Back to the books

Children across the Washington area headed back to school for another academic year.

5 Seconds

00:00

Sept. 6, 2011

Christina Trimble, 5, checks out the scene on her first school bus trip to Key Elementary School in Arlington. The first trip on the school bus is the first step in many children's academic career. With quiet confidence, the kindergartener chose to sit in the absolute back seat of the bus — away from any other student, including her 8-year-old sister who is entering the third grade at Key Elementary.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Sept. 6, 2011

After being shown part of the way by her older sister, Christina Trimble, 5, waits to be shown to her kindergarten class after taking her first trip on the school bus to Key Elementary School in Arlington.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Sept. 6, 2011

Kiera Veach, 5, right, hugs her mother, Dallison Veach before she is taken to her kindergarten classroom at Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield. Fairfax County elementary schools have full-day kindergarten for the first time this fall for all elementary schools.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Sept. 6, 2011

Julie Bliss, left, tries to comfort her son, Samuel Bliss, 5, as he wipes a tear on the first day of school in his kindergarten classroom at Orange Hunt Elementary School. Kindergarten teacher, Katy Trinh is seen at right.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Kiera Veach, 5, tells classmates to be quiet in the hallway after her kindergarten class ate lunch at Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield, Va.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Kindergarten teachers Jennifer Choe, center, and Katy Trinh, center right, talk with principal, Jason Pensler, on the first day of school at Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Sept. 6, 2011

Christina Trimble, 5, confidently raises her hand when her name is called for the first time in her kindergarten class after taking her first trip on the school bus to Key Elementary School in Arlington.

Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post

Instructional assistant Sheryl Fisher, left, sits next to Greyson Shalhoub, 5, as he lays down during story time after lunch in his kindergarten classroom at Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield, Va.

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Sept. 6, 2011

Anastasia Taylor, 6, hugs her mother, Oyuna Taylor before she is taken to her kindergarten classroom at Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Aug. 29, 2011

LaTonya Brooks becomes emotional and sheds a few tears as her daughter, Kyrah, 5, walks into her kindergarten classroom on the first day of school at Brookhaven Elementary School in Rockville.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Aug. 29, 2011

Montgomery County's new Superintendent Joshua Starr visits with kindergartners on the first day of school at Brookhaven Elementary School.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Aug. 29, 2011

Charles Armstrong draws a self portrait and then some on the first day of kindergarten at Brookhaven Elementary School.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Aug. 29, 2011

Students raise their hands on the first day of school at Brookhaven Elementary School.

Katherine Frey / The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Iriae Williams, 6, follows her mother and sisters down the hall to her first-grade class on the first day of school at Dodge Park Elementary School in Landover.

Amanda Voisard / The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Logan Whittington, 4, holds on tightly to her sister, Danyelle Dyson, as the first day of pre-kindergarten begins at Dodge Park Elementary in Landover.

Amanda Voisard / The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School learning support director Jamey Burho, left, talks with Principal Zoe Duskin, center, and operations manager Tony Taylor on the first day of school. Monday was the opening of the new public charter school, which has about 150 students in preschool through third grade. The school was created by the Center for Inspired Teaching.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Principal Victoria Holmes consoles Kwjuan Redd at Dodge Park Elementary School.

Amanda Voisard / The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

William Ford, 5, sits in the hall at Dodge Park Elementary School.

Amanda Voisard / The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

First-grade teacher David Aiken refreshes students' memories of class rules and expectations at Dodge Park Elementary School.

Amanda Voisard / The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Holmes gives a high five to a student while making her rounds.

Amanda Voisard / The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Second-grader Jelani Bartley, 7, stretches and yawns before the start of the first day of school at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Maeve Marchand, 4, takes a nap in her pre-kindergarten class at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Aug. 22, 2011

Tanya Rhames walks her son, Isaiah McPhatter, 6, to his first-grade classroom at the Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

In this image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Washington USA 2012, Christina Clarke; Miss West Virginia USA 2012, Andrea Rogers; and Miss Wisconsin USA 2012, Emily Guerin compete in their swimwear by Kooey Australia and fashion footwear by Chinese Laundry during the 2012 Miss USA Presentation Show on May 30, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2012 MISS USA Pageant will air LIVE on NBC June 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Theatre for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / Miss Universe Organization / DARREN DECKER' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =DARREN DECKER/AFP/GettyImages

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more in the day in photos

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jon Stewart, Justin Bieber, Bruce Springsteen, Lil Wayne, Michelle Williams and other celebrities.

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen in a camera on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm as it moves away from the station in preparation for its return to earth in this image from NASA TV May 31, 2012. REUTERS/NASA TV (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

SpaceX prepares to return home

The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the international space station Thursday morning.

Police investigate the scene where a man who was believed to have shot and killed several people earlier in the day shot himself Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle. A gunman opened fire at a Seattle cafe earlier Wednesday, killing three people and critically wounding two others and later a man believed to be the same suspect shot and killed a woman and took her car near downtown, abandoning it less than two miles from where the alleged shooter shot himself as officers closed in on him, authorities said. His condition wasn't immediately known. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Gunman kills five, shoots himself in Seattle

A gunman killed five people in Seattle — four at a cafe and another in a carjacking.

LANDOVER, MD May 30, 2012 U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Fabian Johnson (23) hits a crossing pass to forward Herculez Gomez (9) for their 1st half goal against Brazil Men's National Team goalie Rafael (12) on May 30, 2012 in Landover, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

Brazil too much for U.S. to handle

Herculez Gomez scores just before halftime, but Brazil runs away with a 4-1 victory.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

Editor’s choice: Reader-submitted photos

Some of the Post’s top picks of snapshots taken and submitted by readers.

HANDOUT PHOTO: Camera men film as the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, blasts off from it's launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. (Courtesy of Shamil Zhumatov/ADAY.org)

A snapshot of life

ADAY.org aimed to capture a picture of life across the globe on one day: May, 15, 2012.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.