Webster Elementary Students Head Back To School In A Different Building, For Now
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A new school year means a new school building for Webster Elementary students in New Rochelle.
The ceiling of their school collapsed over the summer.
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, whether in kindergarten or 5th grade it was the first day at a new school for everyone from Webster Elementary in New Rochelle.
"It was a little exciting and nervous because I've been at that school for at least five years. Now it's like a whole nother like difference coming here," Amani Mastafa said.
Different because the ceiling at the Webster school building they know, collapsed in August.
Until it's repaired everyone and everything including the school sign has been relocated to the former Holy Family School which had been shuttered some 6-years-ago.
"It's an incredible space. It's Webster School and it's ready for our students," the school's principal said.
The transition hasn't been easy for everyone. Unfamiliar drop off sites and bus routes made for a traffic nightmare, and that's not all.
Parent Michele Coleman said she never received any notification from the school about where to send her two children. She learned from a friend.
"Not all parents have social media, ya know, they don't have computers, so how would they have known to bring their kids here," she said.
"We sent out almost weekly communications to our parents via email and direct connect calls. And our information is only as good as what's in our database. So if a parent changes an email or changes a phone number, if it's not updated with the school then they won't receive that communication," a school spokesperson said.
Other parents were impressed with how quickly workers were able to gut the old school, move desks and chairs, and set up classrooms.
In addition to cleaning, painting, plumbing, and electrical work, crews even managed to build brand new walls to create new work spaces for teachers and students.
"I have to give them a lot of credit. Three weeks to get this school ready and they still got a lot to do, but eventually they'll get it done, then they'll be back in their school, so we'll be alright," Roger Jones said.
School administrators hope to get students back in the Webster School building after winter break in January.
