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Selena Garcia sings the national anthem during the 50th Birthday celebration at Bedell School
***Jacklyn Tobias and Jacob Godinas had the honor of blowing out the candles on the birthday cake celebrating Bedell School’s 50th anniversary |
Bedell School marks 50th anniversary
February 28, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula Times
Thelma Bedell School has celebrated its 50th birthday with a morning ceremony.
The rededication took place Tuesday with students, teachers, parents, administrators and a few alumni present. After the presenting of the colors, the flag salute and the National Anthem, everyone joined in singing Happy Birthday. A former kindergarten teacher was on hand for the celebration. Marianne Totheroh taught at Bedell in the early years and remembered fondly her time there. Santa Paula Unified School District board member Chris Wilson was also on hand. He remembered Totherow as his kindergarten teacher.
Bedell Principal Jeff Robinson noted, “We are here today to not only celebrate the 50th Birthday of Bedell, but to also honor the exceptional woman that is our namesake, Mrs. Thelma B. Bedell.”
As Santa Paula began to outgrow its five existing elementary schools in the early 60’s a decision was made to construct a new school to serve the Oaks area. Bedell School opened in the fall of 1963 with a formal dedication on February 23, 1964. Since then about 15,000 students have sat in its desks.
Thelma Bedell dedicated 40 years of her life to education. She taught at two elementary schools, became a principal and later was Curriculum Director for the school district.
Robinson offered several challenges to those in attendance, “To my fellow teachers I would like you to join me in creating lessons and projects that will help celebrate the five decades since the founding of Bedell School; To the students I ask that you make your best effort in reading, writing and creating to help you understand the history of your school; To the parents I ask that you help support your children and their teachers in this challenging endeavor.”
Robinson added, “Finally to all who are dedicated to celebrating all of the wonderful opportunities that Thelma Bedell School has provided throughout the years, I ask that you return with all of the former Bedell students, staff and parents at the end of May to celebrate together and see what we have learned and to share our memories of the past.”