PI Elementary ‘Still Golden’ Anniversary Nov. 18
“We’re celebrating our fiftieth anniversary next week,” said Pine Island Elementary School Principal Rob Mazolli. “This school has been open to students for fifty years. That’s amazing.”
Mazolli, his staff and student body have been planning for the occasion for months.
“We’re expecting a great turnout this year since it’s such an important anniversary,” he said. “Former students, especially those who attended in the first couple decades the school opened, will be seeing a campus much different than when they were students here.”
Classrooms will be open to visitors and have come a long way since when the school first opened.
“You basically had wooden desks and a chalkboard back in 1961,” Mazolli said. “Today we have state-of-the-art equipment, colorful furniture and lots of the children’s papers and art displayed all over the walls.”
The theme for the anniversary celebration is “Still Golden” and several events will take place that day.
“We’ve had a great time collecting old photographs and making a slideshow presentation we’re calling ‘Remember When,’ which we’ll show that day in the cafe. We’ll also have music and food and plenty of opportunities for former students and staff to reconnect,” Mazolli said. “Past teachers and principals will be attending.”
Many children who attend Pine Island Elementary School are second or third generation.
“We have students whose parents attended this school, even some whose grandparents were students here themselves,” Mazolli said. “A lot of wonderful students have come through our doors since 1961. It will be great to have them do so again in celebration of our 50th anniversary.”
The anniversary celebration will run from 2-7 p.m. at the campus, located at 5360 Ridgewood Drive in Bokeelia. For more information, call 283-0505.