CHICO — Running up to the front gates of Neal Dow Elementary School, 5-year-old Grayson Belton wore a shirt apt for the day: “First Day Of Kindergarten.”

“It’s pretty crazy … yesterday he was like 2-years-old.” said Grayson’s dad, Jack Belton, who walked him to class early Tuesday morning on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year for Chico Unified School District.

Standing outside the school was Principal Kellie Steinbach, who greeted new students as well as Grayson and hundreds of her other students back to class.

“Good morning! … Look at this family coming by! … You’re looking sharp today!” Steinbach said to students, some who appeared to still be waking up. “They’ve all grown like three feet over summer, so we’re excited to welcome the kids and families back.”

As the children po

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