Ben Hillyer/The Natchez Democrat — Sometimes the longest day of the school year is the first day, even when it is only for a half-day. Holy Family Early Learning Center kindergartner Braxton Hunt leans over in his chair stretching his arms and rubbing his eyes as his teacher Faye Barnes goes over the list of classroom rules.

After a good summer break, the first day of school came early for kindergartner Leah Green Monday morning.