Aug. 25 is the first day of classes for students at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute. The teachers, administrators, and volunteers have been working to have classes ready for the students when they arrive.

Michele Connors, new principal, reported to the Joint Operating Committee that the new student tours held Thursday were successful.

“We had some student and staff volunteers strategically placed throughout the building to assist and welcome these families,” Connors reported.

New student orientation is scheduled for Aug. 20.

“Thank you to all of our faculty and staff for their assistance with these back-to-school events,” Connors added.

New teacher orientation days are being held throughout August to help new hires with their transition, and Aug. 21 is the first teacher in-service day for the school year.

The school will welcome teachers back with a variety of activities and training sessions as well as department and career cluster meetings and of course, time to prepare their classrooms for the students’ arrival.

Connors advised the JOC that she has been preparing for the students’ arrival and participating in interviews, holding meetings and has been in contact with some students and parents on concerns related to student discipline, attendance, etc. in hopes of being proactive to address the concerns before the new school year.

Most of the planned upgrades and repairs to the school are just about completed, according to Ken Walters, supervisor of building and grounds. Handrails are still being installed on the new exterior entrance stairway project. The parking lot maintenance, summer cleaning & floor refinishing, and the auto lift installation and inspections were completed.

Additional items for buildings and grounds:

• AHERA Compliance: Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response review was completed with no changes post-inspection.

• Right-to-Know/Safety Data Sheets: Visit with teachers scheduled for Sept. 10. New Safety Data Sheet books arriving Oct. 1, 2025, valid through Sept. 30, 2026.

• Garage Door Preventative Maintenance: Completed, with additional repairs scheduled.

• Jim Thorpe Borough Drainage Project: On hold pending solicitor’s review.

• Raptor Alert + Accountability Training: Scheduled for the first in-service day with faculty. This additional training is being offered at no charge.

Special education

Christine Trovato, facilitator of special education, reported her plans for the new school year.

“In preparation for the new school year, I have been preparing for new teacher orientation days and returning teachers and instructional aide in service days,” Trovato reported.

“Some special population topics to present include, “Implementing IEP and 504 accommodations-What is your responsibility when working with students with special needs/disabilities?”; “Providing In Class Support & Co-Teaching”; “McKinney Vento: Homelessness-Signs to look for; Procedures for Reporting; Providing Accommodations to Students Deemed Homeless.”

Other items in preparation for the new school year include, scheduling co-taught and support classes; participating in IEP meetings as scheduled; planning for special education department meetings and instructional aide meetings, and preparing for new student orientation evening.