![Fernbank Elementary School, Atlanta, GA Fernbank Elementary School, Atlanta, GA](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9f2NiXh2U7PE9U7uK0qaNA5cENB58lwN0bTSjL2ysq6qz2v18eqsRbGq22mFrSsV099eV_czH0CULG7o7l519i1v6Ad8jtoOO-EJwS3reOfCtWwmlh_oF1upr2oU9eapUYnn/s400/fernbank-main-entrance.jpg)
Tree, Sun
The school didn't offer kindergarten in my era. I was at home with a stick and some dirt.
Today, that dirt is worth a lot more than I am. I should have become real estate.
Even with an education, life sticks it to me.
The fact that we lacked a gym never crossed my mind. We played outdoors, or inside classrooms when it rained. We had our fun and got exercise and expertise with finger-paints and musical chairs.
![Fernbank Elementary School gymnasium, Atlanta, GA Fernbank Elementary School gymnasium, Atlanta, GA](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqxX2H34lAikzgfHVX3mW_I3DxOpfFVs_2cf4vl6MrnO51ZYEwQUIFbZEFfLLliSP24vHtls4sRqdI2T7wJ9eFcfq9kI3sYEZQg0UeGx7oy0JXLJasmO2sLJ4ERUn8mdEBsEs/s200/fernbank-gym.jpg)
Also, I'm concerned this new wing may have doomed a tree which our proud second grade class planted at a ceremony on the lawn in 1960. I forget why exactly, but the leafy gift was a present to the school and accepted by the principal as an eternal commemoration of a sentimental, life-affirming purpose. I hope the tree has been preserved, because not doing so would be a breach, slaps in the faces of a fine bunch of earnest, trusting little kids.
Grown-ups wouldn't do that, right?
Right?