The Bond Mill Elementary School 40th anniversary celebration June 13 turned out to be a lovely event. Bond Mill Elementary School opened in the fall of 1967 but at that time was housed at the old Laurel High School building, which is now the Phelps Center. The school moved to its current address on Sherwood Avenue in April 1968.

The first principal was Ava L. McKenney, and there were 494 students. She was succeeded by Mary Jane Lusby in August 1977, who was principal for 21 years. Pam Landry succeeded her in 1998, and Justin FitzGerald took over in 2004 and is the current principal.

The current principal hosted a reunion/anniversary celebration of the best kind. We were very fortunate to have Mary Jane Lusby travel from Pennsylvania just for this special day. She modeled and taught the word "respect" until it was just a way of life at the little school tucked away on Sherwood Avenue.

Justin FitzGerald has carried on the philosophy of respect as a tradition and a school legacy.

There were hugs, smiles, laughs and lots of stories told. It was so much fun to see teachers of my own children that I hadn't seen in many years. Parents of younger and older students checked up on the whereabouts of old friends.

Bond Mill's principal turned bright green on June 18 and it wasn't with envy. Justin FitzGerald was "slimed" Nickelodeon-style by Bond Mill students who raised $1,500 in coins during Pennies For Play fundraiser. Students raised the funds for the playground renovation project, getting closer to their goal of having a newer and safer school playground.

Congratulations to Joseph Karpman who graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt High School on June 5.  Joseph was seated in the Row of Honor with other students who maintained a 4.0 grade point average for all four years.  Joseph will be attending Vassar College in the fall where he will play Rugby.  Anne and Larry Karpman are very proud of their very successful son.

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