Bittersweet First Day of Kindergarten Begins at Woodland Hills Elementary School

Hugs were given and goodbyes were said as four sections of Woodland Hills Elementary kindergartners lined up Wednesday morning to begin their first day of school.

For some families, their first and only child started school today. Michael Miller's son was one of those. 

"It's bittersweet," Miller said. 

Other families felt the same way. 

Annette Miller's first child also started school today. The family was in the grass of Woodland Hills Elementary saying goodbye to her son.

"He's very excited, but Mom is not exactly ready," Annette said. "It's exciting, but also sad."

Cathy Gagen's first child also started today. "She's more ready than I am," Gagen said.

Other students were less excited to begin school. Jayden Rees, a kindergartner, could barely let go of her mother, Elyse. 

"She's really shy," Elyse said. "It's been hard for her to come, but she's doing OK, I'm doing better than I thought I would."

This fall's kindergarten students are the first youngsters to learn in Woodland Hills Elementary, which is Waukee's newest and seventh elementary school. Woodland Hills Elementary has 445 students enrolled in it this year.