When Bond Mill Elementary School celebrated its birthday last weekend, there were none of the gags so often seen at your typical 40th birthday party.

No black balloons or napkins saying "over the hill." Instead, the school celebrated with staff, students, parents and administrators from past and present sharing memories of their school.

"It was just so exciting," said current Principal Justin FitzGerald. "We could not be more proud of our experiences at Bond Mill Elementary and it was a pleasure to share those experiences with each other."

About 200 people attended the June 13 celebration, which began at 2 p.m. and ran until 7 p.m.

FitzGerald said he was thrilled by the opportunity to see so many of the teachers and students he has worked with in his time at Bond Mill, but also because of the chance to see some of the people whom he has succeeded, such as Ed Johnson, a former principal at the school, who now coordinates student-teachers at the University of Maryland.

"Getting the opportunity to see them and talk with them and hear what they did, was priceless," FitzGerald said.

For at least one person, the celebration was two-in-one. Christina Hyder is not only a current kindergarten teacher at Bond Mill, but she is also an alumna of the school.

"It's funny, even now, I'm teaching in the same room that I sat in for Mrs. Reynolds' kindergarten class 30 years ago," she said.

Hyder began her career as a second-grade teacher in Takoma Park, but transferred four years ago when her son began kindergarten at Bond Mill Elementary.

Umbrenda Fisher, a fourth-grade teacher at Bond Mill, began her time at the school when Hyder was still a student. Now in her 28th year, Fisher said she most enjoyed speaking with former students and parents of students and sharing memories with them.

"A couple families brought pictures from field trips that they or their children had gone on to Baltimore or St. Mary's," she said. "To be able to relive those days was fantastic."

Hyder said she was most proud to see some of the traditions that began when she was at Bond Mill continue in the school's 40th year.

"This year we did the same Mother's Day gift that we did when I was a student," she said, referring to a project where the school helps students create customized dishes for the holiday. "My mom actually gave me back the dish I gave her when I returned to work at the school."

FitzGerald said that was not the only tradition the school had kept going.

"From day one, I was told how important respect is as a philosophy here at Bond Mill," he said. "And I can't tell you how many people talked about how that lesson has stuck with them and how it's been the lasting legacy here."

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user comments (1)

user fundamental says...

I entered kindergarten at Bond Mill in the fall of 1968. I don't recall it being a brand spanking new school then (it didn't even have its own gym, does it now?) . Mrs. McKinley was the pricipal during my tenure.

Posted 1:56 PM, 06.24.09 | Permalink