Upper Sumas Elementary: Celebrating 100 Years of Education
On Friday, September 20th, Upper Sumas Elementary celebrated its 100th year anniversary. We marked this milestone with a day full of events for our students, families and the community at large. In the morning our students attended an assembly to learn about our school’s history, joined by special guests: Mayor Braun, School District Trustees, Superintendent Godden, Assistant Superintendents, district principals, and several former students. In the assembly, Mayor Braun and Board Chair Petersen brought our school greetings. We learnt how a small school house was built in 1919, and a new, larger school was built in 1938. We learnt students took horses, trains and busses to get to school back in the day. Outhouses were used and wood-burning stoves kept staff and students warm. Four former students who attended school in the 40’s, 60’s & 80’s shared memories with us. Of note, student discipline practices have sure changed over the years! In the afternoon our staff and students came together once more for a mini birthday party. “Happy Birthday Upper Sumas” was sung, and birthday cake for 173 students was happily consumed! In the evening PAC organized a spectacular celebration as we invited our community in to join our festivities. Excited visitors lined up early to be the first guests in to tour the school. We had former students who attended school as far back as the late 1920’s who came out for this event. It was fascinating to hear the stories and memories our guests shared with us. There were tales of line dancing in what is now our preschool room, roller-skating upstairs after-hours because the custodian would sneak the kids in, and a show-and-tell cat that got lost in the school! After a building tour, guests stayed for hours, mingling, reminiscing and listening to musical performances by Memphis Train and Nikki Meier long after the sun set. PAC, Upper Sumas Women’s Society, school staff, district staff and guests made this a day to remember. We hope when Upper Sumas Elementary celebrates its 150 year anniversary, many of our current students are able to return and keep the memories of this beloved school alive.