Franciscan Montessori Earth School Marks 25 Years

October 4, 2001. Portland, Oregon.

Staff, students, parents, alumni, advisory board members and friends joined together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Founders' Day at the Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland. The celebration marked the growth of the school since its beginning in 1977 with one classroom of 17 students to its present size of 303 students. The school was founded by Sister Mary Michael Costello and Sister Francine Cardew of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

Students and staff planted a time capsule containing the signatures of all staff and students, headlines from September 11th and October 4th news, medals of St. Francis and St. Clare and pennies dated 1977 and 2001, along with brochures and school information.

Parents and alumni were invited to an afternoon tea at which Founders' Awards were presented. A Mass for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi was held at 5:00 p.m. in thanksgiving for 25 years of building community and educating students. The day concluded with a reception for the staff and Advisory Board during which videos, exhibits and photos were available for viewing.