History was on the minds of members of the Glenwood Elementary community last week, as one of the District's oldest schools celebrated a milestone anniversary - 80 years.
Just before noon on Friday (March 14), students, staff and a few dozen parents and other family members - some of them former Glenwood students themselves - gathered outside the school's original schoolhouse for the unveiling of a new plaque marking the school's 80th year teaching students in the south Langley community.
Principal Colleen Harvie spoke, as did two of the school's longest serving teachers - Barry Kroeker and John Keranan. Kroeker and Keranan then unveiled the plague, which sits on the southeast corner of the property. A large bulletin board was also brought out, and filled with old school photos, newspaper clippings and other historic memorabilia. Afterwards, students and staff went back to the school's main building for cake.
"The heritage building represents not only learning, but also the community that we love - the community that honours and cherishes this school," Harvie said. "Many parents and grandparents attended Glenwood Elementary as a student and their children and grandchildren have either attended or currently attend."
Harvie added that the school's noon-hour supervisor is a grandmother whose 10 grandchildren "grace the halls of our school."
While the heritage building - which includes two classrooms and an ELL room, all of which are in use today - has now been in place for 80 years, the history of Glenwood actually goes back much further. The original Glenwood school was built in 1891 at a different location - the southwest corner of 16 Avenue and 216 Street. And in 1916, a new one-room school was built at 16 Avenue and 208 Street. That building was lost to a fire in 1920 and a new building replaced it, and lasted until 1945. It was then that the next version of Glenwood was built, in its current location at 208 Street and 24 Avenue, on land donated by local businessman and former Langley mayor Noel Booth. That building was the one being celebrated last week.
Most of that storied history was detailed in the news clippings and photos that adorned the bulletin board next to the plaque.
"Everyone who is a part of the school community feel pride and are grateful to work, play and learn here, and are proud to be involved in the many activities that happen throughout the year," Harvie said, noting that the annual Christmas market is a particular highlight for the community. "This event not only celebrates the heritage building but also provides an opportunity for everyone to feel the positive energy that is Glenwood Elementary."
