St Francis of Assisi School Rebuilds with Faith and Resilience
By Terrence Casey | Photos courtesy of St. Francis of Assisi
On October 7, 2024, a fire tore through the historic building of St. Francis of Assisi School, leaving behind charred walls, broken hearts, and a community shaken. But in the year since, the school has become a living testament to resilience, faith, and the unwavering strength of its families, teachers, and students.
This fall, as the community marks the anniversary of that devastating day, the focus is not on what was lost, but on what has been built and what lies ahead.
A FAMILY DIVIDED, A COMMUNITY UNITED
For Kelly Ferry, a mother of three children at St. Francis, the past year has been both challenging and inspiring. “Last year required us to split our children between two campuses,” she said. “It was hard, not just logistically with two drop-offs and pick-ups, but emotionally.
Our youngest was so sad not to be with her siblings.” Despite the disruption, Ferry saw firsthand how the school and community rallied. “The teachers and staff did an amazing job of not missing a beat. The community of Springfield came together in a way that was humbling and a blessing in disguise. Parents worked side by side with teachers to clean, decorate, and rebuild classroom spaces. It was a beautiful example of what makes this school more than just a school; it’s a family.”
Her children, like many others, didn’t sit idly by. “They rallied in front of the church for two weeks, making bracelets, posters, handing out magnets, and raising funds. Instead of saying ‘no school!’ these kids were working hard every single day to get back to SFA. There’s something special about that.”
A SECOND HOME AT ST. KEVIN’S
After the fire, St. Kevin’s School opened its doors to the displaced students. For Kelly Comly, whose daughter Haley is now in second grade, the transition was surprisingly smooth. “As an alum of St. Kevin’s, I was especially grateful. Having our own building gave students a sense of safety and stability.” Comly recalled how teachers went above and beyond to maintain connection and routine. “Mrs. Smith, my daughter’s first-grade teacher, recorded herself reading each day and sent videos so the students could still see and connect with her. The moms even put together a video to send back to her. It was emotional and beautiful.”
Even small gestures made a big impact. “On our first day back, the St. Kevin PREP Program had made cards for each student’s desk. St. Pius sent treat bags. Other schools held dress-down days and donated proceeds. It was incredible to see the outpouring of support.”
LEADING THROUGH CHALLENGE AND GRACE
Principal Nicole Hamilton has been at the heart of the school’s recovery. “This past year has brought its challenges, especially with the unique role of leading one school across two different campuses,” she said. “It has taken a lot of extra planning to make sure both campuses share the same events and experiences. The hardest part has been not being together for school Masses. We all deeply miss gathering as one family in prayer.”
But the blessings have been just as profound. “The most rewarding part of this year has been seeing the way our families and community have wrapped us in love and support, especially in the moments we needed it most. Even now, people still reach out asking how they can help, and that generosity is nothing short of extraordinary.”
Hamilton credits her staff and families for helping maintain unity. “I have many staff members, Home and School parents, and other parents who have stepped up to help organize school events so we can be together when possible. For this school year I have created the calendar so we have designated days where the entire school is together for Mass or big events.”
LEARNING, GROWING, AND THRIVING
Despite the upheaval, academic and emotional growth continued. “Thanks to the amazing teachers, my child’s learning wasn’t negatively affected,” Comly said. “They created warm, welcoming classrooms. Art Club restarted within a week. Specials and after-school clubs continued.
The children felt safe and cared for.” Ferry echoed that sentiment. “Our principal, Nicole
Hamilton, really tries to make them feel like one school. I hope we can be back together next year.
This school is special, and I truly hope we come out stronger from all of this.” That strength is already being recognized. At the start of this school year, St. Francis of Assisi School was awarded the School of Distinction Award for Growth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Elementary Education. The honor reflects exceptional year-over-year academic growth across all tested grade levels.
“We are truly honored to be recognized with this award,” Hamilton said. “What makes it so special is that it’s based on Terra Nova scores — proof of the incredible dedication of our teachers and the hard work of our students. Even through all the changes and challenges of last year, our teachers never missed a beat in guiding their classes with love and excellence.”
Hamilton also highlighted the emotional support provided throughout the year. “We’ve had our school counselors on stand-by when we knew someone needed some extra attention. My principal’s office has been an open door where they knew they could come in to talk with a staff member. Every teacher has truly been amazing at knowing their students’ personalities and making sure to connect and keep an eye on them.”
REBUILDING WITH PURPOSE
Plans for rebuilding the school are well underway. A recent town hall presentation and community pamphlet outlined the vision: six new classrooms, an elevator for accessibility, safer drop-off zones, dedicated staff areas, and a potential cafeteria and footbridge. The historic facade will be preserved, blending tradition with modern upgrades.
Visible progress is already taking shape. In August, the church shared that the stonework on the school had been cleaned and was in the process of being dried out and sealed. A temporary roof is nearly complete, signaling the next phase of construction.
Safety and accessibility are central to the design. A new sprinkler system, traffic calming measures, and code-compliant stairs will ensure the building meets modern standards. The elevator and accessible toilets will make the school more inclusive for all students.
While the final design is still evolving, Hamilton’s priority is clear: “To be honest, at this point I just want to get back together on one campus, and if that means we have to take things out of the original plan to make that happen, then we will.”
A COMMUNITY ROOTED IN FAITH
Faith has been the foundation of the school’s resilience. “Faith has truly been at the heart of our resilience as a school community,” Hamilton said.
“In every challenge, we have turned to prayer and leaned on our belief that God is guiding us through each step.” Ferry agrees. “I often get asked why I send my kids to Catholic school when we live in such a great district,” she said. “This was a clear example of why. It’s not just a school. It’s a family. Everyone is welcome. Everyone looks out for each other. It reminds me of being in 1995 still.” Comly added, “Sometimes the focus is on the loss — the building, the uncertainty. But what gets overlooked is how much the teachers, administration, and staff have done to support our children. They created the security, comfort, and safety that elementary children need to thrive.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As construction continues, the community remains hopeful. “We don’t need negativity spread if there’s a delay,” Comly said. “We need to focus on the positive. Our school is a family, and we will continue to be a family.”
Hamilton shares that optimism. “Each day as we look at our primary building, once marked by the fire, we now find hope in the sight of progress — the workers, the repairs, the signs that a new beginning is on the way. It reminds us that there truly is light at the end of the tunnel and that soon we will all be back together again under one roof.”
