Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon just two months earlier.
A gallon of gas cost 35 cents.
The Beatles released “Abbey Road.”
“The Brady Bunch” debuted in America’s living rooms.
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And at 4505 Waycross Drive in small-town Columbus, Indiana, L. Frances Smith Elementary School was opening its doors to serve the East Gate neighborhood.
“Our school truly is a pillar of our community,” said Casey Voelz, Smith Elementary principal. “Our staff members bond together to meet the needs of our students in and out of school. We strive to create a future for our students, one that is much brighter than we could ever even imagine.”
Thousands of students have walked through the tunnels that form Smith Elementary, its unique design originating from the brain of architect John M. Johansen.
The school’s name honors L. Frances Smith, a 34-year educator recognized as a dedicated servant for children.
“When the building was opened, it was stated that its design served to further the high ideals and teachings emulated by (L. Frances) Smith and the many other great teachers who have served and who will serve who are so essential to our democratic way of life,” said Jim Roberts, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. superintendent.
The current philosophy of the school, Voelz said, is to “come how you are, and we’ll meet you there.” This motto incorporates the idea behind the physical school building, connected by tunnels of all the colors of the rainbow.
Smith Elementary is commonly described by students as the “hamster cage” or the “school with the tunnels.”
“It was a more modern architectural idea in 1969 but that’s kind of made our school more unique,” Voeltz said. “Looking back at one of the public comments from a 10-year-old student, he said, ‘Just because our building is up-to-date and a modern building doesn’t mean people must condemn it. We the kids love it.’ It makes us, us.”
All 600 students and staff gathered in the school’s gymnasium Friday for a birthday celebration for their school. Several former teachers and administrators also participated, including the presentation of a time capsule with items chosen by students in each grade and the dedication of a Redmond Linden tree in the middle of the outdoor track.
Pat Wettschurack taught a variety of grade levels at Smith Elementary from the mid-80s to 2005. Returning for the 50th anniversary celebration, Wettschurack said it meant a lot to her to be invited back and to meet staff members who replaced her generation of educators.
“Smith School is unique,” Wettschurack said. “It’s history — to remember what’s gone before you, to improve upon it and to just able to reflect.”
The school’s second-ever principal, Smith Snively, died in 2017, but his wife, Henrietta Snively, attended the celebration in her husband’s honor. Smith Snively served as principal of Smith Elementary from 1980 to 1994.
She can remember distinctly hearing her husband answer the phone during his tenure as principal, “Smith at Smith.”
“Being here today, the present and the past tie together,” Snively said.
The school received an expansion in 1997, designed by the original architect’s son, Christian Johansen.
Smith Elementary teacher Joe Nicholson said if one thing could be the same, it is that the kids are still kids.
To close out the 50th birthday celebration, all students and current and former staff circled around the new tree planted in the middle of the track to sing the Smith Elementary fight song.
“Go Smith Sonics! We all agree to our colors true we will ever be. Firm and strong is our loyalty. Mighty Sonics, gold and blue, we will always strive for you. Onward to victory! S-O-N-I-C-S. Sonics! Sonics! Sonics!”
Firm and strong they are.
“’A tree with strong roots laughs at storms,’” Voeltz recalled a quote she read. “We’re going to have challenges every day but if we have the strong roots of our staff and our community and our love for our students, nothing’s going to shake us. It’s so much more than a physical building. It’s what’s inside the building.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About L. Frances Smith Elementary School” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Location: 4505 Waycross Drive, Columbus
Established: 1969
Architect: John M. Johansen
Extension built: 1997
Architect: Christian Johansen
School population: 500 students in grades K-6
In honor of: L. Frances Smith, former educator
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Fight Song” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
"Go Smith Sonics! We all agree to our colors true we will ever be. Firm and strong is our loyalty. Mighty Sonics, gold and blue, we will always strive for you. Onward to victory! S-O-N-I-C-S. Sonics! Sonics! Sonics!"
[sc:pullout-text-end]
