirements though – size versus the price.

There were some layout issues we did not like as well. Ceilings were high and not covered, with all the piping exposed – dust collectors for sure. The sewer pipe, probably not able to change it, was just beside the kitchen. My imagination is too wild, I would hate the sounds of flushing toilet when I am cooking.

No thanks for us. We ended up in the Aurora.

Wells Street Public School

Can we salvage the look of the school?

It is hard to tell. It all depends on how many loft units developer is planning to have. The windows probably will be developer’s greatest obstacle. Major windows on the sides and on the front of the school are in the groups of five. Hard split for sure. The front of the school is practically all windows, not including the side decor closed frames.

Let just hope that may be the builder is thinking about converting each classroom into a loft. Then there is possibility to preserve the look of the old school. But never know, I am only speaking of it by looking outside. Once engineers will get hold of the plans they will be able to do some magic.

Parking availability will be also interesting item on the list. Will they dig underground? It is possible.

Wells Street Public School, Fenced Side

I was a bit ignorant before and did not really pay attention why would only one side of the school be fenced off. I sneaked behind the Aurora Masonic Hall to see the fenced side of the school. It is obvious now to me that there are external damages to the brick wall on one side only.

Now there is a question for you. You are in the market to buy a nice loft in Aurora. You spotted lofts for sale on the Wells Street. Investigated and found out that one side of the building was once damaged. Which side would you be interested in, the damaged or undamaged one? Or will you go and look somewhere else? Aha, something to think about.

Okay and what will happen to the Aurora Farmers Market? Or may be it is too soon to think about relocating but I am sure it will all work out. Sometimes it is to hard accept change in our community, but things will always change and sometimes for a greater good.