• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: ODA First Day of School


  • By Yaryna Klimchak
  • | 4:00 a.m. August 21, 2013
  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA First Day of School
Second-graders Jackson F., and Blaine B., and fifth-graders Kaki F., and Dabney B., head back to school for their first day. They say hello to classmates after a summer away.
Second-graders Jackson F., and Blaine B., and fifth-graders Kaki F., and Dabney B., head back to school for their first day. They say hello to classmates after a summer away.
Tristan B. plays with blocks while he waits for kindergarten class to begin.
Tristan B. plays with blocks while he waits for kindergarten class to begin.
Mia P. settles in her seat for the first day of kindergarten.
Mia P. settles in her seat for the first day of kindergarten.
Justine Amdur takes her daughter Mia, 5, to kindergarten.
Justine Amdur takes her daughter Mia, 5, to kindergarten.
Max S., 9, is in fourth grade this year and his brother Sam, 7, is in second grade.
Max S., 9, is in fourth grade this year and his brother Sam, 7, is in second grade.
Sisters Kate L., 5, and Alex, 9, head to their first day of school 8 a.m., Wednesday morning.
Sisters Kate L., 5, and Alex, 9, head to their first day of school 8 a.m., Wednesday morning.
Lesley France drops off her children Kaki, 10, and Jackson, 8, for the first day of school.
Lesley France drops off her children Kaki, 10, and Jackson, 8, for the first day of school.
Heather S., 10, says goodbye to her little brother Johnathan, 7, as she heads to fifth grade and he heads to second grade.
Heather S., 10, says goodbye to her little brother Johnathan, 7, as she heads to fifth grade and he heads to second grade.
Johnathon P., Caleb C. and Hugh R. settle into their seats for the first day of kindergarten.
Johnathon P., Caleb C. and Hugh R. settle into their seats for the first day of kindergarten.
Calvin S. and E.J. R. raise the flag before class begins.
Calvin S. and E.J. R. raise the flag before class begins.
Alyssa R., 10, and her sister Katie, 9, say goodbye to their brother Max, 3, before heading to class.
Alyssa R., 10, and her sister Katie, 9, say goodbye to their brother Max, 3, before heading to class.
Twins Tyler and Roxy T. head to their first day of third grade.
Twins Tyler and Roxy T. head to their first day of third grade.
Kendall D. heads to her first day of third grade.
Kendall D. heads to her first day of third grade.
Caitlin A. shows her new kindergarten teacher Jane Hancock a picture she drew on her first day of school.
Caitlin A. shows her new kindergarten teacher Jane Hancock a picture she drew on her first day of school.
Beth LaGasse drops off her children Evan, 10, and Lexi, 7, at school for their first day.
Beth LaGasse drops off her children Evan, 10, and Lexi, 7, at school for their first day.
Fourth-grader E.J. R raises the flag before classes begin on the first day of school.
Fourth-grader E.J. R raises the flag before classes begin on the first day of school.
Fourth-grader Tristan J. ties a knot after his classmate raises the flag.
Fourth-grader Tristan J. ties a knot after his classmate raises the flag.

 

Latest News

Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Steven Mark plays the drums.
  • January 14, 2026
Local drum circle members join musicians on stage during Meetup gathering
Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive
Cynthia Jordan poses by the "No. 1 Beach in the USA" sign.
  • January 8, 2026
Parrish resident writes musical about a spiritual awakening on Siesta Key

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now