Lara Patel, 5, multitasks while playing hopscotch while holding roses for her new teacher on the first day of school at t Beacon Park School in Irvine on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Millie Perez, 4, consoles her little sister, Izzy, 2, who is having a hard time saying goodbye on the first day of school. Millie was starting pre-K at Beacon Park School in Irvine on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Amber Mueller, a fifth-grade teacher at Beacon Park School in Irvine, greets a former student during the first day of school on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Millie Perez, 4, waits for the first day of school to begin at Beacon Park in Irvine, where she will attend pre-K on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alia Zhou, 4, appears lost in thought as she waits outside her pre-K classroom at Beacon Park School in Irvine with her parents during the first day of school. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kyan Pereira, 4, poses for his mom, Jiovanna Perez, during the first day of school at Beacon Park in Irvine on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Millie Perez, 4, is excited to start pre-K during the first day of school at Beacon Park in Irvine, while her 2-year-old sister Izzy is sad to see her go. She is with her parents, Jessica and Kevin Perez. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Amber Mueller, a fifth-grade teacher at Beacon Park School in Irvine, greets a former student during the first day of school on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lara Patel, 5, multitasks while playing hopscotch while holding roses for her new teacher on the first day of school at t Beacon Park School in Irvine on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandSummer has come to an end for thousands of area students.
The Irvine Unified School District returned its learners to their classrooms on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Read more Congresswoman says target of ICE operation in fatal Maine shooting wasn’t up for removal
At Beacon Park School, fun signs and smiling teachers welcoming back the students helped counter some of the jitters for parents and students alike.
Read more Target revamp bets shoppers want trendy snacks and drinks