George J. Mitchell School students Raelynn Lacroix, left, and Meena Hall hug each other on their arrival for the first day of school in Waterville on Wednesday. Both girls said they were happy to start the school year. Elementary and middle schools across the region welcomed students back Wednesday, while many in grades 10 to 12 start Thursday.

George J. Mitchell School education technician Gail Young speaks with student Charlie Ferris on which class he needs to go to on the first day of school on Wednesday.

Teachers and staff of the George J. Mitchell School greet students arriving by bus on the first day of the school year in Waterville on Wednesday.

As students and parents wait in the lobby for school to start on the first day at the George J. Mitchell School in Waterville on Wednesday, Susan Levesque comforts her grandson Brayden McLean. "I'm excited for him and he is a bit nervous," Levesque said.

Teachers and staff at the George J. Mitchell School in Waterville greet students and direct them to classrooms on the busy first day of school on Wednesday.