As the summer sunlight begins to dim and the scalding sand on the beach begins to cool it’s about time that everyone prepares themselves for our academic journey. On August 23, the first day of school, there were a lot of things to look forward to, some new and some old in order to prepare ourselves for the year ahead.
This year, the Upper St. Clair School District introduces an updated schedule that promises to enhance the learning experience. A notable change is the relocation of Academic Resource Time, which now finds its place right in the heart of the school day. Students will have the opportunity to access academic support, engage in collaborative projects, or pursue personal interests during this dedicated time. The shift aims to foster a more balanced and productive school day, catering to the diverse needs of our student body.
Senior student, Arnav Kumar, stated, “I’m excited about the new schedule. Having Academic Resource Time in the middle of the day means I can seek help or work on assignments when I need it most and take a break from constant classes.”
Students will also be starting the day later this year with a new 8 AM start to the day. Many students are looking forward to that extra sleep each morning. Day 1 will still look a lot like before but days 2-5 will be a little shorter for each block.
While the schedule may have changed somewhat this year the universal free breakfast did not. The importance of a nutritious breakfast cannot be overstated, and Upper St. Clair School District is proud to continue offering breakfast to all students, free of charge. Pennsylvania’s universal free breakfast program ensures that every student has the opportunity to kick start their day with a healthy meal, setting the stage for success both inside and outside the classroom.
When asked about breakfast, Junior Manav Patel responded with excitement, “It’s always good to just be able to chill with your friends in the cafeteria to start your day”
Opening the day with a warm breakfast and friends to socialize will no doubt reduce the stress of late-night homework loads easing you into the challenges of the day.
If you ever want to see what is being offered for lunch each day you can check out the high school lunch schedule on the school website. Make sure to bookmark the link (https://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Domain/7) for quick access to the daily lunch offerings.
The school morning announcements have moved from YouTube to Boxcast, but students can still watch them in Homeroom each day. If you miss the announcements and want to check them out there is a link on the high school homepage that will let you watch them anytime.
As we head into September students are settling into their school schedule and feeling more comfortable each day. Everyone is looking forward to a fantastic 2023-2024 school year.