CONTRIBUTED PHOTOSKing Tavarez, a first-grader at Gockley Elementary School, shows off his Pokemon backpack for the first day of school for the 2026-27 academic year. Classes in Whitehall-Coplay School District began Aug. 24.

Jonathan Tavarez, a sixth-grade student at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School, is excited for the start of school.

Aiyana Tavarez heads off to fourth grade at Zephyr Middle School.

Madison Piger, in third grade at Steckel Elementary School, and Tyler Piger, a kindergartner at Gockley Elementary, are all smiles for the camera.

Kindergartner at Gockley Averly Donlon and eighth-grader at WCMS Andre Donlon take a moment together for the start of school.

Madison Fehnel, a senior at Whitehall High School, and DJ Fehnel, an 11th-grader at WHS, head off to school Aug. 24. Additional back-to-school photos will appear in upcoming editions.