PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Today wasn’t just a normal day for students heading back to Perry Traditional Academy after the long holiday weekend.

Students were welcomed with a celebration and well-wishes for the school year.

Imagine getting a round of applause just for walking through the school’s doors. That’s what new and returning students were met with this morning after a huge transition at the school.

The former Oliver High School student along with hundreds of others, were transferred to Perry Traditional Academy after a realignment plan closed his previous school.

“I thought it was going to be a normal school day, but, I had to make an entrance,” David Stine said.

“We are really hoping to get as much support, wrap around support as possible for the students,” Principal Nina Sacco said.

It was school board member, Marc Brentley’s idea to welcome the students in such an inspiring way.

Closing seven schools across the district was a move that some board members were against, but they realized they had to make some changes for the students’ sake.

Brentley said the integration of Perry and Oliver may be extremely positive for the students in the end.

“We can offer the different programs for the kids. We have a better football team, a better marching band, a dance team. And we offer languages now that some of the students didn’t have access to,” Brentley said.

Superintendent Dr. Linda Lane said while this was a great thing to do today, let’s not stop here.

She encouraged teachers, principals, teachers and community members to stay involved and continue to show support for the students.

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