First Day of School Brings 'Mixed Emotions' for Both Annandale Parents and Students

With the Labor Day holiday over, thousands of students in Fairfax County returned to school for their first day of the new school year. All morning Tuesday, dozens of yellow school buses mixed in with the usual weekday traffic headed to their first pick-ups.

Elementary and middle school students waited with their parents, siblings, grandparents and neighbors at bus stops. Some were visibly excited and talking animatedly with those around them. Others nervously clutched their brand new backpacks or fidgeted where they stood and kept to themselves. Some parents had a touch of first-day anxiety, too.

Like many other parents, Claudia Benitez of Annandale escorted her 12-year-old son to his first day at Holmes Middle School. "It's a new school for him, so I'm nervous," said Benitez.

At the elementary schools, teachers and principals stood outside, near the parking lots or by the entrance to greet students and parents. Dozens of cars lined the streets and filled the parking lot at Annandale High School, as buses and parents dropped off students. Other students were seen walking in large groups toward the school from Medford Dr. and Davian Dr.

In the neighborhood of Sleepy Hollow, Chris and Joyce Gettings of Falls Church waited with their sons, Alexander and Thor for the bus to take 5-year-old Thor to his first day of kindergarten. Over the weekend, the Gettings sneaked in some last minute shopping. "We picked up his Batman backpack," said Chris. To make sure they were well rested for the first day of school adventures, Joyce said the boys went to bed early. "We wore them out yesterday," she said.

At the next stop, Susan Wildman waited with her six-year-old son, Eli, and her neighbors Sergio and Kelly O'Eadiz for the bus. Wildman did some last minute shopping of her own, but had a hard time finding one particular item.

"Glue sticks. There's a shortage of glue sticks in Fairfax County," said Wildman, with a laugh.

Mary Manansala felt no trepidation as she escorted her 9-year-old daughter Gabby to her first day of fourth grade at Belvedere Elementary School.

"We've been through a lot of first days since she was 3 years old, so she's pretty used to this. She's always been excited about school," said Manansala. When asked what she most excited about this year, Gabby quickly replied, "art class."

"I just really like art," said Gabby.