Lusher School Celebrates 50 Years

Despite very warm temperatures, uncomfortable humidity and lots of sunshine, Lusher Elementary students and staff took to the surrounding neighborhood streets to trumpet their accomplishment – 50 years of educating children.

With Instructional Specialist Val Todaro seated in a red Mustang convertible and teacher Nick Scott driving his Jeep, the school’s parade commenced.

Lusher, which opened in 1957, is the third-oldest active elementary school and the fourth-oldest active school in the Hazelwood School District.

“This is really cool,” enthused Dr. Julie Melton, Lusher’s current principal as she walked among the tide of students and staff members on nearby streets. Many neighbors turned out to watch as the swarm of people walked by. Some held signs while the kids sang the school’s spirit song, which the music teacher spent the preceding weeks teaching them.

“I never imagined it to be like this,” Melton said. “It’s overwhelming to see the retired staff members take time out of their days to come back.”

Kim Sachs, one of the school’s fourth grade teachers, played a major role in setting up the event.

“When we got the committee together, ideas just started to click,” Sachs said. ” Seeing the kids in the parade with the posters, I can’t believe how much they got into it. We had everybody dancing.”

Lesli Henderson, the school’s PTA president concurred.

“It was really fun to see all the kids dancing and playing during the assembly to music they don’t know,” she said.

“I received a lot of help from the Florissant Police Department and the anniversary committee’s help was awesome,” Melton said. “All of the students learned Lusher’s spirit song and the third graders cleaned up the campus.”

After marching through several neighborhood streets, the group returned to campus where teachers and PTA members offered them ice cream sherbet to help cool them down on such a torrid day.

( Story Submitted by Hazelwood School Distric Communications Dept.)
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