Students across Manatee County head back to school

Luke Langan, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, says another goodbye to his father, Sean Langan.

Lindsey Brown, a varying exceptionality teacher, and Charity Applegate, a varying exceptionality paraprofessional, are ready for the first day. "It'll be awesome," Applegate says.

Callie Terrell says her daughter Codi Terrell is ready to start second grade at Gene Witt Elementary School. Codi Terrell says she's looking forward to making new friends.

Phil Heuss and Vanessa Heuss prepare to drop off their daughters, fourth grader Clara Heuss and second grader Jolene Heuss, in their classrooms at Gene Witt Elementary School.

Myriam Neville, Dylan Neville, who is a first grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, and Mark Neville prepare for the first day of school. Dylan Neville is excited but a little nervous to become a bus rider.

Alysha Robinson, Iliana Robinsons, who is in pre-K at Gene Witt Elementary School, and Josh Robinson get ready to drop Iliana Robinson off at her classroom. "I told Josh to pinch me out the door if I start to cry," Alysha Robinson says.

Rachel Foy and her husband, Jake Foy, are emotional about sending their youngest, Beckett Foy, to pre-K. Their son Micah Foy is starting as a freshman at Parrish Community High.

The first bus arrives at Gene Witt Elementary School.

Stacy Gudiwada walks to the classroom of her son Sanjay Gudiwada, a fifth grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, with her husband, Lakshman Gudiwada. Sanjay Gudiwada looks forward to serving on the safety patrol.

Carlos Hernandez and his daughter Carlee Hernandez, a kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, look forward to seeing their friends and meeting Carlee's classmates.

Christine Sharpe has a chat with her daughter Evelynn Sharpe, a kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, before saying goodbye. "It's a little bittersweet," Christine Sharpe says.

Both new to Gene Witt Elementary School, Brynlee Woods celebrates the first day of kindergarten, while her mother, Lorraine Woods, starts as a exceptional student education teacher.

Camille Booth, a second grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, walks to class with her mother, Becca Booth. Camille Booth says she can't wait to get back on the playground for recess.

Dakota Goodyear, a pre-K student at Gene Witt Elementary School, says goodbye to her father, Brett Goodyear. She's the last child of the Goodyear family to start school.

Pre-K student Emery Viergever waits as her mom Jordan Viergever, a PTO volunteer, checks families in before the opening day at Freedom Elementary.

Pre-K teacher Christina Mulligan makes sure her name sticks to the board on the first day of school at Freedom Elementary. Mulligan is new to the area so she said the first day for her was "great, and exciting."

Erika Charles brings her daughter Lanna to pre-K at Freedom Elementary on opening day.

Scott Helpling walks his daughter, first grader Madison Helpling, to class. "Last year this was hard," Scott Helpling says. "This year, she is excited."

First grader Lilly Brennan is dropped off at Freedom Elementary by her mom, Kailee Brennan, for Lilly's first day of first grade.

Donnell Livingston has his hands full as he drops off his nephews, kindergartner Kane Smith and first grader Kevin Smith, for the first day at Freedom Elementary.

Colton Gierhart, 7, begins his first day in second grade at Freedom Elementary. Is he happy to be back in school? "No," he says. His mom, Amy Gierhart says they love Freedom and that in an hour, "it will be fine."

Freedom Elementary Art Teacher Kristen Simpson is excited to get the year started. "We miss our kids," she says.

The class doors at Freedom were decorated to welcome the students back.

Val and Hanna Wide drop off their 5-year-old Emily, who carries a friend for her first day in kindergarten at Freedom Elementary.

Pre-K student Olivia Turko and her brother, fourth grader Benjamin Turko bring flowers for their Freedom teachers. Their mom, Tatyana Turko says, "We were Russian, and there the teachers get flowers on the first day. We carried it over."

Before the doors opened for the first day of school, the hallways sparkled at Freedom Elementary.

Brianna Cross says goodbye to her daughter Averleigh, who is starting her first day in kindergarten at Freedom Elementary. "I probably will go in the car and cry," Brianna said.