A new school year dawns at Fox Chapel Area School District.

Students were to report to their first day of classes Aug. 23.

Enrollment was listed at about 4,200 students with 353 teachers.

Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac said Wednesday everyone wants to start on a positive note.

“We are very excited to welcome our students and staff back for the 2022-2023 school year, celebrating that we are ‘better together’ as the Fox Chapel Area school community,” Reljac said. “A successful school year is not possible without contributions from each and every member of our school community, and we’re so very fortunate for the robust collaboration and support that we enjoy here. As we begin the 2022-2023 school year, I know that we will find many new reasons — both big and small — to continue to be #FCProud.”

Board President Marybeth Dadd echoed those sentiments via email to the Tribune-Review.

“I am excited for the opening of another school year,” she said. “I hope that students, faculty and staff had a great summer and are recharged and ready for great school year.”

Building improvements

Buildings and grounds crews were busy with numerous projects while students were away.

Multiple facility improvements were completed at O’Hara Elementary School during the summer including painting, new flooring and ceiling tiles, and the installation of LED lighting in the kindergarten wing.

Upgrades also were made to the concession stand in the high school stadium.

Several new teachers, support staff and custodial staff were recently added.

Rachel Machen, president of the Fox Chapel Educators Association and high school counselor, believes her colleagues are prepared for the challenges ahead.

“The members of our association are excited to welcome our students for the 2022-2023 school year,” Machen said. “We look forward to building relationships, not only with our students, but with their pa rents and guardians, as well as with the larger community. Our members are incredibly dedicated to our students and the community as a whole.”

Preparing for new standards

The district was granted a $480,000 PAsmart Advancing Grant through the state Department of Education.

The grant will support proactive efforts to prepare educators for the implementation of the new PA Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology, and Engineering standards.

More information on how the district intends to do that will be released later this year.

Educators nationwide will want to see what is happening at Fox Chapel Area as the district was named a Learning 2025 Demonstration System to Watch by the School Superintendents Association, a professional organization of more than 13,000 educators worldwide.

Fox Chapel Area is one of only 18 across the United States to receive this designation in 2022.

It was recognized for providing a student-centered, equity-focused, and future-driven educational system for all learners with specific attention to cognitive growth.

Breakfast, lunch prices up

Breakfast and lunch prices have returned to pre-covid levels.

A student lunch at the high school will cost nearly $3 during the 2022-23 school year, according to prices set by the school board.

The price of a daily lunch for secondary students will be $2.95, and elementary students will pay $2.65 daily. This is a 10-cent increase in the lunch price for both elementary and secondary students.

Breakfast prices for both elementary and secondary students will be $1.45 a day. This also is a 10-cent per day increase.

The price of milk will remain at 75 cents per carton.

Pandemic-era flexibility allowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help schools and day care facilities provide free meals for all students was set to end June 30, and is not expected to be renewed.

Parents and guardians of students eligible for free and reduced meals should fill out the form mailed by the district to all parents and guardians this summer.

The Fox Chapel Area School Board approved the 2022-23 meal prices on June 13.

More information about school district activities is available on its website, fcasd.edu.

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