20-Year-Old Time Capsule Found At Elementary School

MORICHES, NY — It was a blast from the past when a 20-year-old time capsule was found at Moriches Elementary School recently.

Principal Deirdre Redding found the time capsule in the back of a supply closet, she said. The time capsule project that the five Moriches Elementary kindergarten classes of 2000 to 2001 created to memorialize their interests, including their favorite toys, games, singers or songs, television shows, and where they liked to celebrate their birthdays "brought back fond memories for the teachers involved. While a few things have stayed the same, much has changed," the district said.

Finding the time capsule was a surprise, Redding said.

“We have been in that closet so many times over the past decade and have never seen this box. It was kismet that it was found this year, exactly 20 years after completion of the project,” said Redding. “I enjoyed reading the children’s ideas and it brought back fond memories from the past. We like to think that Moriches holds a special place in the heart of those who have graced these halls. Seeing the students leave such a special memento behind reminds us that there is always a connection to the past. The voices and hearts of these students have always been here, and always will be.”

Heather Foster, currently a second-grade teacher who was Ms. Lynagh at the time, was excited to open the box.

“That was my first-year teaching at Moriches. It will always hold a special place in my heart. Looking back on all the special things the children wrote made me smile,” she said.

Mrs. Phyllis Jonaitis, who was also in her first year teaching at Moriches Elementary at the time, said she was thrilled when Redding showed her the time capsule and enjoyed reading the students’ responses. “The memories of that year came flooding back to me,” she said. “I was in awe looking at the students’ writing and pictures.”

Dr. Rhonda Stitham, currently a fourth- and fifth-grade virtual teacher at Moriches Elementary School, added: “After 20 years, it was simply amazing to see what students associated with during that time period. As I looked at what the students wrote, I could see a theme — electronics and superheroes."

Many of the students focused on Gameboys and technology; the Powerpuff Girls were also popular, she said.

"In kindergarten, students love to talk about heroes with powers and abilities that surpass time," she said.

Favorite television shows and movies included "Batman," "Spongebob Squarepants," "Barney," "Spiderman," "The Lion King," "Rugrats," "Ed," "Ed & Eddie," "Tom and Jerry," "Scooby Doo," "Pokemon," and "Sylvester and Tweety," the district said.

Favorite singers and video games were also mentioned, as were toys such as trampolines, scooters, jack-in-the-boxes, dinosaurs, yo-yos, Barbies, blocks, and dolls.