A note about the 85th Anniversary of the Lopez Island School District
October 2, 2026
Dear Lopez Community,
Why an 85th Anniversary? Why not wait until a nice round number like 100? Early in my tenure as Superintendent, I visited the Senior Lunch at Woodmen Hall to introduce myself to some of our island elders. As I moved from table to table, I met a woman who told me that she was a part of the very first 5th grade class at "the big school." This amazing woman is the reason why we are having a celebration of the school this coming weekend. Her and all the wonderful alumni, the multi-generational families, the former teachers and staff, the parents and grandparents of students and the school supporters and the donors and the volunteers are all reasons to celebrate. But she and her peers are why we decided to have an 85th anniversary and not wait 15 more years to celebrate.
The consolidation of the four one-room schoolhouses on Lopez into the Lopez School District occurred 85 years ago. But students had to leave the island for high school until the first graduating class in 1951. And some time (I'm guessing in the late '60's or early '70's), the Lopez School District (LSD) changed to the Lopez Island School District (LISD) in order to have a more...appropriate acronym.
A small group of volunteers have planned the weekend's festivities. We have no budget, we are using no school funds, yet all events are free (except for optional the $6 school lunch). We have asked partners and volunteers to support specific events and in some cases, they are donating time and money to make them happen. And all events are all-ages! Please join us in one, two, or all of these events next weekend.
Friday, October 9
10:25 am - Lobo Pep Assembly in the school gym
Come cheer on Lobo Athletics, wave a pom pom and show your school spirit!
Because it is a regular school day, parking may be challenging but you can drop off at the entrance to the gym and park in the secondary lot by the track
11:20-11:45 am - School tours including the LIFE Garden Program
After the assembly, stick around and students from our ASB will offer guided tours of our school facility
11:45 am - Lunch at the school
Join students and staff in the MPR for a yummy $6 school lunch that includes elements grown in the school garden
Homecoming sports games with Lobo swag for sale from The Pack!
Purchase a warm hoody and a hat and head out to the bleachers to cheer on our Lobo Soccer teams!
Volunteer-run concessions offers hot cocoa, tea, popcorn, cup noodles, drinks, candy, etc
2:30 pm - Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Orcas
4 pm - Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Orcas
And root on our Lobo Varsity Volleyball Team in the MR Buffum Gym!
5 pm - Varsity Volleyball vs. Fellowship Christian
7-9 pm - Evening social mixer at The Islander
End your day mingling with classmates, friends and family in the event room at the 'Der
Cash bar, appetizers and you can order from the full menu
We will have a mic and speakers to share stories about school
Saturday, October 10
2-4 pm - Lawn Party at the school organized by the Lopez Island Education Foundation
Fun for the whole family!
Lawn games, pick-up soccer, photo booth, bake sale, cider pressing and more
7-10 pm - Dance through the Decades All-Ages Dance Party at Woodman Hall!
School Board Director and DJ Andrew Nichols will be spinning hits from back in the day to today
The theme: Come As You Were! if dressing up is your thing, bust out the hip outfit from back then and dress from your decade!
Or come as you are - we want you there and dancing no matter what. All are welcome as long as kids are with parents
Starts promptly at 7pm (possibly with the top hit from the first graduating class of 1951 - Nat King Cole's "Too Young".)
Cash bar with beer, wine and soft drinks hosted by Blue Heron Bistro
We value our elders and the school's place in the history of our beautiful island. We value our partner organizations and the many volunteers who make them run. We know the power of multi-generational gatherings and love to bring all in our community together. And we believe that the school should be the center of the community and a celebrated resource for all Lopezians. I hope you can join us for some or all of the weekend's events - and if you do, please find me and say hi!
Brady
Why an 85th Anniversary? Why not wait until a nice round number like 100? Early in my tenure as Superintendent, I visited the Senior Lunch at Woodmen Hall to introduce myself to some of our island elders. As I moved from table to table, I met a woman who told me that she was a part of the very first 5th grade class at "the big school." This amazing woman is the reason why we are having a celebration of the school this coming weekend. Her and all the wonderful alumni, the multi-generational families, the former teachers and staff, the parents and grandparents of students and the school supporters and the donors and the volunteers are all reasons to celebrate. But she and her peers are why we decided to have an 85th anniversary and not wait 15 more years to celebrate.
The consolidation of the four one-room schoolhouses on Lopez into the Lopez School District occurred 85 years ago. But students had to leave the island for high school until the first graduating class in 1951. And some time (I'm guessing in the late '60's or early '70's), the Lopez School District (LSD) changed to the Lopez Island School District (LISD) in order to have a more...appropriate acronym.
A small group of volunteers have planned the weekend's festivities. We have no budget, we are using no school funds, yet all events are free (except for optional the $6 school lunch). We have asked partners and volunteers to support specific events and in some cases, they are donating time and money to make them happen. And all events are all-ages! Please join us in one, two, or all of these events next weekend.
Friday, October 9
10:25 am - Lobo Pep Assembly in the school gym
Come cheer on Lobo Athletics, wave a pom pom and show your school spirit!
Because it is a regular school day, parking may be challenging but you can drop off at the entrance to the gym and park in the secondary lot by the track
11:20-11:45 am - School tours including the LIFE Garden Program
After the assembly, stick around and students from our ASB will offer guided tours of our school facility
11:45 am - Lunch at the school
Join students and staff in the MPR for a yummy $6 school lunch that includes elements grown in the school garden
Homecoming sports games with Lobo swag for sale from The Pack!
Purchase a warm hoody and a hat and head out to the bleachers to cheer on our Lobo Soccer teams!
Volunteer-run concessions offers hot cocoa, tea, popcorn, cup noodles, drinks, candy, etc
2:30 pm - Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Orcas
4 pm - Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Orcas
And root on our Lobo Varsity Volleyball Team in the MR Buffum Gym!
5 pm - Varsity Volleyball vs. Fellowship Christian
7-9 pm - Evening social mixer at The Islander
End your day mingling with classmates, friends and family in the event room at the 'Der
Cash bar, appetizers and you can order from the full menu
We will have a mic and speakers to share stories about school
Saturday, October 10
2-4 pm - Lawn Party at the school organized by the Lopez Island Education Foundation
Fun for the whole family!
Lawn games, pick-up soccer, photo booth, bake sale, cider pressing and more
7-10 pm - Dance through the Decades All-Ages Dance Party at Woodman Hall!
School Board Director and DJ Andrew Nichols will be spinning hits from back in the day to today
The theme: Come As You Were! if dressing up is your thing, bust out the hip outfit from back then and dress from your decade!
Or come as you are - we want you there and dancing no matter what. All are welcome as long as kids are with parents
Starts promptly at 7pm (possibly with the top hit from the first graduating class of 1951 - Nat King Cole's "Too Young".)
Cash bar with beer, wine and soft drinks hosted by Blue Heron Bistro
We value our elders and the school's place in the history of our beautiful island. We value our partner organizations and the many volunteers who make them run. We know the power of multi-generational gatherings and love to bring all in our community together. And we believe that the school should be the center of the community and a celebrated resource for all Lopezians. I hope you can join us for some or all of the weekend's events - and if you do, please find me and say hi!
Brady