A citizens advisory is being formed to consider the name of the
school to replace the current Las Animas Elementary School, which
is being closed and replaced by a new school in a different
location, on Luchessa Avenue in southwest Gilroy.
A citizens advisory is being formed to consider the name of the school to replace the current Las Animas Elementary School, which is being closed and replaced by a new school in a different location, on Luchessa Avenue in southwest Gilroy.
The committee members will be asked to follow these criteria when recommending a name for the school:
– Individuals who have made major contributions to local schools or the city
– Individuals who have state, national or worldwide significance
– A name that reflects of the geographic area where the facility is located, historic significance or a former school that was demolished.
While the committee can recommend a name, the final decision rests with the Gilroy Unified School District’s board of trustees.
We think the name “Las Animas” meets the final criterion and should be considered for the replacement school. Las Animas is not simply the name of a park near the current school, it is, like San Ysidro, one of the original land grants in the mid-19th century. Land grants are an important part of California history. When another new school is built in the school district, officials should consider reviving the name of the now-closed San Ysidro school for it.
But that said, this is a rare opportunity to honor an individual who has made a difference in Gilroy, and two deserving Gilroyans have already been mentioned in various places: Florence Trimble, an educator and a tireless advocate for the homeless; and Jeramy Ailes, a Marine who gave his life in the Iraq War.
The committee should take a careful look at these suggestions and others made by the community, talk to the family members of people who are suggested for this honor, and recommend a name that will serve the students and the community well.
A school name is a rare honor, it lasts for decades or longer, and the name is woven into the fabric of the lives of students, parents and the community. Whether GUSD stays with Las Animas or chooses another name for its newest elementary school, let’s be certain we choose wisely.
