Azusa Fifth-Graders Bury Time Capsule - Event Commemorates Project to Increase Safety at Magnolia Elementary

More than 40 Magnolia Elementary School fifth-graders excitedly watched on June 3 as their school work, pictures and letters were buried in a time capsule in a new planter on campus, marked by a plaque bearing their names and the date 2035, when the school will reveal the contents to a new class of students.

The ceremony, attended by the entire school, served to commemorate a recently completed sidewalk extension project that will increase safety for the campus’ students, staff and visitors.

“Earlier this year we became concerned because students and parents were forced to walk through heavy traffic in our drop-off area to access the front of the school,” said Magnolia Principal Alexis Norman.“The District immediately came to assess the location and within two weeks, we had a new path of travel. This is truly a celebration of safety.”

During the construction process, the school also replaced a large area of grass with a planter featuring native drought-tolerant plants and installed a solar-powered flashing stop sign at a parking lot intersection.

“At Azusa Unified, we do everything possible to keep our students safe,” said Azusa Unified Superintendent Dr. Linda Kaminski. “This event was a wonderful way to celebrate a project that seeks to improve safety for everyone at Magnolia Elementary.”

During the ceremony, several fifth-grade ASB students took turns reading such safety tips as “wait for a crossing guard before crossing the street,” “tie your shoes,” “don’t run on the blacktop,” “don’t play in the bathroom” and “don’t be a fool, be safe at school.”

“We hope you’re inspired to be safer than ever,” fifth-grader Angela Perales said. “Here’s a shoutout to Azusa Unified: thank you for making our school safer.”

Azusa Unified Board of Education President Yolanda Rodriguez-Peña applauded Magnolia Elementary for recognizing the issue and working to correct it.

“This is what makes Azusa Unified so special, everyone from our staff, parents and community care so much about our students and are proactive about their safety,” Rodriguez-Peña said. “I would also like to congratulate our 2014-15 fifth-graders, who I hope in 20 years will return to Magnolia to see the items from their grade school experience. I wish them well as they move on to middle school.”