Back to the books

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South Central Elementary School crossing guard Ruthie Blackmon, right, greets students arriving for the first day of class on Thursday. [Karen Mansfield]

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Students at Canon-McMillan Elementary School started classes for the 2026-27 school year on Thursday. [Karen Mansfield]

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Students carried new backpacks and water bottles into South Central Elementary School, where classes started Thursday for the 2026-27 school year. [Karen Mansfield]

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Crossing guard Ruthie Blackmon greets students departing the school bus as they head into South Central Elementary School for the first day of classes on Thursday morning. [Karen Mansfield]

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Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of South Central Elementary School students who started classes for the 2026-27 school year on Thursday. Students were greeted by teachers, administrators, and school crossing guards with high-fives and encouragement.

Canon-McMillan and Peters Township were among the first school districts to head back to school, while Chartiers-Houston and Washington begin on Aug. 24, and Trinity Area starts Aug. 27.

South Central Elementary principal Rob Miele stood outside to say hello to students.

“The first day of school is always one of my favorite days.

“I think back to my first days of school and they are a core memory for me, I always looked forward to it, so our teachers do everything they can to make sure the kids have a good day and go home and can tell their parents they had a good first day,” he said.