Today was the first day of school for pre-K through eighth-grade students at the Avon Avenue School in Newark -- and it was a celebration.

Adults from all over town provided support in a variety of ways to students who wanted to get the new year off to a great start.

Principal Charity Haygood led the cheers as the kids were welcomed back with open arms, hugs and plenty of support.

“We’re just so lucky to have school partnerships come together to make this first day of school that every single child deserves,” says Newark School Board Member A’dorian Murray.

Although bottles of water were given to students as they arrived, the lead water issue in the city is not directly affecting water use in the school, allowing students and teachers to focus solely on education.