By: Cara Latham
FLORENCE While enthusiasm for students at the new Florence Township Memorial High School may have peaked when the school opened a few weeks ago, last week proved to be a chance for the rest of the community to experience what the new building has to offer.
More than 600 people attended the open house and Back to School Night held by Florence Township Memorial High School Sept. 28, where they took tours and got to explore the new building, said Superintendent Louis Talarico.
And hundreds more showed up for a weekend open house for senior citizens and community members, which extended from about 11 a.m. to about 12:30 p.m. Buses transported people to and from the school, he added.
The new high school, off Cedar Lane, opened its doors to students Sept. 11.
Dr. Talarico said that the event was a tremendous success.
"The litmus test for both these events is the measurement of feeling and feedback to how everyone felt about not only the new classrooms, facilities and learning environment, but also their sense as to how it will meet our children’s needs for the 21st century," he said.
Kristen Blakeslee, a Parent-Teacher Association officer and former president, whose daughter is a sophomore at the high school, said that while she was PTA president, she helped work on getting the bond referendum passed for the new high school. But the Back to School Night was the first time she had a chance to see the inside of the new building.
"It was gorgeous," she said. "The dining area where the students eat seems like a college campus."
Ms. Blakeslee said her favorite aspect of the new building was that school officials were able to incorporate the new technology into the building.
"Teachers are able to use the new technology, and everyone seems so excited to be in a new, clean environment," she said. "I’m just really happy that we were able to get the referendum passed, and the students will enjoy learning in there for years."
Dr. Talarico said the positive feedback speaks to officials’ mutual desire to enhance teaching and learning and accommodate the needs of the learners by serving "as centers of the community," making effective and efficient use of all the resources, and allowing "for flexibility and adaptability to changing needs."

