Centennial Starts School Thursday: What's New This Year

WARMINSTER, PA —The first day of school arrives early as the Centennial School District kicks off its 2023-2024 school year on Thursday.

All students will report Thursday morning to the district's six schools where there'll be some new faces, programs, and policies in place.

"I am very excited for our students to head back to school," Centennial School Board Vice President Patti Crossan said. "A new school year provides our students with an opportunity to develop new strengths and knowledge to accomplish future goals. Our entire Centennial team is ready for a fantastic year."

Earlier this month, Schools Superintendent Dana Bedden told Patch about changes for the upcoming school year regarding security, nutrition, transportation, communication, and teaching and learning.

The school district hired Kevin Burns from the Neshaminy School District to oversee security in the school system. Burns met the school board for the first time at its meeting last week.

The hiring is a new post for the district, which didn't have a school police officer, school resource officer, or school security guards at its schools at that time, Bedden said in April.

Besides Burns, the school district hired a new principal at Davis Elementary School.

In July, Ryan Oessenich was promoted after serving as the 10th Grade House Assistant Principal at William Tennent High School since 2021.

Also in July, a new band director was named at William Tennent High School.

Nick Seifert, of Bridgewater N.J., was hired after previously serving as band director at Immaculata High School in Somerville, N.J.

School upgrades were also made over the summer:

• Willow Dale Elementary School —The back playground fence was installed.
• Log College Middle School —The building of the outdoor classroom project was expected to be completed by the start of the school year.
• Klinger Middle School —The mural wall was built in preparation for the upcoming painting by an artist and students.
• McDonald Elementary School —Tested a new gym floor product that provides a quicker preparation and dry time in order to prepare it quickly for student use.
• Davis Elementary School —Hallway security gates were purchased and installed.
• William Tennent High School —The Student Parking Lot Repair Project was completed.