“It’s pretty special,” said Salay, a reading specialist at the school, where she’s spent much of her 33-year career and she even attended kindergarten in 1972 when the school opened. “Golden Lake is a special place and what I mean by that is just the community rallying together when we need each other the most.”
It’s not uncommon for teachers to teach in one place long enough to eventually teach a second generation, but it’s less common to teach in the same place that you attended.
“It’s just the legacy piece,” said Salay. “The legacy of learning and love of and passion for learning.”
She admits she’s a passionate alumni of Centennial Schools, too, and that’s what has fueled her to help organize a 50th anniversary celebration for Golden Lake Elementary on May 21st. She’s getting out the word on social media and the school was even honored at this week’s Circle Pines City Council meeting.
“We’re getting ready for a big party,” said Principal Chris Gerst. “Anybody in education will say the last two years have been challenging in so many ways. We’re just looking forward to celebrating: celebrating our students, celebrating our families, celebrating our former staff that will get a chance to come back.”
The event will be at the school on May 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will include games, food trucks, entertainment, and more.
