The Weiss Family
Three Generations at Encino Elementary!
When young Noah Weiss started Kindergarten at Encino Elementary two years ago, he became the third generation in his proud family to attend Encino Elementary. His father, Corey, was here in 1st and 2nd grade in the late 1970s and Corey's father, Eugene “Gene” Weiss, attended Encino Elementary for 4th and 5th grade in the 1950s.
Gene was born and raised in California after his family moved west from New York. Gene, or Jerry as he was also known, came to Encino Elementary for 5th and 6th grade, and went on to attend Van Nuys Jr. High and John Burroughs Jr. High. Gene then attended Los Angeles High School, Cal. State Los Angeles, and Loyola University Law School where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor. Gene worked as a high School teacher and attorney. He was married to Linda in 1965 and they raised three children together, Rusty, Corey, and Julie.
Gene fondly remembers his teachers, Mr. Hanley and Mr. Stafford and the principal, MissValeem. Gene also remembers our main building and says it's hardly changed. He also remembers that Genesta Park, right outside our school, had a small creek running through it diagonally up to Ventura Boulevard. Can you imagine fishing in the creek after school?
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There was no "big yard" when Gene went to Encino Elementary. Paso Robles Avenue, which currently ends in a "T" junction right outside the front entrance of our school, used to continue through to Genesta and was the eastern border of our school. The street was finally blocked off and our "big yard" was added sometime during the 1960s. One interesting side note for those of you who remember Roy Rogers; his wife, Dale Evans, was Gene's 6th grade Room Mother.
Gene and Linda's youngest son, Corey, attended Encino Elementary for 1st and 2nd Grade in the late 1970s. Corey went on to Egremont Middle School and Birmingham High School and then the University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Today, Corey works in advertising here in Los Angeles. He married Monique in July 2000 and they have two children together, Noah and Carlie.
Corey remembers his 1st grade teacher, Ms. Ochs and his 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Cass. Corey's older brother, Rusty was also at Encino Elementary in the 4th and 5th grade (Their sister, Julie, did not attend Encino Elementary). Rusty's teachers were Mr. Eich and Mr. Horry. The Principal at the time was Ms. Lucente. Corey also fondly remembers Mrs. Lorraine Buhai who continues to work at our school today.
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Corey says our school hasn't changed much in the 30 years since he attended. The auditorium, cafeteria, and main building are all exactly as he remembers them. Corey has many positive memories from his teachers and friends, many who he still keeps in touch with, to assemblies in the auditorium and lunch in the cafeteria.
Now, in 2009, Corey's son, Noah, is about to enter 2nd grade with Mrs. Shusett who along with Mrs. Bloom, Noah's 1st grade teacher, and Mrs. Wilshinsky, his Kindergarten teacher, have already begun Noah on his path through Encino Elementary. Noah’s sister, Carlie, starts Kindergarten this year. Together they will soon have their own memories of their days at our school. Perhaps one day, one of their children will walk the halls of Encino Elementary and continue the Weiss family tradition!
