Can you believe that the 2018-2019 school year is already almost a month in? While it may seem like almost yesterday that students were trying to get the most out of the last days of summer, the new school year has already brought opportunities to learn and grow.

Pottsville Area High School

The first two weeks at the high school were just like many years – The school was hot,  and the air was thick. Students did their best to cope with the high temperatures and humidity while learning new routines. For the senior class, this was the last time they had to endure the ending wrath of summer, and many were anxious about the year to come.

“Senior year is going to be great,” senior Destiny Granville said. “I am excited to graduate, but I am also nervous and overwhelmed. This year is the most exciting year of our life, but also the most stressful because we are approaching adulthood.”

D.H.H. Lengel Middle School

At the D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, students are also adapting to new roles and environments. For the fifth graders, the transition from the elementary school is just a block away. However, there are multiple changes being implemented into their day, including switching classes, lunch procedures, and having lockers.

“I like [the middle school] better because we have more responsibilities and freedoms here,” fifth grader Maggie Brennan said. “In elementary school, we had more teacher instruction, but here we have to work more independently.”

On the other hand, many eighth graders began the new school year by enjoying the comfort of a familiar school. Next year, they will be the students adapting to new teachers and schedules in a bigger school. As eighth graders, they are taking classes with the teachers they have known for three years in a building they know well.

“What I like about this school is that all the teachers are helpful and understanding. The cafeteria staff is really nice here,” eighth grader Kathleen Jenkins said. “We are hard-working here, so it’s easy if you do your work. It’s different being the big kids of the school.”

John S. Clarke Elementary Center

The students, teachers and staff at John S. Clarke Elementary had a late start to the school year. After the first day of classes, mold was discovered in the air, so the school was closed for the week until the problem was resolved.

“When school came back, I didn’t really know what to do because it felt like the first day of school again. I was confused,” fourth grader Jake Powers said.

When classes resumed the following Tuesday September 4, the extended summer break was over. However, the elementary school faculty was ready to make a terrific second start.

“It was definitely a readjustment to our schedule when we found out we were going to be off for a few days,” fourth grade teacher Mr. Jack Spleen said. “The kids were excited to be back after only being here for one day. Things are going as planned, and we are excited for a great school year.”