Institution marks 50th anniversary today
By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
Raymond Elementary School has reached the 50-year mark and will celebrate today, September 16, with a special re-dedication ceremony to begin at 5:00 p.m. at the school.
In 1961, the three Town of Raymond Schools consolidated and the current school was built.
The public is invited to the ceremony that will closely mirror the original dedication ceremony held in December 1961.
“Since it’s been fifty years, we thought it would be really neat to do a re-dedication the same as fifty years ago,” said Raymond School Board President Shelly Kurhajec.
Kurhajec said a community member recently came forward with an audio recording of the original ceremony in 1961, which led to the decision to re-dedicate the school and to mirror the original ceremony.
The recording can be heard on the schools website: www.raymondschool.com. There’s also a copy of the original printed program on the website.
The ceremony will include comments from Raymond School Board President Shelly Kurhajec, Town Board Chairman Gary Kastenson and other community members.
Members of Caledonia-Raymond VFW Post 10388 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and will present a flag, flown over Wisconsin’s Capitol building, courtesy of State Rep. Robin Vos.
The school has been working hard to locate and invite those students who attended Raymond in 1961.
As a special treat, Raymond Booster Club members will prepare and serve the same BBQ recipe that was served at the 1961 ceremony. The BBQ sandwiches will be available for purchase in the concession area after the ceremony.
The celebration will continue at 7 p.m. with a special outdoor showing of the movie “Cars” on the hill behind the school. Families should bring lawn chairs or blankets along.
On Saturday, September 17, there with a classic car show at the school from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a family “Sock Hop” dance from 5 – 8 p.m. Folks are encouraged to dress in 50’s and 60’s garb.
There will be many more special events tied in with the anniversary going on throughout the school year that can be found by checking the school website or by calling 835-2929.
October events will include the student talent show, alumni homecoming week activities, a flag football tournament and an alumni homecoming dance.
Kurhajec is looking forward to the weekend’s events.
“We want to bring the community in and let them know what’s happening at Raymond School,” she said.
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