Alyah Santamaria and Ally Ridenour, fifth graders and safety patrollers at Braden River Elementary School, stood beside the welcome back sign posted in front of the school with big smiles on their faces Aug. 10.
Santamaria and Ridenour, who have been best friends since they met in kindergarten at Braden River Elementary, were reunited and excited to be the big kids on campus as the school year started for the School District of Manatee County.Â
"I'm not looking forward to leaving (the school) because I love it so much," Ridenour said. "I'm excited to learn with my new teacher."
Schools across East County were bustling with students and parents heading to their new classrooms.
While the first day of school was a happy and exciting occasion for some, it was bittersweet for others.
"I'm stressed," said Nicole Schmitz, who was walking her Braden River Elementary School kindergartner Alexander Ayende Schmitz to class. "I'm emotional because he's not a baby anymore."
Ayende Schmitz smiled as his mom took a photo of him.Â
"My mom is going to cry because I'm growing so big," Ayende Schmitz said.Â
Ashley Rainer dropped off her son, Clayton Rainer, for his first day of kindergarten at Tara Elementary School.
"He was fine," Rainer said. "I was not."
Daiana Mihai, the mother of Braden River Elementary kindergartner Elyssa Mihai and first grader Ayden Mihai, said she's glad her children won't have to wear a mask this year due to the district's optional mask policy.
"They're normal kids again," Daiana Mihai said. "This is (Elyssa Mihai's) first year of school, so I'm glad it's going to be a good experience."
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, was pleased to see parents taking advantage of the choice of whether to send their children to school with masks and reiterated that the health and safety of students and employees is a top priority.Â
"Overall parents and children were excited to be back in school," said Saunders, who visited Oneco Elementary School, Carlos E. Haile Middle School and Manatee High School on the first day of school. "There's nothing like the first day. I'm hopeful for what the school year brings."
Ariah Wyrick receives a kiss from her mom, Madeline Wyrick, before her first day of kindergarten at Tara Elementary School. Madeline says she is very excited to do homework this year after doing some in pre-K last year.
Tara Elementary School kindergartner Liam Shaffer is dropped off by parents Will and Marissa Shaffer. Liam Shaffer says he is excited to make new friends.
Tara Elementary School music teacher Barbara Siffermann and art teacher Alex Miranda stand by a mural that reads, "We are stronger together." Siffermann looks forward to a good fifth grade year for her twin sons, Austin and Noah.
Santana Laucer gets ready to say goodbye to his mom, Brittney Lesperance, before his first day of kindergarten at Tara Elementary School. He is looking forward to coloring and making new friends.
At Tara Elementary School, Kristi Berger drops off kindergartner Brycen Berger.
Varying exceptionalities teacher Kimber Spreeman holds the door open to let kids filter into Tara Elementary School classrooms for the first day.
Tara Elementary School pre-K student McKinley Rogers is reluctant to step away from her mom, third grade teacher Jeanne Rogers, as she is led to her classroom. She is excited to finally be on campus with her mom.
Kindergartner Cruz Eckert prepares to say goodbye to his mom, Megan Eckert, and make new friends at Tara Elementary School.
First grader Wesley Wildt, mom Melanie Wildt and kindergartner Isabella Wildt are ready for a new school year at Tara. Melanie Wildt is happy her kids could learn without masks.
Amy House drops off first grader Zadie House and kindergartner Leenah House at Tara Elementary School. Zadie House says she is looking forward to playing on the school's playground.
Parents Craig and Vanessa Embry drop off twin kindergarteners Parker and Warren Embry at Tara Elementary School. Parker Embry says he's excited for recess, while Warren Embry wants to make new friends.
Fourth grader Kaitlyn Nguyen, kindergartner Elynn Nguyen, mom Lilly Nguyen and fourth grader Ethan Nguyen prepare to say goodbye before their first day of school. They are new to Tara Elementary School.
Parents Michelle and Derek Schlipf stand outside the classroom where Connor Schlipf will attend his first day of kindergarten at Tara Elementary School.
Brooke Williams, the director of Tara Elementary School's child care center, talks with Ashley and J.R. Rainer. The Rainers had just dropped off their son, Clayton Rainer, for his first day of kindergarten.
Laura Busenburg and her husband, Patrick Busenburg, drop off their kindergartner Daniella Busenburg, second grader Gabriella Busenburg and third grader Isabella Busenburg for their first day of school at Braden River Elementary.
Sofia Oliva, a kindergartner at Braden River Elementary School, marks her first day with a sign of fun facts about her. Oliva says she wants to be a doctor because doctors help kids.
Million Clifft drops her sons Aiden Clifft, who is in second grade, and Elijah Clifft, who is in third grade, off at their first day of school at Braden River Elementary School. The family is new to the school.
Best friends Alyah Santamaria and Ally Ridenour, who are fifth graders and safety patrollers at Braden River Elementary School, are ready to be the big kids on campus this year.
Alexander Aynde Schmitz, a kindergartner at Braden River Elementary School, says his mother, Nicole Schmitz, is going to cry as she drops him off on the first day because he's "growing so big."
Ariella Duvall and her sister, Skyla Duvall, are ready to take on the first grade at Braden River Elementary School and make new friends.
Kiera Gallon and Jamal Gallon commemorate their son, Braxton Gallon's, first day of kindergarten at Braden River Elementary School.
Hunter Dragon and Kason Scarlett, who are fifth graders and safety patrollers at Braden River Elementary School, prepare the flags to be raised outside the school.
Elyssa Mihai is excited to be a kindergartner at Braden River Elementary School where her brother, Ayden Mihai, will be a first grader.
Abigail Williams walks her daughter, Abrianna Williams, to her second grade classroom.
Rosie Negrete is thrilled to have her kindergartner, Ryan Burchett-Negrete, be a part of the dual language program at Braden River Elementary School.
Claudia Lescano walks with her daughter Lia Lescano and her husband Daniel Lescano to Lia's classroom for the first day of kindergarten at Braden River Elementary School.
Constanza Alvarez, a first grader at Braden River Elementary School, prepares to say goodbye to her mother, Nayely Alvarez.
