Many students returned to classes this week, where they discovered improved classrooms, learned about new programs and met different teachers.

Here's a look at some of those changes in our second back-to-school roundup:

After a half day of classes last Thursday and Friday, students reported for a full day of school Monday to the Catholic school in Sheraden.

This is the first full year of the Bringing Up Grades program in conjunction with the Sheraden Kiwanis Club, which will donate incentive rewards for students who improve their grades.

Children will participate in the Caitlin's Smiles program, named in memory of Caitlin Mary Hornung, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 1997 and died in October 2000. She enjoyed doing craft projects. The program involves students providing craft supplies (beads, strings, ornaments, etc.) for sick children in hospitals.

Verizon's national Tools for School program provided back-to-school supplies (pencils, crayons, scissors, etc.) for many students. The donation was made by Verizon employees at the utility's North Side facility.

The school year began with a half day of classes Monday and a full day on Tuesday in Baden. Enrollment is holding steady.

After half days last Thursday and Friday, students reported Monday for a full day. The computer room was renovated and a large supply of donated books are being placed on shelves in the library of the school in Hopewell.

Two SMART Boards, which are interactive white boards, will be introduced this year. Enrollment has increased from 149 to 162 in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The preschool program for 4-year-olds has been expanded to full time with the option of children staying only a half day.

Quigley, which is one of 11 schools to be selected among the Top 50 Catholic high schools in the country for the past four years, began its 43rd year for 212 students Monday. Enrollment has increased for the fourth year in a row in the school in Baden.

New course offerings this year include a chemistry lab course, taught in tandem with the classroom lectures in a newly refurbished lab. The history department has added an elective, USA Today, covering the Cold War until present time. Also, a contemporary economics class will help students understand the new global economy.

The English department is now offering an in-depth public speaking course to help students feel confident when addressing any size group.

A full-time teacher, Nicolas DiNuzzo, has been hired to supervise the Monaca school's school computer program. He is an alumnus of St. John the Baptist.

A new cafeteria floor has been installed in the school, which started classes Tuesday. Also, a new Confraternity of Christian Doctrine office has been opened in the school to connect parish and school.

The school opened last Thursday for its 94th year of serving St. Philip parish and children in Crafton, Ingram, Thornburg and Rosslyn Farms.

Enrollment is 325 -- a 5 percent increase. Each grade (K-8) has two classrooms; 55 preschoolers are registered in the 3- and 4-year-old programs.

St. Philip will promote character growth through the Angelway virtue development program. Over the summer, the school upgraded its computer labs, placed updated computers in the classrooms, purchased an additional SMART Board and revised the online grading program.

The Middle States accreditation will undergo renewal this year.

Classes started last Thursday and Friday with half days of school. All students reported for a full day Monday. Enrollment is stable at the Catholic school in Aliquippa.

A full-day kindergarten will be offered for the first time in addition to a half-day option for children in Beaver.

Enrollment is stable for grades 1 to 8. Approximately 21 children are enrolled in the full-day kindergarten program, which started yesterday.

Grades 1-8 started school Monday, and kindergarten sessions started yesterday. Preschool for age 3 will start Tuesday and the program for age 4 will begin Wednesday at the school in Scott.

The school has a new instrumental music teacher, art text books and prints for art appreciation and a music program for elementary students. The school is celebrating its 50th year.

Classes began Monday. Because of the large number of pupils in kindergarten through fourth grade -- more than 900 -- the elementary school will have two principals, creating two schools within one building.

Principal Denise Beverina Moore will head the intermediate students in third and fourth grades. Primary Principal Laurie Gray, formerly the assistant principal, will head kindergarten through second grade.

All elementary pupils will remain under the same roof, with a fifth portable classroom trailer added for space. School board members are continuing to discuss options for expanding the crowded school.

A $45,000 grant from the state Classrooms for the Future program will equip an additional high school classroom with a set of laptop computers, a projector and other state-of-the-art technology. Last year, a $200,000 grant equipped five classrooms with such equipment.

Newly revised student-parent handbooks, fall sports schedules and other information is available online, www.southfayette.org.

The technical education curriculum has been updated in the high school. Classes resumed Monday for students in McKees Rocks and Stowe.

A $25 million renovation and expansion project to accommodate rising enrollment will continue this fall at West Allegheny High School.

When classes began yesterday, students walked through bare corridors, as new ceiling and floor tiles will not be installed until next summer.

Continuing construction of a 22-classroom wing and three-level gym annex will mean some off-limits areas and restricted parking.

District officials said they would minimize disruptions to students, but to expect some noise, dust and other inconveniences. Safety measures will include fences, temporary partitions and worker ID badges.

As of late July, districtwide enrollment was expected to be 3,267 -- a decrease of six students since early June.

A relaxed grading scale will make 90 percent to 100 percent an A, 80 percent to 89 percent a B, 70 percent to 79 percent a C, 60 percent to 69 percent a D and 59 percent and below an F. Previously, students needed 93 percent to earn an A.

Student lunch prices will rise 25 cents, to $2.15 in the elementary schools and $2.25 in the middle and high schools.

The district has revised the curriculums for language arts, music and English as a second language; added new Advanced Placement courses in art, statistics and calculus; and purchased replacement textbooks for elementary math classes and high school honors physics.

Technology upgrades include 60 replacement computers, new interactive white boards and upgrades to various software and data backup systems.

New security measures include an automated telephone system to notify parents of emergency situations and critical information.