Class farewell

It was an institution that produced the Golden Boys: Frankie Avalon, Fabian Forte and Bobby Rydell.

And throughout the hallways and classrooms of George C. Thomas Middle School, Ninth and Johnston streets, thousands of others have had their own golden moments.

Though it will relinquish its middle-school affiliation and soon begin its conversion into a charter high school, locals say Thomas forever will be etched in the hearts of those who passed through its doors.

The new facility, modeled after Center City’s Mastery Charter High School, is part of the school district’s plan to gradually phase out middle schools citywide.

Renamed Mastery Charter School-Thomas Campus, the 85-year-old building will undergo an $8 million renovation.

All of Thomas’ teachers were given the option to stay, but many are transferring to other public schools. Current Thomas students have a guaranteed spot at the school next year if they choose to accept it.

"These are kids that will excel no matter what school they are in," said Thomas principal Roslynn Sample-Greene, who praised Mastery’s "challenging" curriculum.

The first-year principal joined Thomas as assistant principal in 2000. For 11 years, she has developed bonds with local families – first as an educator at Furness High School, 1900 S. Third St., and then at Thomas.

Sample-Greene, who takes pride in knowing her pupils by name, has embraced-and will miss – the diverse student body.

"It’s like a United Nations in this building," she said.

Though saddened by her departure, the principal said she found a sense of closure after penning her graduation speech last week.

Assistant principal Stacey Burnley, who started at Thomas last year, praised the students, most of whom she said seemed wise beyond their years.

They are able to "resolve situations of conflict on their own," she said. "They look to focus on academics and leave the bickering aside."

THOMAS’ VETERAN STAFF members went through a range of emotions while discussing their deeply rooted affinity for the school.

Joseph Salvo graduated from Thomas in 1968 and returned to teach social studies and math to sixth-graders.

"I’ve always wanted to give back to this community," said Salvo, who now lives in Northeast Philly. "The school did a lot for me growing up and I was never able to forget that."

Nor did he forget the lessons he learned while in the classroom. Using his notes from a woodshop class he took as a student, the teacher recently remodeled his kitchen.

When he said goodbye to a teacher during his last day as a student at Thomas, Salvo was moved when the instructor warmly wished him luck.

Salvo, 53, said he always attempted to emulate the caring faculty members he remembered encountering as a student. After teaching at Thomas for 15 years, he feels he has accomplished that goal.

"Without even realizing it, I lived a lifelong dream," said Salvo, trying desperately to hold back the tears forming in his eyes. "I don’t know many people who get to do that, so I’m blessed to be here."

One of three secretaries at Thomas, Maria Landi hopes to find the same camaraderie with the staff at her next school.

"We’ve saved so much on psychiatric sessions because we talk to each other so much," quipped Landi, an employee at Thomas for seven years.

But the resident of the 900 block of Johnston Street was not smiling when she heard about the school’s fate in February.

Landi said she would find out her next place of employment from the school district later this summer.

Taking the building’s transformation to heart, a few old-timers have recently wandered back to Thomas to say goodbye and let out a good cry.

Some current students have misgivings about the district’s plans for their school.

"They took a fine middle school and wanted to change it," said Mijuel Johnson, a seventh-grader at Thomas who will remain at the school next year. "I hope they [Mastery Charter] uphold everything they promised."

Eileen Curran, whose son Joseph, 14, was in Thomas’ final graduating class, attended the "bittersweet" ceremony on Monday.

"It’s such a landmark in South Philly," said Curran, of the 1500 block of South Carlisle Street. "So many people have gone there. It’s really like a family atmosphere."

The parent said it is a shame that most teachers will move on from the school, making it difficult for Joseph and other graduates to reconnect with them.

All the sadness at the ceremony was enough to add poignancy to Thomas’ school song, Brown and Gold:

Alma Mater thou has helped us
And, in turn we give to thee
Our hearts and our hands
That thy name shall e’er stand
As the best, Thomas School,
Praise to thee!