It's been 50 years since the last bell rang at the school, but former students remember it like it was yesterday. Today, only the flagpole remains in honor of the beloved elementary school built in 1914. The building was demolished in 1978, but for the students who attended Pitman Elementary, the bond they share is stronger than ever. All classmates who attended, whether only for kindergarten or all through 6th grade, are cordially invited to the John Pitman Elementary All School Reunion on Saturday, October 19th, from 3:00pm - 8pm at Sunset 44 in Kirkwood.
The Pitman Elementary School Reunion Committee: (Dave Clark – Chairman, Mike Gibbons, Athalia Howell, Wallace Ward, Tacy Flynn, Kathy Harris, Dave Moon) along with Dave Jones reminisces about the beloved elementary school.
There's something about the group of people who went to Pitman that is unlike any other school in the Kirkwood School District. Whenever somebody says, 'I grew up in Kirkwood,' you'll ask where they went to grade school. If they say Pitman, there is an automatic bond, and the stories start pouring out. We have this unique connection. Looking back from 1954 on, Pitman was a testament to the value of public education because it enriched everybody's lives, not only the kids. I cannot imagine an economically and racially more diverse and inclusive school than Pitman. There was a closeness between the parents, the neighborhoods, the churches - even the businesses near the school.
Pitman was located in Downtown Kirkwood, so we all grew up with the school as our home base. The businesses along Jefferson, Adams, and Kirkwood Road all knew us. In fact, the business owners would let us decorate the store windows for Halloween.
The events held at Pitman were incredible. There were all sorts of games, festivities, holiday events, cakewalks, talent shows, and spaghetti dinners.
During the war, the 5th and 6th graders knitted little squares that were collected to make blankets for the soldiers. The playground was dirt, and there was no adult supervision at recess. When it was time to go inside, we would line up by class and march in line upstairs to our room.
Everybody has great stories about their teachers. We all have Mrs. Gravell stories. The John Pitman Reunion 2024 Facebook page is filled with comments, photos and stories that are very entertaining and funny. We were thrilled at how many teachers attended the previous John Pitman Elementary All-School reunion.
Our last reunion, in 2017, was incredible. Everyone reconnected with old friends and told stories from the past. They talked to the brothers and sisters of their friends and loved ones. It was an amazing event, and everyone talked about getting back together for another reunion. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 19th, at Sunset 44. All past Pitman students are welcome to relive those cherished memories, and none of us are getting any younger.
Check out their John Pitman Reunion 2024 Facebook page for more information.