It was the first day of the new school year for students at Belleview School and in the Porterville Unified School District on Thursday.
Students were all smiles and so were parents, said Marivel Valdez, a Belleview staff member, who said the kids and parents were all happy to be back at school or starting at Belleview for the first time. She welcomed everyone as they walked up the stairs near the classroom hallway gate, kindly shaking students hands, or giving them a hug.
She answered their questions, and she spoke with parents, helping or directing them where they needed to go in both English and Spanish.
Charlene Carasco brought her two grandsons to school with her daughter Roxane Sierra. Warren Sierra was going into fourth grade, and Lincoln Sierra was going into first grade, and they both were excited about the first day of school.
Many parents and grandparents walked their children to school and it was a busy morning for everyone. After taking Warren and Lincoln to their classrooms Carasco said there were so many happy young students at school, and said "Have fun taking their pictures. It's very heartfelt."
Both Carasco and her mother Barbara Witfield have worked for PUSD, and Portherville College for years.
Crystal Milinich, Belleview Principal, said it was a really smooth start for school. There were a lot of excited kids returning to school, ready to meet their teachers. And back to school night held on Tuesday had half of the parents and students meeting their teachers and already finding their classrooms. "And it seemed there were lots of very happy parents and happy kids. And that's the best part,” Milinich said.
“You see those smiling faces, and they're excited to come to school. The kids are excited, and we are, too."