TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Richey Seeks Former Students For Golden Anniversary

ADVERTISEMENT

By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: February 25, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - The faces change from year to year, about as fast as the style of the clothes they wear. The students and even the teachers come and go. The curriculum evolves and so do the methods by which it is taught.

But through it all, a school is one of those institutions that define a community.

Richey Elementary School, 6807 Madison St., has been part of New Port Richey for 50 years, longer if you consider classes were held there in 1957 before the building was officially completed and "opened" for the start of the 1958-'59 school year.

That technicality notwithstanding, current staff members have decided to celebrate the school's golden anniversary with a homecoming for the ages.

"We're still deciding exactly what we're going to do," said Kim Stratman, one of a six-member committee that is in the early stages of organizing the celebration.

For now, the idea is to have an event some time in May, near the end of the current school year.

Part of how that celebration will take shape depends on the kind of response they get. The committee would like to hear from anyone who attended Richey Elementary from 1958 to 1990.

Ideally, Stratman said, they're hoping to put together an in-school event.

The idea is something current students could come and see what their school looked like back in their parents' and grandparents' day and hear stories from grownups who once sat in the classrooms they use today.

While all alumni are encouraged to take part, Stratman said they are particularly interested in hearing from families that have had more than one generation who has attended Richey Elementary.

She already knows of at least one family in which father, son and grandson have all been Richey students.

"That can't be too common," she said. Anyone who has something to add to the Richey Elementary School 50-year anniversary celebration is encouraged to contact Stratman at the school by phone at 727-774-3500 or e-mail at kstratma@pasco.k12.fl.us. Committee member Becky Rice can also be contacted by e-mail at becky.1.rice@gmail.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT