Lakewood schools celebrate centennial Jan. 14

LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood School District’s annual Open House and Tech Expo on Tuesday, Jan. 14, will feature an additional celebration, as the district commemorates its own 100th anniversary at Lakewood High School from 6-7:30 p.m.

By Kirk Boxleitner • January 10, 2014 6:34 pm
A picture of the original Lakewood school building in 1914.
A picture of the original Lakewood school building in 1914.

LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood School District’s annual Open House and Tech Expo on Tuesday, Jan. 14, will feature an additional celebration, as the district commemorates its own 100th anniversary at Lakewood High School from 6-7:30 p.m.

Robin Barker, executive administrative assistant to the Lakewood School District, explained that the Open House and Tech Expo would again feature entertainment provided by students — this year from the Lakewood High School band and Swingbeat, as well as some of the district’s elementary and middle school students — and informational displays from each of the district’s schools and departments, but would be complemented this year by a video and several displays devoted to Lakewood’s history.

“The original Lakewood school building from 1914 was torn down and replaced by what is now Lakewood Elementary in 1958,” Barker said. “We’ll have old archival documents that will be available for viewing, including old class pictures dating back to the early 1900s, and old ledgers with some of the first Lakewood School Board meeting minutes handwritten.”

In addition to providing a slideshow and other exhibits showcasing the Lakewood School District’s history from its inception in 1914, and even before that, the event will also offer information to the community on the proposed Lakewood High School modernization bond that will be run on Feb. 11. Current technology used by Lakewood School District students and staff will also be featured for hands-on interactions with attendees.

Lakewood School District Superintendent Dr. Dennis Haddock and the Board of Directors will be on hand to greet attendees, who will also be able to enjoy cake and coffee. In addition, 200 laser-engraved commemorative key chains will be given away by the district and Saxton Bradley, Inc., while commemorative T-shirts will also be available for purchase.

“We just want to get the word out as much as possible, because this type of event doesn’t happen that often,” Barker laughed, “only once every 100 years. It would be great if we could get a lot of our past students and staff join us.”