Greenmont Elementary School principal Brett Ubbens speaks to students before the first day of school on Wednesday. Ubbens told students the first day of school can be scary, but they shouldn’t be afraid to talk to someone new. “There are no strangers at Greenmont,” Ubbens said. “Only friends you haven’t met yet.” (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Joyce Miller, a cook at Blennerhassett Middle School, hands out pizza to students at halftime of the first day of school in Wood County on Wednesday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Blennerhassett Middle School students gather for lunch in the cafeteria on Wednesday, the first day of school for Wood County. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Students and parents arrive at Greenmont Elementary for the first day of school on Wednesday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Students arrive at Greenmont Elementary for the first day of school in Wood County on Wednesday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Students at Jefferson Elementary Center line up to board the bus after their first day of school on Wednesday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Teachers and staff at Jefferson Elementary Center help students get through their first full day of school for Wood County in the 2024-25 school year on Wednesday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)