Memories of Lalor School...continued
by Gale Szajna

The eighties...

The convocation was discontinued and the executive board meetings were held at the school.  Mrs.Rose Alito was the principal of Lalor School the first few years of this decade. "Officer Friendly" a.k.a. Pete Shroeder became a frequent visitor and friend to the students of Lalor School.  Mrs.Kirby's fond memory is of the time her and Ms.Nowack put on a play. On the day of the performance a piece of scenery wouldn't stand up." She "was crouched behind it during the performance as Ms.Nowack laughed behind the scenes."  She also found it very funny.  Who knew!!! 

Alyza Szajna has fond memories of the following...
- reading with Mrs.Alito,
-being in the talent shows,
-violin, clarinet, and flute with Mr.Tobias,
-representing Hamilton Township at the invention convention at the Sarnoff Research Center,
-winning 1st and 3rd place in the PTA Spelling Bee,
-being the entertainment at Miss Nowack's retirement party (along with friends Danielle and Jessica),
-helping one of the students from Mrs.Daly's class with her math,
-the 60th Anniversary Celebration and
-making gifts (as a Brownie) for the Mr.Baxter's students.

Alyza graduated Trenton State College cum laude ,as a member of the Honors Program with a Bachelor of Science and a minor in Ancient Greek. She attended the University of Delaware with work toward her Masters in Chemistry and currently is a chemist for Schering-Plough.
  

I would have to say  the year she was in fifth grade was the busiest year of all because that was our school's 60th Anniversary.  Miss Geller, our Principal, knew how to throw a party!!!  First the school was spruced up and made to "shine like the top of the Chrysler Building".  Ms.Geller planned an evening program for guests and a day program for the students.  Invitations were sent out far and wide.  Former teachers, former students and plenty of dignitaries showed up ( President Reagan was invited, but he couldn't make it-he did send a letter of congratulations).  The PTA provided an Anniversary Book for the guests to sign and individual name tags.  The halls of the school, the auditorium and the cafeteria were decorated by the art department and there were lots of blue and yellow balloons. The PTA also provided dozens of corsages.  A plaque was presented to the school from the PTA. Some of the fifth grade girls became our Lalor Cheerleaders.  There was a performance representing each decade.  Debby Johnson, Diane Proulx, Doreen Pointon, Sue Boote and I dressed as flappers from the roaring 20's and did a Charleston-like dance to the Black Bottom.  Ms. Irene Parker graciously volunteered to teach us.  I actually did not get to see much of the show because when we were not doing our number we were acting as hostesses at the entrance doors then hospitality in the cafeteria.  I do remember the little girls in second grade with the poodle skirts though.  The PTA commemorated the event by selling The Game of Lalor School, a monopoly style game with local businesses in place of the streets.  Pulling that off was another story in itself..   A good time WAS had by all!!!

For a special feature on Jelly Roll Morton visit the Chicago Tribune CLICK HERE ...

PTA Executive Board performance at the 60th Anniversary celebration

Memories continued...