SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — St. Francis of Assisi School in Delaware County has reopened two years after a fire caused severe damage and forced students to relocate to a neighboring parish.
Tuesday marked the beginning of the school year and a new chapter for students, teachers and parents.
The school had been closed for repairs since the fire on Oct. 7, 2024. A fire ripped through the building a few hours after class let out, and students have been divvied up since, with many traveling to St. Kevin Parish School in Springfield to resume learning.
The added time to the school routine was difficult on teachers, students and parents, said principal Nicole Hamilton. She said having a home base allows them to keep the focus inside of the classroom.
“It’s stressful as it is to be a teacher and to plan your lessons and do all those things, and then on top of it, you have to transfer back and forth to different schools. … It’s not fair to everybody else and it’s not fair to the kids, so we are so happy to be back all together.
“We’re back together and better than ever, and we’re all in such good moods and so positive,” she said.
Archbishop Nelson Perez was there on Tuesday to bless the school. He spoke about the importance of rebuilding a space for children to learn.
“Always enlighten your mind so that you may learn what is right and good in your actions and carry out what you have learned,” he said.
School leaders thanked the community of Springfield for providing support throughout the rehabilitation process.
The public can see the renovations firsthand during an open house on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
