Back to school!

Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Schaghticoke Middle School reflect a variety of emotions as they file down the main hall on the opening day of school in New Milford They were among the more than 5,000 New Milford students to start their 2012-13 school year Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. Photo: Norm Cummings

Daniele Biondino of New Milford makes certain the long locks of her daughter, Ava, are just so before the excited kindergartner boards the bus for opening day at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

After getting off his bus, an excited Ian Sosbe leads staff member Jackie Debkiewicz to the front entrance on opening day of school at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Sawyer Beyerappears fully ready to go as he arrives, with Danny Malumphy hot on his heels, for opening day of school at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Aidan Ezra isn't shy about showing his pleasure at being back at school on opening day at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Maggie Sumara beams upon immediately seeing a friendly face on opening day of school at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Opening day of school at Northville School in New Milford, Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Opening day of school at Northville School in New Milford, Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Students reflect a variety of emotions as they file into the cafeteria as their first stop on opening day of school at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Huddled to chat about something likely unrelated to their upcoming classes are, from left to right,Tyler Timan, Brendan McLean and David Lull, on opening day of school at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Patiently waiting for the call to head to homeroom are a relaxed cast of boys on opening day of school at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Assistant principal Suzi Greene offers some first-day guidance to students on opening day at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Twins Brooke and Joseph Postiglione, age 7, get an affectionate kiss from their mom, Debrah, as they prepare to board the school bus for opening day at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Kindergartner Ava Biondino is bubbling with nervous anticipation as she waits with her dad, Matt Biondino for her school bus to take her to opening day at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Proudly sporting both glow sneakers and a brand-new glow backpack is Troy Madrio, 6, as he waits for his bus with his dad, Roy Madrio, on opening day at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Kindergartner McKayla Luchsinger, 5, keeps pace with her mom, Sharon, and her 3-year-old brother, Devon, as they walk from their nearby home for opening day at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

John and Eliza Cardenas look on proudly as Logan Cardneas, 4, takes a giant step for childkind en route to opening day at Northville School in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Michael King awaits the school bus Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 to take him for his first day of classes as a freshman at New Milford High School. His sister, Kimberly, accompanies him as she begins her junior year at NMHS. Photo: Trish Haldin

Clearly happy to be arriving at New Milford High School for classes are, from left to right, Lesli Arana, 14, Ana Yunga, 17, and Jessica Yunga, 15, on the opening day of school in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Patiently waiting at their bus stop to head off to school on opening day in New Milford are, from left to right, Blake Carbone, 5, Christopher Carbone, 7, Phoenix Carbone, 6, and Brent MacLeod Hottes, 4. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Kindergartner Nathan Natale, 5, sports a wide grin as he arrives at Hill and Plain School for the opening day of school in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Happy to be back Third-grader Samantha McCaughan flashes a winning smile Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 as she is among those to be photographed by Principal Maryann Ness upon her arrival at Hill and Plain School for opening day of school in New Milford. For more photos, see Page S13 for Spectrum Images and check www.newmilfordspectrum.com. Region 12 schools opened for classes Tuesday. For those photos, see next week's Spectrum. Photo: Trish Haldin

Fellow Hill and Plain School second-graders, from left to right, Chloe Lent, Madisyn Gaudio and Hailey Best, relish sharing a photo moment as they celebrate opening day of school in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin

Elizabeth Berry, left, and Alexis McBride pose for a friendly photographer on the "Welcome to Hill and Plain School" mat on the opening day of school in New Milford. Aug. 27, 2012 Photo: Trish Haldin