Villa Park Elementary School Principal Martha Arceo takes part in the traditional ringing of the school bell on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The bell is a relic from the original school building built in 1881 and was one of the county's first public schools. The building was demolished in 2017, but the bell remains on campus as a reminder of the past. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children arrive early and wait to enter the school grounds on their first day at Villa Park Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Villa Park Elementary School students rush back to their classrooms after a ceremony on the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anthony Angrisano, left, and Luke Achimore, both 5 years old, friends since kindergarten, run to greet each other on their first day of kindergarten at Villa Park Elementary School, their first day in the Orange Unified School District, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Little feet walk into Villa Park Elementary School's traditional first day of school bell ringing ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Suzette Miller, a mixed kindergarten and first grade teacher, enthusiastically addresses her class on their first day at Villa Park Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
From left, Joe Zappia, 3, Finley Gillingham, 4, and Joe Matsuda, 3, pose for their parents outside their second-grade classroom at Villa Park Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The photoshoot tradition began when the older children were in kindergarten. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students at Villa Park Elementary School recite the Pledge of Allegiance on their first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maria Alvarez takes a photo of her 5-year-old son, Benjamin Lopez, on his first day of kindergarten at Villa Park Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Villa Park Elementary School's historic bell is a relic from the original school building built in 1881, one of the county's first public schools. The building was demolished in 2017, but the bell remains on campus as a reminder of the past. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Paisley Zerbuchen, 6, walks in her heels as she waits for her first day of first grade to begin outside Villa Park Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Villa Park Elementary School Principal Martha Arceo takes part in the traditional ringing of the school bell on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The bell is a relic from the original school building built in 1881 and was one of the county's first public schools. The building was demolished in 2017, but the bell remains on campus as a reminder of the past. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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There were first day photos and some final hugs and words of encouragement, then it was time to get serious about learning.
The Orange Unified School District recently welcomed thousands of students to its Anaheim Hills, Orange and Villa Park campuses to kick off the new school year while reminiscing on fun-filled summer memories.