BELLEVILLE — As a teacher and administrator, Jessica Geissinger believes there are few things more exciting than the start of a new school year.

Each year holds new possibilities and a new journey with teachers and their students. For Belleville Christian School and many schools throughout the Juniata River Valley, it all starts this week.

The Mifflin County and Juniata County school districts start today, while Belleville Christian School opens its doors on Wednesday. Neighboring Midd-West School District started on Aug. 19, while students in Mount Union returned on Aug. 20.

Regardless of the start date, the first day of school has arrived. Time to trade in the bathing suits for backpacks, sleeping late for late-night homework and summer jobs for extracurricular activities.

“Diving into a new school year holds all the opportunities for students, parents, and other staff members to become a cohesive team who begin to feel like family,” said Geissinger, who serves as the middle school principal at Belleville Christian School as well as teaching sixth-grade social studies, seventh-grade mathematics and science and eighth-grade history/civics and literature.

“Even though this is my 15th year at Belleville Christian School, there is always a new level of excitement and joy,” Geissinger added. “At Back to School Night, I found that I just did not have enough time to connect with everyone that I wanted to get to talk to. It made my heart come alive just to hear from students and parents what was happening in their lives.”

One thing that happened at BCS over the summer months is a name change as the school replaced Mennonite with Christian, citing the desire to have a name that more fully reflects its Christ-centered education and Biblical worldview.

Although the moniker Thunder remains for its athletic teams, the school unveiled its new name, along with a new website and school logo.

“I love that we now have a compass incorporated into part of our logo,” Geissinger explained. “It is such a wonderful reminder that Christ is our true north, in all things.”

Now, administrators, staff and students return to the classroom excited about what the future might hold.

“One of the greatest things to me is walking down the hallway and seeing new and familiar faces,” Geissinger said. “I still enjoy learning and I find myself being pushed to learn new things each year as students ask questions and share what they are ‘wondering’ about.

“I enjoy the process of learning the dynamic of each class, and then re-learning the class as they mature through middle school,” Geissinger added. “It is quite remarkable to get to teach students over the course of a few years and watch how they grow. Each new year I am reminded that I get to have a small place, and maybe even some level of impact, on these students’ lives and for that, I am incredibly grateful. I think back through my own school career and can still name most of my teachers.”

Geissinger finds herself very reflective during the first few weeks. “I tend to remember all the things I loved about my teachers and I try to figure out how I can connect with my students or teach my students in those ways,” she explained. “I want students to learn, but I also want them to enjoy school. I think it is so important that we see the whole student, body, mind and soul.”

Year three at the Academy

Nicolette Cusate teaches agricultural sciences at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown. The school’s enrollment is trending upward and Cusate and others couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming year.

“I love showing my students all the different things they are going to learn throughout their time in the program and how they start to make connections that agriculture truly is a huge industry,” said Cusate, who said this year marks her third first day of school.

Cusate, who also serves as the Big Valley FFA Advisor, sees her students during the summer months as they participate in many local fairs.

“We are constantly out in the community, traveling or holding events for our members,” she said. “It keeps my job fun and exciting.”

And it certainly doesn’t take any of the thrill away from the school’s first day.

‘Bo’ knows first days

Daniel “Bo” Koishal might be fairly new to the Juniata County School District, but he is hardly new to the first day of school.

The East Juniata High School principal will take part in his 32nd first day of school this year. He was formally hired after the start of the school year and missed opening day in 2024.

“The first day is seeing the kids, having that welcome back assembly, and walking the halls and cafeteria listening to all the stories of summer,” Koishal said. “Basically catching up!”

He plans to hit the ground running on the first day.

“Since this is the first first day here at EJHS, I have some items we need to discuss with some changes in the building, and making sure everyone is on the same page: students, staff and parents for the Friday Open House,” Koishal said of the Aug. 22 event.

“I feel like the Friday Open House is an easy way for parents to walk the building, see new teachers and old, and make those connections for this year,” Koishal added. “This also gives them an opportunity to see the administrative team and talk with us.”

Wearing multiple hats

In the Juniata County School District, Travis Quici has served as the athletic director for Juniata and East Juniata for many years as well as the school librarian at Juniata.

Quici relies on organizational skills and his support staff, including game-day staff, to manage his responsibilities.

“It’s a challenge, but the school administration has that confidence that I can do it successfully,” Quici said. “It’s a very unique situation to have the duties and responsibilities I do. I’ve always kind of worn many hats there. The coaching and AD had a different set of challenges obviously.I am fortunate to have fantastic coaches in place. That makes the AD side of the job more manageable. I have the confidence that the coaches will take care of what they need to take care of. My support staff also helps. The field crews are fantastic at all facilities. I know I never have to worry about our fields. I think I have the best guys around.

“The office staff has also been a huge help at the beginning of this transition,” Quici added. “They have helped with keeping me organized. My game staff is also going to be critical. Having seasoned vets at other ends allows for smooth events and since I can’t be in two places at once. Our game staff all play a critical part in our success.”

This year, Quici has also become the new administrator for the Juniata County Virtual Academy. This role is vital to the district as they attempt to retain students who look at attending cyber charter schools as an alternative.

“The two assistant principals have been nothing short of amazing,” Quici explained. “They both understand the job very well and have made the difficult transition easy. Our school guidance counselors have also been a huge help and resource. Everyone involved fully understands the difficulties in the merging of these positions, especially at the start of school and fall sports.”

While it makes every day challenging, that is part of the job. In the end, it makes the first day of school special for students, staff and administrators alike.

“I am beyond blessed that God has called me to work at BCS,” Geissinger said. “The faculty, staff, parents and especially the students are really pretty amazing!”