Elgin's Lowrie school marks 125 years

Former and current teachers, students and employees of Lowrie Elementary School will mark 125 years since the Elgin school opened its doors Sunday.

Officials are hosting an open house from noon to 2 p.m. at the school, 264 Oak St.

Families of students, alumni and community members are invited to view a history exhibit and tour the school.

"It is exciting," said Principal Kelly O'Brien, noting that Lowrie is one of the oldest elementary schools in the district. "In the original section (of the school), a lot of the classrooms still have hardwood floors and coat closets. The original bell from the bell tower is now outside by our announcement sign. We have photos, artifacts and newspaper articles and those are all going to be in the gym display."

O'Brien said more than $300,000 in improvements were made to the original school building in 1983.

Today, the school has about 400 students enrolled in prekindergarten through sixth grade.

Officials have organized activities since the start of the school year to mark the 125th anniversary.

The entire school gathered to form the shape of an "L" for an aerial photograph taken during the first week of classes, O'Brien said.

Years ago, when Lowrie was threatened to be demolished, the school's parent-teacher association and neighborhood residents joined together to physically hug the school in protest.

"We reenacted that today," O'Brien said.

Officials have been publicizing the open house through Facebook and with signs posted throughout the community and school.

O'Brien said former Lowrie students who played in the middle school orchestra will perform from noon to 1 p.m. as part of the celebration. They will be directed by Jennifer Brown, a district orchestra teacher who has been at Lowrie for 20 years.

A fun fair organized by the school's parent-teacher association is scheduled from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.