Armstrong Junior-Senior High Navigates First Day
Teachers and other employees were reminded to arrive at the Buffington Drive campus early Tuesday morning to avoid any traffic confusion or delays for the first day of school in the new building.
by Jonathan Weaver
Half-a-decade ago, Armstrong County was divided between renovating existing community schools or using borrowed funds to build a new, bigger school complex.
But, after two years of construction, more than 1,700 7-12 grade students can officially say they attend Armstrong Junior-Senior High in Manor Township after the school opened its doors for classes yesterday morning.
With four Armstrong Lock and Security officers directing buses and motor traffic from the mile-long Buffington Drive entrance, Superintendent Chris Devivo, Acting Assistant Superintendent James Gaggini, Senior High Principal James Rummel and Junior High Principal Kirk Lorigan were among the administrators outside the front entrance greeting students.
Senior High Tech Ed Joe Kovalchick Teacher had no trouble preparing for the first day of school. As well as experience in other districts, Kovalchick taught the past 25 years at Kittanning Senior High.
“After 30 years, you know what you’re going to be doing the first day of school,” Kovalchick said. “It’s a different school, different location, but you’re still teaching kids.”
Kovalchick had some of the students last year, but recognized he had to “go in with a clean slate” because of those coming from Ford City High.
While his classroom was all ready to go, he added that some other shop classes were experiencing electrical problems.
School bus drivers and parents alike waited sometimes more than 20 minutes along Buffington Drive in Manor Township to get to the new Armstrong Junior-Senior High School. Administrators also delayed the start of classes due to the congestion.
Junior High Guidance Counselor Sandy Deforno, of Adrian, is one of two junior high guidance counselors at the new school. Deforno is responsible for about 250 students at Armstrong and did have some jitters, arriving at the Buffington Drive campus by 6:45AM.
“Absolutely – I think just like the kids, we’re just as nervous and had a sleepless night but with nervous energy,” Deforno said. “I was a little nervous about the traffic, so I wanted to make sure I was here in plenty of time.”
In her 14-year guidance career, Deforno has assisted students at Elderton, Ford City and Kittanning Junior High before starting yesterday at Armstrong. She had about 360 students at Kittanning Junior High.
School Board Representative Paul Lobby even stopped in on his way to work in West Kittanning.
“This is sort-of a historic moment: the opening of our new school,” Lobby said. “I get up and my wife said, ‘Hey, if you hurry, you can make it for the first day, so I thought I’m on my way to the office I might as well stop in and see how things are going, see how the flow is moving.
“It’s just incredible to see a new facility like this in Armstrong County – this is something I think everybody in the community is proud of.”
Lobby also anticipated traffic and confusion because of more students being dropped off by parents and the bus configurations. He anticipated the same traffic during the next few days.
Academic Programming/Student Performance Principal Michael Cominos said there is one way to alleviate that traffic.
“I think the big thing we need to encourage people is to take the school bus to school. It’s going to take people longer to get back here – you can’t wait till the last minute,” Cominos said. “And, there’s going to be traffic if we have this number of cars coming in – they even warned our teachers to be here early.
“I think over time people are going to learn when the best time to arrive is. Any first day of school you’re going to have headaches – you worked hard all summer to plan for everything and a couple things don’t go as planned but it’s still an exciting time,” Cominos added.
Reynolds Construction Management On-site Roshelle Fennell said she is wrapping things up with the school district and contractors are already working and completing punch-list items. She reinforced that students and parents should not see any delays because of those last-minute items.
The front lobby of the school included signed sports memorabilia from Ford City grad Gus Frerotte (who played quarterback for the professional Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins), plaques depicting Kittanning’s Jason Nolf (who was a three-time State champion), and PIAA Champion Chamie Hooks and the River Hawks 2014 championship bowling team.
English and TV Production Teacher Don Swanson made the first morning announcements
Armstrong School District | jweaver September 9, 2015
By Elderton Parent, September 9, 2015 @ 10:19 AM
Hey, guess what? WSHS started yesterday too! Along with all the elementary schools. They are all schools in ASD.
WSHS had a home football game last Friday too.
SMH
By savvynewshound, September 9, 2015 @ 12:48 PM
There was a PIAA State Championship and 2 WPIAL Championships in baseball from Ford City as well. Did the former AD throw those plaques away as the video indicated?
By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, September 9, 2015 @ 1:58 PM
School Board Representative Paul Lobby even stopped in on his way to work in West Kittanning.
“This is sort-of a historic moment: the opening of our new school,” Lobby said. “I get up and my wife said, ‘Hey, if you hurry, you can make it for the first day, so I thought I’m on my way to the office I might as well stop in and see how things are going, see how the flow is moving.
“It’s just incredible to see a new facility like this in Armstrong County – this is something I think everybody in the community is proud of.”
Lobby also anticipated traffic and confusion because of more students being dropped off by parents and the bus configurations. He anticipated the same traffic during the next few days.
~~~~~~~
Obviously someone felt left out of all of the fun… Someone wanted some attention! I hope you are proud of this “thing” you created- because I can assure you the rest of the community is not. It is a historic moment when you sell out your communities Dr.Lobby and it will be something that is not forgotten anytime soon.
PS: we could have had 4 facilities that looked as beautiful as that castle on the hill and we wouldn’t have had to worry about traffic congestion or electrical problems. You’ll get your just desserts…
By Flamingo1, September 9, 2015 @ 8:18 PM
@lowfat and baloney
Fortunately we moved away from the narrow thinking you reflect. We could have been progressive 20 years ago, but your type kept our county and community from progress and in the dark ages. You and the Solak crew lost.
Now it is time for you to quiet down, go away and admit that you lost to the modern times.
By Just sayin, September 9, 2015 @ 8:41 PM
Don’t cry over spilled milk. We have to move on and face it now.
It IS news when a new school opens; just like it was news when West Shamokin first opened its doors.
Elder Parent, you are being petty.
The school is awesome, taxes and all. The sunrises will be gorgeous. The students feel proud and love it. They feel special and have a sense of togetherness. It is the most perfect spot for a school. I only wish I were going there to learn!
I think it is exciting, and I wish everyone the best.
By localtaxpayer, September 10, 2015 @ 6:07 AM
Finally the new Armstrong Central is open like it should still be from the early 90s.
By jorn jensen, September 10, 2015 @ 7:14 AM
and, Armstrong Central would have been paid off, by now, while there had still been good jobs in the area.
By Rat_Smeller, September 10, 2015 @ 12:07 PM
They shouldn’t be too proud of this technological terror they constructed. They showed they could spend a lot of money on a building. Now lets see how well they do at seeing the kids in that building get an education that matches.
By Elderton Parent, September 10, 2015 @ 9:25 PM
Rat_Smeller, The same ASD teachers are in the new school. Nothing will change as far as education. I’m not saying there aren’t a few good ones in the bunch. Very few. ASD teachers have a reputation for being lazy and riding the wave to retirement.
Let’s get rid of them you say? Thanks to the Union, it is about impossible!
By Just sayin, September 10, 2015 @ 10:40 PM
You’re a bunch of joykills.
Move down south;then you’ll see poor education in some of the areas.
We have great teachers. My children are smart. Maybe yours didn’t pay attention.
By sickofpayingforit, September 11, 2015 @ 11:43 AM
All that matters are test scores. You could teach kids in a circus tent if the curriculum, and delivery, are good.
By Jerri, September 11, 2015 @ 11:52 PM
@just sayin. You’re defending the education in the school district by saying your kids are smart? So…that means they were educated in those terrible schools that our school board closed so they could bankrupt us taxpayers with their dream school. Thanks for proving the point that we didn’t need this school.
By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, September 12, 2015 @ 12:05 AM
Aw Flamingo- you silly pink bird… You would like me to go away wouldn’t you?
Did I touch a nerve honey? So sorry your version of “progress” includes selling out the communities that have bought and paid for those schools with money, blood sweat and tears.. BUT PLEASE- continue to tell me how this new school is worth it all! Tell me how it is worth all of these poor old people being forced out of their homes…
Consolidation does not work financially or educationally. PERIOD. So your request for me to “go away” has been denied… I will continue to speak the truth until I die… and you can continue to speak your version of the truth, even though you just drank the kool aid that was laced with lie and corruption.
Have fun going to sleep knowing you helped destroy the communities of this county…
By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, September 12, 2015 @ 12:07 AM
Just sayin- are you a school board member or just full of it?
Either way I suggest you go see a doctor because your freaking delusional.
By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, September 12, 2015 @ 12:07 AM
you’re*
By carlbroPA, September 15, 2015 @ 6:31 PM
@ lowfat, thank you for correcting the spelling in your last post. You’re looks much better. As far as anyone destroying communities in this area, it takes action to build new communities. John Armstrong in 1756 chose to recruit 306 English-speaking settlers to send a message to Chief Jacob and the Indians at Kit-Han-ne that killing his brother or any other settlers was not ok… The Battle of Kittanning was the first in a series of battles that turned the tide of the French and Indian War, otherwise this ‘Armstrong School’ debate might not have happened. John Ford sent many European towns plummeting when he lured their glassworkers away to work in Ford City, PA. Change is all around us. We need to embrace some aspects of change and do better in the future.
By blutoblutarsky, September 16, 2015 @ 7:23 AM
Great comment Carl!
By Just sayin, September 16, 2015 @ 10:11 AM
Ditto, kiddo Carl!
Some of the same teachers but different school…Jerri-you don’t make sense.
Let’s move on. You can’t do a thing about it. All of your moaning won’t change a thing.
I didn’t like to see my school go, either. But I am mature and SANE enough not to biotch over something that can’t be undone (excuse the double negatives).
You all are giving yourselves ulcers — big festering, oozing ones.
By fotrabla, September 16, 2015 @ 11:15 AM
I am a Bobcat forever, and I am not sold on the fact that we had to have a new school, but my son is a junior at Armstrong HS and on the first day of school he came home and said he could see Ford City and Kittanning from the school. He thinks that is the coolest thing that they built the school in a place that merges our communities together and the kids definitely are feeling a great sense of pride in their new home. As far as his education, I am not impressed with some of the teachers that made their way from KHS to the new school, they don’t deserve the jobs. But there are also some great teachers who really do make the effort to help these kids that are also there. Time will tell how the education improves. The deed is done, there is no turning back so I chose to be supportive of my son, The RiverHawk.