Willis Elementary ushers in new school year

Lakewood Ranch’s Megha Chauhan wore a smile on her face, but held a crumpled tissue in her hand as she chatted Aug. 10 in the cafeteria of Willis Elementary School.

Manatee County’s public schools were welcoming students for the start of the 2017-2018 school year.

Her oldest child, Ada, 5, started kindergarten, and she also was about to take her youngest, 4-year-old Veer, for his first day of voluntary pre-kindergarten.

“I've already cried so much,” Chauhan said with a laugh. “It’s too much.”

Chauhan found comfort in the company of friend, Babita Sandhu, and other parents who attended a Willis Elementary School “Boo Hoo or Yahoo Breakfast,” after they had dropped off their children.

By 9 a.m. students were already busy interacting with their teachers, getting to know their classmates and practicing their handwriting, among other tasks.