First day of school at Poplar Bluff

Gunnar Chilton, 5, clings to his mother, Jenna Chilton, as she drops him off for his first day of Kindergarten Monday. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Teachers help students line up for breakfast on the first day of school at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Kylen Thompson is led to his Kindergarten classroom by a pair of staff members early Monday morning. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Carol Leezer takes off her backpack so she can eat breakfast in the cafeteria at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center Monday morning. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Beckett Kiefer colors a picture as he waits for his Kindergarten class to begin. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Kindergarten teacher Kellen Deffendall helps Richie Coffer with his backpack and school supplies on the first day of school Monday. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Stavia Blaich (left) and Kinley McCauley color at the beginning of their first day of second grade at Oak Grove Elementary. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Raelyn Kassing works on a coloring project to kick off her first day of second grade at Oak Grove Elementary. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Michelle Bates and her second grade students at Oak Grove Elementary recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day. (DAR/Paul Davis)

Third grade teacher Kristie Robinson instructs her students in class procedure on the first day of school at Oak Grove Elementary. (DAR/Paul Davis)