Summer minutes away from ending as Needham Elementary School sixth grade students Ethan Lenox waits for the first bell of the new school year Tuesdayoutside of Needham Elementay school. Lenox joined nearly 4500 other Durango School District 9R students and staff returning to classes after the Summer break. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

Joining nearly 4500 other Durango School District 9R students and staff returning to classes after the Summer break, students of Miller Middle School assembly on the athletic field of the school Tuesday to be introduced to teachers and staff before starting their first school day. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

Getting the word out to drivers that school os in session, Durango Fire Protection District Captain Pete Tuck, and Engineer, Mike Aronson, left hang a banner reminding drivers to drive safely in front of Needham Elementary School Tuesday. Nearly 4500 area students in the Durango School District 9R returned to school Tuesday after the Summer Break. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

First day jitters? 6 year old Granite Wadsworth, right, seems a little apprehensive Tuesday as he gets his photo made by his mother Ginny Wadsworth moments before the first school bell of the year at Needham Elementary school Tuesday where he was starting first Grade. Granite is the son of Ginny and Derek Wadsworth. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

First day connections. Needham Elementary School Principal David Tanaka, reconnects with students outside of the school Tuesday awaiting the first bell off the new school year. Tanaka with through the crowd of students shaking hands and speaking to returning students and their parents as the new school year for all Durango School District 9R returned to school after Summer break .Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

First day kiss. Grace Fitzpatrick, right, gets a good bye kiss from her mother Robin Fitzpatrick after arriving at Needham Elementary School Tuesday for the first day of school. Grace is the daughter of Robin and Tim Fitzpatrick and started first grade in Heidi Eskeli's class. Approximatley 4500 schol students in Durango 9R School District reported to schools Tuesday along with nearly 650 teachers. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

There was no first day jitters for 5 year old Jocelyn Lobato before the first bell of the school year at Needham Elementary school Tuesday where she was starting first Grade. Jocelyn is being hugged by her mother Muriel Respin. Her father is Allen Lobato. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

Summer minutes away from ending as Needham Elementary School sixth grade students Ethan Lenox, left and Avery Elliott await the first bell of the new school year Tuesday joining nearly 4500 other Durango School District 9R students and staff returning to classes after the Summer break. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald

Off to a good start. Needham Elementary school first grade Teach Heidi Eskeli, right, receives a potted flower from her new student Annabeth Hanson on the first day of school for students in Durango 9R School District. Photo by Shaun Stanley / Durango Herald