08/11/2026
As parents navigate drop-off lines or walk their children to their classrooms, back-to-school means they are also managing the emotions that come with the end of summer. For Toni Lueders, it was all excitement as she walked her sons, Wyatt, 9, and Westyn, 6, to the gate on their first day at Bryant Elementary. “I’m excited for them,” Lueders said. “I know that they’re gonna have a great day, so I’m not really nervous.”
On Monday, Bryant welcomed students back with balloons, yard signs, and smiling teachers — a welcome that helped counter some of the jitters of parents and students alike. “I try not to cry in front of him,” Nancy Pineda said about her son, Fidel, who is starting TK. “He wanted to cry, but I left before he started crying, because if he cried, I’d cry too. It’s better to protect the peace of it all.”
For some parents, the back-to-school emotions ended up hitting harder for them than their children. Tiffany and Brett Tarvis were left feeling overwhelmed after saying goodbye to their two children, Elliott, 7, and Riley, 8. “They’re way more excited than we are,” Tarvis said. “They woke up excited, skipping to school. I almost wanted to cry. It’s definitely such a mix of emotions; it’s hard to explain.”
While the first day of school can bring up a lot of emotions, for many parents it also marks the return of routine, new goals, and another year of watching their children grow. Diana Vargas said she had been preparing her kids for the shift in routine. She’s used the past few days to wake them earlier. “Timing has been a little rough, but we’re getting over it little by little. Usually by September, we’ve got it down.”
For Maria Gutierrez, having her daughter, Nayla Dubon, start school brought back memories from when she herself attended Bryant. Her hope is to help her daughter make new memories and new friends. “She’s saying she’s nervous, but my other kids are older, so it’ll be good for her to learn, make new friends and have some fun.”
Whatever the emotions may be as the back-to-school season ramps up, the morning bell that signifies the start of another year is sure to bring exciting opportunities for both parents and students.
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