Portland, Oregon's Ventura Park Elementary Celebrates 50 Years

Portland, Oregon -- Ventura Park Elementary, in southeast Portland, celebrated its 50th anniversary as a school on Friday, November 21. The school invited current and former students, staff, families, and others associated with the school to a spaghetti dinner and sock hop in honor of the anniversary.

The school's current fourth grade teachers organized the spaghetti dinner as a fundraiser for their annual Oregon Trail overnight field trip. It included spaghetti from the Old Spaghetti factory along with salads, bread and drinks. Ventura Park families brought a variety of desserts for guests to enjoy, including many ethnic specialties.

Entertainment during dinner was provided by Ventura Park students, including the school's choir and string orchestra. Students also performed a Vietnamese song and dance. Principal Susan Gerritz recognized and thanked several former principals and staff members who were in attendance, including the school's first principal. Gerritz later said "When people talk about 'it takes a village', I think they have in mind what was happening here at Ventura on Friday."

Dinner was followed by an old-time sock hop! Students and staff dressed in 50's style clothing for the occasion, and music was provided by a DJ. The school also pre-sold special 50th anniversary t-shirts, which were worn by many of the students, staff, and families attending.

Ventura Park Elementary originally opened in 1958, and was part of the old Russellville School District. In 1959, it became part of the David Douglas School District when the Powellhurst, Gilbert, and Russellville elementary school districts merged with the David Douglas Union High School district (DDHS website). The school is located at 145 SE 117th Avenue, between Burnside and Stark streets. According to the district website, Its enrollment boundaries extend roughly from NE 102nd Avenue to NE 122nd Avenue, and from SE Market Street to NE Halsey Street.

Ventura Park is one of Oregon's Green Schools, which means it has been recognized for its school-wide waste reduction achievements. Students recycle in their classrooms, and a team of fifth graders assists by picking up recyclables throughout the school. Students also recycle milk cartons in the cafeteria and compost fruit and vegetable waste. The school is also known for its greenhouse, bird sanctuary and garden club.

The school has also played host at various times to several special programs for students in the David Douglas district, including the Talented and Gifted program, Functional Living Skills classes for students with severe and multiple disabilities, and Life Skills classes for students with moderate disabilities. Like the rest of the school district, Ventura Park has seen enrollment rise during the past several years; according to the district, current enrollment is more than 470 students.

SOURCES

David Douglas High School, "The David Douglas Story", http://hs.ddouglas.k12.or.us/review.php?RECORD_KEY%28rrms_content%29=ID&ID(rrms_content)=26

David Douglas School District, "School Boundaries", http://www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/node/299#attachments

Metro, "Oregon Green Schools Program", http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=5927

David Douglas School District, "Enrollment Reports", http://www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/node/681