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As the Portland Public Schools prepares to close down Humboldt K-8, The Skanner News is partnering with the school's community to create an online "time capsule" to help keep that community in touch.
For former and current students, their families, and staff, a special celebration is planned at Humboldt on Friday, June 8. Starting at 4:30, the school hosts an Open House and Picture Gallery Walk.
The event allows local residents to walk the halls one last time and admire artwork done by the students over the past year.
There will also be a photographic display of the 51-year-old school's history, which is already going up in the hallway display boards – but a bigger show is planned for the school gym.
At 5 p.m. principal Willie Poinsette leads a celebration ceremony, recognizing important teachers, staff, community members – and, of course, kids – who have made Humboldt school a beloved institution over the decades. A special highlight will be a performance by the school's signature Chargettes all-girl dance team.
Then from 6 to 8 p.m. the school is throwing a Community Carnival, offering food, games, music and fun for the general public. All children must be accompanied by adults.
"We want to make it a positive celebration," Poinsette said. "When you think of how many wonderful things have taken place in this building, we want to capture some part of that for our community."
Poinsette – who will herself be retiring this year after 45 years as an educator – has been working overtime to coordinate dozens of parents and school alumni in building Humboldt School's legacy for the many thousands of children who have passed through its doors.
In an effort to preserve the school's history, The Skanner News is working to digitize hundreds of photos gathered up by the school staff and supporters, which will be organized into a series of slide shows, videos and interviews kept on the newspaper's website for years to come.
However one problem is that the school has no images from the decade of the 1960s. So we are calling out to school supporters, family and students to contact us for scanning of your images from that decade.
Class photos are sought, plus any snapshots of school activities, including teachers, classrooms and field trips.
Please contact Lisa Loving at 503-285-5555, or email [email protected] with your historic images of Humboldt School. In case you haven't been there in awhile, it's located at 4915 North Gantenbein Ave., in Portland.
For more information about Humboldt's closure ceremonies call the school at 503-916-5468.
