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Carmichael Times

Cougars Share Their History

Mar 16, 2018 12:00AM ● By Story and Photos by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Carmichael Elementary Principal Brandei Smith (back right) and students join the school's cougar mascot. Cougar, alumni and current enrollees invite the community to celebrate the school's centenary on May 9.

Cougars Share Their History [3 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael’s oldest school will host centenary celebrations on May 9. Established on Sutter Avenue in 1917, the school aimed not just to educate farm children but also to attract more families to developer Daniel Carmichael’s new colony. Carmichael School, as it was then called, began in a wooden building that was uprooted from nearby Winding Way.

Because many pupils rode to school, the campus included a horse shed. Farm kids provided hay for their mounts. At recess, impromptu derbies tore up the playground.

Though the 100-year milestone was reached last year, festivities are designed to fit into the 2018 spring semester.  Principal Brandei Smith promises some things old and many things new. “We’ll have a history museum, a then-and-now video and student performances,” she says. “The choir will sing our famous “Cougar Song,” which is all about building character and reaching goals.”

Administered by the San Juan Unified School District, Carmichael Elementary has 400 pupils from kindergarten to Fifth Grade. Students come from all over the world: in the school office, ‘welcome’ is written in English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Arabic and many other languages.   “Our diversity reflects what’s happening all over America,” notes Principal Smith. “We feel exposure to many nationalities enriches children’s education.”

Centenary festivities will showcase a campus whose 10 original acres were a gift from Daniel Carmichael. Near neighbor since 1931, the Crossroads Church will provide hotdogs and treats for the children.  A volunteer group from Del Campo High School will supervise a kids’ zone with face-painting and crafts.  Fitness professional and children’s author Sami Kader will present a program that includes an exercise circuit. An event show-stopper, predicts the principal, will star kindergarten pupils singing Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful Word,” complete with sign language.

“We’re opening our doors to show the community how we’ve evolved,” says Smith. “People who attended here love to come back. They’re nostalgic and enjoy sharing memories. We hope they’ll join us on May 9. They’ll be amazed to see how our classrooms have changed.”

Centenary planners hope to borrow old photos and memorabilia associated with the school. A 1972 time capsule will be unearthed before the celebrations. “We’ll also bury a new capsule,” says Principal Smith. “Sometime in the distant future, students will dig it up and see what we were like.”

Anyone may attend the May 9 celebration at 6141 Sutter Avenue. The program begins at 5 pm. For information, and to contribute historical items, call (916) 971-5727 or E-mail the campus representative: [email protected]