'The Bus' Goes to School

The gradual unveiling of the new Alger Middle School near us continued last night when Jerome "The Bus" Bettis came to speak. (We didn't go, but the school's new flashing digital sign alerted passers-by to his appearance.)

The building is nice and new, but it seems out of proportion to the neighborhood. I grew up down the street from the old school--used to swim in its little outdoor kiddie pool, learned how to play tennis there, etc.--and while I don't want to be sentimental about the old building, especially since it was probably behind code by a few decades, it fit into the neighborhood with its decorative charm (compared with the new building's attention-seeking architectural flourishes) and inviting trees and green space all the way around its property (the new building marches right up to the sidewalk, nearly elbowing passing bicyclists out of its way, and swallows the spacious lawn that once was). But I am eager to try out the new tennis courts.

Old Building (from the SE corner)