Claremont Unified School District welcomed students back for the 2022-23 academic year Wednesday, continuing a rite of passage forever imbued with anticipation, anxiety, and opportunity. Most students we talked at Sumner Danbury Elementary and Claremont High were leaning into the anticipation aspect.

It’s the second year of in-person learning following 18 months of COVID-19 disruption, the effects of which are still being documented.

Lyle Wise gives his son Roman, a fourth grader at Sumner Danbury Elementary School, some calming advice ahead of his first day of school. After the brief pep talk, the two embraced and Roman made his way to his new class. COURIER photo/Andrew Alonzo

At Claremont High, cheerleaders welcomed returning students and friends gathered in groups. It was a beehive of activity as bells sounded for classes to begin. Some likely first-year students seemed lost, as a long line of them snaked out of the main office looking for help.

Sumner Danbury third grader Dylan Matreyek sings a good morning song alongside health aide Nicole Orozco on Wednesday as part of the opening orientation to teacher Katie Gleason’s class. COURIER photo/Andrew Alonzo

The same highly charged atmosphere held at Sumner Danbury, as friends reconnected and kids greeted their new teachers.

Look for more photos and coverage from Claremont’s first day of school in this week’s print edition.

Cover image photo/Peter Weinberger