“My whole family went to Westwood from kindergarten through eighth grade,” said Constance Lester, one of the 1970s alumni who attended the gathering. “There were six of us, and my mother also taught at the school.” Lester still lives in Westwood in the home where she grew up.
The old building that Lester attended was closed in 1982 and demolished, although the gymnasium continues to serve as the Westwood Center, under the city of Dayton.
The new school building was opened and dedicated Aug. 23, 2008, built on the original site of Westwood Park through a joint effort with the city.
“Wherever I go, I hear great stories and shared memories about the school and the area,” said Principal Czerny Buxton. “I thought it would be a good idea to start an alumni group to share this info with me, to collect items to display and to develop community support and build a relationship between alumni and the school.”
Lester, a teacher at Fairview PK-8, said that the gathering “brought back so many memories. We showed pictures, and one man had his entire yearbook. It surprised me to see the classrooms; they were so big, with 32 to 40 students.”
Throughout the 1950s, the school housed between 1,000 to 1,200 students, which led to building expansions in 1957, and it held 1,600 students in 1968. The new building accommodates just 473.
“We reminisced about our old days and teachers. I was the only one that remembered the class song and another graduate and I remembered the spirit song and sang it,” Lester said.
After the reminiscing, “We decided to form a grade school alumni,” Lester added. “That would be the first time I heard of a grade school alumni group. At the next meeting, we’re hoping to get more people and to elect officers. Mrs. Buxton also suggested the possibility of picnics, dances and other social activities.”
Buxton plans to schedule another gathering when school opens in August. “Interest is still high,” she said.
Alumni who want to be added to the contact list should send their home or e-mail address to Buxton at the school or e-mail her at CBuxton@dps.k12.oh.us.
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