1990s
Welcome to Metz Elementary School in the 1990s!
The Metz in the 90's poster, created by Sweet's and Sassen's 4th Grade Classes, details major changes occuring within the Metz Community during this decade. The stories of this decade emphasize the close nature of the Metz community during thier mission to have their school rebuilt.
1990 - The Fight to get Metz Rebuilt
During the 1990s, the Metz community banded together to advocate for the passing of a bond to allow for the Metz Elementary to be rebuilt. The community activily rallied and pushed for the bond to be passed. Lorraine Camacho recalls the protests for a new school, "We wanted a new school and pushed and pushed, the first bond election didn't go, so we just tried harder the next time." These protests and rallies mark a crucial time in Metz's rich history, as the community banded together to advocate for their children's school.
Water Causes Classroom Ceiling to Fall: On January 23, 1990 water fell through the roof of Monic Clark (neé Lembinski) second grade classroom. Luckily, no students were in the room at the time, but there was significant damage to the student's desk, textbooks, and other school property. This occured admist the Austion Independent School District's bond proposal that would include $5 million to build a replacement for the Metz building. This proposal was scheduled to be voted on March 3, 1990.
Its Own History is Metz's New Foe: The Austin Historical Landmark Commission announced they will consider recommending the Metz Elementary school to be rezoned as a historical building. This announcement faced lots of critiscism from the Metz community who were desperatly advocating for the replacement of the Metz building.
1990 - The Final Bell Rings For Metz
Metz Elementary closes for the rebuilding of a new school
The Metz Elementary School family gathered for the last time on June 1, 1990 at the old school building where children have been learning, playing, and growing up for 74 years. It was a bittersweet celebration, as the community celebrate the history of the Metz building but also looked forward to their new school. Pizza’s were ordered for the celebration and older students returned to Metz to help their former teachers pack up their rooms.
A Smooth Debut: on August 30, 1990 Metz students arrived at the Webb Elementary campus, their new home for the next two years while Metz is being rebuilt. Teachers sprinted down the halls to greet students when the buses arrived ten minutes ahead of schedule.
1990 - The Demolition Process
Ghost Stories and Falling Walls
We Thought We Heard....Kids: Torres and his son Gabrial thought they heard children’s voice as they walked through the school finalizing demolition plans. This adds to the many ghost stories surrounding the school.
Tragedy at the Demolition: A demolition worker, Otto Guiterrez 49, was killed when a portion of a second story wall fell and crushed his head. Rachel Rodriguez falls into the arms of an unidentified woman after learning that her brother, Otto Guiterrez Jr. was killed.
To learn more about the events around this tragedy and relocations of students in East Austin due to damaged building see the item: "The Haunting of Metz Binder".
1992 - Reopening the New Metz
Celebrations to Reopen the School
“From 1990-1992 during construction of the new building, Metz students rode on buses to Webb Elementary at 601 E. St. Johns. Parents and Grandparents accompanied their children on their daily rides. Today we celebrate a new chapter of Metz Elementary. At long last there is no need for students and parents to arise extra early to get to school. They have returned home to East Austin.”
More than 200 people attended the dedication for the new Metz Elementary School on October 12, 1992. The dedication included a ceremony, tour of the new school, entertainment by dancers from Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico de Texas, and a mariachi band. The new school used the original Metz flagpole and school sign, and bricks from the original building were used to pave the new courtyard. Principal Celia Martinez, first year at Metz, said she felt ties to the old school as soon as she entered the new building.
Community Outreach at Metz
The Metz community represents a close group of families that frequently bonds together to advocate for their students. During the 1990s, the community bonded together to protect their students from crime by creating "safe houses" for them in the neighborhood. This extra effort by the community helped promote safety for the children. Furthermore, they protested drug use and rallied to spread the word against the use of inhalents.
1993 - Spreading the Word on Inhalants: On Sunday November 21, 1993 about 125 members of the Metz Community walked through the neighborhoods and tried to get youths to realize it is dangerous to inhale octane boosters. Participants were wearing T shirts “You Sniff, You Lose - Brain Damage is Forever.”
1995 - Austin Residents Turning Tables on Crime: In East Austin neighborhoods police have worked with residents to set up “safe homes” where children can go if they feel threatened. The houses display posters of McGruff the Crime Dog to signal children that these homes are registered as safe houses. Lorraine Camacho said, "I am looking out from these babies morning, noon, and in the evening when they get out of school.”