School start dates getting earlier in some districts

Barbara Arnold of Springdale helps her grandson, Brayden, 10, with setting up his laptop at Springdale High School on Wednesday as Matt Maine, the district’s technology director, watches. Students in the Allegheny Valley School District go back to school Aug. 19.

Brooklyn Dreistadt (right), a rising fourth grader at Penn-Trafford’s Harrison Park Elementary School, reacts as she hula-hoops during a summer reading celebration Thursday at the high school. The event was held for elementary students who completed a series of reading assignments this summer.

Finnley Wingfield, 3, tries out at field hockey during a summer reading celebration Thursday at Penn-Trafford High School. The event was held for elementary students, including Finnley’s siblings, who completed a series of reading assignments this summer.

Emma Rose Pierce, who will be attending kindergarten at Penn-Trafford’s Sunrise Elementary School, high-fives a high school girls soccer player after scoring during a summer reading celebration Thursday at high school. The event was held for elementary students who completed a series of reading assignments this summer.

Joey Joy Ekis, a rising fourth grader at Penn-Trafford’s Harrison Park Elementary School, claps as she plays soccer with high school students during a summer reading celebration Thursday at the high school. The event was held for elementary students who completed a series of reading assignments this summer.

Nathaniel Castellani, a rising fifth grader at Penn-Trafford’s McCullough Elementary School, goes for a pass from a high school football player during a summer reading celebration Thursday at the high school. The event was held for elementary students who completed a series of reading assignments this summer.