In September 1959, John W. Luff Elementary opened its doors.
Polio was the topic of discussion not swine flu and plans for the construction of Truman High School were being made.
Now, 50 years later, the small elementary school in the southwest portion of the Independence School District, is making plans to celebrate its half-century birthday.
“This is a very exciting time for us,” said Dawn Howe, PTA president for Luff Elementary. “I went to school here in the 1970s, and to be preparing for this event now is very special.”
A birthday celebration for Luff Elementary is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the school, 3700 S. Delaware.
All current staff and students, alumni and former staff members are invited to attend the event, which will feature a time capsule display, created when the school opened in 1959. In addition, cake and punch will be served and children will have the opportunity to play party games.
“The capsule is filled with old pictures and articles about the school,” Howe said. “It is exciting to be able to host an event like this and welcome former students and staff back to our building.”
Luff Elementary was named after John W. Luff, a former member of the Independence Board of Education. When the seven-classroom facility opened at a cost of $205,000, according to a story in the Aug. 17, 1959 edition of The Examiner, plans were already in motion for an eight-classroom addition.
Today, an elementary school costs as much as $10 million to construct.
“Luff Elementary is filled to capacity to begin its service as a public school,” said a Sept. 4, 1959 article in The Examiner. At the time, 265 students occupied the building, compared to 460 in 2009.
Luff principal Toni Kilgore said students are eager to celebrate the school’s anniversary. She said activities will take place throughout the year to commemorate the occasion.
“We have certainly come a long way,” she said. “We want to spread out the celebratory feeling throughout the year so the kids don’t have all their fun at once. We are so excited to be having this kind of celebration.”
For more information on Luff Elementary’s 50th birthday celebration, contact the school at 816-521-5415.
