Several new students who hoped to attend Penn Hills public schools when they opened yesterday were not able to do so because the district is working its way through a backlog of registrations.

School district spokeswoman Teresita Kolenchak declined to give the number of students affected by processing delays, but said the district expects to register most of them by the end of the week.

She attributed the backlog to a larger-than-expected influx of new registrations in recent days. To handle the overflow, the district has added staff to the Pupil Services office and extended hours of operation.

Registration appointments may be scheduled today until 7 p.m., tomorrow until 4:30 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday by calling 412-793-7000, ext. 217 or 219. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Once a registration is initiated, the district has five to eight days to place the student in class. School days missed by students because of processing delays will be considered excused absences, said Ms. Kolenchak.