First day of school in the Fox Valley
A kindergartner begins to adapt to the routine by putting his belongings away Monday at Hampshire Elementary School. August 31 is the first day of classes in District 300.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Sixth-grader Zachary Kamper checks his schedule to see where to begin his day while waiting to be released from the cafeteria before Wednesday's first day of class at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Kindergartner William Brown meets his mother, Julia, after his first day of class Wednesday at Grace McWayne Elementary in Batavia.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Maria Saldana holds an umbrella over her son Efren, 6, as students return to Harriet Gifford Elementary School in Elgin on Wednesday.
Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
Sixth-graders escape the rain and pile into the cafeteria while waiting for school to begin Wednesday at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Efren Saldana, 6, tries to keep dry as students return to Harriet Gifford Elementary School in Elgin on Wednesday.
Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
Nate Sullivano keeps his mom Sarah and brother Nolan, 1, dry on his way to his first day of kindergarten at the first day of school at the new Fabyan Elementary School in Geneva Wednesday.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Kevin Kennedy hugs his son Sean while dropping him off at kindergarten during the first day of school at the new Fabyan Elementary School in Geneva Wednesday.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Students make their way into the building for the first day of class Wednesday at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Backpacks and sack lunches in hand, students wait outside the door before the first day of class Monday at Hampshire Elementary School. August 31 is the first day of classes in District 300.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Darrin Miller of Hampshire comforts his daughter Cassidy as she prepares for her first day of kindergarten Monday at Hampshire Elementary School.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Bussed students make their way to the building for the first day of class at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles. All District 303 schools opened Wednesday.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Rain plays a big part in first day of school fashion at the new Fabyan Elementary School in Geneva Wednesday.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Principal Jim Aalfs greets fifth grader Justine Buccholz as she arrives at school with her grandmother Pam Nelson Monday at Hampshire Elementary School. August 31 is the first day of classes in District 300.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Principal Darcy Thompson greets students during the first day of school at the new Fabyan Elementary School in Geneva Wednesday.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Kindergarten teacher Jena Seiler greets students Michael and Joey Byker as they arrive Monday at Hampshire Elementary School. August 31 is the first day of classes in District 300.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Hampshire Elementary principal Jim Aalfs stays behind an extra few minutes Monday in one of the kindergarten classes to make sure all of the students feel at home in their new surroundings.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Students file past the trophy case on the way to the gymnasium where they will sit before the start of the first day of class Wednesday at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Debbie Maynard leans in to say goodbye and give a kiss to her son Joseph as he prepares for his first day of first grade at the new Fabyan Elementary School in Geneva Wednesday.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Kindergartner Bryn Kurtz writes her name on her notebook during the first day of school at the new Fabyan Elementary School in Geneva Wednesday.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Teacher Peggy Young greets students, including Maddy McAliffe, center, during the first day of school at the new Fabyan Elementary School in Geneva Wednesday.
Rick West | Staff Photographer
Olivia Meyer, 3, couldn't wait to see her big brother, Ben, 5, after his first day of kindergarten Wednesday at Grace McWayne Elementary in Batavia. She danced and then hugged him for several minutes after he met her and mom Susan.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Kindergartner Jimmy O'Hara smiles as his mother takes a picture before the first day of class Monday at Hampshire Elementary School. August 31 is the first day of classes in District 300.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Seventh-grade social studies teacher Marin Gabel directs students into the building before Wednesday's first day of class at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles. Gabel is beginning his seventh year at the school.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
A "Welcome Back!" sign greets students in Chris Ashline's social studies class on the first day of class Wednesday at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles. Ashline has been teaching at the school six years.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Thompson Middle School students fill the halls on the way to their lockers before Wednesday's opening bell.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Kindergarten teacher Jena Seiler greets her class Monday at Hampshire Elementary School, the first day of classes in District 300.
Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer
Val McCann zips up daughter Violet's, 5, backpack to keep a folder safe following Wednesday's first day of kindergarten at Grace McWayne Elementary in Batavia.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Ben Meyer, 5, is greeted with hugs and kisses by mom Susan and little sister, Olivia, 3, after his first day of kindergarten Wednesday at Grace McWayne Elementary in Batavia.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Sixth-grader Thomas Hirsch fumbles through his backpack Wednesday to find his class schedule as he enters Thompson Middle School in St. Charles.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Principal Joe Corcoran photographs students as they return to Harriet Gifford Elementary School in Elgin on Wednesday.
Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
Principal Joe Corcoran greets students as they return to Harriet Gifford Elementary School in Elgin on Wednesday.
Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
Eighth-graders check out where they need to be on a hallway bulletin board before Wednesday's first day of class at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
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