Opening of classes at Monett Elementary School

A view of children at Monett Elementary School heading in from the buses as they arrived for the first day of school in the new building. Shown is the first grade wing. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

The cafeteria at Monett Elementary School received a make-over and is now located just off the commons room as a central location. Children eating breakfast this morning made the cafeteria their first stop on the way to classes. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Moving traffic was no small feat as staff at Monett Elementary added more traffic staff to direct motorists coming to the north entrance for the first time to let off pupils this morning. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Students gathered in the new gymnasium at Monett Elementary School, part of the daily celebration assembly that will start their day. This morning the students went to color coordinated signs separating grade levels to find their teachers and wait for the signal to walk to their new classrooms on the first day of school. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Monett Elementary School staff were available at every corner this morning, directing children to the right classroom Assistant Principal Sarah Garner checked lists to find the right classroom for the student at left. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Brian and Angie Hunter were among the many parents taking their children to the first day of classes at Monett Elementary School this morning. Emma, at left, headed to kindergarten and Ethan was bound for second grade. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Pre-school teacher Brenda Burgherr was among the faculty helping students find their teachers in the gym before classes started this morning at Monett Elementary School. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Kindergarten teacher Alysia Brooks directed her students at Monett Elementary School for the walk from the gym to their new classroom to begin the first day of school. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Becky Potter, instructional coach at Monett Elementary School, spread her class lists on the floor to help direct students to their teachers this morning as children assembled in th gym for the first day back at school. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Parents needing direction or to register their children for school stopped this morning in the new central office at Monett Elementary School as preparation kicked into full gear for the start of school today. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Kindergarten teacher Charles DeLaSalle helped students put up their mats as they settled into the classroom as school started this morning at Monett Elementary School. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Students headed by their teachers moved from the school gym up the staircase from the commons to their classrooms for the first time as school began this morning at Monett Elementary School. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Kindergarten teacher Amy Allen settled her students into their seats and directed them where to place their supplies as the first day of school began this morning at Monett Elementary School. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

First grade teacher Tarah Jenkins helped her students put up their supplied as they settled into a busy first morning back at Monett Elementary School this morning. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Childrens' faces at Monett Elementary School carried a full range of sentiments as they waded into a new year. Teachers greeting students were reassuring in providing directions. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Second graders Presley Wormington, at left, and Megan Sisney, at right, were all smiles as they sought out their teachers and their classmates this morning in the gym at Monett Elementary School to begin their first day of the 2011-12 school year. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)

Monett R-1 School Superintendent Dr. John Jungmann and Principal Susie Gasser were both outside the Monett Elementary School this morning helping to direct traffic around the campus. A new traffic pattern for the campus had both buses and parents heading to different entrances this morning. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)