PRESS PHOTOS COURTESY ERICA SEITHER Northwestern Elementary music teacher, Shawn Fies, welcomed students back to school by playing the ukulele and singing his “First Day is the Best Day” song. Third grader Aubrey Nemchick giggles at the serenade.

Fourth grader Lucas Pizzuto was excited to see the Welcome Back Tigers sign in front of the school.

Second grade students Tessa Scanlon, Rowan Le Van and Ella Meyers enjoyed catching up over lunch.

Sisters Leona, Evelyn and Josephine Zandarski arrived with necessities and classroom supplies in hand.