By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Students, current and former teachers, district and school administrators, and the mayor of Marlborough joined together Oct. 28, to celebrate the 50th birthday of Raymond C. Richer Elementary School.
Under cloudy skies, the cheerful group gathered as two time capsules were buried in the school’s courtyard, and a pear tree was planted. Assistant Principal R. J. Skaza directed a group of Richer second-, third-, and fourth-grade students who helped fill the holes with dirt, using shovels that were almost as big as them.
The time capsules included lesson plans and lesson kits, t-shirts, and compositions by Richer students. The contents of a capsule from 25 years ago were on display inside the school.
Principal Alyssa Tully led off the commemoration ceremony with a warm welcome to what she called, “… the Richer School birthday bash.” She noted that the school was built in 1965, and opened as the West Elementary School.
The school is now named for Raymond Camille Richer, a native of Marlborough who was superintendent of the school system from 1953 to 1973. During this time, several schools
were built, and others were renovated and expanded.
Before the speeches, Marlborough Superintendent Richard Langlois, commented, “I think it’s great to have so many people here to reminisce and reaffirm the Richer School.”
Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant said, “It’s a great day to celebrate the school’s 50th birthday, just in time to work with the state to get going on its facelift.”
He noted that overcrowding is an issue at the elementary school level in the district.
The mayor read a proclamation from State Representative Danielle Gregoire, who was unable to attend.
Many former teachers were on hand. Donna Jackman Merlini, who lives in Southborough, and Joan Bertrand Cusson, who lives in Marlborough, were both first-grade teachers when Richer opened 50 years ago. Merlini taught at the school for 37 years, and Cusson was there for 27 years before moving on to Marlborough’s Kane School.
“My picture was in the newspaper on the first day the school opened,” Merlini remembered.
Cusson added, “I’m very happy to see former colleagues… I’m going to see my old room.”
Both Merlini and Cusson are excited that some of their former students are now teachers at Richer. This includes Merlini’s niece, Stefanie Jackman Wadman, who is a first-grade teacher.
The birthday celebration continued that night with a pizza party at the school for students and parents.
