Back to school: Butler County students prepare to start the 2025-26 school year
Pack the backpacks. Lace up the new tennis shoes. Double — maybe triple — check the bus schedule. Butler County is heading back to school beginning next week.
Keep this link to check the first day of school for your school district, see photos from the first day and read stories about the start of the new school year.
To submit your first day of school photos to the Butler Eagle for possible publication, please email news@butlereagle.com with the subject line “First Day of School” or send us a message on one of our social media accounts.
North Catholic: Monday, Aug. 18 -freshman and sophomores; Tuesday, Aug 19. Juniors and seniors
Freeport: Wednesday, Aug. 20
Allegheny-Clarion Valley: Wednesday, Aug. 20
Karns City Area: Wednesday, Aug. 20
Mars Area: Thursday, Aug. 21
Seneca Valley: Thursday, Aug. 21
St. Kilian Catholic, Butler Catholic, Holy Seplucher, St. Wendelin Catholic: Thursday, Aug. 21
Moniteau: Monday, Aug. 25
Slippery Rock University: Monday, Aug. 25
Butler County Community College: Monday, Aug. 25
Butler Area: Tuesday, Aug. 26
Knoch: Thursday, Sept. 4
Slippery Rock Area: Thursday, Sept. 4
Photos from students’ first days of school will be posted here.
PennDOT is putting emphasis on bus and pedestrian safety leading up to the beginning of the new school year.
PennDOT said recently that all motorists, parents and students play an important role in keeping children safe. It’s important for motorists to remember laws and good driving practices.
Motorists must stop at least 10 feet from a school bus with red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Motorists approaching a stopped school bus from any direction are required to stop.
PennDOT said if physical barriers like guide rails and medians separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in opposing lanes may proceed. If there is no physical barrier, the driver must stop.
PennDOT also focused on the importance of paying attention and slowing to 15 mph in school zones.
For parents and students, PennDOT recommends arriving to school bus stops early and avoiding running across the road to catch a bus, staying away from the curb to avoid traffic, not running after a school bus that’s already left, and always walking at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so the driver can see you.
