Lilianna Gulley, 11, right, excitedly hugs a friend as she arrives for her first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Julissa Zamarripa gives her son Jayden, 4, a hug before he starts his first day of TK at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
TK teacher Tiffany Rath, left, greets students, including Rose Romero, 4, center left, as they arrive with their parents for their first day of class at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Netanel Rudolph, 7, mugs for the camera as he stands for a photo in front of Betsy Ross Elementary School on the first day of school in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A few name tags remain as TK students arrive for the first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A photo is in order for Leilani Martinez, 8, on her first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Jacob Sanchez, 10, left, and his friend Damien Verdin, 10, right, stand for a photo on the first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Nuri Perez walks with her children Mila, 5, Elliot, 4, and Abraham, 8, from left, for their first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Patty Soto snaps some photos of her child before class on the first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Cindy Morales, right, takes a selfie with husband Elias, left, and her son Andre, 4, who was starting his first day of TK at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Meilani Menes comforts her daughters Kaiani, 5, right, and Katana, 4, as they get ready to start their first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Ava Serna, 5, gets a warm welcome on the first day of school from Ariana Anaya, 9, a cheerleader at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Music teacher Christina Flynn, left, welcomes a student on the first day of school at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Miguel Gonzalez says goodbye to his teary-eyed daughter Aminah, 4, as he drops her off for her first day of TK at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Anaheim on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Summer is starting to come to an end for tens of thousands of Orange County students.
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The first public schools to call back all their young learners were Anaheim Elementary School District and the Cypress School District on Thursday, Aug. 6.
The Anaheim Elementary School District is the largest elementary-only district in the state, with nearly 14,000 students arriving at its 23 campuses early Thursday morning to get back to the business of learning.
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At Betsy Ross Elementary School, they were welcomed by staff and student cheerleaders with big signs and balloon backdrops for taking those oh-so-important (and cute) first day of school photos. Parents were ready with cameras and hugs for those not quite ready.
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