-Most of our class started Kindergarten in 1968. At that time, Gates Chili's elementary schools were Thomas Edison School on Buffalo Road; Warren Harding School on Spencerport Road; Washington Irving School on Chili Avenue; Florence Brasser School on Chili-Coldwater Road; Paul Road School,(on Paul Road in Chili); and the newly opened Coldwater Road School in Gates (the name wasn't changed to Walt Disney School until 1972). Neil Armstrong School opened in 1969.
-We were the last class, for many years, to experience 6th grade at the Middle School. During the 1970's, Students from Paul Road, Walt Disney and Warren Harding Schools were given the option of remaining at their home school, or attending the Middle School. Our sixth grade was the 1974-1975 school year. The 6th grade team teachers were: Mrs. Flood, Mr. Coriddi, Mrs. Gekas, Mr. Dole, Mrs. Murphy, Mr. Molinaro, Mrs. Slater, and Mr. Aguglia. Mr. Paulick was our Vice-Principal. Do you remember which team that you were on?
-Our class just missed out on the infamous "split-sessions" that Gates Chili High School students endured for much of the 1970's. A huge addition was put onto the high school building in 1976. This addition included the new library, all of the classrooms in the orange and yellow hallways, the auxiliary gym, and the hallway which included the health classrooms, the 11th and 12th Grade House Principal offices, the AV Room, and The Senior Lounge.
-We did, however, have to deal with being freshmen split between two buildings. How many of us remember having morning classes in the "borrowed" wing of the Junior High School, then walking over to the High School for lunch? Maybe you were at the High School in the morning, then had all four academic classes, (English, Math, Social Studies, and Science), back-to-back in the afternoon? During the 1977-1978 school year, most freshmen did one or the other. During the winter, it could be a mighty slippery and cold five-minute walk! During the nice weather, it was a tease! Who wanted to go to class on those warm spring days, when a walk over to Wendy's seemed more in order?
-Somewhere along the way, our class down-sized! According to a parent letter during the 1977-1978 school year, there were 818 freshmen enrolled at GCHS. By our senior year, we had 619 students. At our graduation ceremony on Friday, June 19, 1981, 579 people crossed the War Memorial stage to shake Mr. Tisa's hand and receive their diploma. More people graduated that summer. For our last four reunions, the Reunion Committee had sent out over 600 invitations to each reunion.
