SILVERHILL, Ala. — According to “A History of Silverhill Elementary School” written by Carl E. Johnson, Esther Anderson was asked to conduct a school in the summer in a barn for eight or nine children back in 1898.

The original classroom quickly became too small, so a two-room schoolhouse was built with donated labor in 1905.

Fast forward to 2008. Today, some 441 children from Pre-K to Grade 6 spend August through May at Silverhill Elementary. The school now has 22 home room teachers and 11 other teachers. Catherine A. Rogers is now the principal. She is beginning her 12th year at Silverhill, so she’s seen some of the students she greeted then graduate.

“It’s very exciting to see youngsters graduate,” said Rogers, “but this school is very special. It’s the community of caring and concern. Parents and the parents of parents went here, so this is a school with a lot of heritage.”

Rogers was the assistant principal at Foley Elementary School and began her career in education in 1969.

The school’s heritage is celebrated every day. The bell from an earlier school occupies pride of place in the school’s front yard, and the original two-room schoolhouse, now a private residence, is across the street. The thoroughly modern facility blends both old and new and boasts a library, gym and cafeteria.

“The original building is over 50 years old,” said Rogers. But a well-appointed new wing has already been put to good use. “We moved the fifth and sixth graders in last fall.”

The longevity of the school adds to its sense of community.

“A lot of teachers and staff went to school here, and live near here,” said Rogers.

It also helps that the students are “well behaved and well-mannered.” according to Rogers.

“They are so happy to be here,” said Rogers.

The teachers are also happy to be there as well.

“This is a wonderful school,” said Pam Downey, who is a reading coach with the Baldwin County School System. “I work with teachers and struggling readers. The teachers work well together, and we all know we’re here for the kids.”

Jamie Salac is the school’s nurse. As a registered nurse who worked in a hospital before, adjusting to the ins and outs of school lie is very different.

“You see a lot of bumps and bruises,” said Salac. You see a lot of colds, and lots of stomach bugs.”

Salac takes a CPR class for both adults and children every year, and conducts a first aid class for the staff.

Karen Kaiser is a counselor at the school and sees each of the classes “from Pre-K to sixth grade” at least every other week.

“I lead a group or class,” said Kaiser, “and I teach character education.”

Kaiser added that she also teaches “study skills” to youngsters who might be having a problem learning.

“Children do very well here,” said Kaiser.

For Betty Mullek, the school’s librarian, the pace of learning seems to have increased. She’s been at the school for 25 years, and has worked in the library for the past 10 years, after a career as a second grade teacher.

“It seems that they are learning more and learning it faster,” said Mullek.

And there are some teachers who can’t seem to stay away.

Rosetta Wasp taught for 27 years in the Kindergarten classes.

“I did retire, but now I’m observing before I begin subbing,” said Wasp.

According to Wasp, the biggest problem, especially during the first days of school, is “ getting the parents to let the little ones go. The longer they hang around, the worse it’s going to be.”