- March 6, 2025
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Roxanne Schwock, Toska Strong, Terri Crawford, Donna Booth, Nancy Taylor and Lindsey Huddleston from First Congregational United Church of Christ cheer on students on the first day at Alta Vista Elementary School.
Photo by Petra RiveraAmy Blyth, Catherine Martinez Carmona, Robin Demoulin, Bonnie Michaels and Mindy Long
Photo by Petra RiveraFirst grader Jhonson Jerre Francois and Amy Blyth
Photo by Petra RiveraBonnie Michaels and fourth grader Zionna Freeman
Photo by Petra RiveraOfficers Andrew Belzer, Daniel Stevens, Whitney Bentz, Mike Clarkson and teachers Maria Orduno and Heather Gomez.
Photo by Petra RiveraShawn Cherry dropping off Royce Waiters
Photo by Petra RiveraCatherine Martinez Carmona with Kindergartner Grayson Coachman
Photo by Petra RiveraGrayson Coachman on his first day of kindergarten with Office Mike Clarkson
Photo by Petra RiveraSix grader Skye Evans with her mom Nikea Morgan.
Photo by Petra RiveraSecond grader Ellie Biter, Molly Biter and second grader Maya Biter take their first steps into the school year at Southside Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyFirst grader Charlie Eicher and fifth grader Natalia Eicher with their mother Tina Eicher, a teacher at the school at Southside Elementary
Photo by Ian SwabyAshleigh Davis, kindergartener Hayes Davis and Eric Davis approach Southside Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyPeter Alexander, a sixth grader at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, enjoyed a visit to his former school of Southside Elementary with his family including his parents Paul and Sarah Alexander.
Photo by Ian SwabyChris DiBitetto, Pre-K student Isla DiBitetto, kindergartener Easton DiBitetto, Ashley DiBitetto and first grader Alden DiBitetto
Photo by Ian SwabySal Tripoli, first grader Belena Tripoli, and Lauren Tripoli approach Southside Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyFifth graders Miranda Morales Briceno and Janyl Alvarado Hernandez wear special back-to-school glasses in fifth grade science teacher Justine Holcomb's class at Tuttle Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyAlexa Santos Martin, Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor, Mia Trinh and Penelope Otto work on a "Save Fred" acitivity together in Mayra Ocasio's fourth grade art class at Tuttle Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyDeputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer of Sarasota County Schools Rachael O’Dea, Anthony Paga and Erick Villalobos-Pedraz perform the "Save Fred" activity in Mayra Ocasio's fourth grade art class at Tuttle Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyMia Trinh and Penelope Otto read the instructions for a "Save Fred" activity in Mayra Ocasio's fourth grade art class at Tuttle Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyAislinn Dominguez-Nino, Ava Alonso and Noah Moise perform a "Save Fred" activity in Mayra Ocasio's fourth grade art class at Tuttle Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabySuperintendent Terry Connor, second grade teacher Nohemi Hall and her student Jasmin Lopez enjoy the arrival of lunchtime at Tuttle Elementary.
Photo by Ian SwabyMauricio Hammal Pellegrino, Tuttle Elementary principal Patricia Folino and Maykol Canales prepare for a "Save Fred' activity in Mayra Ocasio's fourth grade art class.
Photo by Ian SwabyStudents wear special back-to-school glasses in fifth grade teacher Justine Holcomb's class at Tuttle Elementary
Photo by Ian SwabyMost students in Sarasota's schools had the same first-day jitters Skye Evans did as she walked through the doors to her second-grade classroom.
On her first day of school back at Alta Vista Elementary School on Aug. 12, the thought of a new teacher made her nervous for the year to come.
Her mom Nikea Morgan calmed her down and reminded her that she knows the school backward and forward, as she has attended it since kindergarten.
Meanwhile, the Alta Vista teachers decided to turn nerves around by making the welcome to elementary school fun.
For its back-to-school theme this year, the school chose "A-Team" in celebration of being an "A" rated school.
Based on the 1980s TV series, it saw all teachers dressed in 1980s-inspired attire and playing songs from the beloved era as parents dropped off students.
"We are really excited to have the kids back here," said Principal Mindy Long. "We expect sunshine and rainbows for the first day."
Meanwhile, students were also celebrating their return to school throughout the district.
At Southside Elementary, some students took playfully to the fields as they were dropped off by their families, with a large "Welcome Back Panthers" sign standing in front of the school to recognize the occasion.
At Tuttle Elementary, one celebration turned a little bittersweet, as fifth grade science teacher Justine Holcomb helped commemorate her class' "last first day" of elementary school.
Students donned back-to-school themed glasses in order to have a class photo taken. Holcomb said the students could now end the year with a souvenir to help them remember how it began.
Superintendent Terry Connor said it was a beginning that saw kids eager to resume school activities.
"In every instance, the kids have got their fresh haircuts, they've got their new clothes, and they're excited to see their friends, and excited about the new possibilities that they have with their teachers in their classes, and so it's just been a really warm welcome and an exciting start to the school year," Connor said.
