Students reunited for first time since St. Francis of Assisi School fire in Springfield, Pennsylvania
It's been almost three weeks since a fire destroyed an elementary school on the campus of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish. It was a devastating loss to the community, but it didn't stop students and staff from taking part in a cherished annual event on Friday.
About 300 students participated in Dance-a-thon in the shadow of their burned-out school, which housed grades Pre-K, kindergarten, first and third grades. The event featured music, mini golf and even an inflatable slide.
"I like dancing because it's fun," first grader Emma Tansey said.
After the fire on Oct. 7, the students were split up, with the younger kids taking classes at nearby Saint Kevin School and the older kids staying on campus. This was the first time since then that all of the students were back together.
"I'm happy to get back together with everyone," first grader Haley Comly said.
In previous years, Dance-a-thon raised money for various charities, but this year was different.
During a dance-a-thon at St. Francis of Assisi in Springfield today, students raised money to rebuild their elementary school, which was destroyed in a fire. Today’s event was the first time since the October 7 fire that students from all grades were back on campus together. pic.twitter.com/nlJKPlAGrr
— Madeleine Wright (@MWrightReports) October 25, 2024
"We're trying to raise money to rebuild our school," fifth grader Matthew Caramanico said. "It's a tradition we do every year but this year, we gotta make it extra special."
Principal Nicole Hamilton said through Dance-a-thon, the school raised more than $46,000, but with all the donations over the last two weeks outside of the event, the total amount is closer to $100,000.
"Just a huge thank you to everyone," Hamilton said. "Our entire community is beyond thankful for every donation, prayer, everything."
The rebuild could take years, but in the short term, the principal is hoping to set up modular classrooms so elementary and middle school students can be back on campus together.
"Everyone gets along really well," eighth grader Keira Geary said. "The teachers are amazing here. All the students get along. I'm really close with all the students in all the grades. Everyone's just really close."
The school is more like a family and when times get tough, families stick together.