J. F. Carmichael Public School celebrates 75 years
J.F. Carmichael grade 2 student Olivia Saunders Hogg leaves her thumbprint on a piece of 75th anniversary art.
Photos by Open Shutters Photography
Photos by Open Shutters Photography
Members of the Anniversary committee, from left: front, rych mills, Anne Ross, Mary Butler, Jon Lencz, Julie Weber, and Christine Saunders, middle, Kathy Bolhuis, Julie Roth, Trudie Playford, Heather Sebastian, and Chrisoula Xintavelonis; back, Dayle Buller-Power, Cheryl Leis, Denise Eppel, John Glass, and Derek Hergott.
by the JFC 75th Anniversary Historical Committee — Denise Eppel, John Glass, rych mills & Julie Roth
When John Fayden Carmichael moved to Waterloo County in the first decade of the 20th century, he had no idea that people would still be saying his name every day well into the 21st century. And even less did he think that a school named after him would draw over 700 people to its 75th anniversary reunion. Yet both have happened!
On Saturday, October 20th, J.F. Carmichael Public School (JFC) opened its doors to say “Welcome Back” to former students, staff and families at a 75th anniversary open house.
When School Council began planning the open house in May 2011, it had a smaller event in mind. Over the next year and a half, the scale of the event grew as alumnae, staff, parents, community members, local businesses and media outlets stepped up to assist the 75th anniversary committee with the celebration.
Sharing the school’s history was a priority for the organizing committee. In the gym, a photo display provided a visual history of the school and its students from 1937 onward. Binders sorted by decade, and filled with class and team photos, attracted visitors looking for themselves or old friends. On the main floor, a memorabilia room featured school artifacts such as old roll-down maps, trophies and awards, school shirts, “ancient” school texts, slates, and long-forgotten student projects. Attendees received a souvenir program and postcard and were invited to add their thumbprints to JFC’s community art project.
A gallery of principal portraits and biographies lined the gym walls, and the event was honoured by the attendance of eight JFC principals — Jack Bean (1975-1983), Cam Krueger (1983-1985), Blair Foote (1985-1995), Grant Koch (1995-1998), Ellen Dietrich (1998-2002), Penne Cruickshank (2002-2008), Mary Butler (2009-2012) and Jon Lencz (current).
Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr and Kitchener Centre Member of Parliament Stephen Woodworth, dropped in to present the school with commemorative certificates, and several members of the original 1937 kindergarten class attended the open house and renewed acquaintance. Among them were Oscar Thompson, Ralph Roth, Bill Hall and John Weber. Other alumnae came from as far away as Washington state, Ottawa, Kingston, Gravenhurst and Kincardine. Several post-event parties were held so deeper connections could be restored.
In the months leading up to the open house, current students and staff learned fun historical facts about the school. Classes also contributed to a time capsule to be opened in 2037 on the occasion of the school’s 100th anniversary. Some time capsule entries included a set of pennies (significant, because the maple leaf penny was introduced in 1937 and was taken out of service in 2012); wrappers from favourite 2012 snack foods; popular toys; a BlackBerry (minus its battery!); pictures; poems; songs; a book and a plaque representing the different cultures of today’s JFC. The 75th time capsule will be on display for students before being sealed later this year.
To commemorate the event, the 75th anniversary committee produced a cookbook, “A Taste of Carmichael” and a large photo of J.F. Carmichael was hung in the main foyer alongside pictures of the 1937 and present-day staff. Also, a landscape painting by Viola Snyder, one of JFC’s original teachers, was donated by a relative to mark the occasion. The painting is now the centrepiece of a new history wall in the main office.
The following are just a few of the memories sent in after the reunion:
“My dad has been gone for many years, so it was very sweet to talk to some of his old pupils, some of whom I had never met and some of whom I knew as my babysitters.” — Diane Rooke, daughter of Judson Brown, JFC principal (1945-57).
“Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to visit some of my finest memories.”
“It’s hard to express the feeling you get when wandering into classrooms and down hallways from the past. The school seemed so much bigger back then.”
“I had one great conversation after another.”
“I noticed how much thought was put into the experience: hand sanitizing stations; places for visitors to sit to chat; crafts for children; allergy-sensitive foods.”
The 75th anniversary committee thanks those who shared their time, lent memorabilia, purchased a cookbook, made “in kind” donations, or donated money through the Waterloo Education Fund Inc. (WEFI). Proceeds from the event will help to purchase a bench to complement the new picture wall in the front foyer. The rest of the funds will be returned to the school. Cookbooks are still available for $10 but are selling out quickly. For more information, please email jfc@cabhru.com, visit our website at http://jfc.wrdsb.on.ca/ or call Denise Eppel, anniversary chair, at 519-500-4903.
The 75th anniversary committee still welcomes loans or donations of photos or any school memorabilia. An archive is being created which will, hopefully someday, be instrumental in helping to produce a written history of the school.
When John Fayden Carmichael moved to Waterloo County in the first decade of the 20th century, he had no idea that people would still be saying his name every day well into the 21st century. And even less did he think that a school named after him would draw over 700 people to its 75th anniversary reunion. Yet both have happened!
On Saturday, October 20th, J.F. Carmichael Public School (JFC) opened its doors to say “Welcome Back” to former students, staff and families at a 75th anniversary open house.
When School Council began planning the open house in May 2011, it had a smaller event in mind. Over the next year and a half, the scale of the event grew as alumnae, staff, parents, community members, local businesses and media outlets stepped up to assist the 75th anniversary committee with the celebration.
Sharing the school’s history was a priority for the organizing committee. In the gym, a photo display provided a visual history of the school and its students from 1937 onward. Binders sorted by decade, and filled with class and team photos, attracted visitors looking for themselves or old friends. On the main floor, a memorabilia room featured school artifacts such as old roll-down maps, trophies and awards, school shirts, “ancient” school texts, slates, and long-forgotten student projects. Attendees received a souvenir program and postcard and were invited to add their thumbprints to JFC’s community art project.
A gallery of principal portraits and biographies lined the gym walls, and the event was honoured by the attendance of eight JFC principals — Jack Bean (1975-1983), Cam Krueger (1983-1985), Blair Foote (1985-1995), Grant Koch (1995-1998), Ellen Dietrich (1998-2002), Penne Cruickshank (2002-2008), Mary Butler (2009-2012) and Jon Lencz (current).
Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr and Kitchener Centre Member of Parliament Stephen Woodworth, dropped in to present the school with commemorative certificates, and several members of the original 1937 kindergarten class attended the open house and renewed acquaintance. Among them were Oscar Thompson, Ralph Roth, Bill Hall and John Weber. Other alumnae came from as far away as Washington state, Ottawa, Kingston, Gravenhurst and Kincardine. Several post-event parties were held so deeper connections could be restored.
In the months leading up to the open house, current students and staff learned fun historical facts about the school. Classes also contributed to a time capsule to be opened in 2037 on the occasion of the school’s 100th anniversary. Some time capsule entries included a set of pennies (significant, because the maple leaf penny was introduced in 1937 and was taken out of service in 2012); wrappers from favourite 2012 snack foods; popular toys; a BlackBerry (minus its battery!); pictures; poems; songs; a book and a plaque representing the different cultures of today’s JFC. The 75th time capsule will be on display for students before being sealed later this year.
To commemorate the event, the 75th anniversary committee produced a cookbook, “A Taste of Carmichael” and a large photo of J.F. Carmichael was hung in the main foyer alongside pictures of the 1937 and present-day staff. Also, a landscape painting by Viola Snyder, one of JFC’s original teachers, was donated by a relative to mark the occasion. The painting is now the centrepiece of a new history wall in the main office.
The following are just a few of the memories sent in after the reunion:
“My dad has been gone for many years, so it was very sweet to talk to some of his old pupils, some of whom I had never met and some of whom I knew as my babysitters.” — Diane Rooke, daughter of Judson Brown, JFC principal (1945-57).
“Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to visit some of my finest memories.”
“It’s hard to express the feeling you get when wandering into classrooms and down hallways from the past. The school seemed so much bigger back then.”
“I had one great conversation after another.”
“I noticed how much thought was put into the experience: hand sanitizing stations; places for visitors to sit to chat; crafts for children; allergy-sensitive foods.”
The 75th anniversary committee thanks those who shared their time, lent memorabilia, purchased a cookbook, made “in kind” donations, or donated money through the Waterloo Education Fund Inc. (WEFI). Proceeds from the event will help to purchase a bench to complement the new picture wall in the front foyer. The rest of the funds will be returned to the school. Cookbooks are still available for $10 but are selling out quickly. For more information, please email jfc@cabhru.com, visit our website at http://jfc.wrdsb.on.ca/ or call Denise Eppel, anniversary chair, at 519-500-4903.
The 75th anniversary committee still welcomes loans or donations of photos or any school memorabilia. An archive is being created which will, hopefully someday, be instrumental in helping to produce a written history of the school.