Contributed photo by Jasmine Holdness, featuring kindergarten Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Brielle Holdness.
Backpack? Check. Pencils sharpened? You bet. First day of school picture? Snap!
If you live in Virginia (or have friends with kids that go to school here), you’ve probably seen the most adorable pictures on your newsfeed over the past few weeks. But did you know that in our commonwealth, there’s not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to the start of the new school year?
In Richmond, select schools kicked off their year in late July (here’s a story about that). Along the coast, class resumes around Labor Day. In the Southside and Southwest regions, early- to mid-August is the sweet spot—and when we asked for you to share your first day of school pictures with us, y’all understood the assignment.
Missed out this time? Don’t worry! We’re hoping to post another back-to-school story in September. If you’d like to submit your child’s photo, please send the picture—along with the child’s first and last name, grade, and school division—in an email to [email protected] no later than Sunday, Sept. 10 at 11:59 p.m.
Until then, enjoy our first-ever back-to-school photo feed—and remember to share it with a friend!
Contributed photo by Jasmine Holdness, featuring kindergarten Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Brielle Holdness.
Contributed photo by Crystal-Lea Swinney, featuring Pre-K Martinsville City Public Schools student CJ Swinney.
Contributed photo by Rachel Fuqua, featuring 7th grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Camden Pyron, kindergarten Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Raelynn Fuqua, Pre-K Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Kensley Fuqua, and little brother Reid Fuqua.
Contributed photo by Keisha Hightower, featuring 6th grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Mekhi Bennett.
Contributed photo by Baylee Millard, featuring 4th grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Brelynn Bolden and her little sister, Ella Bolden.
Contributed photo by Christina Kinzer, featuring 1st grade Henry County Public Schools student James Kinzer.
Contributed photo by Courtney Hernandez, featuring 5th grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Mia Hernandez.
Contributed photo by Courtney Hernandez, featuring 3rd grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Liam Hernandez.
Contributed photo by Courtney Hernandez, featuring kindergarten TLC student Elijah Hernandez.
Contributed photo by Lana Murugasan, featuring 9th grade Danville Public Schools student Anna Murugasan.
Contributed photo by Kelsey Griffin, featuring 3rd grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Cole Griffin and 1st grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Bodie Griffin.
Contributed photo by Jocelyn Hall, featuring Pre-K Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Julianne Hall.
Contributed photo by Kortney Hankins, featuring 3rd grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Kayden Hankins.
Contributed photo by Kortney Hankins, featuring Pre-K Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Karson Hankins.
Contributed photo by Zamatia Miller, featuring Danville Public Schools student ZaYin Miller.
Contributed photo by Zamatia Miller, featuring Danville Public Schools students Zakareyea Miller and ZaAajia Miller.
Contributed photo by Julie Ferguson, featuring 3rd grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Franklin Ferguson.
Contributed photo by Jacki Hearp, featuring 5th grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Brandon Hearp.
Contributed photo by Jacki Hearp, featuring 2nd grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Luke Hearp.
Contributed photo by Courtney Connor, featuring Pre-K 4 Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Zeke Connor.
Contributed photo by Lauren Myers, featuring 3rd grade private school student Liam Myers.
Contributed photo by Lauren Myers, featuring 1st grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Lillith Myers.
Contributed photo by Danielle Shelton, featuring kindergarten TLC student Grant Shelton and Pre-K 3 TLC student Ellie Shelton.
Contributed photo by Tiffany Jennings, featuring 4th grade Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Lucas Moore and kindergarten Pittsylvania County Public Schools student Caroline Jennings.
Contributed photo by Washington County Public Schools, featuring Wes the Wildcat welcoming preschool student Ava Hagen.
Contributed photo by Kody Knowles, featuring kindergarten homeschool student Colton Knowles.
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Since day one, our goal here at Dogwood has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Virginia families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
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