New Kensington-Arnold students begin new school year

Most students in the New Kensington-Arnold School District returned to classes on Tuesday.

The district’s kindergarten students at Martin Elementary are scheduled to start on Sept. 7. Screenings are being done by appointment only until Friday.

The district had already decided on its own, before Gov. Tom Wolf’s announced mask mandate Tuesday, to require students and staff to wear face masks because of the covid pandemic. The district’s health and safety plan is available on its website, www.nkasd.com.

About 118 of the district’s students are enrolled in its remote-learning program, meaning they are not attending school in person, Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said.

The 2021-22 school year marks the first for Sefcheck. He was hired in April and started July 1.

“So far, things have gone very smoothly, thanks to our teachers and building administrators,” Sefcheck said Tuesday morning.

“Despite the very warm rooms, teachers have welcomed students eagerly and with excitement. I think we are all happy that students are back and the year has started. For most of us, school provides regularity back into our lives,” he added. “We have learned a lot over the last year and a half and feel confident we are ready to take on any challenges 21-22 throws at us.”

Sefcheck has produced a plan for his first 100 days as the district’s new superintendent, which is also available to view on the district’s website. It details his three-phase transition plan, which consists of data gathering, strategic analysis and goal setting.

The district’s Thanksgiving break is scheduled for Nov. 25-29, and the winter break is Dec. 24-31. Spring break is April 14-18, with April 14 and April 18 marked as snow make-up days.

The last day of the school year and graduation are set for June 2.