Photos by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times Above, incoming third grader Josiah Moore was all smiles from the moment he stepped off the bus on the first day of school at Oak Harbor Elementary.

Left, Isaac Rico arrived to his first day of third grade at Oak Harbor Elementary on Sept. 9 escorted by North Whidbey Fire and Rescue firefighters Michael Pelzer and Jonathan Walker. Rico’s father, Tyler Rico, worked with the fire district for seven years and passed away at the end of August.

Photos by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times Above, incoming third grader Josiah Moore was all smiles from the moment he stepped off the bus on the first day of school at Oak Harbor Elementary.

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times A few students needed a little extra time to say goodbye to their parents before going to their first day of school at Oak Harbor Elementary on Sept. 9.

Above, Luz Huaromo and her younger daughter, Kamila Barajas, wish incoming first grader Lilian Barajas a good first day of school at Oak Harbor Elementary on Sept. 9.

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times Sienna Epps helps her daughter, Kaia, put on her backpack before walking onto campus at Oak Harbor Elementary on Sept. 9 for the first day of school.

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times Dalton Taranenko hugs his mom Hayley Barrow goodbye before heading to his first day of second grade at Oak Harbor Elementary on Sept. 9. .

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times ReKann Brannon cheers up here three sons, Hayes, who is going into fourth grade, Johnny, who is going into third grade, and Owen, who is going into first grade, before their first day of school at Oak Harbor Elementary on Sept. 9.