On Thursday, Nov. 7, Marie Curie Elementary honored its namesake, Dr. Marie Curie, on what would have been her 157th birthday. Dr. Curie, a pioneering scientist and educator, continues to inspire students and staff alike with her legacy of dedication to science and education.
Marie Curie Elementary, originally built in 1975 as Marie Curie Eastside Elementary School, first adopted the Polish Falcon as its mascot in tribute to Dr. Curie’s heritage. In 2007, the school transformed into the district’s second magnet school and became known as the Marie Curie Institute of Engineering & Communications.
Our school proudly celebrates Dr. Curie’s birthday each year, reminding students of her achievements and the values she embodied.
Highlights of Our Celebrations:
Marie Curie Trivia Challenge: Throughout the day, students participated in Marie Curie trivia, eagerly testing their knowledge of Dr. Curie’s life and accomplishments. The winning classes included:
Kindergarten: Mrs. Caulkins’ and Mrs. Fenton’s classes
Second Grade: Mrs. Caruso’s, Ms. Coacci’s, and Ms. Giaimo’s classes
Third Grade: Mrs. Flood’s and Mrs. Gauthier’s classes
Fourth Grade: Mrs. Centi’s and Mrs. Hungershafer’s classes
Fifth Grade: Mrs. Farrington’s class
“Where’s Marie Curie?” Scavenger Hunt: Students explored the school building in search of seven Marie Curie portraits. Teachers guided their classes on a scavenger hunt, marking a building map with the locations of each photo they found. The winning classes were:
Kindergarten: Mrs. Caulkins’ class
First Grade: Mrs. Miller’s, Ms. Owen’s, and Mrs. Kruger’s classes
Second Grade: Ms. Giaimo’s class
Third Grade: Mrs. Gauthier’s class
Dress-Up Day: Students had the opportunity to dress up as scientists or teachers, celebrating Dr. Curie’s dual roles as both a groundbreaking scientist and an inspiring educator.
The birthday festivities were a wonderful tribute to Dr. Marie Curie’s enduring legacy. We look forward to continuing this tradition each year, inspiring our students with her contributions to science and her dedication to learning.