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PHOTOS: Students rise with the sun for first day of school in Hamilton County

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ School patrol officer Priscilla Taggart, a 46-year patrol veteran, guides children through a crossing in front of the East Ridge High and Middle School Campus on August 7, 2019. — Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ School patrol officer Priscilla Taggart, a 46-year patrol veteran, guides children through a crossing in front of the East Ridge High and Middle School Campus on August 7, 2019. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ School patrol officer Priscilla Taggart, a 46-year patrol veteran, guides children through a crossing in front of the East Ridge High and Middle School Campus on August 7, 2019.

By Robin Rudd, Erin O. Smith August 7, 2019 1 min read

Photo Gallery

Back to school

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Students arrive for the first day of school at the East Ridge High and Middle schools campus. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ School Patrol officer Priscilla Taggart, a 46-year veteran of the patrol, directs children and vehicles at the intersection of Tombras Avenue and Bennett Road in front of the East Ridge High and Middle school campus. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ School Patrol officer Priscilla Taggart, a 46-year veteran of the patrol, directs vehicles at the intersection of Tombras Avenue and Bennett Road in front of the East Ridge High and Middle school campus. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ School Patrol officer Priscilla Taggart, a 46-year veteran of the patrol, directs children and vehicles at the intersection of Tombras Avenue and Bennett Road in front of the East Ridge High and Middle school campus. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ School Patrol officer Priscilla Taggart, a 46-year veteran of the patrol, directs children and vehicles at the intersection of Tombras Avenue and Bennett Road in front of the East Ridge High and Middle school campus. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Two students walk down a hallway inside East Ridge High School while another, in the foreground, checks his cellphone as the first day of classes begins with the rising sun. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Students arrive for the first day of classes at East Ridge High and Middle Schools. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Before the sun as risen Tandi Sypolt and Doug Woods direct one of the first buses to leave East Ridge Middle School after it dropped off students. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Students arrive for the first day of classes at East Ridge High and Middle Schools. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Buses arrive for the first day of classes at East Ridge High and Middle Schools. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

Emily Gregory, an eighth grader at Signal Mountain Middle/High School, is dropped off for the first day of school Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Both Signal Mountain Middle/High School and Nolan Elementary had different start times from past years.

Matt Doebler, an English and film studies teacher, welcomes students for their first day of school at Signal Mountain Middle/High School Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Both Signal Mountain Middle/High School and Nolan Elementary had different start times from past years.

Erica Woodward, a sophomore at Signal Mountain Middle/High School, is dropped of for the first day of school Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Both Signal Mountain Middle/High School and Nolan Elementary had different start times from past years.

A group of Signal Mountain Middle/High School students walk from the parking lot to the front entrance of the school Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Wednesday was the first day of the 2019-2020 school year for Hamilton County Schools.

Lilly Howell, an eighth grader at Signal Mountain Middle/High School, gets off the bus for the first day of school Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Both Signal Mountain Middle/High School and Nolan Elementary had different start times from past years.

A group of Signal Mountain Middle/High School students walk from the parking lot to the front entrance of the school Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Wednesday was the first day of the 2019-2020 school year for Hamilton County Schools.

Cassidy Pawson, a freshman at Signal Mountain Middle/High School, hugs Camille Ward, a youth director at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, as Pawson gets ready to start the first day of the school year Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Ward showed up to the school Wednesday morning to welcome and encourage students on the first day of the school year.

A group of students walk to the entrance of Signal Mountain Middle/High School just before the bell rings Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Both Signal Mountain Middle/High School and Nolan Elementary had different start times from past years.

From left, Leah Dimino leads one of her son's, Dom Dimino Jr., 8, to school as her husband Dom Dimino Sr. walks with their other son, Tucker Dimino, 5, at Nolan Elementary School Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Dom was beginning third grade while Tucker was starting kindergarten.

Sally Frost, a fifth grader, and Molly Frost, a second grader pose for a photo on the first day of school at Nolan Elementary Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee.

Emily Darras walks her son Henry Darras, a first grader, to school Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Wednesday was the first day of the 2019-2020 school year for Hamilton County Schools.

Emily Darras walks her son Henry Darras, a first grader, to school Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Wednesday was the first day of the 2019-2020 school year for Hamilton County Schools.

Friends, Belou Anderson, 7, Becca Shelton, 7, and Anna Claire Harless, 8, pose for a photo for their moms Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Both Signal Mountain Middle/High School and Nolan Elementary had different start times from past years.

Millie Oliver, 6, leans away as her dad, Josh Oliver, reaches to wipe something from his daughters face after licking his thumb at Nolan Elementary Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. The two arrived to the school ahead of schedule and sat outside as they waited for more students to arrive.

Brynley Lewis, 7, walks to school with her mom Ashley Bingham Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Brynley was starting her first day as a second grader.

A group of students and parents are led to the entrance of Nolan Elementary School Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Wednesday was the first day of the 2019-2020 school year for Hamilton County Schools.

Gina Liberto and Thomas Auten say goodbye to their son Finn Auten, 5, as he gets ready to start his first day of kindergarten at Nolan Elementary Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Wednesday was the first day of the 2019-2020 school year for Hamilton County Schools.

Casey Newell looks up as his daughter Jade points out a balloon she spots in the ceiling rafters in the gym at Nolan Elementary School Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Jade is a kindergartner starting her first year at Nolan.

Kendall Welder hugs her daughter Kate Welder, 5, as Kate gets ready to begin her first day as a kindergartener at Nolan Elementary School Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Both Signal Mountain Middle/High School and Nolan Elementary had different start times for school from past years.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Students arrive prior to the 7:15 start time at East Ridge Middle School. The first day for Hamilton County Schools saw changed starting times for some schools on August 7, 2019.

The first day of school kicks off today as students in Hamilton County return to class for the 2019-20 school year.