First Day of School Kicks Off in Maricopa: Excitement and New Beginnings

Parents escorted their kindergarteners onto the Santa Cruz Elementary School campus this morning despite muggy temperatures nearing 90 degrees just before 8 a.m. The excitement was palpable as the Maricopa Unified School District launched its new school year amidst the late July heat.

Hut Nantharath walked his daughter, Irene, to her kindergarten classroom, indicating it was an exhilarating experience. “It’s pretty exciting,” Nantharath shared. “This is her first time.” Shaneka Burton, experiencing this milestone for the eighth time, accompanied her son, Carion, to his first day of kindergarten, feeling both overwhelmed and hopeful. “I’m hoping it’s going to be a wonderful school year for him,” Burton said.

Not all transitions were smooth. Stacey Fountain faced challenges as she escorted her second-grade daughter, Noreen. “We lost the cell phones for the first day. We brought a water bottle with no top, so she can’t take it,” Fountain explained. “We’re going to try harder tomorrow.”

Regina Arias walked in with her son Andrew, a fourth grader, and Audrey, a first grader. “It was nice to have a little bit of relaxation,” Arias said of the summer break. “But they’re excited and ready to go back.” Many parents expressed relief at getting their children out of the house.

Euraja Mason, who brought her twin girls, Brooklyn and Kali, to kindergarten, shared in the general enthusiasm. “Oh, I’m just excited,” Mason said. “They’re excited.” Additionally, Sgt. Hal Koozer of the Maricopa Police Department’s traffic division was on-site to remind motorists to slow down in school zones. “I just want to be high profile. I just want to be a visual deterrent at this time,” Koozer stated, emphasizing safety over enforcement.

With the first day of school underway, the transition marked a significant moment for students, parents, and the community at Santa Cruz Elementary School.