Photos: Students going back to school across Charlotte
By Jeff Siner and
Melissa Rodriguez
Schools in and around Mecklenburg County are welcoming hundreds of students back to the classrooms for the 2023-24 academic year. Here are images of first day of school at Ranson Middle, David Cox Road Elementary and Waxhaw Elementary Monday morning.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools saw more than 141,000 students and 19,000 staff members. Superintendent Crystal Hill waved off the first buses Monday morning and will visit 17 schools during the week.
In Union County, Superintendent Andrew Houlihan welcomed back students, teachers, staff and parents.
“I want to reassure you when you drop your children off at school or put them on that bus you’re going to be coming to schools across Union County that put academic excellence first in a very safe environment,” Houlihan said in a video message sent to parents Friday.
Greeting
Friends excitedly greet each other as they arrive for the first day of school at Waxhaw Elementary School on Monday, August 28, 2023. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Old and new friends
Friends hug each other as they arrive for the frist day of school at Waxhaw Elementary School on Monday, August 28, 2023. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Best year to come
Students arrive for the first day of school at Waxhaw Elementary School on Monday, August 28, 2023. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The high-five
School resource officer Victor Montalvo, right, greets a student with a high-five as students arrive for the frist day of school at Waxhaw Elementary School on Monday, August 28, 2023. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The welcome
Classroom music teacher Emily Rhodes, left, hugs a student as he arrives for the frist day of school at Waxhaw Elementary School on Monday, August 28, 2023. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
The Selfie
CMS board chair Elyse Dashew, left, takes a selfie with seventh grade students Malayah Davis, school board member Lenora Shipp, Falicia Evans and Melany Al Cantara at Ranson Middle School on Monday, August 28, 2023. Monday was the first day back to school for students. The students had helped guide Dashew, Shipp and CMS superintendent Crystal Hill while they were on campus. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 10:31 AM.
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