Butler school district’s first day of school sees range of emotions
BUTLER TWP — Charles, an eighth-grader at Butler Intermediate High School, and his brother, sixth-grader Mason, nervously arrived today for their first day at a new school. Although annoyed about leaving their friends back home, their feelings are mixed about the first day.
“I’m anxious because I came from a very small town, so this is different for me,” Charles said.
“I’m a little nervous, but I’m also a little excited. It’s a lot,” Mason added.
The excitement. The nerves. All of the emotions were being felt by the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Butler Intermediate High School on their first day of classes Thursday, Aug. 27. Seeing summer slip away — temperatures were in the low 60’s around drop-off time — caused mixed feelings for the returning students.
“It is quite a bit stressful. You want to have everything organized and ready to go, and hit the ground running when the year starts,” said Josh Uncapher, a physical education teacher at the intermediate school. “As much as it’s stressful, it’s also fun. It’s exciting and fun, and we’re looking forward to the kids being here.”
Arriving to school as the sun was still rising, dozens of school buses lined the drop-off zone, unleashing the students to faculty members directing traffic and welcoming the students back for another year at Butler Area School District.
“It’s a refreshing to be here, coming back into the school and starting up, starting all over again. We got the new sixth graders coming in, it’s nice to see them coming up from the elementary schools,” Uncapher said. I can see some of the stress in their faces, coming to the big school. We want to do what we can to make sure they’re happy to be here.”
Some students were seen giving hugs to their favorite teachers, connecting after several months away from school. Others reunited with their classmates with a simple high-five and a “what’s up, dude.” Meanwhile, others could be heard saying “I don’t want to go inside.”
For teachers returning to classes Thursday morning, preparing for not only the first day but for the entire 2026-27 school year has gone on for months.
“It’s great having all the staff back, all the kids back, and seeing their smiles,” said Brian Slamecka, assistant superintendent of the school district. “It’s not even just in the summer. Planning for this, it starts in the spring. Seeing the culmination of our efforts all spring and summer long, it’s very anxious but it’s good to have everyone back.”
