Over 300 alumni, teachers, staff, and guests packed onto Viewlands Elementary School auditorium Saturday for a bittersweet reunion. The school is closing, and three generations of former students came to say hello to former teachers, and goodbye to the school that brought them all together.

Children performed songs on stage. Teachers and special guests gave speeches. They shared memories and exchanged "thank you's." Principal, Joanne Bowers, orchestrated songs with the kids, and teacher, Vickie Provenza, introduced the speakers while cake and punch was served.

Outside the auditorium, former students were autographing a designated area of the wall like a yearbook. Chandra Jamerson, of Lake City, attended Viewlands from third to fifth grade in 1995-1997.

"This was my favorite of all my grade schools," she said, composing a note on the wall while holding her six-week old daughter, Jordan.

"I met one of my best friends here, who's here, too. I had to come to show support." she said, adding that her brothers and sisters also attended Viewlands.

According to a flyer distributed at the event, the Seattle School District's current standard model for elementary school size is 535 students. Fewer than 200 attended Viewlands this year. But that's OK with fifth-grader, Dori Overhus, who is among the youngest of three Overhus generations to attend the school. Her father, Matt, graduated Viewlands in 1982. Her mother, Kathy, is the school's PTA president, and teaches dance.

Dori, 11, explained, "I like school here because it is small. We all know each other." She is grateful that most of her friends will follow her to Broadview-Thomson Elementary School, on Greenwood Avenue.

Matt expressed disappointment with Viewlands shutting its doors.

"I'm not too happy about it closing," said Matt, a land developer. "There is no need for it. The process is saving next to nothing, and causing heart ache. We have special needs students here, autistic kids, and it is going to be hard for them to readjust to a new school. "

Outgoing Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas, who attended the event, is sympathetic, but disagrees that the closing is unnecessary.

"When we deal with closing schools, it's a very difficult issue for all of us," he said. "The number of kids in this system just couldn't support all the infrastructure and expense," he said.

Congressman Jay Inslee, a Viewlands alum, was a scheduled speaker. He said,

"While we're closing the school today, I look forward to maybe in the next decade opening up a new school here." He is referring to the plan that the school building will now be offered for rent, and may be updated, enlarged, and reopened as a grade school in about six years.

Another politician and Viewlands graduate, former state senator and candidate for governor, Dino Rossi, said the school closing was very personal as his father, John, taught fifth and sixth grade at Viewlands. Sadly, he died just nine months after retiring.

"He never lived long enough to meet his students as adults," Dino said. "When I ran for governor, people asked me 'Are you John Rossi's son?' Emails and letters written by students started flooding in with stories about my dad, and how he made a positive change in their lives. What made the school was the teachers who cared passionately about the students. We are losing the school, but we'll never lose those memories. No one can take those away from us."

Greg Moon, 40, lives down the street from Viewlands, in the same house he lived in as a student there. John Rossi was his sixth grade teacher. He recalls, "He was firm but caring, and played basketball with us outside. It was 1979, and we wanted to play popular music, which he found too edgy. I remember the girls wanted to listen to 'Hot Child in the City' and he said 'No.' It's sad the school is closing, but life goes on."

Dean Masters taught classes and P.E. at Viewlands, and was anointed as patriarch of the event.

"I feel overjoyed to be here," he said. "I have worked in this building for 37 years, and had never before known such a loyal community. We shared some interesting and remarkable times together here."

He referred to the John Kennedy election and assassination, and his fascination with newspaper photos of man landing on the moon. He recalled, in detail, finding allies to rally the PTA and other staff and community to clean up and establish Carkeek Park, and the enjoyment and education it lent to Viewlands students.

Seattle icon J.P. Patches, was on hand to sign autographs for his Viewlands "Patches Pals," some well into their 40s. He clowned around with his fans, but turned serious on stage.

"Hearing some of the stories I've heard today and seeing the kids perform, Its really a shame about the school closing... but we won't go into that," he said, both choked up and angry. "You should be proud of the efforts of the principal and teachers who made this school outstanding in the Seattle community." He then asked the audience to stand, and announced, "On the count of three I want you all to applaud for Viewlands. Just give it all you've got!" The crowd obliged with enthusiasm.

Steve Shay may be reached at bnteditor@robinsonnews.com