Curriculums expanded as Valley schools welcome back students

Some districts had extensive construction projects this summer.

The bells are about to ring, the buses are warming up, and mascots from Leopards to Greyhounds are ready to cheer on a brand new school year.

Across the Mon Valley, districts have been hard at work turning classrooms into launchpads, cafeterias into community hubs, and school policies into pathways for success.

From upgraded buildings and bold academic moves to international partnerships and phone-free zones, here’s a district-by-district look at what’s fresh, what’s changing and what families need to know as students head back to school.

Belle Vernon Area

Superintendent: Dr. Timothy Glasspool At Belle Vernon, summer wasn’t a break — it was a full-scale operation.

Staff members have cleaned and refreshed 350,000 square feet of space, maintained 40 acres of grounds, replaced 341 air filters, serviced 48 buses and vans and completed multiple building improvements at every school.

“The start of every school year brings excitement, fresh opportunities, and new challenges,” Glasspool said. “I am incredibly proud of the work our staff has done to prepare for opening day, and I am confident that with the support of our families and community, we are ready for a safe and successful school year. By working together, we will continue to inspire pride and achievement across Belle Vernon Area.” Families should anticipate some delays during drop-off and pick-up due to ongoing road work.

The district recommends allowing extra travel time to accommodate construction-related detours.

California Area

Superintendent: Dr. Laura Jacob The four-day school week is back — and it’s here to stay after a successful change last year.

“Our schedule will be pretty much the same — everyone loved it, so we will be doing that again,” Jacob said. “The students like the flexibility, and elementary students love having a specialist day. It’s been good.”

California Area is expanding its offerings this year with American Sign Language instruction for all grade levels, a Homeland Security course at the secondary level, full-time vet tech training and outdoor leadership education for middle and high school students.

After-school programs are also growing, now including dinner for participants and two new high school clubs: travel and photography. A year-long international exchange with Lyon, France, kicks off this fall as part of a centennial collaboration examining French influence on American independence.

Security upgrades include newly installed weapon detection systems at the secondary campus and a nearly completed new roof. Other improvements include solar expansion and GPS bus tracking.

“Our GPS tracking system will let parents know if the bus is one or two minutes away through an app — really helpful for pickups,” Jacob said.

The district is also keeping its no-phone “Mindful Compass” initiative and rewarding students with quarterly social excursions — skiing, escape rooms and more — for good grades, attendance and following the phone policy.

Trips last year included Fright Night at Kennywood, an escape room and a ski trip.

Rewards will be given quarterly to middle school students this year.

Charleroi Area

Superintendent: Dr. Ed Zelich Charleroi is leaning into academic enrichment, digital communication and student wellness.

“This year, families can expect an even greater focus on personalized learning and expanded opportunities for student engagement,” Zelich said. “We’re also strengthening communication with parents through upgraded digital platforms.”

There’s a lot of new and exciting things happening in Cougar Country.

At every level, students will benefit from innovative programs designed to enrich learning.

At the elementary level, a new K–5 math curriculum, Imagine IM, is being rolled out in collaboration with Imagine Learning.

“This program was chosen with valuable input from teachers, students and families,” Zelich said. “It equips educators with robust tools, fosters curiosity-driven learning for students and provides parents with user-friendly digital resources and instructional videos to support learning at home.”

In the middle school, a new STEM exploratory program introduces coding, robotics and problem-solving.

The high school will expand dual enrollment options alongside a new Introduction to Materials Science course that combines scientific principles, engineering design and real-world applications to prepare students for emerging career fields.

Charleroi is also tackling health and safety with a district- wide implementation of the “CATCH My Breath” youth vaping prevention program. It’s supported by Adagio Health to provide faculty training on the Grades 6-12 CATCH My Breath curriculum, an evidence-based youth vaping prevention program.

Implemented in four 30- to 45-minute lessons, it integrates seamlessly into health and physical education classes.

The partnership also supports prevention-based education, interventions for students caught using nicotine products and updated policies on tobacco and nicotine use on campus.

“This year, we’re placing renewed emphasis on three key policies: attendance, bullying and cyberbullying prevention, and educational equity,” Zelich said.

“These priorities reflect our commitment to keeping our schools safe, inclusive and supportive for all learners.”

Over the summer, the district completed several facility upgrades designed to improve both security and the learning environment.

“Improvements include enhanced building security measures, technology infrastructure updates to support classroom instruction and renovations to high-traffic areas that increase both safety and accessibility,” Zelich said.

From safety to innovation, Zelich said families should expect a student-first standard, as always.

“What excites me most about this school year is the opportunity to see our students and staff continue to grow, innovate and succeed together,” Zelich said. “Our teachers and administrators have worked tirelessly to prepare, and I am confident this will be a year of strong academic progress, enriched student experiences and community pride.”

Elizabeth Forward

Superintendent: Keith Konyk With the first day of school for Elizabeth Forward School District students set for Sept. 2, Konyk reflected on what the upcoming school year will bring and what’s in store for students.

There will be several curriculum updates for all levels of education, including a new reading program from kindergarten through eighth grade. There will be new science resources for sixth to ninth grade, and the high school construction will continue up until the first day of school. Administrators expect students to be back in class Sept. 2 with no delays.

“We are excited to welcome our students and staff back for another great year of learning, growth and achievement,” Konyk said. “We are committed to providing a safe, clean and supportive environment for learning from day one of this new school year.”

McKeesport Area

Superintendent: Don Mac-Fann After a challenging year, MacFann wants to focus on the positives of what’s going on at the district. He’s looking toward the future and hopes to improve the lives of students.

“We’re going to focus on the positive here at McKeesport,” MacFann said. “Our goals are simple. We want to improve education for all students here. We want to prepare these students for the 21st-century workforce, post-secondary, academic, vocational as well as technical education. That’s our goal.”

Curriculum improvements include new math and language arts tools that help teachers pinpoint student weaknesses and tailor instruction accordingly.

As with any new school year, it takes time to get back into the swing of things, and communication is key.

“I can’t stress enough to the community, to the parents, to the guardians, to our students, communicate with your teachers, communicate with your principals,” Mac-Fann said. “Don’t become frustrated. Reach out and communicate with the people that are here to educate your children.”

Monessen

Superintendent: Dr. Robert Motte Motte said modernization is more than a slogan, it’s the district’s mission.

“We’re building a vibrant, inclusive environment where every student feels seen, supported and empowered,” he said.

One of the most impactful changes will be a new grading scale, shifting to a 10s-based system where 90–100 is now an A, and 80–89 a B.

“This decision wasn’t made lightly — it’s rooted in a commitment to equity, student motivation and academic competitiveness,” Motte said. “Grades should inspire students to grow, not discourage them.”

The district has a new look, with a huge infrastructure project taking priority over the summer.

ABM’s construction crews completed demolition and are now remodeling with new layouts and updated designs, Hound Hub & Pup Hub media centers at both school levels, a student-run coffee shop offering hands-on business and hospitality experience, cybersecurity and E-games labs focused on career pathways for digital learners and an AI collaboration with Your Way AI for personalized learning and real-time academic support.

Monessen’s sensory room has also been fully revamped to provide therapeutic support for students with sensory needs or emotional regulation challenges.

“Our phone-free zones are a success, but we know engagement goes beyond just removing distractions,” Motte said. “We’re investing in dynamic instruction, student feedback and project-based learning to deepen participation.”

Two core mindsets will guide the culture for Greyhounds this year: “Go the Extra Mile” and “Stop saying ‘I can’t’ — and start asking ‘How can I?’” Support services are also expanding with added emotional and autistic support personnel, school psychologists and social workers.

New programs like the PAL Pet-Assisted Reading initiative and the “Plant a Seed” SEL curriculum show the district’s full-spectrum approach to student development.

“We’re not just focused on what students know — we’re focused on how they feel while they’re learning,” Motte said. “At Monessen, belonging builds the future.”

West Mifflin

Superintendent: Jeffrey Soles Soles is excited for the 2025-26 school year to begin today. Open house was held Monday as the district gears up for the return of students.

“A special welcome is extended to new students and a welcome back to all our returning students,” Soles said.

While there are no new current curriculum updates, information for busing was mailed to families. More back-to-school information can be found at www.wmasd. org/backtoschool.aspx.

No matter if you’re a Cougar, Greyhound, Leopard, Tiger, Trojan, Warrior or Titan, across the Mon Valley one theme is clear: schools are investing in innovation, communication and student-centered policies.

This year brings fresh ways to get involved, stay informed and support student success.

Staff writers Sarah Pellis and Ladimir Garcia contributed to this story.