While their situations may be different, the 2018-19 school year is off to a positive start in several area school districts.

Students returned to school Monday in the Tamaqua Area School District, even as the district delayed West Penn elementary school for a few days after a moisture problem was found in the building.

As a result, the district delayed the start of school for all district elementary students by a day. The high school and middle school weren’t affected by the plan and attended school as scheduled.

“We could not be more proud of our community, staff and students with the unexpected situation at West Penn,” said Assistant Superintendent Stephen Toth. “There were some traffic light issues that our borough and district have voiced concern with PennDOT.

“All said, it was as smooth as it could go under the conditions.”

Meanwhile, it was a fresh start for students who attend St. Jerome Regional School, which opened Monday at its new learning environment at the former Rush Township Elementary School in Hometown.

Principal Amy Hannis-Miskar said the start went “pretty smooth.”

“The kids are really excited, everyone had a really great first day,” Hannis-Miskar said. “I think we wanted to make it really exciting for the kids, so yesterday we had Marian High School football players and some of the cheerleaders here.”

She added, “Our focus has been if you get the kids excited about school and they want to be here every day, that’s a great way to start off the year.”

Students also returned to the classroom Monday in the Northern Lehigh School District, where they had a “great day,” according to Superintendent Matthew Link.

“Students arrived yesterday morning greeted by an enthusiastic staff that knows every interaction matters, so make it a positive one,” Link said. “We are expecting great things this year.”

Link added that the Main Street Bridge closure “caused some delays for our buses, but nothing too drastic nor unexpected due to the preparation of our transportation department and bus company.

We will continue to monitor that situation, but expect it to fall into a routine quickly.”