EASTHAMPTON — Gertrude Casagrande has witnessed children blossom through elementary school for more than 70 years from her home’s front steps, settled comfortably between the Center Elementary School and the Neil Pepin Elementary School across the street.
On Monday morning, dozens of those students paid a special visit outside her home to celebrate Casagrande’s 96th birthday with song, flowers and the dedication of the students’ garden.
“I want to say thank you for coming, thank you very much,” Casagrande said to the crowd of fourth grade children and their teachers. “You have all been my children for 72 years.”
The celebration began with a reading of the Casagrande family’s history presented by several fourth graders based on interviews they had done in advance. They shared vignettes of Casagrande’s immigration to the United States from Germany after World War II, the construction of her house back in 1890, and what public school was like back in the day.
Casagrande was presented with flowers, balloons and a slew of handmade birthday cards from students. The school garden, right across from her front porch, also was named the Casagrande Memorial Garden in her honor.
Lastly, the fourth graders sang “Happy Birthday” to Casagrande, who was joined on her porch by her son, niece, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.
“I love being next to the school,” Casagrande said, noting that she’s “always felt like a grandma with the kids here.” Known for letting children play in her yard after school, she was was invited into Center School on her 90th birthday to present her family history to students.
Jacqui LaFrance, an English language learner teacher at the schools, mentioned that one of those kids who played in Casagrande’s yard, Clint Burt, went on to become Center School’s principal years later.
The birthday celebration comes as students from Center School, Pepin School and Maple Elementary School will consolidate in a new building designated for children from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade next school year.
“These buildings are beautiful but they’re very old,” LaFrance said of the facilities that surround Casagrande’s home.
She said, “We wanted to say goodbye to some very special neighbors” with a celebration since the students will be relocated by this time next year.
Casagrande said she “feels really enriched living here” because of her connections to students. Years after their graduation, she recalled, “some (students) would come during vacation with their girlfriends and boyfriends” to visit.
Casagrande said she’s had “a lot of nice times” with the school, including Monday’s celebration, which she joked marks her turning “96 years young.”