This past school year, two Bellefonte Area School District buildings closed their doors for the last time: Bellefonte Elementary and Benner Elementary. Both had been in existence for over 50 years and were well loved educational institutions by the students, parents, and community members. They had farewell events at both buildings that included tours, food trucks, and documentary showings that highlighted each building’s history.
With the closing of those two buildings, another building opened its doors to students for the first time. The new Bellefonte Elementary School welcomed the former Bellefonte Elementary and Benner Elementary students into its classrooms, hallways, and large group spaces. Staff from both buildings are learning to work together and navigate the merger along with learning a brand new building with new procedures and administration. It has been quite the eventful first few weeks of the school year for both students and staff!
Before the first day of school, the district hosted a Grand Opening event. Parents, students, staff, and community members were all invited to this event. The superintendent, school board president, former superintendent, two local politicians, and both school principals all spoke to the crowd that came for the special occasion. The marching band and majorettes performed, and Miss Bellefonte sang the National Anthem. They also performed a ribbon cutting with a few of the elementary students that are attending the new school. After the formalities were finished, everyone could move freely through the building to see how beautiful the building product was. People could view the classrooms and spaces such as the cafeteria, library, and gymnasium. The district also paid for a local food truck to serve everyone food that wanted to eat there. Overall, it was a very successful Grand Opening celebration and the district is so happy that the students are learning in the new building.