IMAGE GALLERY: First Day of School Full of Rain, Smiles

Little Harbour School Principal Charles Grossman knew some rain would greet students and their parents when they arrived for the first day of school on Tuesday.

So instead of having the kids assemble for the K-4 classes outside after they got off the school buses, Little Harbour staff made sure they went right inside where they were met by the teachers holding signs to tell them which line to join.

Overall, the rain didn't dampen any of the excitement that the first day of school generates for kids, families and teachers. Grossman said the 2012-2013 school year also includes some big changes for students.

After Little Harbour's enrollment increased, the Portsmouth School Board approved a plan to move the School Superintendent's and administrative offices out of the school to City Hall so four new Kindergarten classrooms could be added.

Grossman said this also allowed the school to add four additional classrooms in the classroom wing and one new full-time teacher for each grade. After spending more than a month getting everything ready, Grossman said, "The kids are the gravy."

Timmy Becksted, 7, who was entering second grade, arrived for his first day of school with his step mom, Dawn Arthur. He said he was also glad to be heading back to school. When asked what he likes best about school, Timmy replied, "My school," which also includes his friends, teachers, activities, recess, etc.

Paraprofessionals Denise Elwell and Kathy Burns greeted the first school bus when it arrived at 8:25 a.m. and made sure the kids were pointed in the right direction to join their classes.

It was also the first day of school for students at the Mary C. Dondero, New Franklin and Portsmouth Middle School. Portsmouth High School students will return to school on Wednesday and Kindergarten students will head off the school on Sept. 5.

What follows is an image gallery of Portsmouth's first day of school.