Monett Elementary School opening day

Crossing to the north entrance of Monett Elementary School for the first day of school were Rob and Rachel Wiley with their children, Hannah, first grade, at left, and Mabel, second grade, at center. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Arriving for her first day at school was Sarah Negre, a kindergarten student, with her mother, Lori Negre. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Teachers at Monett Elementary School positioned themselves in key locations in the common room to direct traffic as children arrived on Wednesday morning for the first day of school. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Starting their school year at Monett Elementary on Wednesday meant taking time for breakfast. These children lined up with their trays of food for a meal before heading off to class. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Heading to the gym to receive directions to their classrooms on the first day of school at Monett Elementary weree Sophia Hutchens, second grade, at left, and Kylie Burnett, kindergarten. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Children gathered in the gymnasium at Monett Elementary School under signs with the names of their teachers to begin their first day of classes on Wednesday. As the groups assembled, teachers gathered their charges and headed off to their classrooms. Many children gave a goodbye hug to moms in the gym before jointing their class. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Teacher Caressa Blankenship organized a line of students heading from the gym to their classroom on the first morning of classes at Monett Elementary School. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Children's faces reflected excitement and anticipation as they waited in the gym as Monett Elementary School on Wednesday to head off to class to start their first day of school at Monett Elementary. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Ready for anything in his Barman shirt, this boy was first to step off Bus #13 to start the new school year at Monett Elementary on Wednesday. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

First grade teacher Lori Forrest shared her new students where to hang up their backpacks and how to find their seats as they began the first day of school together on Wednesday at Monett Elementary School. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)