McNeal Elementary welcomes students for first day of school
Parents snapped photos and walked children to class.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 12:52 p.m. August 24, 2015
East County
Schools
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Hugs, photos and emotions filled the courtyard at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School today as parents and students waited for the school's doors to open for the first day of school.
At 8:30 a.m., students flooded the hallways to arrive at their first classes in time for the bell. Some parents stayed with their children until the last possible moment, snapping one last photo before their child entered the classroom. For some parents, it was their first time sending their child off to school.
"I'm sad, I'm nervous, but I'm excited for her," said Deja Rivera. Her only daughter, Laila, is 4 years old and entering voluntary pre-kindergarten. "It's a huge transition for her, but she's already excited to be with the other kids."
Laura Sherry gives her son, Luke, 8, one last hug before he starts his third-grade class.
Tony and Angela Campano walk Skyla, 5, to her first day of school.
Ryan Mach takes his son, Mason, 5, to lock up his bike in the bike rack. The Mach family, including Carrie, mom, and little sister, Paige, 3, plan to walk or ride bikes to school every day. "We live close by, and it's good for us," Carrie Mach said.
Kylie Caffrey, 8, talks with fellow third-grader Justin Tran, 8, as they sit and wait for the bell to ring.
Kristi Dyer gives her daughter, Ella, 4, a kiss before Ella leaves for class. Dyer teaches third grade at McNeal. "She knows it's Mommy's school," she said.
Jared Buckson sits with his son, Isaiah, 7, before school starts.
Gabbi Hotaling, 7, and older sister Maddie, 10, brought a bouquet of flowers for their teachers on the first day of school. Maddie said the two of them do this for their teachers every year.
Ella Myer sits back and waits for her first day of third grade to begin.
Parents and students flooded through the doors after they opened at 8:30.
Deja Rivera talks with her daughter, Laila, before she starts her first-ever day of school.
Caty Freyre gives her daughter, Mia, 5, a kiss before walking her to her kindergarten class. Mia already loves her teacher, Ms. Paoli. "She's the smartest teacher in the world," Mia said.
Pllund Suka snaps one last shot of his son, Andre, 7, before he ventures into second grade.
Backpacks lined the hall before the cafeteria.
Nicole Mendoza, 10, finds her way to her fifth-grade classroom.
