In recent days I discovered that the school closed
it's doors forever in June 2008. My goal here is to create a hub for
all things related to the school and the times we shared as a community
in Gaeta Italy.
Joshua Barney Elementary and Middle School in Gaeta,
Italy opened its doors to students for the first time in 1970. With
Gaeta being the homeport for the flagship of the United States Navy’s
6th Fleet.
Gaeta, for many of us was more than just another tour
of duty for our parents. We truly became attached to the place and
the people.
Gaeta is not a large city, but it is ancient with
quite a lot of history to it. Throw a small, tight, community of American
military families into an old world setting, and you find support,
friendship, and memories to last a lifetime.
The students were even more lucky because we had the
teachers also. A lot of the faculty spent many many years away from
their native country so that we the students could get a good education.
Not only that but they truly made it possible for us to be with our
parent(s) who were in the service of the military. Without the teachers
at DoDDS schools and especially in locations like Gaeta, families
with younger children would either not be able to relocate overseas
at all, have to bus 1.5-2 hours away and back (imagine sending your
6 year old first grader to an 7 hour school day that lasted 10-11
hours).
Not many kids will admit to enjoying school. I'm
sure that even here at Joshua Barney (later named Geata American) some
had a tougher time than others. I'd lay odds though that 99.9% of all
the students that went through there, look back with a fondness unlike
that for any other school they ever attended. I mean how many kids
can say they had a bowling alley underneath their gym, that they could use
on occasion as part of the PE class.
We would really love to hear from all of the alumni
and faculty that experienced Joshua Barney/Gaeta American school.
Take some time to browse through the "Alumni"
and "Faculty" pages. If you would like to be listed, please
read the "Email Program" page to get your own "joshuabarneyschool.com email address (this program is something we're trying out and it is free at this time).
In addition, most definitely check out and participate in the forums.
The site is just now getting off the ground so I'd
like to share some sites already in existance. These links will remain
on the site as long as they are active (which I hope they will be
for a very long time.)
Facebook Groups
Did
you go to Joshua Barney school in Gaeta Italy?
Gaeta
American Elementary/Middle School Alumni
I
Went to a DoDDS School
This one is not dedicated to JB/GA but you may
find some familiar faces
Myspace Groups
Overseas
DoDDS
Again not devoted to JB/GA