Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

 10/09/03

NEWS RELEASE
Two Auburn Elementary Schools
Celebrate Birthdays

Two of Auburn School Districts 12 elementary schools will be celebrating significant birthdays in the next few months.  Chinook Elementary, located in the southeast of Auburn, will be celebrating its 40^th birthday on Friday, October 24.  There will be an assembly program at 2 p.m. with a reception following in the library.  Former staff, students, and parents are invited to attend this event.  Also, in the evening, a fun open-house event, including a tour of the decades, will be available for the community.

The staff is inviting anyone affiliated with Chinook Elementary School to complete a form to be placed in a memory book.  The form is available from Art Spencer, school librarian, by calling (253) 931-4980 or by emailing:  aspencer@mx.auburn.wednet.edu.  The public is encouraged to RSVP if planning to attend the afternoon ceremony by contacting John Sander, Chinook Elementary staff, at (253) 931-4980 or emailing: jsander@mx.auburn.wednet.edu.

Chinook Elementary School was built in 1963 and has been well-maintained and remodeled over the years.  The school offers a comprehensive Native American resource room.  Robert Terrell of Auburn was the first principal to serve at Chinook Elementary.

Saturday, November 29, will be 50th anniversary of the opening of Dick Scobee Elementary, located north of the Auburn downtown area.  The school’s staff, students, and the community are planning to have an evening event the first week in December.  They want to invite all past and present students, staff, administration, and families to attend.  Individuals are encouraged to contact the school office at (253) 931-4984.

Dick Scobee Elementary was originally built in 1954 as North Auburn Elementary with Esther Ott as principal.  It was renovated in 1982.  In 1987, it was renamed Dick Scobee Elementary in memory of Challenger astronaut, Commander Dick Scobee.  In 1989, Dick Scobee Elementary was selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a Nationally Recognized School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.