EVERETT — Monroe Elementary School volunteers rolled out the red carpet to welcome students for the first day of school Wednesday.

First grade through 12th grade students at Everett Public Schools began the year Wednesday. Kindergarteners start Tuesday.

At Monroe, the PTA welcomed students with fun music, photo ops and balloon towers. After saying goodbye to their parents, students entered the building by walking on a red carpet amid a sea of bubbles.

“Our community is so great because our school is situated in the middle of the neighborhood so we have a ton of walkers and a ton of parents,” said Allison MacGregor Fornes, principal at Monroe Elementary. “It’s a great time, and it gets the kids started right for the school year.”

This year, more than 20,000 students are enrolled in the

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