James Navarrette, 6, laughs with his father Chris before the start of his first day of first grade at Sunset Lane Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Kayla Hong, 9, has her photo taken with her father David before her first day of school at Sunset Lane Elementary in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
First grade teacher Diana Campos shares a laugh with one of her students before the start of class at Sunset Lane Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Sunset Lane Elementary School principal Tracy Gyurina gets her daughter Madelynne, 3, ready for her first day of school in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Prescott Inclan, 6, left, leads the way followed by brother Sinclair, 4, and their mother Priscilla on the first day of school at Sunset Lane Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
First grade teacher Diana Campos comforts two of her students on the first day of school at Sunset Lane Elementary in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Hazel Chowtham, 6, left, and her sister Adele, 4, arrive for their first day of school at Sunset Lane Elementary accompanied by their father Charles, right, in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Students accompanied by their parents walk to their classroom on the first day of school at Sunset Lane Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Bodhi Janicke, 6, center, begins to cry as he is dropped off for his first day of school by his mother Katie Shaw. Janicke was starting first grade at Sunset Lane Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Teary-eyed Bodhi Janicke, 6, is reassured by his mother Katie Shaw on his first day of first grade at Sunset Lane Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
As students are dropped off, Sunset Lane Elementary first grade teacher Diana Campos, right, helps her students get settled in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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James Navarrette, 6, laughs with his father Chris before the start of his first day of first grade at Sunset Lane Elementary School in Fullerton on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The time has come for students to open up their textbooks and launch into another year of learning.
But first, there was time for hugs and high-fives on Monday, Aug. 11, as friends reunited and teachers welcomed back their pupils. Parents quelled first-day jitters and snapped photos to mark the start of the school year as thousands of area students filled classrooms again after summer break.
Calling their pupils back to class on Monday were Buena Park School District, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Fullerton School District and La Habra City School District. On Wednesday, Lowell Joint School District hosted its first day of school and starting today, Aug. 14, is Brea Olinda Unified.
