CAMARILLO : School District Observes 125th Anniversary

When the first six children entered the granary-turned-schoolhouse on Somis Road in 1868, early organizers of the Pleasant Valley School District were simply looking to educate their children closer to home, avoiding the long trek by wagon to Ventura where the area’s only school was located.

Now, 125 years later, the district has grown to an institution with nearly 7,000 students and 13 schools and is one of the oldest elementary school districts in the state.

In recognition of that history, district officials will launch an anniversary celebration at 3 p.m. today at Constitution Park in Camarillo.

The anniversary program, which is open to the public, will feature student music, dance and drama presentations as well as speeches and proclamations by district and local officials.

“The community and the school district have roots that run deep,” said Pleasant Valley spokesman Sherry Jean Cole. “I think the district has been a unifying element for the city over the years. We have been fortunate (to have received) all the community support that we have enjoyed.”

Also to be featured during the outdoor birthday party will be presentations highlighting student and alumni achievements and a salute to Tierra Linda School--the district’s newest facility which is scheduled to open this fall.

Local service clubs will provide food and refreshments.

In commemoration of the anniversary, a booklet detailing the history of the district is available to the public for $4. The booklet contains a timeline of significant events in the district’s history along with information on each of its 13 schools.

Displays of district historical photographs and memorabilia are open for viewing at the district office at 600 Temple Ave., City Hall at 601 Carmen Drive, the Camarillo Public Library at 3100 Ponderosa Drive and the Pleasant Valley Historical Society Museum at 720 N. Las Posas Road.