Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Happy Valley Elementary Principal Mandy Greer directs traffic on Carter County’s first day of school.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders A school bus arrives at Happy Valley Elementary Thursday morning for the first of school in Carter County.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Happy Valley Elementary Principal Mandy Greer greets an enthusiastic Zach Pope, by name, on the first day of school Thursday morning.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Kindergartner Brix Jaynes leaps into his very first day of school with the help of coach Brandon Mottern Thursday morning at the start of the new school year in Carter County.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Students in higher grade levels enter Happy Valley Elementary at a different entrance after they’ve gotten off the bus on the first morning of school in Carter County.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Mason Hyder was so excited about his first day at school he almost forgot his lunch box, fortunately mom with the help of Happy Valley Elementary Principal Mandy Greer saved the day by calling him back to retrieve his lunch.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders A Carter County school bus drives by the Happy Valley Elementary sign Thursday morning for the first of school in Carter County heading for either the middle or high school.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Parents lead their children toward the front entrance of Happy Valley Elementary on a drizzly overcast first day of school in Carter County Thursday morning.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Constable Bob Carroll directs traffic on the Milligan Highway on a drizzly overcast first day of school in Carter County Thursday morning.