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Braden River Elementary fourth grader Alessandro Hernandez and his mother, Annya Hernandez, head to class. "They were excited and couldn't sleep," Annya Hernandez says of Alessandro and his sister Ariana, who is in kindergarten.
Braden River Elementary kindergartner Grayson Riedel prepares for his first day of school with his parents Alex Riedel and Samantha Apthorpe. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
Matt Swinson, who is 3, his father Philip Swinson, brother and kindergartner Lucas Swinson and mother Laura Swinson head into Braden River Elementary School. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
Amanda Maness enters Braden River Elementary with her two children, Liam Falanga and Henry Falanga, who is 2. Maness says Liam Falange is more ready for his first day of kindergarten than she is. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
Lindy Rummery, her kindergartner Colton Rummery, husband Tyler Rummery and daughter Thea Rummary head to the classroom at Braden River Elementary School. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
Braden River Elementary School's Stella Chrisman, who is in pre-K, and her mother Taylor Veltri, grab breakfast at the cafeteria before school. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
Eze Mukendi, a first grader at Braden River Elementary Schools, shoulders his backpack as he prepares to head to class after breakfast. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
Kayla Caldeon says goodbye to her daughter Paisley Johns, who she dropped off for her first day of kindergarten at Braden River Elementary School. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
Nick Behling walks his daughters, first grader Cece Behling and fourth grader Audrey Behling, to their first day of school at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School with his wife, Joy Behling. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Mark Kvitek, first grader Klaine Kvitek, third grader Liam Skelly and Ashlee Cole say "Go Wildcats" as they head toward Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School for the first day of school. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Christine Castellon and Michael Castellon send their son Mateo Castellon off to pre-K at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. "It's scary and so sad," Christine Castellon says. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Zulay Chu, third grader Virginia Rivas and Gabriel Rivas are excited to start a new year at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary. Virginia Rivas looks forward to getting to know her teacher. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Jason Baker and his wife Melissa Baker walk their second grader Ava Baker and pre-K student Colton Baker to Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. Ava Baker can't wait to play dodgeball in gym class. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth grader Blake Selai and fifth grader Evangeline Selai are nervous but excited to start the new school year because it's their first year at McNeal Elementary. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth grader David Brierton, first grader Chloe Brierton and third grader Zoey Brierton can't wait to see their friends again. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School Principal Sheila Waid and Assistant Principal Ashley Terry are ready to welcome students back for the new school year. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Megan Eliason hugs her kindergartner Hartley Eliason before sending her off to her first day of school at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. Megan Eliason says the first day is emotional. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Joy Behling hugs her daughter Audrey Behling before sending her off to her first day of fourth grade at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
Noelle Reynolds, who is the Parent-Teacher Organization president at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, wishes her second grader Kearney Reynolds and third grader Penn Reynolds a great first day of school. (Photo by Liz Ramos)