Lamar Teen Center Moving to Lincoln Elementary School

Lincoln Elementary School

Lincoln Elementary School, vacant for the past year, will host the students from Project HOPE from the Lamar Teen Center beginning next month.  The two story building on East Elm Street sees about 75 to 90 young students each day after school, according to HOPE director, Lori Hammer.  She said she’s, “very excited and a little nervous,” about making the transition to the new facilities in just four to five weeks from now.  The Lamar School Board voted unanimously during their July 9 meeting to open the school to Project HOPE Teen Center activities. 

Lincoln Elementary School was closed by a vote of the Lamar School Board due to economic cutbacks in the school district budget.  The tightened economy was also one of the driving factors when school board members voted for a four day school week for Lamar students earlier this year.   Where to accommodate the Teen Center Students and how to deal with younger students on the free Fridays might be answered with opening the doors to Lincoln School again.  Classes for Lamar students begin August 16. 

Hammer said she’s not sure just how much of the school will be needed for the Center students.   “We’re going to take a look at the facilities this week to get an idea of how much space will be needed,” she explained.  Hammer said additional meetings will be held with various organizations to generate ideas on how to provide activities for students on Friday.  “We don’t want to duplicate our activities, so we’re having a group meeting to explore and coordinate our options,” Hammer said.  Representatives from the Lamar Library, LiveWell, Parks and Recreation, First Christian Church and some school groups are meeting to offer some alternatives to kids having nothing to do and no where to go on Fridays.

By Russ Baldwin