Luke Langan, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, says another goodbye to his father, Sean Langan.
Photo by Liz Ramos
East County
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Alysha Robinson had to hold back her tears as she took a photo of her husband, Josh Robinson, holding their daughter Iliana Robinson in front of Gene Witt Elementary School.
The Robinsons were preparing to walk Iliana Robinson to her pre-K classroom for the first day of school Thursday. Alysha Robinson knew it would be an emotional goodbye.
"I told Josh to pinch me out the door if I start to cry," Alysha Robinson said.
Iliana Robinson is the last of the Robinson children to start school. Their oldest, Teagan Davis, is starting sixth grade at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, and their daughters Alexis Robinson and Maia Robinson start fifth and fourth grade respectively.
"It's exciting but sad because it's your last baby," Alysha Robinson said.
The first day of school was a day of firsts for many families and teachers as well.
Lorraine Woods started as an exceptional student education teacher at Gene Witt Elementary School while her daughter Brynlee Woods started kindergarten.
Lorraine Woods said they are super excited to start a new adventure as they start out as "newbies" at Gene Witt.
At Freedom Elemetary, Brianna Cross gave her new kindergartner Averleigh, a hug goodbye in front of the school. Brianna hadn't shed any tears, yet.
"I probably will go in the car and cry," she said.
Luke Langan, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, says another goodbye to his father, Sean Langan.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Lindsey Brown, a varying exceptionality teacher, and Charity Applegate, a varying exceptionality paraprofessional, are ready for the first day. "It'll be awesome," Applegate says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Callie Terrell says her daughter Codi Terrell is ready to start second grade at Gene Witt Elementary School. Codi Terrell says she's looking forward to making new friends.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Phil Heuss and Vanessa Heuss prepare to drop off their daughters, fourth grader Clara Heuss and second grader Jolene Heuss, in their classrooms at Gene Witt Elementary School.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Myriam Neville, Dylan Neville, who is a first grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, and Mark Neville prepare for the first day of school. Dylan Neville is excited but a little nervous to become a bus rider.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Alysha Robinson, Iliana Robinsons, who is in pre-K at Gene Witt Elementary School, and Josh Robinson get ready to drop Iliana Robinson off at her classroom. "I told Josh to pinch me out the door if I start to cry," Alysha Robinson says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Rachel Foy and her husband, Jake Foy, are emotional about sending their youngest, Beckett Foy, to pre-K. Their son Micah Foy is starting as a freshman at Parrish Community High.
Photo by Liz Ramos
The first bus arrives at Gene Witt Elementary School.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Stacy Gudiwada walks to the classroom of her son Sanjay Gudiwada, a fifth grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, with her husband, Lakshman Gudiwada. Sanjay Gudiwada looks forward to serving on the safety patrol.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Carlos Hernandez and his daughter Carlee Hernandez, a kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, look forward to seeing their friends and meeting Carlee's classmates.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Christine Sharpe has a chat with her daughter Evelynn Sharpe, a kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, before saying goodbye. "It's a little bittersweet," Christine Sharpe says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Both new to Gene Witt Elementary School, Brynlee Woods celebrates the first day of kindergarten, while her mother, Lorraine Woods, starts as a exceptional student education teacher.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Camille Booth, a second grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, walks to class with her mother, Becca Booth. Camille Booth says she can't wait to get back on the playground for recess.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Dakota Goodyear, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, says goodbye to her father, Brett Goodyear. She's the last child of the Goodyear family to start school.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Pre-K student Emery Viergever waits as her mom Jordan Viergever, a PTO volunteer, checks families in before the opening day at Freedom Elementary.
Photo by Jay Heater
Pre-K teacher Christina Mulligan makes sure her name sticks to the board on the first day of school at Freedom Elementary. Mulligan is new to the area so she said the first day for her was "great, and exciting."
Photo by Jay Heater
Erika Charles brings her daughter Lanna to pre-K at Freedom Elementary on opening day.
Photo by Jay Heater
Scott Helpling walks his daughter, first grader Madison Helpling, to class. "Last year this was hard," Scott Helpling says. "This year, she is excited."
Photo by Jay Heater
First grader Lilly Brennan is dropped off at Freedom Elementary by her mom, Kailee Brennan, for Lilly's first day of first grade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Donnell Livingston has his hands full as he drops off his nephews, kindergartner Kane Smith and first grader Kevin Smith, for the first day at Freedom Elementary.
Photo by Jay Heater
Colton Gierhart, 7, begins his first day in second grade at Freedom Elementary. Is he happy to be back in school? "No," he says. His mom, Amy Gierhart says they love Freedom and that in an hour, "it will be fine."
Photo by Jay Heater
Freedom Elementary Art Teacher Kristen Simpson is excited to get the year started. "We miss our kids," she says.
Photo by Jay Heater
The class doors at Freedom were decorated to welcome the students back.
Photo by Jay Heater
Val and Hanna Wide drop off their 5-year-old Emily, who carries a friend for her first day in kindergarten at Freedom Elementary.
Photo by Jay Heater
Pre-K student Olivia Turko and her brother, fourth grader Benjamin Turko bring flowers for their Freedom teachers. Their mom, Tatyana Turko says, "We were Russian, and there the teachers get flowers on the first day. We carried it over."
Photo by Jay Heater
Before the doors opened for the first day of school, the hallways sparkled at Freedom Elementary.
Photo by Jay Heater
Brianna Cross says goodbye to her daughter Averleigh, who is starting her first day in kindergarten at Freedom Elementary. "I probably will go in the car and cry," Brianna said.
