Final bell tolls for Bethel Park elementary schools
School’s out for summer in the South Hills, but it’s out forever for Bethel Park’s five elementary institutions.
Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, William Penn, George Washington and Memorial rang their final bells last week before they closed for good as the Bethel Park School District will open its new elementary center for the fall term. The $133 million building, located at 5655 Kings School Road in the municipality, will consolidate all elementary students starting in the 2026-27 school year.
“It’s sad,” said Kim Clarke Jackson. “I liked the neighborhood schools.”
Jackson attended Memorial Elementary School and returned on May 30 for a final walk through the halls of the facility, which opened in 1949 on South Park Road. Each of the other elementary centers held similar open houses throughout the week to celebrate that part of the community’s history and to welcome back alumni for a final chance to share memories with family and friends.
During her trip down memory lane, Jackson reminisced about being 5 and starting kindergarten in 1968 at Memorial; being part of the first class at Independence Middle School and attending the campus-styled high school as well as meeting her future husband.
Kim and Mark Jackson have been married for 42 years. They built a house in Bethel Park, off of Kings School Road, near the new elementary center, but needed more space as their family grew, so they constructed a bigger home and moved to Peters Township. The Jacksons had four children and now enjoy 10 grandchildren.
“A lot of good memories, and it all started here,” Clarke said as she entered Memorial Elementary for a final visit
“As I’m reminiscing, I can remember all my teachers’ names. They were such very, very good teachers.”
Karen Bianco, Nancy Lehman and Bill Kennedy were members of that educational staff during Memorial Elementary School’s 77-year history. Bianco was a paraprofessional for 33 years before retiring last year while Lehman and Kennedy served as teachers while Fred Bowman was the principal. They all loved their time as educators but are apprehensive about the conversion from neighborhood schools to one consolidated educational center.
“I think it’s a stupid idea,” Lehman said.
“Financially it all makes sense,” Kennedy injected. “Everything changes and it’s cheaper.
“It’ll be interesting,” added Bianco. “Right now you have that closeness. We were like a family,” continued Bianco, whose three children, Joey, Stephanie and Maggie, attended Memorial Elementary. “It’s very sad the schools are closing. There were so many wonderful teachers and great times here.”
Lehman agreed.
“We had a remarkable staff and remarkable leadership,” she said. “We were a family that cared for each other. For a period of time, it was like no other place. No other workplace I could ever imagine.”
For the past 21 years, Eric Chalus has made Memorial Elementary School a place like home. He has served as the principal but after the school ceases existence he will become the principal at Independence Middle School in the fall. Chalus said the elementary schools were not great just because of the teacher and the staff.
“It was because of everyone,” he stressed. “They really treated the children like they were supposed to be treated. They got a great education and we all worked hard. That’s the way it was in all of the elementary schools.”
Chalus believes it will continue to be that way once the elementary center opens in the fall. He toured the new facility and deemed it “state of the art” and added that he’s sorry that he won’t be there to enjoy it. “It’s absolutely huge and gorgeous. Top of the line. Everything they did to that building was beautiful.”
Chalus endorsed the decision to consolidate. “I think it’s a good idea because it’s going to bring everyone together. There’s a lot of benefits to education. I think it’ll be successful.”
Brooke Kessler sees benefits as well but she says the separate elementary schools provided a sense of pride for students once they arrived at Neil Armstrong Middle School, which closed along with the neighborhood elementary schools.
“Honestly, it’s sad because one of the fun things about going to middle school was bragging that I was from Abraham Lincoln but the friendships you build and lessons you learn no matter what grade school you attend can last a lifetime.”
Kessler will be a junior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania this autumn. She is majoring in early childhood and special education and hopes to become an educator in the Bethel Park School District.
Kessler credits her teachers at Abraham Lincoln for her career decision.
“They inspired me,” she said. “I want to have an impact on children as well, like they did for me.”
Kessler attended the final bell ceremony at Abraham Lincoln where her brother, David, also learned his ABCs.
“It was nostalgic. Rehashing so many memories. Just walking into the building was so amazing,” she said. “I loved Abraham Lincoln and the friendships I made there.”
Traci Kessler cultivated friendships and memories as well. While her children attended Abraham Lincoln, she served on the PTO board and volunteered in many activities, including publishing the yearbook.
“Lincoln is a special place, and I was so blessed with the memories of both my kids going there. I am so grateful for the time I was able to be a part of the Lincoln family and making forever friends with the families and staff. There wasn’t a party, assembly or function I missed. I will miss seeing all the posts but look forward to what the future holds for the new school and community.”