At 7:55 a.m. Tuesday, the sidewalk around the entrance to the Oak Bluffs School was a roar of excited voices as students, parents and teachers converged for the first day of school. The scene was a kaleidoscope of backpacks and shiny sequined sneakers as students reunited, comparing growth spurts and haircuts, looking forward to a new year.

“I’m happy we get a locker, that’s different this year,” said Sabrina Alves, age 10, who is going into fifth grade. She arrived early with her mother Adriana and held a zip-up binder.

Nearby, Heyttor, Ian, and Otho Nunes all spilled out of the family car with their parents in tow. They said they were sad to see summer come to a close.

Jessica Arruda is ready for sixth grade. — Mark Alan Lovewell

“But at least we got a TV in our room,” Ian said.

Heyttor is a seventh grader this year, Ian a third grader, and Otho a second grader.

Heyttor asked his mother about which teacher Ian would have. “Does he have Ms. Bausman? She’s the best,” he said.

Otho looked around him, then began to drift away. “I’m going to go talk to someone,” he said.

“You mean flirt!” Ian called.

For Shadane Welsh, Tuesday was the first day of school after moving to the Island from Jamaica in June. He is starting eighth grade, and he wore brand new Vans sneakers as he walked toward the front door with his mother, Rosalyn, a quiet smile on his face.

And now it's time to say goodbye to the parents and head to class. — Mark Alan Lovewell

Gabriel Bengtsson and Dominic Vieira each wore a carapacial backpack dwarfing their small frames. They talked together about what fourth grade might bring.

“Maybe just learning new things,” Gabriel said.

“I think we learn more about multiplication and division,” Dominic added.

The children lined up in their classes behind signs bearing each teacher’s name. Autumn Wiggin, Charlotte Cramer, and Margaret Pacheco compared binders and outfits as they waited in the third grade class line. Autumn had a cheetah-print binder, Charlotte had neon pink sneakers and Margaret wore cupcake earrings.

At about 8:10, teachers raised their hands, signaling a shift in attention. The moment had come. Class by class, students filed in the front doors, most excited, some wide-eyed with nerves.

And then they were gone, leaving quiet in their wake. Fathers in work boots and baseball caps paused and held baby siblings, and mothers in scrubs drifted back toward their cars.

Another school year had arrived.