Closing the BOOKS.

Byline: Susan Palmer The Register-Guard

After Andy told his jokes, and Erik played his piano solo, after Maddy and Lauren danced and Sam played classical guitar, after parents and teachers applauded them and a dozen other fine young performers, after they all ate cake and laughed and hugged and gave gifts and took pictures, Evergreen Alternative Elementary School emptied out for the very last time.

By noon on Friday, the five teachers at the little school tucked on the brow of a hill in south Eugene were alone in the quiet.

"It's a little tougher than I wanted it to be today," veteran teacher Ginny Dunphy said. She teared up briefly then reached for and found a smile. "But it's been just a joy because it's a great place to teach."

Evergreen opened in 1975 and immediately attracted a steady stream of students, as it became known for high standards, allowing children a choice in their studies and grouping students of different ages in some classes. The group activities, such as the Evergreen Follies, an annual end-of-year talent show; a special night out at a fancy restaurant for fifth-graders; and a student council with regular meetings and responsibilities, brought the students even closer.

But in recent years enrollment and funding have dwindled, and last year the small staff concluded students could best be served by a merger with Edgewood Elementary School. The two schools share a building.

Controversy erupted recently about changing the name of the remaining school to Woodland Community Elementary School. But the committee that came up with that name has bowed to community pressure, according to Principal Jeralynn Beghetto.

On Wednesday, they'll recommend that the school board just tweak the name to Edgewood Community Elementary School.

"I like that," said parent Ruth Erickson, when she learned about the proposal. "Edgewood Community Elementary School. I like saying it."

Erickson watched the Evergreen Follies on Friday and found herself getting emotional. "It's a bittersweet day," she said. Her daughter Katelyn, a third-grader, had a wonderful experience at the school, she said.

"It's been extraordinary. There's a strong community feeling here and for kids the bar is raised for them to strive to be their best," she said.

Robert Lea echoed those comments. His daughter came to Evergreen as a fifth-grader this year, and the school provided an inviting atmosphere with high standards and plenty of support that allowed her to improve academically.

"It's been a nice environment and the welcoming factor was very important," he said.

Pam Elling was not at all surprised that her two children, Sam and Megan, loved Evergreen. She went there herself as a child.

Mixing students from different grades, had unexpected benefits, Elling said. When she moved on to middle school, for example, there were students in the grades ahead of her whom she knew, and they helped smooth her way.

Seeing Lance Larwood - a teacher back when she attended - still laughing and talking with students pleased her. Larwood, who retired a year ago, still volunteers and substitute teaches at Evergreen.

"The kids love him," she said. Of the school's closure, she said: "It's heartbreaking."

For Dunphy, who teaches third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, the emotions of the day were compounded by the fact that she's retiring.

While the other three full-time teachers will go back to the classrooms at Edgewood come fall, Dunphy won't.

She came to Evergreen from Westmoreland Elementary School seven years ago with high expectations because her own two sons - both adults now - had attended the school.

Submitting to the happy cacophony of excited children and grateful parents brought tears to her eyes several times.

"Evergreen is the perfect school to retire from. It's the highlight of any teacher's career," she said.

By noon, the teachers were mostly alone. Dunphy and Larwood sat in a classroom with Marilyn Walker, Pat Baker and Nita White sharing a few last laughs and memories until a couple youngsters poked their heads in to say, "Hey."

Sam Schneiderhan and Quinton Still, who left Evergreen for Spencer Butte Middle School last year, dropped by to show off their yearbooks and greet old friends. The two will be starting seventh grade in the fall.

"I had a great time here," Sam said. "I liked the freedom and the choices."

Quinton said he appreciated associating with kids of all ages.

"I liked the mix. When I was younger, I liked seeing older kids and when I was older I liked having classes with my little brother."

The teachers said they expect the spirit of Evergreen will live on, a sort of Camelot lingering in the hearts and minds of those who attended the idealistic little school.

And Dunphy, though retiring, isn't quite ready to let go. She plans to do a little substitute teaching next year. Walker, Baker and White won't have quite the camaraderie, spread throughout the new school, but they approach the change with hope.

"We feel like little seeds," Walker said. "We may have been scattered but we will grow."