Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Montessori School is celebrating its Golden Anniversary and has decided to commemorate the milestone by burying a special, and rather significant, time capsule. OLG officially opened its doors on Jan. 22, 1968, and many of the graduates of the school are now parents themselves and have children attending the school.
Sister Kelly spoke to the students and parents gathered in the courtyard to witness the burying of the time capsule. She asked the children what was their favorite thing about the school.
The children broke out into song, joyfully expressing their excitement for this monumental event. After Sister Kelly placed the box into the hole, the third-grade class was called to assist in putting a shovel full of dirt to cover the hole. Miss Lisa came and read the special message on the top of the box. Alumni were also asked to help cover the time capsule. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the school’s song. The ceremony was captured and can be viewed on the Manhasset Press’ Facebook page.
The time capsule was the idea of the IHM League, the school’s parents association, and was headed by Michele Iavarone, who worked with the children to put together this special project.
“Every child attending the school today filled out a time capsule questionnaire of their ‘favorites’ at OLG, along with their own personal wish for the school in its future endeavors,” said Iavarone. “There are photos of the children on the 50th in-school celebration on Jan. 22, 2018.”
Also included was an invitation to the 50th Gala Celebration being held on April 13, with current parents, OLG alumni and family, retired faculty, board members and people who have supported the school throughout the years; a 50th anniversary magnet; and a copy of the brick fundraiser form, to which parents and the community are contributing to revitalize the entryway to the school with personalized bricks.
There’s also a comparison chart of what prices looked like for household staples in 1968 versus what they look like today.
“It is topped with a ‘note of intention,’ our version of a ‘message in a bottle,’ for the lucky person who elects to dig it up in 2043,” said Iavarone.
The children also painted rocks which will mark the location of the time capsule, which will decorate the area along with the keystone. These special rocks represent the “outpouring of love the students poured onto the rocks,” said Iavarone.
“The 50th anniversary will continue,” said IHM Co-presidents Maria Quinn and Christina Potter, “with the next event for alumni and parents on April 13 at De Seversky Mansion in Glen Head.”
