OVER 30,000 STUDENTS from Stockton Unified School District began their first day of the 2023-24 school year Thursday morning.
Renu Gaba, mother of two students at Peyton Elementary School, said her youngest child was excited and ready for the first day of classes by 5 a.m.
“I’m honestly excited to send them back to school,” Gaba said about her 6-year-old and 9-year-old children.
Other kids such as 3-year-old Sofia, who would be attending her first day of preschool, held onto their parents’ hands a bit tighter.
Sofia wore a bright pink backpack and walked alongside her mom to her new classroom.
While many students had not been inside a classroom since summer break let out, teachers, staff and administrators returned to campus earlier in the week following an all-staff kickoff event Monday.
Nearly 4,000 district staff members gathered at the Stockton Arena for the celebration then visited their respective school sites to decorate classrooms, attend trainings and get curriculums started.
Kindergartener Miabella Honrada, 5, waits in line with her “Hello Kitty” backpack on her first day back at Valentine M. Peyton Elementary School in Stocktonon Thursday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Chloe Cai waits in line holding her “Frozen” themed backpack on her first day back at Valentine M. Peyton Elementary School in Stockton on Thursday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Family members watch their children walk toward their classrooms on the first day of class at Valentine M. Peyton Elementary School in Stockton on Aug. 3, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Two parents watch their children walk into classrooms on the first day of school at Valentine M. Peyton Elementary School in Stockton on Aug. 3, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Susan Mayorga walks her daughter Sofia Mayorga, 3, toward her classroom on her first day of preschool at Valentine M. Peyton Elementary School in Stockton. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Parents take pictures of the class lists on the first day of school at Valentine M. Peyton Elementary School in Stockton on Aug. 3, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
Leading the start of the school year will be new superintendent Michelle Rodriguez, who started the position earlier this month after leaving Pajaro Valley Unified School District in the Watsonville area.
The Stockton Police Department encouraged parents and residents to slow down, follow speed limits, and be careful while driving through school zones.
“Please drive like it is your child, grandchild, niece or nephew walking or riding their bike to school,” Chief Stanley McFadden said in a statement. “Pick-up and drop-off times can be hectic, but it’s important to be patient and stay safe as children are getting to and from school.”
Police also advised parents who have children who will be walking or biking to school to teach them safe walking and riding behaviors, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, using sidewalks when possible, and crossing at marked crosswalks with stop signs or signals.
Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.
