Osborn alumni reunion

MARCH 21, 2009

The Osborn Staff and Student Alumni Reunion held Saturday, March 21 was a wonderful event.  Approximately 300 people attended including past superintendents, principals and teachers giving everyone the chance to renew old friendships, talk over old times and learn about current district happenings.   Osborn School District is proud of its 130 year history and looks forward to many more successful years ahead. 

The entertainment for the evening was provided by current district students.  The Encanto School Choir under the direction of Music Teacher, Richard Sanders and the Clarendon School Advanced Band under the direction of Theresa Hulihan both performed.   The Encanto/Clarendon ballet students under the direction of Camden Lloyd presented a recital, while the #1 Osborn Middle School cheerleaders under the direction of Sarah Saiz displayed their athletic ability, skill and district spirit.  What an awesome representation of our current students to our alumni! 

A silent auction of items donated by many talented people and restaurants in the area, was a huge success.  Souvenir books highlighting Osborn’s colorful history were sold.  All money raised was donated to the Osborn Education Foundation to be used for enhancing student programs.   

Since 1879, Osborn Schools have educated the children of central Phoenix. The first class had only a handful of students, while today 3,400 children attend the district’s six schools. The school district is bounded generally by Thomas and Bethany Home Road, and 16th Street and 19th Avenue. It is known for its dual language program, multicultural student population, arts programs, and focus on academic achievement.

All adult former students of Osborn, Encanto, Clarendon, Grandview, Longview, Solano, Montecito and Osborn Middle School were invited along with former teachers, administrators, and staff members. The event was sponsored by Osborn Educational Foundation, the district’s fund- and friend-raising 501(c)(3) organization. Among attendees were Robert Bayless, 94, who graduated from Osborn School’s eighth grade in 1928 and Bill Greaves, who started at Longview School in 1934 and went on to become Osborn Schools superintendent in 1978, retiring in 1984 both came.

 Florence Eckstein, publisher of the Phoenix Jewish News, and her attorney husband, Paul Eckstein.  Dana attended Osborn School, Flo Eckstein attended Grandview School, and Paul Eckstein was in the first graduating class at Clarendon School in 1954.