Aspinwall's Christ the Divine welcomes students back for 1st day of class

Increased technology and improved security were in place for the first day of school at Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall.

About 190 students in kindergarten through eighth grade returned to class on Aug. 26, with members of the Aspinwall police department on hand to welcome them back.

As mandated by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, students, staff and visitors are required to wear masks indoors.

Director of marketing Katie Lovett said temperature and wellness checks will be conducted at student arrival each morning.

“We are thrilled to be starting the school year with such a strong enrollment and exceptional staff,” principal Mark Grgurich said. “It is a testament to the CDTCA community that we continue to thrive year after year.”

Added technology means that every student will have a tablet or Chromebook to work on this year. The school is one-to-one with student/technology across all grades, Lovett said.

Other highlights for back-to-school include new floors in several classrooms, double the number of security cameras throughout the buildings at 27, new entrance doors at the middle school building and an improved wireless network.

This year, enrollment in the pre-kindergarten class is up 67%.

“The quality of education at CDTCA continues to attract families from all of our neighboring school districts,” Lovett said. “Families feel the welcoming environment as soon as they enter our buildings. We are blessed to continue to grow and offer top-notch, Catholic education to so many students.”

Since Grgurich’s arrival at the school in 2016, enrollment across the board is up 35% and the school facilities have received full makeovers, Lovett said.

“Technology at the school grows every year with the newest technology in the classrooms and media centers,” she said.

To celebrate the end of their first day back, students enjoyed the annual tradition of popsicles outdoors.