Provo students and teachers celebrate the return to the classroom

PROVO, Utah —  Students in the Provo City School District headed back to school Tuesday morning, and the hustle and bustle brings new kicks and hair that accompanies the new school year.

“It’s gonna be a good year. I can feel it,” said a Provost Elementary parent.

With old and new best friends along their side, families waved to their students as they went in for their first day of school at Provost Elementary.

For one year only, one mom told us she is looking forward to all her kids being at the same school.

“No preschoolers! No preschoolers! I’m excited,” said Bonnie.

The school district said student wellness is topping the list as a priority. They are also focusing on safety and security by putting a visitor management system in their schools.

“We have seven schools we’re working on getting set up right now. We have a pilot [system], and then, as the school year goes on, we’ll hopefully integrate that into more schools. We just wanna make sure we know who is in our building,” said Caleb Price, Director of Communications with Provo City School District. “It limits how people can get into the building, but also in case of an emergency, we know whose in our building.”

It means a lot to district parents, including Samantha Synder.

“I mean, it’s hard to be away from them for so long during the day, and it really takes the stress off knowing that they’re safe,” said Snyder.

Before the bell rings for the day and students head to recess, students will see several messages written in chalk from parents and loved ones.