Parents snap first day of school photos today at Westport’s Coleytown Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

A welcome line greeted youngsters as they returned to school today at Westport’s Coleytown Elementary School. Principal Janna Bell (pink dress, rear) supervised arrival of school buses. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

New Bedford Middle School Principal Alan Rosen greets students on the first day of school today. Rosen, who holds a doctorate in education from Southern Connecticut State University, came from the Ridgefield school system where he had been an assistant principal for seven years. He succeeded Melissa Kay, BMS principal for the past two years, who took a post at a private American elementary school outside Rome. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Long Lots Elementary School Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Megan Clarke welcomes a student back to school today on the first day of the school year as Principal Rex Jones greets another youngster. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Elizabeth Walmark, 5, says goodbye to brother Ethan, 6, today as he headed off on a bus to Kings Highway Elementary School. Elizabeth attends Coleytown Elementary School. Ethan gained fame last May when the piano prodigy’s rendition of “Piano Man” earned what is now more than 1.3 million hits on YouTube. He, his parents, and music teacher appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” where the autistic youngster showed off his skills. (See WestportNow May 2, 2012)  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Long Lots Elementary School Principal Rex Jones welcomes students back to school today as Westport’s public schools opened after the summer vacation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Mothers wave goodbye to their Bedford Middle School students today on Long Lots Road as the summer vacation came to an end and classes resumed at Westport public schools. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

It was a hard goodbye for parents and a dog today at Westport’s Partrick Road and Partrick Lane as youngsters headed off to the first day of school at Coleytown Middle School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Students at Westport’s Bedford Middle School wait for their bus today on Long Lots Road as youngsters returned to school after summer vacation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com