Superintendent recounts opening 1976 time capsule, urges caution on summer drop‑off procedures

Superintendent Matthew Gavin used his report at the board’s public work session to celebrate end‑of‑year milestones and to share a discovery from the middle school: a time capsule sealed in 1976 that was found encased in concrete and recently opened.

Gavin said the capsule had originally been scheduled to be opened in 2001 but was never retrieved, noting, “So, originally that time capsule was supposed to be opened in 2001, but nobody knew about it and nobody opened it. So, we added a good solid 50 years for that time capsule.” The superintendent described items found inside — cassette tapes, slides, letters and poems — and said staff will incorporate the artifacts and students’ reflections into next year’s middle school activities.

Gavin congratulated graduating students across the district and reminded families that summer programs would bring thousands of students back to district facilities early: pre‑K and UPK jumpstart programs at Calvert, ACE at the middle school, and the Wilson summer recreation program. He urged parents to be mindful of new drop‑off procedures and to avoid parking in neighbors’ driveways or blocking streets around residential school locations while letting children out.

Gavin closed by wishing the community a safe and enjoyable summer and thanked staff for supporting students during summer programming.