Massapequa High School, along with the district's Birch Lane and R.J. Lockhart Elementary Schools, are celebrating half a century of educational excellence and success as they turn 50 years old in 2006.

The "Golden Jubilee" took on a life of its own in each building. The R.J. Lockhart school community is in the process of planning a huge celebration to take place in June, and is currently collecting memorabilia to use during the anticipated festivities.

High school students and staff set aside a week where each day, they "dressed in a decade" from the 1990s down to the 1950s, and enjoyed music from each time period piped into the hallways during the change of classes. "It was great to see students and staff having a good time with the music," commented high school Assistant Principal Robert Piotrowski.

Birch Lane Elementary school was hopping during their birthday celebration as well, with a week of planned activities that were educational and fun.

Students researched what life was like at Birch Lane 50 years ago, and helped create bulletin boards around the building that reflected the era. In addition, each class filled a time capsule with various Birch Lane memorabilia, which will be buried on the grounds this spring.

Birch Lane's week of tribute to 50 years culminated in a day-long celebration, complete with students and staff dressed in poodle skirts and black leather jackets, a giant cake created as a replica of the school building, and fifties music in the cafeteria, where all food and snacks cost 50 cents for the day.

As part of their physical education classes, students interviewed their parents and grandparents to learn about what types of recreational activities were common during that time period.

Students shared their results with Birch Lane physical education teachers, who set up the gymnasium like a 1950s class, complete with hula hoops and hopscotch, and marble shooting and ring toss to name a few.

"With the support of our parents and community," stated Birch Lane Principal Joyce Becker-Seddio, "we were able to celebrate this occasion in an educational and fun way for our students."