Newberry Station resident Barbara Estrada wasn't going to cry on the first day of school for her second-grader. She has other children, so she'd been through the first-day-of-school routine a few times. But when she walked out and another mother was wiping tears, she reached for a tissue.
"When I came out and saw her crying, it's my fourth child, but it's just as hard," Estrada said.
Then the fifth bus was a bit late. At the first day of a brand-new Fairfax County elementary school, everyone expected a few kinks in the routine. Charlotte Lee, the Fairfax County bus drivers' supervisor, scanned the parking lot when the last bus rounded the corner.
"It's important that the staff is out here," she said.
After that, everything went smoothly as the children filed into the gymnasium, split into their proper classes and filed off to class. John Swink, 11, was glad he came to open house the week before.
"I just came to open house to meet my teachers. New school, that's all I know," he said.
Art teacher Kerry Donavan was glad she had a place to call home. Last year, she was split between Lane and Clermont elementary schools.
"Basically, the first day's a get-to-know-you. The new room itself is exciting, usually the first week is drawing. I have a room, I'm in paradise," she said.
Principal Susan Owner was glad the day started without a hitch.
"It's going smooth," she said. "We're ready for today. The kids are all so excited. It's a good place to be."