Newest OJR school welcomes students
New building, new principal and more students mark opening of East Vincent Elementary School.
EAST VINCENT » The Owen J. Roberts School District welcomed more than 5,400 students to its seven schools on Monday. At the new East Vincent Elementary School building, doors opened to welcome students for the first “first day” of school.
While the building initially welcomed students in April of this year, on Monday the doors opened for the first official back-toschool welcome.
Phase two of the construction project has been underway since April. All paved surfaces, sidewalks and playgrounds are finished, while many landscaping projects will continue into fall. The new school is designed with learning, collaboration, and student creativity in mind. There are plenty of spaces for students to work together and innovate including a science lab, STEAM room and innovation center.
At the welcoming ceremony for students, 26 teachers and staff were introduced as either new to the building or under a new assignment. The student population grew by nearly 80 students from last year.
Cheryl Bell, who is retiring as principal of East Vincent in a few short weeks,
introduced Christine Seeley, the new principal to students.
Seeley has been working with Bell for about two weeks getting the building ready and providing professional development to staff.
Seeley joins the school district with three years of experience as a school administrator. Most recently, she was principal of Rose Tree Media Simon Youth Academy and before that acting principal of Indian Lane Elementary School. Prior to her career as an administrator, she was both a classroom and instructional support teacher in Rose Tree Media and Downingtown Area school districts.
Seeley received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Chester University and her master’s in educational administration from University of Scranton.
Seeley and her family reside in Media, Delaware County. She brings with her a strong background in community partnerships and looks forward to fostering an engaged learning community at East Vincent Elementary School.
“I already feel like a part of the Owen J. Roberts family. Our community of learners is kind, welcoming and enthusiastic about education,” she said.