MILWAUKEE -- Teachers, parents and volunteers teamed up to welcome kids at MPS' 11 year-round schools back to the classroom on Monday morning.
At Ralph H. Metcalfe School at 34th St. and North Ave., MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver spoke to children outside by the playground before they filed in for a first day breakfast and meet and greet with teachers.
"There's no day quite like the first day of school," Driver told the students.
Volunteers, parents and teachers lined the sidewalk leading up to the school's entrance. Kids were greeted with cheers and high fives as they walked into the building.
Driver said the gesture was supposed to provide encouragement to the students as they embark on another year of their educational journey.
"It helps instill pride in them, and really just the importance of education," Driver said.
Charles Jordan, who was dropping off his first grade son Dominique, said the first day of school is always exciting.
"Meeting new people, fresh faces, and starting everything all over again - I love it," Jordan said. "I love the whole atmosphere."
Metcalfe school is named after Olympic sprinter Ralph Metcalfe, who attended Marquette University.
Metcalfe medaled twice at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, including a gold medal with the American 4 x 100m relay team.
He also took home two medals at the 1932 games in Los Angeles.
Driver said students at Metcalfe School will learn about Metcalfe's accomplishments, and his later efforts during the civil rights movement, in conjunction with this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
"He strove for greatness, and I want our young people to know they can do that as well," Driver said of Metcalfe.
"Whether it's 1936 or 2016, our kids should know their history, and know they are a part of that history," she said.
