Robinwood elementary to celebrate 50th year

March 11, 2008 at 1:10a.m.

The school opened its doors in the 1957-58 school year.

BOARDMAN — Robinwood Lane Elementary School will celebrate its 50th anniversary Friday.

The school opened its doors to pupils in September 1957. From 1957 to the present, Robinwood Lane has had a storied history serving the Boardman community.

Ethel Mae Burt was the principal who opened the school. She served as principal for 16 years until 1973. Walter Yingling took over as principal in 1973 and served in that position for 23 years, retiring in 1996.

In 1996, Jane Howells was appointed as principal and served in that position for nine years before retiring in 2005.

Donald Robinson was named principal of Robinwood Lane school in 2005 and continues as principal today. These leaders, along with staff and parents, have set the high standards and expectations that remain at the school.

In the last 11 years, Robinwood has earned 10 academic excellence awards from the state. With a diverse student population, including pupils from 19 countries, pupils with disabilities, and a large percentage of pupils from low-income families, Robinwood routinely has 90 percent or more of its pupils passing state achievement tests.

In the past two years, the school has been recognized by the state superintendent of Ohio schools as a “School of Distinction.” To earn this recognition, a school had to have all pupils — including those with disabilities — passing state achievement tests at a 75 percent or better level.

Robinwood was one of 31 Ohio schools to earn this honor for two consecutive years. There are more than 2,000 schools in Ohio.

The staff and students of Robinwood Lane Elementary plan to celebrate the 50 years of education, service and success with the celebration from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday in the multipurpose room. A school assembly will feature a slide show highlighting the history of the school. The Robinwood Lane fourth-grade chorus, under the direction of Dean Wilson, will also perform. Refreshments will be served to staff and pupils.

Anyone with ties to the school is invited