Lehighton elementary open for class

It wasn’t the typical opening day in Lehighton Area School District on Tuesday.

For the first time in over 50 years, the district opened the doors to a new elementary school, adjacent to the high school, now the home to all K-5 students in the district.

Administrators said a buzz was noticeable from the time the first student arrived to the nearly 170,000-square-foot building.

“The first day went better than expected,” K-2 Principal Aaron Sebelin said. “Parents, students and staff did an outstanding job. There is a lot of training for everyone on the new routines.”

A quick glance around the halls of the elementary center Tuesday afternoon saw students getting acquainted with their surroundings with the help of staff members.

Students who have in the past attended Shull-David, Franklin, Mahoning and East Penn elementary schools are united under one roof for the first time. “Unity” and “One Tribe” have been consistent themes as the district prepared to consolidate buildings.

“I think the students, they’re very excited to see kids from other buildings,” Sebelin said. “They may have already had some outside activities and come together with the kids from surrounding communities, and that is great to see.”

The building consists of five major areas. The “A” section houses grades 3-5, “B” is home to the administration and health suites, “C” is the K-2 wing, “D” is the gymnasium and “E” is the cafeteria.

Though they were only in the building for a few hours at the time, fifth-grade students Dante Angelus and Chloe Moyer had already picked up on a few things they liked about the school.

“What I like about the new school is now we have periods,” Angelus said. “At our last school, we just had one teacher, but now we have two teachers in the middle of the day.”

For Moyer, it was something a bit different.

“I like how there are lockers because I always wanted a locker to put my stuff in like a grown-up girl,” she said. “I also like the space and how it has a second floor.”

Oh, and there is one more thing.

“I especially like that we have air conditioning,” Angelus said.

On a 90-plus degree day, everyone was noticing that feature.

“I think if you asked every kid, the majority would say they’re excited about the air conditioning,” Sebelin said. “On a day like today, in the old buildings, it would have been oppressive.”

The biggest adjustment, Sebelin said, has been the number of children under one roof. The elementary center also houses a Pre-K Counts program. There are 509 Pre-K through second grade students in the building and 562 third through fifth graders.

“You’re dealing with the numbers as far as the cafeteria, drop-off in the morning, and that kind of thing is concerning,” Sebelin said. “Once they get to the classroom though, we have nice, equitable class sizes and things work out really well.”

There is rarely a first day that can get off without a hiccup.

After school, a bus broke down on Riverview Road in East Penn Township for about 20 minutes. A new bus was called to come pick up the students.

Despite the delay on the ride home, district staff were quick to call the first say a success.

“This is brand-new for all of us,” Sebelin said. “It will take some time to get things the way we want them. We may have to change some things along the way too. I just appreciate everyone’s patience as we get going.”

Lehighton said it figures to save at least $1.2 million on consolidation costs by opening the elementary center.

Facts about the elementary center

Cost: $34 million

Square Feet: 170,000

Number Of Classrooms: 64 classrooms, 2 music room, 1 band room, 2 art rooms, 1 media center, 4 large group instruction areas

Number Of Students: PreK - 2nd grade (509); Grade 3-5 (562)

First Lunch Served: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Sweet Peas

Number Of Professional Staff: 78

Number Of Support Staff: 59