Topping Off Ceremony at New Elementary School Acknowledges Community Support
A ceremonial beam signed by community members was put in place during the topping off ceremony for the new Fort River Elementary School on May 20, 2025. Photo: Maria Kopicki
The final steel beam, signed by dozens of adults and children, was set in place at the new elementary school at the Fort River site on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The ceremony was attended by community members, the construction team, and town and state officials. Speakers included Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Elementary School Building Committee Chair and Town Councilor Cathy Schoen (Distrcit 1), State Representative Mindy Domb, Massachusetts School Building Authority representative Maria Puopolo, Koby Gardner-Levine representing U.S. Representative Jim McGovern’s office, Elena Cohen representing State Senator Jo Comerford’s office, Town Council President Lynn Griesemer, Amherst School Committee Chair Jennifer Shiao, and Amherst Public School Director of Finance Shannon Bernacchia. Many spoke in gratitude to the community for its support of the project and the beneficial impact it will have on the children, the residents, and the climate.
The school is expected to be completed by September, 2026. The three-story building has a capacity of 575 students in grades kindergarten through 5. It is the first building to comply with the town’s 2021 net zero bylaw for public buildings costing more than $2 million.
