Opened in the late 1950’s, George Smith Elementary School operated for nearly 50 years before being closed by the school district for “declining enrollment.”

In the eighties or nineties, Smith’s boundaries were shrunk in order to enhance the number of students at Markham, which had been closed. The students south of Taylors Ferry Road, many of whom walked to Smith, were bussed to Markham. This was detrimental to our community by fragmenting it, and by eliminating an opportunity for healthy exercise for students by walking to school in a safe, quiet neighborhood.

Changing dangerous places to walk, into walkable surfaces.

Working to make walking, biking, and even driving to school a safer healthier experience.
Unless otherwise noted photos by Victor von Salza

Early Summer 2007 - Update path at Bridemile Elementary Cleared

Located in Bridlemile.

Committee Chair Volunteer Needed

Recently the SWNI board formed a Schools committee and have asked each neighborhood to find a person from the neighborhood who could represent the neighborhood at a monthly SWNI Schools committee meeting to be held on the third Thursday of each month in the SWNI conference room. The committee's purpose is to create better communication between the schools and the neighborhood, on important topics such as school closures, sale of school property (property between Bridlemile Elementary and Hamilton is on possible sale list). It is hoped that news will flow between the representatives from the school to NA and back. The representative does NOT need to be a PTA member. See January 2006 SWNI News.pdf (1.3MB) pg 11 for more details.

If you are interested in serving in this important post please email the Ginger Danzer and or come to the next BNA Board meeting.

The SWNI Schools Committee is charged with promoting connections between schools and the SWNI neighborhoods.  This includes private as well as public schools, and other education options for SW residents, like special focus schools.  What are your thoughts, suggestions or ideas for doing this?  Also, the Schools Committee is recruiting reps.  if you are interested in serving as a rep on the Schools Committee, please check with your Neighborhood Association chair or email wwfuller@teleport.com.  Currently need reps for Bridlemile, Collins View, Crestwood, Far SW, Hayhurst, Homestead, Maplewood, Markham, Marshall Park and S Burlingame.

Ashcreek Neighborhood Association
7688 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219

March 31, 2005

Members of the Portland Public School Board:

The Ashcreek Neighborhood Association at its March meeting voted to let the School District #1 Board know we are very disappointed over the decision to close Smith School. The Ashcreek/Crestwood Community, which Smith serviced, accounts for a little over 9% of the entire Southwest Community.