Shadreck and Tamicka Chiripanyanga wait on the stoop for the bus with their kids Jayda, Jalen and baby Jeremiah.

The school bus makes rounds in Prospect Heights.

"I get to wear a vest without a tie," Jalen says, relieved.

"I'm excited to make new friends," Jayda says.

Jahlik and his mom Genevieve wait for Jahlik's bus to charter school. "This is his second year," Genevieve says. "He's doing great."

Jahlik's favorite subject is math and he enjoys wearing his uniform to school.

Kieran Srinivasan is all in red for his first day of Kindergarten. His parents have been coaching him on his teacher's name.

Kieran doesn't waste time with introductions. "I'm five!" he announces thrusting an open hand up in the air.

Shirts and pleats are neatly pressed at 227 Sterling Place in front of M.S. 340 in Prospect Heights.

Suzette Williams walks her sons Kyle and Kahlil towards the school.

Kahlil Williams with a Winnie-the-Pooh backpack full of supplies.

Amy Bender and Rachel Shulder discuss the first day of high school for their daughters.

Michael Block fiddles with his umbrella. At recess, "I run around and look at the tree and see many flowers on it," he says.

"I'm excited that there probably will be new students and I'm glad that I will make friends with them," he says. "Either that or they will hate me."

Michael and his mom Seyana Block share an umbrella on the way to school.