Sumner Elementary school students left class early today singing ... and making history.

School administrators say this is the last time Sumner students will all gather together for a yearbook snapshot.

After 60 years Sumner doors will close and students and teachers will pack up and leave for good.

Grace Villabros (Teacher): I think its going to hit me harder later ... and all of us, as a matter of fact ... we're all sad about the place closing, but I guess it's progress.

But others disagree.

Reporter: Is it sad? Girl One: [shakes head yes] Yeh. Girl Two: [shakes head no] No.

While many say the school's closing is a loss, they say they are thankful the building won't be torn down.

The building will remain standing because in 1987 Sumner Elementary school became a National Historic Landmark.

Since the focus of the historic Brown versus Board of Education desegration case tourists still ask to see the school.

Tony Vargas (Principal): And we've had people from out of state, also, who stop by and say can we look at the school just because it is a national landmark. They just want to tour the school, and we encourage it.

Voice of Grace Villabros: Actually, I would hope it could become a museum. I think that would be great.

Hoping to continue to pass on the lessons learned from the past.

Amy Hawley, 13 News at 10

Originally aired: WIBW 10 O'Clock News, February 23, 1996.