Trumbull School To Unearth Time Capsule Buried 25 Years Ago

TRUMBULL, CT — Students and staff of a Trumbull elementary school will dig up a piece of history this weekend as they unearth a 25-year-old time capsule buried at the school.

According to Principal Jennifer Neumeyer, the time capsule was buried in the Butterfly Garden at Tashua Elementary School, located on Stonehouse Road, in May 2000.

A sign posted nearby indicates the capsule should be opened in 2025, which is set to take place Saturday at 11 a.m. during the school's spring fair.

"We're very excited about it and to see what's inside there," Neumeyer said to Patch.

The event is open to the public, and a number of teachers and staff who worked at the school 25 years ago will be present for the opening.

According to Neumeyer, those expected to attend Saturday's event include:

• Jackie Norcel, the school's former building principal.
• Kelly Orazietti, a second grade teacher in 2000 who now teaches kindergarten.
• Terry Buckingham, a third grade teacher in 2000 who is now retired.
• Karen Smith, a fourth grade teacher in 2000 who now teaches third grade.
• Sangeeta Gidwani, a second grade teacher in 2000 who now serves as the school's math specialist.

Neumeyer is very familiar with the school's history, having been with the district since 1995 and joined Tashua's staff in 2003 before being named principal since 2013.

"I feel like the time has gone by so quickly," Neumeyer said.

Looking back on the past 25 years, Neumeyer said Tashua has seen some changes but still remains devoted to many of the same ideals.

"We just continue to have high standards for students, as we did in the year 2000, and supporting them," Neumeyer said, "so we're very fortunate to have such a close-knit community with a lot of parent support and involvement. I'm sure that's how it was in the year 2000 as I can remember."

She also noted the school still offers many opportunities for kids while trying to support them socially, emotionally and academically.

According to Neumeyer, this is the first time the school has ever unearthed a time capsule, and another one will likely be buried in the future.

While she is unsure what will be found inside, Neumeyer said there is a lot of emotional value to digging up this particular piece of school history.

"I've had prior students reaching out, wanting to be here," Neumeyer said. "We will be video recording it to our website so people who can't attend will be able to view it, so it's a lot of connections and curiosity. People still want to be involved and remember burying that time capsule."