School is in session at the South Whidbey School District.

Kids put away their swimsuits and donned their backpacks today, bidding farewell to summer break as a new school year began.

Outside South Whidbey Elementary, parents busily snapped photos and re-tied shoelaces before their kids rushed to enthusiastically hug friends or begrudgingly trod toward the entrance with teary eyes.

Rose Shoemaker said she and many of her fellow parents felt the day was bittersweet, adding that it was “kind of sad” to see summer pass so quickly.

Her son, Justin, entered the fourth grade this morning and will be in Ms. Kaiser’s class. Shoemaker said that she is looking forward to the new year as a new opportunity for her son to make new friends.

Kelly Schupp, mother of fourth and fifth grade sons, escorted her youngest to his classroom. Jack Schupp, who is entering the fourth grade, said he’s looking forward to seeing all of his friends. He added that he is also excited to show off the rocks he collected and identified for a project during summer break.

At 9 a.m., the last couple of families trickled through the doors as kids sat down at their desks and readied themselves for another year.