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Fifty years ago this fall, Claxton Elementary School opened its doors to its first students.

This year’s students and PTA are taking the school year to celebrate 50 years of accomplishments.

“The committee has planned out activities for every month,” Principal Anessa Burgman said.

While the official kick-off of activities is Oct. 1, with a program and sealing of the school’s time capsule, the school got started with an old-fashioned pancake supper on Sept. 10.

“I remember the pancake supper was something we used to do when I was a student here,” said Burgman, who attended Claxton for second and third grades. She proposed revamping the pancake supper to celebrate the school’s golden anniversary.

“Families that eat together talk together, and that helps promote activities for students to learn,” Burgman said.

PTA member Cheryl Wyrick agreed.

“It’s a fun way to get everybody to come together and to recognize the rich history that Claxton has in this community,” she said.

The PTA committee also has organized “Starry Night,” in which families will be invited to come to the school to help look for the Claxton star the school bought some years ago.

There also will be a retro skate night and other events to be announced at a later date.

Wyrick said she and her family, including the second- and fourth-graders she has at the school, will participate in as many of these events as they can.

“This is a great staff and administration and they really are trying to make a positive impact on these kids,” she said.

That coupled with her family’s participation will better prepare her kids for their future, she added.

While the Claxton family awaits more celebrations and newly adopted traditions, there’s one they don’t have to worry about.
“Yes, we will keep the pancake supper,” Burgman said.
Wyrick was happy to hear that. “They’ve gotten such a great response and it’s a great way to start the year,” she said.

Contact Tiffany S. Jones at 373- 7157 or tiffany.jones@news-record.com