Time Capsule At Castaic Middle School Opened After 25 Years

The time capsule had been sealed in an inconspicuous brick and concrete bench by the Castaic Middle School’s front entrance. Originally planned to have been sealed at the building of the new site in 1996, the time capsule sealing was delayed until 1999, when bricks from the original school site were available.

“They literally took the bricks from the old site to keep (the capsule) here,” said Stephanie Sosa, Castaic Middle School Principal. “They planned on burying it before (1999), but they had to build the bench.”

Jade Aubuchon | KHTS News

First established in March 1889, the Castaic Union School District (CUSD) was once so small it consisted of only one school for nearly a century, until the opening of Live Oak Elementary in January 1989, a few months shy of 100 years.

“What a special day,” said Bob Brauneisen, CUSD Superintendent. “I mean, this is a good, small, neat community that has so much support. We have four of the five principles that have been at Castaic Middle School, and rarely are you able to bring back so many people for this event.”

Inside the time capsule sat icons of 1990s teenage culture: a disintegrating Nike shoe, a Tamagotchi virtual pet, a Casio watch and a cassette tape recording of “Gangsta Lean” by  DRS, among others.

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Beverly Silsbee, the very first principal of Castaic Middle School and the person to whom the time capsule bench is dedicated, was also in attendance.

“It took patience and hard work,” Silsbee said of the time capsule process. “But the moral of the story is if you have an idea, you need to share it, and you need to work hard and work with your community to make things happen that are positive in your community”.

Originally hired by CUSD in 1978, Silsbee originally came on board at Castaic Elementary School as one of only three teachers handling all instruction for the sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students.

Jade Aubuchon | KHTS News

Current students were treated to the opportunity to watch video projects from the students who created the original time capsule, showing students acting much as they do today, laughing, spending time with friends, and sharing campus life.

The new time capsule is set to be opened on the 50-year anniversary of the school opening in 2046

The new time capsule holds items such as a Taylor Swift tour beaded bracelet, an iPod touch, a Converse shoe, and a keychain from a school East Coast trip.

One special highlight added to the time capsule was a small bottle of Richardson’s Trout Sauce, a fishing attractant developed by student and passionate angler Talan Richardson.

Jade Aubuchon | KHTS News

“He was excited to think that maybe, in 22 years, that would be famous and to have come from a CMS student, “ said Principal Sosa.

The new time capsule is set to be sealed in the brickwork bench on Wednesday.

Jade Aubuchon | KHTS News

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