
Navarre Wigmore, 8, and his mother, Vickie Wehking, both of Gulfport, ride their bikes across Gulfport Boulevard at 52nd Street S. on their way to Gulfport Montessori Elementary School on the first day of classes. “He was super excited,” Wehking said of her son. “We got his first grade teacher again … He was so happy.” Members of the Gulfport Fire Department, at rear left, were on hand to remind drivers to slow down now that school is back in session

Takia Wooten, right, takes pictures of her children, from left, Ta’Naya, 7, Elijah, 5, and Ja’Kari, 9, all with crisp uniforms and colorful backpacks, on the first day of class Monday at Gulfport Montessori Elementary School. Elijah, who was attending school for the first time, said he was excited about going to kindergarten “because I want to go to school.” The family lives in St. Petersburg.

Takia Wooten poses with her children, from left, Ja’Kari, 9, Ta’Naya, 7, and Elijah, 5, before heading into Gulfport Montessori Elementary School on Monday for the first day of class. The children all wore crisp uniforms and colorful backpacks. Elijah, who was attending school for the first time, said he was excited about going to kindergarten “because I want to go to school.” The family lives in St. Petersburg.

Melissa Hill takes photos of her family, from left, twins Zaria and Zoe, 11, Little William, 5, Summer, 2, and their father, William, on Monday as they prepare to go into Gulfport Montessori Elementary School for the first day of class. Little William said he was excited about his first day of school. “I think I’m going to have fun,” he said.
Thousands of students across Pinellas County returned to class on Monday, August 24, the first day of the 2015-16 school year.