Jim Thorpe Area School District has delayed the first day of school until next week, due to expected flooding and some last-minute COVID-19 prevention measures.

The district announced Wednesday that students would return following the Labor Day holiday. The first day of school was originally set for Thursday.

“In the storm aftermath, with student drivers and bus stop safety issues, we felt this was the wrong day to have the first day of school,” said Superintendent John Rushefski.

The two canceled school days will be made up on June 9-10, 2022. Athletics and activities were still scheduled to go on as planned Thursday and Friday, weather permitting.

The first day for students is also the first day of the statewide order for face coverings in schools. The order from the Wolf administration requires students, staff and visitors to wear masks in school.

The school district is using the extra days to take additional COVID-19 prevention measures in the lunch areas. It is waiting to receive large shields that will run the length of the lunch tables to limit exposure between students at lunch.

“We have students essentially facing each other and you can’t eat lunch with a mask on,” Rushefski said.