We just had our 5oth this last school year. We also started off with a carinval. We also went and make a "Where are they know?" and found out that many of our town leaders were in the first kindergarten class and have a look back display on our office. We also had a school wide photo taken where the kids and staff stood in the shape of a 50 and sold those photos to staff and student as well as members of the community.This was not a fund raiser we covered our cost and sold over 150 in a short time. We also made sure that our local newspaper put an artical in to get some support of the alum for the school. I think reminding them of where it all started was a great way to have the alum give back to the kids of today.
Well, have fun.
We celebrated our 5oth last fall. WE were able to block off half of the main road that runs by the school, (starting a mile away.) We had fire trucks, the governor, the local grocery store mascot, kids and parents on bikes, donated rental cars that chauffered(sp?) retired principals and staff members, a flat bed truck with our teachers on top, a dump truck, girl scouts and staff members. The parade ended at the school where we had speeches, dedications, food, games and a history wall. It was truly a great day!
We are working on our 100th year celebration right now. It's a lot of work too! We have one person from every graduating class working on getting their class together. We have one weekend planned for all grads to attend mass and then enjoy hospitality at the school with mwmory tours. That weekend, there will also be an alumni speghetti dinner.
During our parish summer festival, which took place last weekend, we had an alumni booth filled with old yearbooks and historical pictures, 100 Years of Excellence t-shirts, coolie cups, pins and "I Graduated IN ____" stickers. The booth was very successful and people really enjoyed seeing pictures of the school from years past.
Ours was 2 years ago. We had invited special guests (students from the 1st year, teachers that were there from the start, teachers that were students, local political people). We had a time capsule and special guests put in the items some were personalized from teachers. Each grade sang a special song. Then there was refreshments served to the guests...we had decorated through out the school and had 4th graders welcoming people and giving out pennants with school name and a little 50th logo on it.
Our school (private, religious) just celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, too. It was a huge event. They tracked down alumnae all through the year and sent everyone an invitation to a big weekend celebration. They tracked down graduates of the school who had done interesting things and they came back to the school to talk to the students. They had decade reunions at people's homes and a big fancy gala the last night of the event. They also had 50th anniversary t-shirts printed too. It may not work for your particular school, depending on your set-up but it was fun.
Shelly
