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Conno holds open house

Annie Woller and Lexie Buck, second and third graders, respectively, check out the library during an open house Thursday at Connoquenesing Elementary School. The Butler School District starts classes Tuesday.
Former Meridian principal in charge

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Meridian Elementary students going to Connoquenessing Elementary School this year were greeted Thursday night by a familiar face outside at an open house.

Principal Tim Sisinni, who is taking over at Connoquenessing this year, smiled and shook hands at the door. It was a comfort that some parents appreciated when taking their children to a new school.

“With change there's always a little apprehension,” said Sisinni, the longtime Meridian principal. “We're all excited to get them in.”

Meridian Elementary is among five of the Butler School District's schools that closed this year under consolidation plans. All remaining schools had grade reconfigurations.

Center Avenue Community School, a special needs and alternative program at one of the former elementary buildings, was also created in the consolidation process.

Susie and Jeff Woller were happy to see Sisinni at the door and many Meridian teachers at the school. They're also excited about the new opportunities, like new friends and new computers and other technologies.

Their 7-year-old daughter, Annie, is excited about attending a new school.

“I credit her teacher for preparing her (last year),” Susie Woller said. “This was really nice to have a sneak peek before day one.”

But some do miss what they lost.

Craig Buck, whose daughter Alexis is attending third grade at Connoquenessing, said he'll miss the environment at Meridian.

“The comfort. The location. The community,” Buck said.

The family lives about a mile from that school.

Amy Buser, pushing her 7-month-old daughter, Vivienne, in a stroller through a crowded hall, took her first grader, Madeleine, and her fourth grader, Benjamin, to meet their new teachers.

“It's a different school, a little further away from our house,” Buser said.

Benjamin has been particularly anxious about the move. She's worried because he'll have to move to the middle school next school year, which will be another change.

Because Meridian students were sent to three schools, some of his friends will be going to Northwest Elementary. But she is glad to at least be a little more familiar with the school that two of her children will attend this year.

“We'll see how the year goes,” she said. “I just hope and pray for a good year.”

Kelly Stefanacci, a first-grade teacher, has been at Connoquenessing for 11 years. She is ready for the new school year.

“Kids are kids wherever they go,” she said. “I'm excited about the new changes.”

Open houses were held at all six of the district's elementary schools Thursday night: Center Township, Connoquenessing, Emily Brittain McQuistion, Northwest and Summit. Sixth graders at Butler Middle School also had an open house Thursday.

Classes begin for all Butler students on Tuesday.

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