Thursday, May 26, 2011
For the next three days, the staff and students of the stately Oliver School are celebrating the school's 100th anniversary. The celebration begins today. Each classroom has adopted a decade between 1910 and 2010, and students have been researching games, dress, music and dance through the ages. This morning is dedicated to moving through stations of Games from the Past and the afternoon will be spent Dancing Through the Decades as students showcase the dances of their decade and teach the moves to the other children.
On May 27 and 28, all former staff, students and community members have been invited to take part in the celebrations. On Friday, May 27 the school is hosing a barbeque followed by a special anniversary presentation, 'Let the Past Come Alive' in the gym starting at 6:30 p.m. This will be followed by tours of the school and a birthday cake. On Saturday, May 28 the party will continue with an open house and tours from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Oliver School, located at 10227 - 118 Street, has been the center of the Oliver community for more than 100 years and scores of children and staff have passed through its doors. Each of them has taken away memories of the grand old building and many have returned for impromptu tours over the years to revisit some of those special memories. Many former students have gone on to become well-known provincially, nationally and even world-wide. Oliver School is proud to have as alumni such as Mel Hurtig, Olympian Angela Whyte, Canadian heavyweight boxer Ken Lakusta, the late Justice Tevie Miller and the late Lou Hyndman, to name just a few.
The school was named in honour of Frank Oliver, who as the Editor of The Bulletin, Edmonton's first newspaper, was a strong supporter of a tax-funded school system and scolded Edmonton residents for their reluctance in supporting the first Edmonton school-house. He also served as a federal Minister of the Interior, a school trustee and as a Northwest Territories councillor.
For further information, contact:
Tracy Poulin, Principal
Oliver School
10227 - 118 Street
780-488-2827
Edmonton Public Schools is helping to shape the future in every one of our classrooms. We’re focused on ensuring each student learns to their full potential and develops the ability, passion and imagination to pursue their dreams and contribute to their community.
Edmonton Public Schools
Centre for Education
1 Kingsway NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4G9