Steamboat Pilot & Today

Soda Creek Elementary School third-grader Liv Mason waves goodbye to her parents — and goodbye to summer — as children at Soda Creek and other campuses in the Steamboat Springs School District headed back to class Wednesday morning. Photo by John F. Russell

Students head back to class at Steamboat Springs High School on Wednesday morning, the first day of school for the Steamboat Springs School District's 2012-13 academic year. Photo by John F. Russell

Second-grader Andrew Kempers unloads school supplies on his first day back at Soda Creek Elementary School on Wednesday. Children at Soda Creek, Strawberry Park and the high school all returned to classes Wednesday. Photo by John F. Russell

Vegas Boone plays with friends on the playground at Soda Creek Elementary School on Wednesday morning before heading back to class. Children at Soda Creek, Strawberry Park and the high school all returned to classes Wednesday, marking the end of summer break and the start of a new school year. Photo by John F. Russell

Second-grader James Appel unloads his backpack inside his Soda Creek Elementary School classroom on the first day of school Wednesday. Photo by John F. Russell

Jackson Lewer, first day of fourth grade, Soda Creek Elementary. Submitted by: Karen Lewer

The Limberg kids. Submitted by: Jill Limberg

First day of school for Brandon Miller (12th grade). Submitted by: Nicole Tucker

First day of school for Dawson Tucker (first grade). Submitted by: Nicole Tucker

First day of school for Gabby Tucker (seventh grade). Submitted by: Nicole Tucker

Gabby and Dawson Tucker. Submitted by: Nicole Tucker

Gabe Aigner, left, and Frank Becker ride to Steamboat Springs Middle School. Submitted by: Lauri Aigner

Gabe Aigner's first day of sixth grade. Submitted by: Lauri Aigner