Woodsdale Elementary School Celebrating 50 Years
Derek Redd Trending
WHEELING -- Many young people have come through its doors in the past decades, but Woodsdale Elementary School turned 50 years old at the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The school opened its doors to students in the fall of 1975, and events to celebrate the anniversary will be happening throughout the school year, according to principal Ashlea Minch. The theme for the current school term is "50 Years Of Tiger Pride."
Former students, retired staff members and the community are being invited to an open house set for 4-6 p.m. Oct. 21.
Minch has served as principal at the school for the past 10 years. She noted Linda Moore Robbins -- a teacher's aide who has been employed at the school since the 1990s -- and counselor Allyson Kangisser have been working to compile a list of former retirees from the school to invite to the open house.
Many of the former staff members have retired within the last five to six years, she continued.
"They're going to find the school totally different, with all the renovations that have happened here," Minch said.
The upcoming Halloween celebration at the school is going to focus on "the decades," she added.
"Hopefully, we will have people dress up from the 1970s," she said.
Students also have been making shirts in the school's innovation lab to celebrate its 50th birthday. A decal noting the occasion was obtained by the school, and students are using the heat press to place the decal on the shirts.
"All the kids have made a 50th anniversary shirt, and we will wear them on the same day," Minch said.
Wheeling Park High School celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2026-27 school year.
"The time has gone quickly," Minch said. "The ’90s were my jam."