May 2001
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G enerations of Eureka's students have walked the hallways of Marshall School. First at the old Marshall School, a two-story wooden building built in 1903 that once was situated on the far edge of the playground, and then at the current Marshall school, built in the 1940s. The school's history has deep roots in the community. Marshall kindergarten teacher Jim Berta confirms, "When I'm out in the community, I always meet somebody that went to Marshall School or their kids went to Marshall. Anybody that's anybody has been involved at Marshall. It's got a lot of history." Paul Gossard, Marshall's principal, attended Marshall in the 1950s and 60s and proudly displays a personal link to its past¯ his sixth-grade class picture hangs on the wall of his office. "My father and his two brothers attended the old Marshall School, and my son went here too," mentions Gossard. The school has some vivid memories for Gossard. "Even now, and this is my seventh year here as principal, I can still remember things from when I was a student here. Or I'll reflect back on the differences between what the elementary experience is now versus when I was a student. To me, that perspective is very valuable." As part of a facilities and grade-realignment plan approved by the governing board of Eureka City Schools on January 10, Eureka High School students will walk down Marshall's wood floors this September. In the fall, almost all of Marshall's students will attend Grant, Lafayette, Lincoln, and Worthington elementary schools. Marshall's current fifth-graders will attend Winship and Zane 6-8 Middle Schools as sixth-graders next school year. 
Citing Eureka's declining enrollment and the present overcrowded status of Eureka High School, the board voted to redesignate Marshall to be a part of the high school.Eureka High School, situated across J Street from Marshall, has 1,900 students and 150 staff members on the eight-acre campus. The overcrowded high school desperately needs more classroom space. Classes are held in 35-year-old portables and down in the school's maze-like basement. According to Eureka High principal Bob Embertson, "We don't have enough rooms on campus for teachers without having them switch rooms." What will the Marshall campus look like on the first day of school next year? Gossard explained, "Actual physical changes to the building will be minimal, at least initially. The little desks will be replaced by big desks." Embertson added that many of Marshall's classrooms will be used for Humboldt Bay High School, an alternative education program currently in two of the old portables at Eureka High. District officials and the City of Eureka are also holding talks to discuss the temporary or permanent closing of J Street between Trinity and Humboldt streets to ensure the safety of students walking between the two campuses. Under the proposed plan, pedestrians and bicyclists would still have full J Street access. There are no homes in the block between Marshall and Eureka High. "We will have 300 to 500 students going back and forth every 55 minutes. It's doubtful they'll all stay in the crosswalk," said Embertson.The Marshall school culture will be missed by all. Gossard states, "The thing that links all of us is the incredible commitment and love of working with children." Sixth-grade teacher Sally Siler, feels "the Marshall staff is made up of creative, strong individuals. Each teacher has their own program that they work at and are successful." Siler also praises the school's strong parent involvement. "The Marshall PTA is outstanding¯what they say gets done." Marshall's PTA has organized several upcoming celebrations of the school for students, parents, and the community. Marshall second-grade teacher Lynn McKenna organized a special field trip for the entire school. Over 280 students plus 40 staff and parents, put on commemorative blue Marshall t-shirts, purchased by the PTA, and attended the recent Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival's children's concert at the Eureka Muni. During the concert, Gossard was surprised to hear his name called from the stage. The audience cheered as he was handed his trademark banjo and joined Valerie Johnson and the Blues Doctors on stage for a lively rendition of Mama Don't Allow. Former students, parents, and the community are invited to Marshall Memories Night. Marshall PTA president Barbara Breen is helping to organize the event scheduled for June 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Breen described the night as "a community open house and commemoration program. All of the rooms will be open for people to walk through and Marshall memorabilia will be on display." Marshall Memories Night will honor all those who have been PTA presidents, principals, staff, and school volunteers. Anyone who attended or worked at Marshall is invited to share their memories. "We'll have a couple of video cameras set up where people who went to Marshall can be interviewed and tell their story. There are some wonderful stories out there in the community," remarked Breen."During the program, we will have one child from each grade present a large gold key to current Eureka High School students who went to Marshall. It's a psychological symbol for our kids. I want them to understand they're not losing their school, they're handing it over to their big brothers and sisters. I think that's emotionally important for the kids," said Breen.
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