Victoria Foster, 7, and her sister Natalie Foster, 9, get off the bus at East End School on Portland's Munjoy Hill on the first day of school Wednesday, Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer

Dorothy Thompson, an Ed Tech specializing in literacy, receives a hug from Stephanie Dwelley, 6, on the first day of school at East End School. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer

Zakariye Mohamed, 7, waves to friends as he waits to enter East End School on the first day of school. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer

Musab Mohamed, 6, Ayub Mohamed, 5, Zakariye Mohamed, 7, and Muad Mohamed, raise their hands as vice principal Boyd Marley greets them on the first day of school at East End School on Portland's Munjoy Hill Wednesday. Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer

Crossing guard Paul Strand helps parents and students cross Stevens Avenue on the first day of school on Wednesday. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Derek Pelletier spends a few moments with his daughter Charlotte before her first day of first grade at Longfellow Elementary School on Wednesday. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Nancy Haller takes a photo of her sons, Harlan, left, and Elias before they headed into Longfellow Elementary School for the first day of school on Wednesday.Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Lincoln Clark waves at his dad Josh before heading into Longfellow Elementary School for his first day of third grade. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

A father holds his son's hand as they walk to school on Stevens Avenue on Wednesday. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Molly White hugs her daughter Jaelynn outside of Longfellow Elementary School on Wednesday, before her first day of second grade. "She loves school and is excited to be back", said White. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Students enter Longfellow Elementary School for the first day back on Wednesday, except for kindergarteners who start next week. Longfellow school includes students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Casco Bay High School students get on a metro bus on Stevens Avenue as they head to school on the first day Wednesday. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

A student heads into Deering High School on Wednesday, the first day back to school. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer