Two Burbank schools turn 60

Gary Moskowitz

NORTHWEST DISTRICT -- Erica Santoyo felt honored to be part of Bret

Harte School’s 60th birthday celebration Tuesday, since her

contest-winning drawing of a hand dropping seeds into the earth was

commemorated with the planting of a sycamore tree.

Teachers, students, faculty and alumni gathered at the elementary

school’s playground for tours of updated facilities, refreshments and

entertainment by the fourth-grade chorus.

“I just thought of it,” said 10-year-old Erica, a fifth-grade student,

when asked about creating the winning picture in the school’s Earth Week

essay and art contest. Her picture was chosen to commemorate the school’s

60-year history.

Thomas A. Edison School is also celebrating 60 years of education in

Burbank this Friday.

Susan House, first vice president of Edison School’s PTA, said

students have put together a time capsule for future Edison students to

open. The school will celebrate to the sounds of the John Burroughs High

School Jazz Band.

“The students decided to put in things that speak for the times, like

CDs, toys and books,” House said.

House said a group of first-grade students recorded a video for future

generations to watch.

Kathy Murphy, assistant principal at Bret Harte, said her students

also celebrated the completion of some of the school’s modernization

projects, like the installation of air conditioning, storage units, new

lights and a new playground.

The modernization projects are part of a $3.4-million, two-year goal

to improve the school’s facilities, Murphy said.