A familiar name to Korean Americans in the Los Angeles area, Third Street Elementary School is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Third Street Elementary is a school that has produced many Korean-American graduates, with 35% of its student body still Korean-American.
More than 300 people, including current students, parents, and staff, as well as alumni, and former staff, all gathered at the school’s centennial celebration on November 3.
“Parents and alumni organized the event,” said Principal Helen Lee, “and we’re happy to have a celebration that brings all members of the school together.”
The event kicked off with a performance of traditional Korean drums, janggu, and fan dances by students.
According to Lee, 35% of the 730 students at Third Street Elementary School are Korean American. It was also the first school in Los Angeles to launch a Korean bilingual program.
“Through the program, we teach not only Korean, but also Korean culture, and history,” Lee said.
In addition to the bilingual program, the school teaches Korean culture to all students. “Every student in the second grade learned to play the sogo, a traditional Korean musical instrument,” Lee said.
“Recently, the school choir has been practicing several Korean songs,” she said, noting that ”Students were able to learn Korean through singing.”
Several fundraising booths at the event to raise money for the school. Among them was the booth of the Korean Parents Association. The organization sold Korean-labeled apparel with the “100th Anniversary of Third Street Elementary School” on them.
“Third Street Elementary School has a lot of Korean-American students and a Korean bilingual program,” said Young Park of the parents association, “and we are proud to be Korean parents here.”
Fairfax High School Principal Leonard Choi was also in attendance as a parent. Fairfax High is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year as well. “Fairfax High and Third Street Elementary were able to celebrate 100 years because we have had good students who recognize the value of education and school,” Choi said.
Former principals also visited the school to celebrate the centennial. Suzie Oh, who served as principal of Third Street Elementary from 1993 to 2016, said, “The tradition has been maintained because parents have been very supportive of the school.” Oh was the first to start the Korean bilingual program at the school in 2000. “The program was piloted in 1998 and officially launched in 2000,” she said, ”and I’m proud that it’s still going strong today.”
Oh was reunited with Constance Hutchinson, a special education teacher at Third Street Elementary School. Hutchinson, a graduate of the school, is a former student of Oh. “I always wanted to be a teacher, and the principal (Suzie Oh) suggested that I should work at Third Street Elementary School, so I started my career as a teacher,” Hutchinson said.
Daniel Kim, Oh’s successor and Lee’s predecessor as principal of the school, also attended the event. He served as principal of Third Street Elementary School from 2016 to 2021. “The fact that we are celebrating our 100th anniversary is amazing and a huge blessing,” Kim said. “The family culture at the school is really special, and it’s also a blessing that the Korean-American community at the school supports each other,” he added.
Young students also enjoyed the day as they celebrated the school’s centennial.
“Third Street Elementary has a lot of good programs,” said Dash Louis, a first grader at the school, ”and it’s a school that I want to continue to go to.”
Beyond 100 years, Third Street Elementary School is now preparing for a new future. “We want our students to grow into leaders who can accept and respect diversity and work together,” said Lee.
The Larchmont Chronicle also credited Korean-American principals Suzie Oh, Daniel Kim, and Helen Lee with leading the school’s transformation. In addition to introducing a bilingual Korean and English program, they started an expanded library and a gifted talent program, according to the article. Famous alumni of the school include singer Natalie Cole, songwriter Kris Bowers, and actress Kim Karath.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM, HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
