MACON, Ga. — Springdale Elementary's stood tall for 53 years.
This month, it's saying goodbye to its old building and hello to a new one.
Everyone's packing and getting ready to move to a newly constructed building that will sit beside the site of the original one.
Teachers, staff, faculty and students are already missing the original grounds.
They're inviting you to their open house memory walkthrough of the halls of the building before its demolition.
Principal Cami Hamlin's been at the school for 13 years.
She's seen several students grow up to join their staff as adults, like Media Specialist Meagin Jiles and Counselor Rebecca White.
They met in the first grade in the '90s as Eagles. Then, they reconnected as dawgs at the University of Georgia.
Today, they're still best friends-- and they get to work together where they first met.
"I knew I wanted to be at Springdale," Jiles said. "There was no other choice for me. I thought if I was gonna teach, I'm gonna teach at Springdale."
When White returned as an eagle five years ago, she said it felt like a full circle moment.
"Even when I wasn't working here, driving by it every day remembering it," White said. "It's been a staple."
In the fall, a new building is replacing the original school.
"It's gonna be sad to see it go, but it's very deserving of a new space," White said.
On Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m., you're invited to walk through the halls of the original Springdale Elementary one last time.
The new school is still under construction and should open for the next school year.
Congratulations to Springdale Elementary on being 13WMAZ's School of the Week!
If you want to feature your Central Georgia School, you can reach out to fabrar1@13wmaz.com.'