SPRINGFIELD, Pa. – They laced up their dancing shoes at a Delaware County school Friday for a homecoming of sorts after a fire nearly destroyed their school.

The annual Dance-A-Thon held at St. Francis of Assisi School in Springfield typically raises money for local charities. On Friday, they were raising money for themselves.

“The emotion of being together is overwhelming,” said school principal Nicole Hamilton.

On October 7, a fire started by a double alarm ripped through the Catholic elementary school building on Saxer Avenue, causing enormous damage. It also forced almost half the school to move to neighboring St. Kevin’s School, effectively splitting the school in two. Friday’s event in the campus parking lot was the first time students had been together since the fire.

“It’s kind of crazy since all the other kids aren’t here,” said second-grader Naomi.

The Dance-A-Thon event, complete with a DJ, games and a bounce house, was a bittersweet day in the shadow of their burned-out building. Students in grades K-8 wore their “SFA Strong” shirts.

“They’re thrilled. Some of them said, ‘Ms. Hamilton, I’m so happy we’re here.’ I mean, it means everything to them because we’re a family, this school is a family,” Hamilton remarked.

Each year, the Dance-A-Thon raises money for local charities. But this year, it will be theirs. All profits from Friday will go towards rebuilding the school.

“It was really fun playing all these games and dancing, but it feels weird because we haven’t been together so long,” one student said.

For the 360 ​​students, their parents and teachers, the fire may have destroyed their building. But certainly not their minds.

“I think it’s been a lifetime experience for the kids. Ultimately, this year will be very different from previous years, but it will be something they will always remember,” said Lindsay Smith, a parent of three students at Saint Francis of Assisi.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. In the meantime, the school hopes to install temporary modular classrooms on the property, so all students can be together while their school is repaired.