In late May, Bethel Park School District will host community farewell events for the five retiring elementary schools and Neil Armstrong Middle School before the new Bethel Park Elementary School opens in September 2026.
Starting this summer, Neil Armstrong will begin serving as the district's administrative offices. Fifth graders will attend the new elementary school, while sixth graders will transfer over to Independence Middle School.
The district has not yet announced its plans for the other five retiring elementary facilities. The “Final Bell Alumni Celebrations” will go as follows:
- Abraham Lincoln Elementary School holds its final walk-through on Wednesday, May 27, from 6-8 p.m. The event will feature an open house for guests to walk through the building on their own. There will also be a coffee truck on site.
- Memorial Elementary School follows on Thursday, May 28, from 6-8 p.m., featuring a variety of activities for attendees and their families, including ornament sales, refreshments, memorabilia displays, and more.
- George Washington Elementary School will host a two-hour block party on Friday, May 29, from 6-8 p.m., with guided tours, historical photos and memorabilia, a bench dedication ceremony, and food trucks including ice cream and lemonade.
- William Penn Elementary School will hold its final event on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The building will be open to the public for unguided tours. Traveling Tom's coffee truck will be onsite to welcome guests.
- Benjamin Franklin Elementary School hosts its goodbye later that day from noon to 3 p.m., with a block party style event that will feature games, and food trucks. Guests will also be permitted to self-tour the building for the final time, but individual classroom access will be limited.
- Neil Armstrong Middle School concludes the series on Wednesday, June 3, with its Final Bell goodbye from 4-6 p.m. The event will be an open house, allowing guests to walk the halls one final time.
Classroom access will be limited as teachers and students prepare for the move. All events are free and open to current and former students, staff, and community members.