What if these walls could talk? Escuela 235 Eudoro Melo has a story etched into its very foundation.
Escuela 235 Eudoro Melo started as part of the Escuela Experimental de Las Piedras. It was linked to Escuela 205 Sabas Olaizola. The Escuela Experimental accompanied the area’s social and cultural changes. It was effective for many teachers and students over decades. The pedagogy was canceled without evaluation. This happened in stages until it disappeared.
Fast forward to 2016. The building of Escuela 235 Eudoro Melo was designed by architect Juan Antonio Scasso. The park and building became a National Historic Monument. A ceremony celebrated this. The Minister of Education and Culture attended. So did the Mayor of Canelones and education officials. They declared the building would be fully restored. It was in poor condition due to vandalism and neglect. It would become a full-time school named N. 205. Another school would be built on the same land. It would house Escuela 235. There were also plans to restore the park. Staff from the Botanical Garden were to help.
In May 2023, Escuela 235 Eudoro Melo was opened. The two-story building has two modules. It features six classrooms. There are outdoor spaces and a dining room. The school was founded in 1985. It used to operate alongside the Escuela Experimental de Las Piedras. Over 200 students attend the school. It operates in two shifts. The team includes 14 teachers. There are also three non-teaching staff members. Teacher training students complete placements here.
Now, the old Escuela 205 building houses an arts education school. This was approved recently. Together, the schools form an educational hub in Las Piedras. It includes the kindergarten and special education school.
Eudoro Melo was a writer, poet, and journalist. He was born in Canelones in 1889. His home was a gathering place for students. They came to admire his coin collection. He owned a chair that belonged to General Artigas. It is now in the Casa de los Artigas museum.
Melo wrote hymns. He created the Himno a Canelones. Bernardo Martinez Irigaray composed the music. It became official in 1930. Melo also wrote the Himno a la Cruz Roja. Vicente Ascone wrote the music. He also wrote the Himno al Pabellón Nacional. Another work was the Himno al Árbol. Víctor Gamba created the music. It was adopted in Mendoza, Argentina. Melo died in his hometown in 1975. Escuela 235 Eudoro Melo stands as a testament to education and community. It carries forward the legacy of Eudoro Melo.