Education at Henry Puffer has changed a lot since 1970. But, some things never change. Like the old, familiar smell of the hallways. Or the building's brick exterior. Or, the portraits of Agnes Hefty and Henry Puffer, prominently on display. Ms. Hefty was a long-time Henry Puffer teacher, principal and superintendent, and Mr. Puffer was a farmer who donated land to build the school.
After school last Friday, several members of the Puffer-Hefty Class of 1970 (along with a few friends from the classes of 1969, 1971 and 1982) visited their old school for a tour and a walk down memory lane. Principal Mark Leipart greeted the jovial group after school with some Puffer "swag" and led them down the halls and into the classrooms and common spaces. The old classmates shared memories and marveled at the differences and similarities to the school of their childhood. While meandering around the kindergarten classroom, for example, the alumni were surprised to learn that kindergarten is full-day, and naps are no longer offered. They also remembered how students used to walk home every day for lunch, and then returned for afternoon lessons. They were eager to see how the District transitioned the school's former "junior high" wing into a preschool wing, recalling how Henry Puffer was a one-school K-8 district until the early aughts. They laughed, noting how some things don't change, like that hallway smell.
The alumni represented many cities and even states. While they were in town for their Downers Grove North 50-Year Reunion, they wanted to also revisit their elementary roots. Special thanks to Henry Puffer alumna Alice (Aszman) Angelini for coordinating the reunion tour and sharing the photo archives!
