Excitement, emotion as Ephrata students head back to school
Updated
By bus, by car, and on foot: students and parents were arriving at Grant Elementary School this morning for the first day of classes to start the 2025-26 academic year.
The Ephrata School District welcomed students back to the classroom this morning to begin their 2025-26 academic year. The “first day of school” tradition brought its usual mix of anticipation, energy, excitement, renewed friendships, confused newcomers, helpful staff, and some occasional tears of departure between kids and parents. Those moments and emotions were all on display at Grant Elementary School. Photos by Randy Bracht
Melissa Mayer snapped a photo of her 4-year-old son, Gavin, outside the school after first seeing off Gavin's older brother, Oliver, a 7-year-old second-grader.
Members of the Ephrata High School cheer squad were on hand to greet younger kids at the door. Why we're here ....The pace was busy and energetic in the hallways. Out on the playground, kids and staff greeted each other with hugs.Friends reunited.The playground equipment was crowded.Backpacks awaited retrieval by their young owners.Then it was time to head off to the classroom. With a few reminders in the hallways.Teacher Aaron Lotz started with introductions, and the school year was underway.
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Excitement, emotion as Ephrata students head back to school
The Ephrata School District welcomed students back to the classroom this morning to begin their 2025-26 academic year. The “first day of school” tradition brought its usual mix of anticipation, energy, excitement, renewed friendships, confused newcomers, helpful staff, and some occasional tears of departure between kids and parents. Those moments and emotions were all on display at Grant Elementary School. Photos by Randy Bracht
Melissa Mayer snapped a photo of her 4-year-old son, Gavin, outside the school after first seeing off Gavin's older brother, Oliver, a 7-year-old second-grader.