Campus welcome
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer and HBPD’s school resource officer Christine LaBranche give out fist bumps to students on the first day of the new school year at the entry to Anna Maria Elementary. The 2023-24 academic year at the school began Aug. 10 with more than 200 students enrolled. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Mom Kiera Gazzo takes a photo Aug. 10 of son Mason, 6, before his first day of first-grade at Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach. The 2023-24 school year began with a bell at 8:25 a.m. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Henley Reed, right, and sister Murphy of Bradenton are escorted by parents Martin and Heather on the kids’ first day of school at Anna Maria Elementary. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Cora Cole, 7, and sister Olivia, 4, walk with their mom, Courtney, on their first day of school at Anna Maria Elementary in Holmes Beach. Courtney started second-grade and Olivia entered prekindergarten. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Fifth-graders Luke Willing and Christopher Alexander are on flag duty the first day of school at AME, 4700 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Fourth-grader Gunnar Maize, 10, right, walks brother Thane, 4, to Thane’s first session of prekindergarten. The boys were escorted on the first day of the new academic year by their mother, Devan Maize, of Bradenton. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Anna Maria Elementary principal Michael Masiello Aug. 10 addresses parents during a welcome back coffee in the school auditorium. Tammy Haley, senior school secretary, said the school welcomed 208 students for the start of the new year. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Samuel Romero of Bradenton looks on, as son Jaxon, 4, poses for mom, Kelsey. Jaxon is a prekindergarten student at AME.
Lt. Brian Hall of the Holmes Beach Police Department, center, Daniel Gagne and students Luke Willing, Christoper Calles-Deleon and Andre Harwood unfold the U.S. flag on the first day of the 2023-24 school year at AME. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson