I introduced this page with a photo of the west side of Windsor School, featuring a mural wall in the foreground. I decided to share with you some closeups of this same wall because it tells such a powerful story. Every student at Windsor School took part in this project, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Windsor School.  In this segment I reversed the last two panels, because I think Live, Laugh and Learn all lead to LOVE!

Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. (NIV) (Deuteronomy 4: 1,2)----------Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and their children after them (Deuteronomy 4: 9)

I do a lot of milestones and anniversary occasions, so you can imagine my reaction when I discovered  Windsor School was celebrating its 100th anniversary on the 100th day of school, February 01, 2019. This is where our kids went to elementary school. I'm going to be there at 4:30 PM when the doors are unlocked for open house.

Windsor School is located at 5912 University Ave, Des Moines, Iowa.  It first opened as a two room brick building in 1918 with a total enrollment of 22 students. The current building was built in 1949-1954. It now has an enrollment of 338 students. Right: Our kids walked across this ramp to cross University Ave. I understand this ramp will soon be torn down because it is in need of repair and does not meet standards required today.

This was a whole school event! Each classroom, the gym, offices, hallways, etc. were set up to recognize this special 100th anniversary event. But I believe the library was the "hub of history." Here you could find all sorts of memorabilia, including pictures, news articles and much more going back for many years.

My View for the Month: I have been looking forward to attending this Century Millestone for Windsor School because this is where our kids began their educational journey. But as I started putting this together, I decided it was an opportunity to pay tribute to every elementary teacher everywhere. For us, this goes back a long way: Jeannine's mother taught country school before she was married, Jeannine taught in Des Moines and Van, Meter, Iowa, our daughter, Darcy, teaches 1st grade in Newton and now our granddaughter, Tara, follows in their footsteps--she is teaching kindergarten in Phoenix, Arizona. I am so thankful for them and all of the other elementary teachers throughout Iowa--and the whole world--that have had a positive impact on children's lives during those formative years. But the teachers can't do it all! I am also thankful for parents, like ours, whose lives were lived out as an example of righteous living to point us in the direction we strive for throughout our lifetime. In conclusion, as I focus on the future, I am very thankful for the young people of the world (like Windsor School students) that remind us to LIVE-LAUGH-LEARN-LOVE.