Courreges Elementary School is officially “Over the Hill.” Not only is it literally over the hill from what was once Courreges Farm, at the corner of Talbert and Newland, but the school also celebrated its 50th anniversary in October.
Construction on Courreges was scheduled to be completed by fall 1974, but the campus wasn’t ready when the bell rang in September.
Students were bussed to other schools until 1975, when they finally moved into a campus still under construction.
On Oct. 11, students past and present gathered on the Courreges playground to reminisce and celebrate with food trucks, bounce houses, music and photos.
Courreges Cobras from 1975 to 1984 celebrated their K-8 years, while Courreges Cougars from 1987 on celebrated their K-5 years. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” before the school’s Cougar mascot blew out 50 candles on the cake.
Among those attending was original fifth grade teachers Gloria Zulauf (Needham) and Gay Lester (Mulgrew).
“We loved being in a young vibrant caring community,” they said. “We [the teachers] were all young and excited, and the community was so glad to be open.”
Other special guests included Ron Courreges and Mrs. Janice Courreges White, great-grandchildren of Roch Courreges, the school’s namesake; former Principal Judy Blankenship; longtime teacher Mrs. Jones; and current and former staff members.
Alumni fondly recalled teachers, classmates, student council elections, paper drives, class plays, jog-a-thons, talent shows, fifth grade camp, wagon wheel and tetherball games, balloon releases, and even a few student antics. The Courreges community is a special one, clearly worth celebrating!