Carla Nesbitt, left, hugs her daughter, Ana Reeves, as Ana arrives for fifth grade and is greeted by Teacher Marnita Coenraad on the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Carla Nesbitt, left, hugs her daughter, Ana Reeves, as Ana arrives for fifth grade and is greeted by Teacher Marnita Coenraad on the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: First Day of School 2019

School’s in session.

Students arrive for the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School, Floyd Dryden Middle School and Thunder Mountain High School in the Juneau School District on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019.


• Contact staff photographer Michael Penn at 523-2262 and mpenn@juneauempire.com. Follow our Instagram at @Juneau.Life.


Elizabeth Pisel-Davis, Principal of Riverbend Elementary School, helps students arriving for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Elizabeth Pisel-Davis, Principal of Riverbend Elementary School, helps students arriving for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ariyah Allen, holds hands with her mother, Odette, after arriving for the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ariyah Allen, holds hands with her mother, Odette, after arriving for the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sixth grade Social Studies Teacher Janet Lopez introduces herself to students arriving for the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sixth grade Social Studies Teacher Janet Lopez introduces herself to students arriving for the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sixth grade Language Arts Teacher Rachelle Grossardt waves to students arriving for the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sixth grade Language Arts Teacher Rachelle Grossardt waves to students arriving for the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain High School Principal Dan Larson, left, and Juneau Police Department School Resource Officer John Cryderman watch students arriving on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain High School Principal Dan Larson, left, and Juneau Police Department School Resource Officer John Cryderman watch students arriving on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fifth-grader Gage Keller, takes a picture of his brother Gary arriving for second grade with their mother, Lisa, on the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fifth-grader Gage Keller, takes a picture of his brother Gary arriving for second grade with their mother, Lisa, on the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Nghiem Tran, left, watches as his son, William, arrives for second grade and is greeted by Music Teacher Rebecca Ricker on the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Nghiem Tran, left, watches as his son, William, arrives for second grade and is greeted by Music Teacher Rebecca Ricker on the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

School Counselor Noelle Blanc, left, and Physical Education Teacher Scott May greets students arriving for the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

School Counselor Noelle Blanc, left, and Physical Education Teacher Scott May greets students arriving for the first day of school at Riverbend Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Teachers, parents and students gather at of Riverbend Elementary School on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Teachers, parents and students gather at of Riverbend Elementary School on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Principal Jim Thompson greets students on the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Principal Jim Thompson greets students on the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Students head for their classrooms on the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Students head for their classrooms on the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Students pick up their schedules after arriving for the first day of school at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Students pick up their schedules after arriving for the first day of school at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Junior James Hodges studies his schedule after arriving for the first day of school at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Junior James Hodges studies his schedule after arriving for the first day of school at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Freshman Jetta Hosiner, right, and Freshman Taren Wright hug as Freshman Kelsi Sell, left, looks on after arriving for the first day of school at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Freshman Jetta Hosiner, right, and Freshman Taren Wright hug as Freshman Kelsi Sell, left, looks on after arriving for the first day of school at Thunder Mountain High School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Principal Jim Thompson greets eight-grader Dalton Bell on the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Principal Jim Thompson greets eight-grader Dalton Bell on the first day of school at Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Two flags with pro-life themes, including the lower one added this week to one that’s been up for more than a year, fly along with the U.S. and Alaska state flags at the Governor’s House on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Doublespeak: Dunleavy adds second flag proclaiming pro-life allegiance at Governor’s House

First flag that’s been up for more than a year joined by second, more declarative banner.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)
Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy and Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, are standing behind RIchards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
For fourth consecutive year, gas pipeline boss is Alaska’s top-paid public executive

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, had the highest compensation among state legislators after all got pay hike.

Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood district plan charging property owners nearly $6,300 each gets unanimous OK from Assembly

117 objections filed for 466 properties in Mendenhall Valley deemed vulnerable to glacial floods.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney gives the State of the University address in Juneau on Jan. 30, 2025. She highlighted the wide variety of educational and vocational programs as creating opportunities for students, and for industries to invest in workforce development and the future of Alaska’s economy. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
University of Alaska president highlights impact on workforce, research and economy in address

Pat Pitney also warns “headwinds” are coming with federal executive orders and potential budget cuts.

Most Read