|
|
|
Photo Galleries
Independence, MO —
Barbara McCulley was in third grade when she stepped into Blackburn Elementary for the first time in December 1962. She described the experience of going to school in the brand new building as “pretty cool” and is amazed at what the building looks like now 50 years later.
“I remember these amazing carnivals the PTA had for us. They were so much fun,” she said. “It was also neat for us to play in the gymnasium. I don’t remember DeKalb (which was later closed and torn down) having a gymnasium like that, so we were all very excited.”
Blackburn Elementary celebrated its 50th anniversary during an Open House Tuesday. Named after Jackson County Schools Superintendent L.F. Blackburn, the school has undergone major changes since the first students traveled the hallways. The Open House allowed current and former students and staff as well as the community to tour the building, have their picture taken for a time capsule and share their favorite memories of Blackburn.
Principal Laura LaCroix said one of the unique things about the Blackburn community is the number of “generational families” the school has. She said it is not unusual to see families who have three generations of students attending the elementary school.
“We have students here whose parents and grandparents went to this school. That is not uncommon for us at all,” she said. “I think having that kind of family connection is one of the things that makes this school so unique.”
Roger Myers was principal at Blackburn from 1984 to 1989 and returned to the school for the anniversary celebration. He said one of the things he remembers during his time at the school was the start of the Schools of the 21st Century Program.
“We remolded the lower level for that program, so I am excited to see how it has expanded since then,” he said. “What I think really makes Blackburn stand out is the involvement of the parents. This is a very kid-orientated school and really still embraces that old neighborhood school concept. Students come first here. That is what the teachers are focused on.”
Jennifer Thompson started at Blackburn as a kindergartner in 1977 and went through the sixth grade at the school. Now a parent, all three of her children have gone through Blackburn, including her youngest Rylee, who is a fifth grader.
“This has totally been a family tradition for us. I think my mom has said between myself and my siblings and the grandchildren, someone has been here for 35 years,” she said. “It’s sad that now my last is at Blackburn. This is one of the best schools. It is like this whole big family, which is nice to have.”
Jamie Largent, a fifth grade teacher at Blackburn, also has a special connection with the school. She too was a student from kindergarten through sixth grade.
“It is really like coming full circle. It is like coming back home,” she said of returning to the school to teach. “I am lucky to work with a wonderful group of people and am fortunate to have so many families who have chosen to come back so their kids can go here too. Everyone really takes care of one another.”
Barbara McCulley was in third grade when she stepped into Blackburn Elementary for the first time in December 1962. She described the experience of going to school in the brand new building as “pretty cool” and is amazed at what the building looks like now 50 years later.
“I remember these amazing carnivals the PTA had for us. They were so much fun,” she said. “It was also neat for us to play in the gymnasium. I don’t remember DeKalb (which was later closed and torn down) having a gymnasium like that, so we were all very excited.”
Blackburn Elementary celebrated its 50th anniversary during an Open House Tuesday. Named after Jackson County Schools Superintendent L.F. Blackburn, the school has undergone major changes since the first students traveled the hallways. The Open House allowed current and former students and staff as well as the community to tour the building, have their picture taken for a time capsule and share their favorite memories of Blackburn.
Principal Laura LaCroix said one of the unique things about the Blackburn community is the number of “generational families” the school has. She said it is not unusual to see families who have three generations of students attending the elementary school.
“We have students here whose parents and grandparents went to this school. That is not uncommon for us at all,” she said. “I think having that kind of family connection is one of the things that makes this school so unique.”
Roger Myers was principal at Blackburn from 1984 to 1989 and returned to the school for the anniversary celebration. He said one of the things he remembers during his time at the school was the start of the Schools of the 21st Century Program.
“We remolded the lower level for that program, so I am excited to see how it has expanded since then,” he said. “What I think really makes Blackburn stand out is the involvement of the parents. This is a very kid-orientated school and really still embraces that old neighborhood school concept. Students come first here. That is what the teachers are focused on.”
Jennifer Thompson started at Blackburn as a kindergartner in 1977 and went through the sixth grade at the school. Now a parent, all three of her children have gone through Blackburn, including her youngest Rylee, who is a fifth grader.
“This has totally been a family tradition for us. I think my mom has said between myself and my siblings and the grandchildren, someone has been here for 35 years,” she said. “It’s sad that now my last is at Blackburn. This is one of the best schools. It is like this whole big family, which is nice to have.”
Jamie Largent, a fifth grade teacher at Blackburn, also has a special connection with the school. She too was a student from kindergarten through sixth grade.
“It is really like coming full circle. It is like coming back home,” she said of returning to the school to teach. “I am lucky to work with a wonderful group of people and am fortunate to have so many families who have chosen to come back so their kids can go here too. Everyone really takes care of one another.”
