Winton Elementary to Celebrate 100th Anniversary with May 16 Event

A "Wolves forever" banner above the entrance at Winton Elementary frames preparations for a May 16 centennial celebration that will begin with school history presentations and tours at 10 a.m., followed by a carnival, crafts and a centennial party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., school leaders and students said.

Past students and Winton families have been invited to bring stories, photos and memorabilia to the May 16 event, and fifth graders are already digging into the school’s past as they prepare exhibits. Fifth grader Asher Johnson said, "One tradition we have had for 100 years is always being proud that we’re from Winton."

Longtime teacher and event organizer Nancy Mueller, who taught at Winton for 24 years and has worked as a substitute teacher ever since, emphasized reconnecting with former students. "As elementary teachers, we often lose track of former students once they move into high school, college and beyond," Mueller said. "That is what we want to foster with our 100-year celebration. There probably aren't any students from the 1920s still with us, but maybe some from the '30s and '40s might be able to attend and share their stories. We're hoping to have former teachers and administrators join us, as well."

School history materials and district accounts trace Winton's origins to an earlier Park Elementary in the early 1900s through about 1923, with an upgrade and a new name when the school reopened as Winton Elementary in the 1925-1926 school year after a donation of land and lumber from the Winton Lumber Company.

The current Winton sits at 920 W. Lacrosse, northwest of downtown Coeur d’Alene, in a 52,000-square-foot building that was constructed on the site of the former 89-year-old school. A dedication for the upgraded building drew more than 100 people, including Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve Wilson, Coeur d'Alene School Board Chairman Christa Hazel and School Superintendent Matt Handleman; general contractor T.W. Clark Construction LLC of Spokane completed construction, city officials reported.

Photographer Devin Weeks captured fifth graders holding old class pictures and school memorabilia in front of a hallway mural on Thursday, Feb. 26; the students pictured in that photo are Clementine Anderson, Wesleigh Haas, Kade Alvarado, Colter Bodnar, Finn Kirkbride and Asher Johnson. Press coverage and school newsletters note that the fifth graders researched Winton’s past as part of centennial activities.

Winton’s newsletter lists "100 Year Anniversary" alongside other school items such as Read Across America Week, Dr. Seuss Week and Growing the STEM Programs, signaling district communication about the event. The May 16 program, the school’s historical exhibits and the presence of alumni and former staff aim to connect current students with nearly a century of community ties at Winton Elementary.