Spirits are high when Cosumnes River Elementary students return to school on Aug. 15. In the photo on the left, Britanny Burnell captures a moment with her children, Tora and Ben, under the balloon arch. In the photo above, Kiwanian Linda O’Brien helps guide traffic as the children and their parents make their way to school. Principal Mike Blomberg said a school is just a building until the teachers and students come back, adding, “The excitement we have here today is a good indication it’s going to be a great year.” Photos by Gail Bullen