Over 100 people celebrated Schwegler Elementary's 50th anniversary Saturday. After a ceremony in the school gymnasium, many people - including students, parents, alumni and staff - went outside to a carnival that featured a ride, balloon 'moonwalks,' bubbles and a cake walk.

Schwegler School has been built on a foundation of caring people, and for 50 years, the walls have been filled with memories, lessons and celebration.

One of the biggest causes for celebration came Saturday, when about 150 people – including students, alumni, staff and faculty – celebrated Schwegler’s golden anniversary.

“We’re not here to celebrate a building; we’re here to celebrate all of you,” said Randy Weseman, Lawrence school district superintendent. “You are Schwegler history. You are Schwegler School.”

That was the message from several school leaders Saturday during the afternoon celebration that culminated a year of events to mark the milestone.

Carol Laskowski, a fourth-grade teacher at the school and former student from the late 1960s, shared some of her school memories such as rolling out a purple mat for naptime and how she climbed a rope in the gymnasium, which also served as the school’s cafeteria at the time.

“Connections with people at Schwegler are amazing,” she said. “As a teacher, I work with a phenomenal staff.”

After a “Happy Birthday Song” and cake, people flooded out to the carnival where rides, bubbles and inflatable moonwalks awaited.

“It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work,” said Lars Leon, Schwegler’s president of the parent-teacher association. “It’s shaped up to be a fun day.”

Even more work went into an environmental theme that took shape during the fall of the school year. Leon said staff has tried to instill environmental awareness in the children. PTA fundraisers have involved selling environmentally friendly products, such as fluorescent light bulbs, compost bags and organic shopping bags.

“We’re just trying to tie in a lot of different environmental themes so we can make sure Schwegler’s around for another 50 years,” he said.