Cyndi Loza

Elementary school students approached the first day of classes with excitement, apprehension or disgruntled groans Monday as teachers and faculty reviewed the game plan for the new school year.

“I don’t get it,” said Caleb Russell, 12, a sixth-grader at Esther Bennett Elementary School. “Why do we need to do homework when we do work in school?”

“Practice,” said Bennett teacher Misty Larsen, whose answer drew sighs and groans.

The traditional school year began Monday and ends June 3.

“For the faculty and staff, it’s kind of a fun time because it’s like a reunion,” Principal Michael Henry said. “The kids are always nervous on the first day, but they get back into it really quickly.”

Henry said it is important to set the tone of the school year on the first day of classes, which is why he visited each classroom to reassure students of their safety and opportunity to be academically successful.

“We try to make it as positive as possible and tell them, ‘You will be safe. You will be successful,’” Henry said.

Kosandra Kirk, a former student at Mount Rose Elementary School, said she was nervous to start sixth grade at Bennett because she didn’t know anyone.

“My mom says I have ‘the jitters,’” said Kirk, 11, of Highland Ranch. “It’s when you have butterflies in your stomach, and you’re nervous.”

Parents were excited dropping off their children.

“I can have some time back to myself, finally,” said Sun Valley resident Mashaya Payne, 29, who has two daughters and a son attending Bennett. “It’s a relief I don’t have to cook breakfast or lunch because they’re back at school now.”

Payne’s three children receive free lunch and breakfast at the school.

Sun Valley resident Rosalio Torres was worried to leave his son and daughter at Bennett, where they would have new teachers and classmates.

“I guess, we were more worried than they were,” said Torres, 37, in Spanish. “(But) we just watched them get into their class, and we felt a bit better.”