Students at Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary School welcomed Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball, Woodinville Mayor Scott Hageman and former staff members to a 20th birthday celebration on Dec. 11.

Although located on the east side of Woodinville, Wilder is a LWSD school named for the author of the famous “Little House” book series. When Wilder was built, the area still felt like frontier country.

The highlight of the Wilder birthday assembly was a slide show featuring “blasts from the past,” like teachers sporting 1980s hairdos and fashions. Kids and adults both cheered for and laughed at the amusing images and theme songs from classic TV shows such as “Seinfeld and “St. Elsewhere.”

An especially fun fact is that back in 1989, when few schools yet had computers, Wilder was the first in the nation that had computers in every classroom. Administrators from all over the U.S. and Canada visited to behold the “modern technology” that is now standard in the LWSD.

Addressing the children and adults who comprise the Wilder family, Kimball commented, “When we opened Wilder, we picked the best principal and the best technology but what makes it special is KIDS. This school has an amazing legacy of innovation and excellence. Thank you for your investment in making Wilder the place that it is.”

Then Hageman declared Dec. 11, 2009 as Wilder Day in the City of Woodinville.

The birthday celebration concluded with a sing-along led by former Wilder teachers Mike McCoy and Larry Gidner.

For information about Wilder Elementary, visit http://www.lwsd.org/school/wilder/Pages/default.aspx