My maiden name is Vaunice Janine Ford, I go by Janine.
I remember my friends and I, when school was closed of course, would climb a tree that was hanging over a walkway that led to the cafeteria, get on the top of the walkway and jump off. We had a blast, fortunately no one ever broke anything but we could have! Crazy kids, what were we thinking?! I also remember when we would have carnivals at school, I loved doing the cake walk! I would usually win a cake and to a kid that is the coolest thing. Probably what I loved most about the school was the fact that I could see my brother, who was one year ahead of me, during the day. We would pass during the time we changed classes or we would see each other at lunch time. Another thing that happened to me was when I was called to the principals office. I walked to school with my friends and we used to walk by way of the ditch, thats what we called it. Before and after school alot of kids hung out at the end that came to the school. There was this one kid that would taunt us, calling us names and saying things about our mothers. (you know that was always a put down) For a couple weeks he did this, and each day I would tell my mom about it. Well, finally we all had enough, we beat the kid up. So, his mom went to the school and the principal called the three of us down to discuss the situation. Well, he started by saying that we started the whole thing. We all got upset and said "no we didn't, you started it by what you were saying to us", the principal got the understanding and we all went back to class and he had to stay in her office. Of course we all had to call our parents but since I had already told my mom everything that had been going on for two weeks, she wasn't upset at all and talked to the principal about the situation. Anyway, that really stuck out in my mind because the principal was willing to listen to both sides of the story before reacting. After that, I had a great relationship with the principal. I think I was in 4th grade at the time, that was 1974-75.
Anyway, those are only a few things I can recall. I have so many great memories of that school, I'm so glad they are taking care of it. At a time when most people just want to tear old things down and rebuild, it's nice to hear about keeping a great school around.
I hope this was of some interest to you. Thanks for taking the time to read.
Sincerely, V. Janine Pashley (Ford)

Hello,
My name is David Jones and I attended San Pablo in the 70's. I'd love to add a memory to the memory blog you've got going. I visited San Pablo about five or six years ago and actually found an old class photo hidden away in the library. My teachers were Mrs. Sales in the first grade, Cooper in the second, third escapes me but Wilson and Hardwick were the fourth and fifth. As I said, I'd love to share a memory or two and perhaps hear from old friends.
Dave Jones
Atlanta GA

Robin Marie Cooper

I attended San Pablo from 1979 through 1984. I remember all of my teachers. I had Ms.Coker, Ms.Chadwick, Ms.Buckley, Ms.Cone, and Ms.Jeter(first through fifth). I remember taking a picture with Ms.Coker and putting it on a seashell and making a Christmas tree ornament out of it. That ornament still hangs on my parents' tree. I also remember reading Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in Ms.Chadwick's class. I rememberthe sing-alongs in Ms.Buckley's class. I remember getting eyeglasses in Ms.Cone's class and her making a special effort to talk about how "cool" having glasses was so I wouldn't get teased. I remember being a safety patrol in the fifth grade. I remember Ms.Jeter sometimes calling me "Donna" because my older sister is Donna and Ms.Jeter had her. - I remember learning a lot and making life time friends. There are about four of us who were all in Ms.Coker's 1st grade class and we are all still friends. We will all be 34 years old this year and we are spread out all over the map. But, we are still friends. We always will be. I remember feeling loved and nourished at San Pablo. I remember feeling a part of a community.I remember walking to school with my sister and her walking me to my classroom. I remember being on the playground with Mr.Stringfellow. I remember how much learning was encouraged at San Pablo...how I was encouraged to ask questions and to think....how I was told that I really could do and be anything. I do think that the commitment to education that was solidified for me at San Pablowas a huge factor in my decision to attend and complete graduate school.

My experiences at San Pablo played an important role in my life. I love thinking about San Pablo. I love thinking about the ways that I grew there, the friends I made, the people who supported me and helped me grow.My sister is teaching there now and my niece and nephew will attend San Pablo this Fall. I live 3000 miles away from San Pablo in California now. But, I carry San Pablo and the experiences I had there with me wherever I go.

Teresa Murphy-Fowler

Tag on the roof of San Pablo...beat that story everyone! We would go over to school after dinner and play tag on the roof. Included in the line - up would be Karen Wilson, Kevin Baldwin, Terry Murphy, Kris Wilson, Karl Wilson, Aileen Ballenger, Troy Fowler and Kirby Wilson.

Other fond memories include singing around the Christmas Tree. After singing around the Christmas Tree, we would walk in to each and every classroom and look at all of the crafts and decorations everyone had made.

Don't talk about that stupid cake walk. To this day, I have spent my kids college money on the cake walk and I never won a thing!

All in all, childhood memories from San Pablo have been some of my sweetest.

Jane Alexander

I attended San Pablo elementary from 1956-61(1st-6th gr.) My first grade teacher was Ms. List who was special to me since she persuaded my parents to give me art lessons with Mimi Fincher(artist in Neptune Beach)

I remember the cake walk,Maypole dance,minuette dance,walking the lunch detention line in Mrs. Johnsons third grade class(we all walked it at least once during the year),planting a pine tree in Green Cove Springs,walking down Seagate Ave. to school everyday,watching Mrs.Kapp(6th gr.) drag a student by the ear to the principals office ,racing to the fence in PE to win a plastic charm and in art class painting a cart full of spring flowers..

I remember being friends with Becki King,Chris Proctor and Susan Cook.

To this day I have used my art abilities as a public art teacher and continue with pastel paintings. My teachers at San Pablo had a great influence in my art education career and my life. I am grateful and blessed for such caring and encouraging individuals.

Jane Alexander

Eric Pardee

I attended San Pablo Elementary School in the 70's for third through fifth grades. One of my memories was wanting so bad to be a patrol boy. I had the chance to be a shadow for a period and then when I finally got my badge I lost it because of making a "C". It was sad but I got over it, (I think ). I remember my third grade teacher picking up one student by the ankles and holding him upside down while spanking him in front of the entire class. Oh the good old days!

While I never had her as a teacher, I remember helping Mrs. Furlong clean up her class after school. Now I get to follow her lead in serving the community as a city councilor.

Mrs. Jeter and Mrs. Duff were my favorite teachers and helped form me into the person that I am today.

Melissa Brown Robbins

I went to San Pablo for my elementary school years. For the most part I loved being able to walk to and from school, although there were times I wanted to be picked up or to ride a bus! I remember each year I really looked forward to the carnival. Playing all the games and winning little prizes was great fun. I loved the cake walk, but do not remember ever winning a cake! When I think about fifth and sixth grades, I remember we usually always played an organized game for recess. I loved kickball, but always wanted to be in the outfield for softball, because I was afraid I would be hit by the ball (wimpy). If the ball came my way, I usually turned my head, missed it, then got fussed at by my team members.In the sixth grade, I remember something about the girls kicking the boys (the ones we liked). Guess we were flirting! We would send notes with "Do you like me?" , then the boxes to check yes or no. There were only patrol BOYS when I was there (happy about equal rights for girls), and the end of the year Patrol Boy Dance was a much anticipated event. I remember wishing and hoping the Robby Trapp (?) would ask me to the dance, but I don't remember going, so I guess he did not ask me! It was a very strange feeling for me to enter the halls of San Pablo as a substitute teacher. I tried to picture myself there sitting in those classrooms. San Pablo is still such a wonderful neighborhood school!