Joseph Paul Beverly, 5, is accompanied to Lincoln Elementary School by his mother, Judy, for his first day of kindergarten.

WARSAW — Students with Warsaw Community Schools have shed their bathing suits and flip-flops in exchange for book bags full of school supplies as the corporation’s eight elementary schools, two middle schools and state-of-the-art high school welcomed pupils back from summer vacation on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

At Lincoln Elementary, early arrivals were greeted with bottled water and coffee for accompanying parents as students began filtering in, either accompanied by or dropped off by parents or guardians, riding their bikes from nearby homes or arriving by bus.

Several of Lincoln’s students made it clear they were not ready to officially say goodbye to their summer just yet. But, WCS’s top administrator said many, particularly the corporation’s staff members, were boiling with anticipation of another school year’s beginning.

“It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for us,” said Dr. David Hoffert, WCS superintendent.

“Just like students are a little bit nervous before a school year starts, so are teachers and staff members, but it’s a good nervousness. We’re so excited to get to know the students who will be coming into our classrooms and it’s really more of a celebration.”

Staffers at Lincoln Elementary School provided water and coffee for early arrivals.