Scenes from the first day of school in Du Quoin

From left, Anna O'Brien, Lani Aleshire, Brynleigh Locklear, Kelsi Miller, and Jordan Ramsey take a break from comparing high school schedules to pose for a picture, just as the bell rings. Jon Montgomery photo

Du Quoin High School seniors settle into their final "locker home." Jon Montgomery photo

FIRST DAY AT DHS: High School teacher Latasha Baxter gets a hug from Teddy Jones to start the year off right. Jon Montgomery photo

Sarah Phipps, kindergarten instructor, briefs parents and students on the kindergarten routine. The first day of kindergarten in Du Quoin is called "The Bear Hunt," where children learn the schedule and where things are located in the classroom. Jon Montgomery photo

Fifth grade teacher Laura Krone stores yearly staples, tissues and storage bags, with help from her student Dani Kay Marks. Jon Montgomery photo

Middle school band students, like Adin Lively (on floor) and Reagan Rodely, begin their school day 35 minutes ahead of everyone else. Jon Montgomery photo

Sixth grade Social Studies teacher, Chuck Montgomery, asks his class if everyone knows where they are going next hour. Jon Montgomery photo

There's always a crowd at the water fountain and restroom on the first day at the Du Quoin Elementary School. Debbie Pierce, first grade teacher, directs traffic. Jon Montgomery photo

Rachel and Shawn Marks attend "The Bear Hunt" with their daughter, Roe. Jon Montgomery photo

Sixth grade science teacher Ryan Heape goes over student schedule with Thomas Clark and his grandmother, Laura Davison at the Open House. Jon Montgomery photo

Cy Craft helps his dad, middle school technology instructor Tim Craft, shut down the computers at the end of the Open House. Jon Montgomery photo

Middle School Band Director Ryan Goetter tells Ethan Sargent at the open house not to forget his horn on Thursday. Ethan is the son of Jonathan and Bridget Sargent, who are here with his little sister, Chloe. Jon Montgomery photo