Music teacher Karissa Nelsen gets a hug Wednesday from Kiyah Boisvert , 6, on Boisvert’s first day of first grade at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston. Public schools in Lewiston and Auburn opened to students Wednesday. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Shelbye Freels walks her 6-year-old daughter, Zoey Freels, to Montello Elementary School in Lewiston on Wednesday. The first-grader was very excited to be back in school, said her mother. “That’s pretty much all she has been talking about.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Cindy Laplante greets students as they arrive Wednesday for the first day of school at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston. Laplante is starting her 32nd year as an educational technician. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Music teacher Lisa Mayer gets hugs from Rosabelle Labbay, left, and Chloe Bubier as children arrive Wednesday for the first day of school at Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Auburn. This will be Mayer’s second year teaching music at the school. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Students pose for first day of school pictures Wednesday at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston. Wednesday was the first day of school for Lewiston and Auburn public schools. Students, from left, are first-grader Kiyah Boisvert, fourth-grader Autumn Boisvert, fourth-grader Emma Martel and second-grader Abby Martel. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Zoey Freels, 6, wears her new shoes to her first day of first grade Wednesday at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Andrew Watson drops his 9-year-old son, James Watson, off at Montello Elementary School Wednesday in Lewiston. James arrived for his first day of school on the back of his father’s motorcycle. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Tiffany Breton hugs her 7-year-old son, Lincoln, before Lincoln’s first day of second grade Wednesday at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston. The first day of school for Lewiston and Auburn public schools was Wednesday. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Principal Mike Davis shakes hands with Charles King as children arrive Wednesday for the first day of school at Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Auburn. Davis started his career in public education as a music teacher at Sherwood 28 years ago. He spent the past ten years as principal at Walton Elementary before returning to Sherwood this year. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal