Crystal Lawns, Celebrating 50 Years

Alumni, current students, staff, family, friends and neighbors are invited to take part in the 50th anniversary celebration of Crystal Lawns Elementary School.

Current school staff and the PTA are hosting an open house from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009, at the school, 2544 Crystal Drive, Joliet.

Attendees will peruse old photos and yearbooks and have a chance to catch up with former classmates and teachers and see how the school has changed throughout the years. All are welcome to attend.

Crystal Lawns Elementary School opened in September of 1959, and has had only three principals, including current Principal Dr. Kathy Baxter. The school opened with eight classrooms and a multi-purpose room, for nine teachers and 267 students.

Soon the school was overcrowded, so in 1961, 10 additional classrooms and a gymnasium were added. In 1970, four more classrooms and a Media Center were added to the school.

Today, more than 40 teachers serve 500 students.

Students and staff will celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary throughout the 2009-2010 school year with monthly activities.

September 27, 2009
Open House 1-4 p.m. at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
The public is invited to take a walk through the school and recall stories, teachers and friends while sifting through old yearbooks and pictures.  Attendees will also have a chance to see how much the school has changed since they were children.

October 3, 2009
Homecoming Parade in downtown Plainfield
Crystal Lawns will participate in the annual Homecoming Parade with a float replicating the school.  Students and staff will also participate in homecoming events and Spirit Week the week prior to the parade.

November 20, 2009
VIP Day from 9:15-10:15 a.m. or 1:15-2:15 p.m. at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
The students will host VIP (Very Important Person) Day by inviting VIPs in their lives to spend part of the day with them at school.  This event has evolved from its original inception as a tribute to American Education Week.

December 5, 2009
Santa’s Secret Workshop from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
The PTA will host Santa’s Secret Workshop

January 21, 2010
Unit Meeting at 7 p.m. at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
Crystal Lawns staff will highlight the PTA for what they have done for the past 50 years.  They will also hand out life memberships.

January 22, 2010
Read-a-thon (all-day) at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
Crystal Lawns retirees will also be invited back for a Read-a-thon to tell students stories about the school and students when they were teaching. 

February 26, 2010
Milk & Donuts served at 9 a.m. at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
Crystal Lawns staff and PTA members will bring back the nostalgic before school treat of the 1970s, milk and donuts before school for all students who order them.

March 18, 2010
Movie Night at 6:30p.m. at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
Crystal Lawns will host a Movie Night featuring Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty,” an appropriate selection since it was also created 50 years ago.

March 24, 2010
Crystal Lawns Birthday Party (all-day) at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
Crystal Lawns students and staff will celebrate the school’s 50th birthday with a birthday-themed day full of activities.

April 30, 2010
Arbor Day Tree Planting at 2:30p.m. at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
To celebrate Arbor Day, the entire school will gather and sing as a tree is planted.  This was once an annual tradition at Crystal Lawns that students looked forward to throughout the year.

May 21, 2010
Time Capsule Buried at 2:30 p.m. at Crystal Lawns Elementary School
Current Crystal Lawns students will help to gather items and decide what to place in a time capsule that will be buried on school grounds.