What began as an experiment to reconnect with former classmates has grown into an organized reunion of Fairmount Elementary School, which became the Camillus Municipal Building in 1981.
Robin Shope said she has always had a fondness for her memories of Fairmount Elementary, but could not find any information on her old school on the Internet.
“That is when I decided to create a Facebook page and see what, if any, interest it might generate,” Shope said.
A Facebook page is a site dedicated to a group, organization or business that is available to registered Facebook users. Shope’s page was simply called “Attended Fairmount Elementary School,” and welcomed anyone who had attended Fairmount to reconnect with one another.
Since starting the page last fall, 193 people have joined the page, many of them Fairmount alumni sharing memories of their primary school days and even posting class photos and pages from past yearbooks.
“Before long, the word spread and numbers began to climb,” Shope said. “I was very surprised to see how fast the group was growing. It turned out that I was not the only one that had such a love for our old school.”
The project took an unexpected turn when another former Fairmount student, Dc Nick Alvaro, shared with page members that he had spoken with Robert Castilano, the well-loved former Fairmount principal.
“Not only did he remember us, he would be excited to see us,” wrote Alvaro.
What began as a simple outreach to former classmates has now become a reunion for Fairmount Elementary alumni from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday July 30 in the former gymnasium of the Fairmount Elementary School, now the Camillus Municipal Building , at 4600 W. Genesee St.
Former students, teachers and staff members are invited to attend. A contribution of $5 is requested; to RSVP e-mail [email protected] or mail Robin Shope, PO Box 4583, Jeffersonville, IN 47131. Facebook users can find the “Attended Fairmount Elementary” by searching “Fairmount Elementary.”
