By Kari Hippert

Overton PTA President

This year, Overton Elementary celebrates its 50th year of educating in Salisbury! Tucked in among a residential neighborhood, the Salisbury Greenway, the Catawba Ecological Preserve and Knox Middle School, the 1965 school building is undergoing beautification projects to enhance its mid-century modern roots. Through donations and volunteers, Overton PTA fundraisers and matching funds, Overton has removed trees and brush for outdoor learning spaces, brightened the hallways with new lighting and shiny red paint, renovated the central courtyard and purchased modern child and technology-friendly furnishings. That is just the beginning, and the new principal, GeRita Walden, has many exciting plans. Contact us to help: 704-639-3000

How much do you know about the Overton Explorers? Over the next months, we are sharing 50 Things About Overton Elementary to celebrate the school’s past, present and future. Are you ready to learn this school year, too?

#50: Overton has only 340 children enrolled, so it is easy to know your school family.

#49: Our Media Center is completely redecorated with new carpet, technology, furniture and tipis … yes, tipis!

#48: As part of a school-wide leadership focus, the students are referred to as “scholars.”

#47: You can follow the happenings of Overton on Twitter using @OES_Explorers

#46: PTA chalked up the entrance sidewalks with encouraging messages to welcome students and staff back to school.

#45: This Spring, an Overton Girl Scout transformed our central courtyard into a sensory garden to earn her Gold Pin.

#44: First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury is Overton’s Food For Thought partner church. They donated 80 backpacks filled with school supplies, and Communities in Schools donated 50! Thank you!

#43: Five Scholars have lived at Overton for years … the turtles in our courtyard!

#42: At Overton’s Duke Energy/Catawba College Science Night in March, Overton families created DNA bead bracelets, made marble roller coasters and engineered weight-bearing structures with only toothpicks and marshmallows.

#41: In 1965, Overton was chosen as one of 10 NC Demonstration School Libraries due to their exemplary programs and materials.