Farewell to P.B. Ritch Tonight

The students will walk out of for the last time on Friday. But before the facility shuts its doors to pupils, the school community will celebrate its history.

The school’s gym will be the site tonight of a farewell to the school, which will officially close June 30, though Friday marks the end of the school yea for students. The event is set for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

What are your favorite memories of P.B. Ritch Elementary? Tell us in the comments.

District officials say the decision to close the school was made due to the building’s need for repairs and renovations. The facility, built in 1985 as a middle school before being converted to an elementary school, has septic and HVAC issues.

The school system held two public hearings for feedback from the community before bringing the closure issue to the school board for its initial vote. The board voted in April 2011 ; board members effective the end of the fiscal year.

Students who would have remained at P.B. Ritch in 2012-2013 will instead go to either or , and .

And though P.B. Ritch Elementary will be shutting its doors soon, the name will live on—the district’s next new school, set to open this fall, .