Much like many of its contemporaries, St. Joseph Regional Academy in Jim Thorpe had a productive start to its school year when classes got underway Monday.

Principal Amanda Salovay described the school's opening as a "good day.""The kids were excited, the teachers were excited; things went off really well," Salovay said."We all went together to pray and start off the year well."Salovay said that the buses did a good job providing transportation of the students, and that there are air conditioners in each room, though the students have been going outside for recess.She said lunches won't start to be served until next week, so students have been packing their lunches.There are 112 students enrolled, Salovay said.Of those, 112 are in grades K-8, while the other 36 are in its preschool and transitional kindergarten program.She said new teachers this year include Judy Paterson (third grade) and Betty McCall (fourth grade).Meanwhile, Salovay said the school will be getting a new main door that will be installed this month, and will have work done on the outside of the building, such as freshening the paint at the archway by the Sixth Street entrance.