Time capsule to be unearthed

Unfurl the flags, cue the band and cut the cake. On Sat., April 1, Oak Park High School will celebrate an event 25 years in the making.

In the same year which included assassination attempts against both President Ronald Reagan and PoJohn Paul II, the firlaunch of a spacshuttle and the marriage of PrincCharles and Diana Spencer, a small community in East Ventura County constructed a high school that would eventually become one of the best educational institutions in Southern California.

To commemorate the quartercentury anniversary of the opening of Oak Park High, school officials will unearth a copper box time capsule containing relics and antiquities from a seemingly ancient and long forgotten era: 1981.

"Over the past 25 years, we have seen what was once a humble, yet brave beginning of 177 students and 22 teachers grow into the exemplary academic community it is today, bustling with 1,300 students and 57 teachers," said Oak Park Principal Lynn McCormack.

A contingent of parents, administrators and former students have been meeting since January to plan the time capsule event.

"Our primary goal has been to spread the word and ensure that we have a good representation of people who recall the dedication of the Oak Park High School campus," said Cliff Moore, assistant superintendent and member of the Oak Park Time Capsule Committee.

In addition to the opening of the time capsule, the event will also include appearances from local dignitaries, members of the district's first board of education and Dan Thompson, the original district superintendent. The high school band and choir are scheduled to perform and restaurants will be operating food booths.

"About 100 people have RSVPed through the website, but we're definitely expecting a larger 'word-of-mouth' crowd," said Shari Wallach-Hays, a 1985 alumna of Oak Park High School and Time Capsule Committee member.

The 73 items

within the time

capsule will offer

attendees a snap

shot of the

district's then twoand-a-half year his

tory.

"The items in

the time capsule

range from a 1979 yearbook to a copy of Assembly Bill 3945, the bill that created the Oak Park Unified School District," said Moore. "It also contains political memorabilia like 'Yes' buttons for

he formation of the district and a sample ballot for the general obligation bond passed by the community in 1977 to build the schools

n the district."

The time capsule is also rumored to contain shirts, pictures, newspaper articles, a Dodger's baseball schedule for the 1980 season and the first staff picture for Oak Park High School and Medea Creek Middle School. Officials refused to comment on the price

hese items could solicit on eBay.

"We're just hoping the box remained watertight and that noth

ng in it was ruined," said WallachHays.

The box also contains predic

ions from students on what life will be like in the year 2006. Did Oak Park's original students accurately predict the school's tremendous growth and the huge surge in

ocal housing prices? Only time will tell.

"I have seen this district grow from 350 kids to over 1,000," said Mark Jacobs, a school district

eacher and coach. "I've witnessed

he building of schools and the rise of test scores. A lot has changed in

he past 25 years, including myself."

Prior to the formation of the Oak Park Unified School District, students were bused to Royal High School in Simi Valley. The community worked together and formed the Oak Park district.

"The students, parents, board members and faculty were like one big family and everyone pulled together," said Jim Johnson, an Oak Park teacher. "Everyone used to drive around with those license plate covers that said 'Miracles Happen in Oak Park'."

The time capsule will be dug up at 11 a.m.on Sat., April 1 at the Oak Park High School gymnasium.