Vidalia kindergarten teacher Samantha Fielder consoles Brandon Burns before the start of school. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Holy Family kindergarten teacher Faye Barnes shows Haylee Frazier how to perform the sign of the cross during morning prayer. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Crossing guard Jerome Mayberry directs traffic in front of McLaurin Elementary Monday. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Holy Family Early Learning Center teacher Faye Barnes shows her class how to play a learning game. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Alivia Wadlington hold onto her mother's arm tightly on the first day of school at Vidalia Lower Elementary. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Dara Shirley blows kisses to her two children Meredith and Jackson Shirley after dropping them off on their first day of school at Vidalia Lower Elementary. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Vidalia Lower Elementary teachers aide comforts kindergartner Alivia Wadlington an other student line up in the hallway to wait for the first day of school to start. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)