SUNSET — Kids at Doxey Elementary School, which turns 50 this year, have some jolly new pen pals from a school in England. Coincidentally, that school is also named Doxey and it is also turning 50 this year.
"They actually found us," said Traci Garcia, kindergarten teacher at Doxey Elementary in Sunset, Davis School District.
Educators with Doxey Primary School in Stafford, England, contacted Doxey Elementary via e-mail in October.
The 188 students at Doxey Primary sent birthday cards to Doxey Elementary and asked the 400 students at the American school to do the same. The British children plan to post the American cards in their school hallways.
Both schools are having myriad celebrations this school year but the dust is really flying at Doxey Elementary. The school is receiving a 50th birthday present from Davis District in the form of much-needed renovations. "Since we are 50 years old we needed a facelift," said Doxey Elementary Principal Bernardo Villar.
Construction work includes remodeling the front fixtures of the building, adding several rooms and remodeling the front office, counseling and faculty areas. The parking lot and drop-off area work is complete.
Doxey Elementary's official birthdate was Nov. 5 and students had a huge '50s party that day with music at lunchtime and a hula hoop contest. Garcia said she donned her black and white checked skirt, adorned with a pink poodle embroidery, and her saddle shoes for the occasion.
Teachers that day did fun math and reading activities revolving around the number 50. Lower grades practiced counting to 50 while upper grades did math concepts involving 50. Students found the 50th word in books.
Doxey Elementary is planning an open house Jan. 21 for alumni. There will be tours of the school and 50 years of class photos on display, among other activities.
In the spring, Doxey Elementary will have a carnival to culminate the birthday year.
Doxey Primary's official birthday is Jan. 7. The school, with its kindergarten through sixth grades, is focusing on the school through the decades 1950 to 1990. For one activity, an artist is helping the children design plates, then will add lettering "Doxey Primary School 50th Birthday" for the students to have as a keepsake.
Go to www.doxey.staffs.sch.uk/ for England's Doxey.
Go to www.davis.k12.ut.us/schools/doxey/ for Utah's Doxey.
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