Colin Brown, 3, begins to weep when Shameca Collins and Carlos Brown drop him off for his first day of Pre-K 3 Friday at Cathedral Elementary in Natchez. Collins said Colin Brown had been to day care before but that this was his first time in a school environment. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Magnolia Smith, 7, hangs her backpack up Friday in Amy Gamberi’s second grade class during the first day of school at Cathedral Elementary. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Cathedral Principal Norm Yvon visits with student on the first day of school. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Mark McCann high-fives students walking down the halls on their first day of school Friday at Cathedral Elementary School in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Abby Mire and Natalie Smith look at their locker combinations before their class. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)