Hemby Bridge History

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    • When was Hemby Bridge built?
      • Hemby Bridge was built in 1975.
    • Why does Hemby Bridge have pod style buildings in the K-2 area?
      • Hemby Bridge was built as an "open" school. An open classroom is a student-centered classroom design format popular in the United States in the 1970's. The idea of the open classroom was that a large group of students of varying skill levels would be in a single, large classroom with several teachers overseeing them. Hemby Bridge was only an "open" school for a few years.
    • When was the 3rd-5th grade building added?
      • The 3rd-5th grade building was added in 2000, Hemby Bridge was operating as a traditional style school, so it was built with traditional classrooms. The gym/art room building was added around 1993.
    • What was Hemby Bridge like when Mr. Ball (Former Principal) attended?
      • "I attended Hemby Bridge for 4th and 5th grades. Back then, my 5th grade class was where Kindergarten is now. None of the teachers who were here then are still here now. Since I attended, the 3rd-5th grade building has been added, the fields have been added, and the “blue hall” where EC classrooms are used to be the multi purpose room. There was a stage in that area and we had PE there. The gym didn’t exist back then. Also, the front office addition was added after I attend school at Hemby Bridge. The upstairs loft area was used as a classroom when I was here as a kid." 
    • What is the media center loft used for?
      • The loft with the "tree house" has been used for many purposes. It was built as a reading center for the library. It has been used for enrichment and classes through the years. Most recently, it has been used as a teacher work space and PTO storage/work area.
    • Who painted all the beautiful murals in the school?
      • Our former art teacher, Mr. Suttle! When asked for the history behind the projects, Mr. Suttle said, "In 1994, I finished the color wheel on the wall of the art room.  It was started by a previous art teacher.  In 1995,  I painted the mural in the gym.  I enjoyed composing this like a piece of music, it has repetition, rest, and balance. The cafeteria walls were painted in 2000. I had the most fun painting this one which was inspired by an art project that used dripping paint. The bulldog holding the world in the media center was painted in 2001.  Our media specialist wanted it to say, "A World of Knowledge-Waiting For You." The treehouse mural in the media center was painted in 2002.  This was mostly created to camouflage a storage closet upstairs which was considered an eyesore.  In 2004, I painted the K-2 Computer Lab Mural.   I enjoyed making the keys look 3-D!   In 2009, the school requested the Terrific Kids mural in the cafeteria.  I painted a Bulldog mural close to the 1st grade area in 2010."
    • Who created the bulldog head at the front entrance and 3-D art displays in the media center?
      • Mr. Jason Basden, the Art Teacher (2014-2016), and students from 4th adn 5th grades made these displays.  
    • Who were the previous principals of Hemby Bridge?
      • Casey Ball (2008-2015); Mike Drye (2008); Bill Breckenridge (1990-2008); Vann Johnson ( - ); Bobby Shearin (principal when Mr. Ball attended) are our past principals.
    • Why is there a  "Memorial" near the art room?
      • The Memorial by the art room was built in 2007 in memory of a kindergarten student who passed away during the 2006-2007 school year. The students in her class created the stepping stones, and a local business donated the bird bath and sculpture. The PTO purchased the stone to memorialize our student and her younger sister.