KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
The North Kansas City School District is making big plans to celebrate a landmark milestone by remembering the days when teachers taught all students in a single room and slate and chalk were used instead of paper, pencils and Macintosh laptops.
The district is turning 100 years old. Two schools, Harlem and Glenwood, joined together in 1913 to form what would become the district. Some of the first pictures were taken of the student body in 1919, and the district grew fast.
The district now has 30 schools and 19,000 districts, making it one of the oldest districts in the area.
Only the Liberty School District in the area is older, and North Kansas City School District officials say theirs is one of the oldest in Missouri.
Kindergartners at Ravenwood Elementary School have been practicing to provide the entertainment.
"One hundred years is something that we will never see in our lifetime regarding this school district," said Ravenwood principal Carrie Bachmeier. "I know a lot of our students have parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that have been in this district when they went to school."
The celebration later this month will include birthday cake. The district has been taste testing different yellow and white cakes and various icings.
"What we came up with was a yellow cake with chocolate fudge icing," said Jenna Knuth, an assistant director and dietician.
Altogether, 30 bakers are using 300 boxes of cake mix and 120 tubs of icing to make the celebratory cake.
The birthday party kicks off Friday. Spring Break is next week. The district is holding a community celebration on May 4 including a 5K race and family picnic. Activities for kids will be featured.
No word on whether one of the district's most famous alumni will attend: Florida Gov. Rick Scott.
For more information including to register, click here.
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