It started out in 1891 as a one-room schoolhouse on Mound Road not far from Midland Avenue.
Alma R. Porter was the lone instructor. She taught 22 children in three different levels of classes and earned $40 a month. The students did their work on writing slates.
Now Rockdale School has nearly 300 students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade classes inside the red brick building at 715 Meadow Ave. There are 40 teachers and staff members. And it soon will mark a significant milestone: Rockdale School will be 125 years old on May 21.
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To celebrate, school officials have organized three days of activities beginning May 19 with a three-on-three basketball tournament and ending May 21 with a party including an inflatable carnival at C.B. Diamond. The events have been planned as a kind of reunion.
“I am really looking forward to all of our former students and alumni returning,” said Tammy Hafner, the school’s principal. “I want to hear about the great things they are doing and where they are in their lives.”
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Not long after she joined the district last year, Superintendent Lori Gehrke realized the school soon would have a big birthday. She proposed a celebration, and the school district, the village and the Rockdale police have been working together on the planning ever since.
There also will be a 5K run, an open house at the school and a parade. The culmination will be a party on May 21 at CB Diamond featuring inflatables for the kids, food for purchase from Babe’s Hot Dogs of Joliet, a beer tent and musical performances by the Sumpthins from 3-5 p.m. and Chicago Blues Angels from 5-7 p.m. Here’s a schedule of events:
May 19 through 20:
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament at the school
May 21:
7:30 a.m. - Rams on the Run 5K Race through the streets of Rockdale
11 a.m. to noon - Rockdale School Open House
2 p.m. - Family Fun Parade
3 to 7 p.m. - Inflatable Carnival and Celebration at CB Diamond (Inflatable pre-sale bracelets $10 at Rockdale School; $12 day of event)
Everyone is invited.
“Come on out. We are looking forward to celebrating as a community and having a fun day to celebrate Rockdale School,” Hafner said. For more information, go to 125th.rockdale84.org.
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