photo by: Joselyn King

New Ritchie Elementary School Principal Amy Ritz, left, welcomes fifth grade students Paislee Niehaus and Maliyah Monroe to the school’s annual back-to-school street fair Tuesday on Wood Street in South Wheeling. Today is the first day of classes in Ohio County Schools.

WHEELING — Classes start today in Ohio County Schools, and a new principal was on hand as Ritchie Elementary School hosted its annual back-to-school fair on Tuesday.

Principal Amy Ritz, bursting with energy, made certain to greet each student and their families as she made her way along Wood Street, which once again was closed in front of the school for the event.

“Somebody had to bring me water, I talked so much,” Ritz said. “I’m thinking how incredible this is. The block party is amazing, and getting to meet these kids, it is just fantastic.

“Everybody is so excited, and the community is so involved. The teachers just can’t wait for everybody to come. You cannot lose when you have community involvement and teachers who are as dedicated as they are here. Ritchie does well. People support us, and it is fantastic.”

Ritz succeeds John Jorden, who was a former principal of the year for West Virginia and guided Ritchie when it was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2023, the first Ohio County school to earn that honor since 2014. Ritz acknowledges she has big shoes to fill.

“But I have a fantastic group of teachers who will take care of the kids and guide me through whatever we need to do,” she said. “I’m feeling pretty good about this upcoming year.”

This is actually the 99th school year at Ritchie, which opened in 1926. Ritz said throughout the year the school will be making plans for next year’s 100th celebration.

“We want as much parent and alumni involvement as possible,” she continued. “We also want to raise some money and get a playground out there.”

Melinda Niehaus, PTO president at Ritchie Elementary, organizes the annual street fair at the school.

“It’s been going on for years, so everybody is expecting it. They are always ready for it,” she said.

Students not only receive school supplies, but there are also hot dogs, pizza and Twin Pops awaiting them at the street fair. Numerous social organizations also are present to provide prizes to the children, and information to their parents.

Michael Brambila, youth outreach specialist with the Ohio County Public Library, provided students with free books from Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library.” During the school year he goes to the schools and reads to students.

“It’s a great job — the best I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m happy when kids are reading.”

Greysen Nickerson sat on a curb eating a piece of pizza, and soon he will be entering pre-kindergarten classes at Ritchie Elementary.

He doesn’t know what is ahead of him, but his mother knows how she feels as she thinks about her only child starting school.

“I’m a little nervous,” admitted Beth Nickerson.