Hundreds go back to school in Northampton Township to tour the "new" Richboro Elementary School on Upper Holland Road.
Patch Staff
|Updated Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 5:01 am ET
RICHBORO, PA — Council Rock officially cut the ribbon on its newly renovated and expanded Richboro Elementary School during a grand opening celebration on Wednesday at the school.
Principal Gina Booth joined the school’s mascot, Super Spike, district administrators, parents and youngsters in officially opening the school to the community.
“This represents a new chapter for us and for the community in the history of Richboro Elementary,” said Booth. “We have 377 students here who are excited to be in this new space, to celebrate this new beginning, and to continue all the special traditions that they are part of here.”
Richboro Elementary School Principal Gina Booth cuts the ribbon on the newly renovated school in Northampton Township. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
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The new front entrance to the Richboro Elementary School. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Originally opened in 1989, the school has been closed for the past year and a half while it underwent an extensive multi-million dollar renovation project that included new floors, upgraded technology, security cameras, new sound systems, enhanced lighting, new windows and the addition of air conditioning.
“The library. The auditorium, Every nook and cranny of this building has been upgraded. They have created an amazing place for kids to come and learn," said Booth.
“The kids are so excited,” Booth continued. “One of the kids said it’s like having a birthday and getting a big present. That first day was so memorable hearing and watching their reactions. It was priceless. And the way they respect the new building says a lot about how much they enjoy being here.“
The renovation project also included a 10-room addition at the back of the school that now houses a brand new STEAM room, specials, life skills, and the sixth-grade wing.
That’s where sixth-grade learning support teacher Judith Silverman was greeting parents, students, and former colleagues and students.
“It’s a nice change from one to the other. We can all breathe,” she said. “And the kids love it. The sixth graders are happy to have their own space.”
Inside the school's newly renovated library. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Inside the school's newly renovated library. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Richboro Principal Gina Booth with former principal Dave Hunter who stopped by to tour the newly renovated school. He was principal when the school first opened in 1989. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
While the school was being renovated, its 377 students attended class at the former Richboro Middle School just down the street.
“The stay was great. It was like a home away from home,” said Booth. “We were lucky to have an off-site building while renovations took place. It also built excitement for what’s new and what’s coming next.”
Dave Hunter, the school's first principal stopped by to see the newly renovated school. He was the school’s principal when the new building opened in 1989.
“Beautiful. They did a nice job. It was always a nice building, but they’ve really enhanced the whole thing and made it much better.”
New windows inside the gym have brightened up the space. (Jeff Werner/Patch)