Brian Purcell takes a photo of his daughter, Emmie Purcell, a fifth grade student, in front of the welcome display on the first day of school at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Peer Assistance Leadership group welcome students to the first day of school as they arrive at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Erica Arce gives her son, Trinidad, 5, a hug on the playground before he makes his way to his kindergarten classroom on the first day of school at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Splash, the dolphin mascot, welcomes students on the first day of school at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Winston Meraz, 6, left, and his sister, April, 5, have their photo taken by their parents Nick and Aracely Meraz in front of the welcome display on the first day of school at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Marlen Monzon, left, takes a photo of her daughter, Eleyni, 6, a first grade student, in front of the welcome display on the first day of school at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Peer Assistance Leadership group welcome students to the first day of school as they arrive at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students along with their parents arrive at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024, for the first day of school. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Brian Purcell takes a photo of his daughter, Emmie Purcell, a fifth grade student, in front of the welcome display on the first day of school at Del Cerro Elementary School in Mission Viejo early on Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
There were first day photos and last hugs and words of encouragement and then it was time to get serious about learning.
The Saddleback Valley Unified School District welcomed thousands of students back to its campuses on Wednesday, Aug. 4, leaving summer fun in the rearview mirror for the launch of a new exciting school year.
At Del Cerro Elementary in Mission Viejo arriving students were met with a cheering squad and the school mascot welcoming them back to school.
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