When Walter Hays School opened in 1923, the city of Palo Alto was less than 30 years old and the school cost just $66,000 to construct. A century later, the local community might look different, but the elementary school is still welcoming new students onto its campus each fall.

Walter Hays is celebrating its centennial on Saturday, May 6, with a float in the annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade, followed by a party on the school's campus. Alumni, parents and school staff have joined together to plan the festivities.

"It's a wonderful school and I'm really glad that we have this centennial opportunity to shine some light on all of the great things that the teachers and staff and (principal) are doing here," said Laurie Phillips, a Walter Hays alumna and current parent at the school.

The school is Palo Alto's oldest continually operating elementary school and was named for Reverend Walter Hays, a Presbyterian minister who served as president of the school board. The Hays family remained active in the community over the past century, with his grandson becoming a prominent local environmentalist and volunteer until his death in January.

Reverend Hays' great-grandson, Walt Hays, plans to attend the centennial celebration on Saturday with his mother. In an interview, Hays recalled his own father attending the 50th anniversary of the school when he was a child.

"I've always had a fond spot in my heart for Walter Hays Elementary. … Since I am a teacher, I've been proud that there's a school that I share the name with, even though it wasn't my doing in any way," said Walt Hays, a high school teacher in Sebastopol.

Ahead of the event, Hays plans to review copies of his great-grandfather's sermons to find an appropriate quote for the occasion and hopes to share a bit about his family history with the audience.

The school also holds significance for those who are currently affiliated with it. When Phillips was picking where to send her own children, she said that Walter Hays was the obvious choice because of its supportive and welcoming environment. Since rejoining the school community, Phillips said that she has met other alums who are also sending their kids to the school.

"It's just such a wonderful feeling to have two generations of a shared experience here," Phillips said.

Principal Mary Bussmann also has longstanding ties to Walter Hays. Her own children went there and she worked on campus as a student teacher, long-term substitute and classroom aide. She then taught at Ohlone Elementary School before becoming an assistant principal at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School.

While Bussmann said she loved those experiences, she wanted to get back to working at the elementary school level and applied for the principal position at Hays when it opened up. She got the job and started in 2008.

"It was great to come back home … and come full circle to be the principal," Bussmann said. "I was thrilled beyond belief because I've always loved this school."

When she became principal, Bussmann worked with students to create a set of core values, including respect, perseverance, inclusion and resilience. According to Bussmann, she wanted to create an environment where kids felt seen and included, which better allows them to learn.

"We're here to open up students' brains to learning — to have them feel safe and positive and capable," Bussmann said.

Over the past century, the school itself has undergone a number of changes. Originally a mission-style building designed by architect Charles K. Sumner, Walter Hays had six classrooms, plus accessory rooms, according to a history page on the school's website. The structure had a tower over the entrance.

An additional six-room wing was added in 1947 and a multipurpose room was constructed in 1962. The original building was demolished and replaced in 1970. More renovations and additions have taken place over the past 50 years, including a major renovation in 2001, according to the school.

To honor the centennial, the school community is raising money to create a brick walk through the garden in front of the school. Community members can purchase a personalized brick to include in the walk, with proceeds supporting programs at the school.

This weekend's May Fete parade is slated to start at 10 a.m. and will be held along University Avenue. Afterwards, the Walter Hays community will meet on campus, 1525 Middlefield Road, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The celebration will include activities for kids, an ice cream truck and live music from The Wildcats (a band made up of former Walter Hays dads). Local elected officials are also expected to attend.

For more information about the centennial celebration, visit walterhaysschool100.org. For details about the May Fete Parade, visit cityofpaloalto.org/Events-Directory/Community-Services/May-Fete-Parade.