Photos: Kids head back to school across Middle Tennessee

Colorful backpacks dotted the crowds of students and families as teachers and school staff welcomed kids back to school across Middle Tennessee.

The first wave of back-to-schoolers started Aug. 1 at Lebanon Special School District, followed by others in surrounding districts in the days that followed. In true Tennessee style, the lingering summer weather and humidity drove heat indexes north of 100 degrees for some on their first day.

Our Tennessean photojournalists fanned out across three districts to capture the back-to-school fun.

A rebuilt West Wilson Middle School reopens after 2020 tornado

At West Wilson Middle School, the first day marked more than just a new semester. It also celebrated the long-awaited reopening of the school after it was destroyed during a deadly outbreak of tornadoes in March 2020 . Nobody was injured at the school, which was empty as the tornadoes swept through overnight.

Clovercroft Elementary School welcomes students first first day

On Monday, a steady stream of buses and cars dropped of students at Clovercroft Elementary School in Franklin as the new semester got underway for Williamson County Schools.

Back-to-school at Shwab Elementary

First thing Tuesday morning, kids made their way to Shwab Elementary in Nashville to help kick off the start of the Metro Nashville Public Schools semester.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Photos: Kids head back to school across Middle Tennessee