The start of the new school year in Norwalk on Monday also marked the first ever day of classes at the new South Norwalk Elementary School.
"The community has been waiting for this moment," said Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Norwalk's superintendent of schools.
According to the city, it's the neighborhood's first community school in more than 40 years.
"When I first got elected, this was one of my projects that I wanted to see happen more than anything," said Mayor Harry Rilling, who was elected in 2013.
Until now, students in the SoNo neighborhood were split up between the different elementary schools around the city. Rilling says that meant some were "bussed to a school that maybe their best friend who lives right next door doesn't go to."
According to Estrella, that was especially an issue for some families that "didn't have their own private transportation, so it made it difficult to stay engaged and involved in the school."
But now, everybody who goes to the new school is also from the neighborhood, with many parents saying it was within five minutes of their house, and they could walk if they want to.
"I already love pulling in, it was easy, easier than the other school," said one parent, Jessica Preston.
"That [convenience] gives students more time to spend either at the school, or in the community, or to use their time better," explained Estrella.
Ground was broken in April 20204 on the 86,332-square-foot building, and while it has an estimated price tag of $86 million, the city says 60% of that was reimbursed through a new state program.
"It's a great opportunity for us all to be in the heart of SoNo, where we all have learned and come together as a community many times over, and now students can also be here to learn," said Randall Austin, the school's principal.
The school is opening with pre-K through third grade classes and will be adding fourth and fifth grade over the next few years, holding 682 students at full capacity.