Daily Journal Online Photos

North County R-1 School District had its first day of the 2023-24 school year on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Featured here are pictures from that morning at North County Primary School.

Students may wonder where the summer went and parents may wonder where the years have gone but, ready or not, the 2023-2024 school year is here and North County and Central students and teachers headed back to class Monday. Cars were lined up for several blocks as parents delivered their children for the first day of school on Monday at Central Elementary in Park Hills. The Daily Journal is featuring a school district’s first day in each edition this week, with more pictures from one of that district’s elementary schools on page 3.

The energy was obvious at West County Elementary on Wednesday, with children beaming in anticipation of a new year. Students with new school clothes and backpacks were greeted by teachers with smiles and sincere welcomes of “glad to see you back! We’ve missed you! We’ll have a great year!” One could see the relief flood over many students’ faces as they saw a familiar and friendly face among the adults.

Bismarck had a great first day of school on Tuesday.

New superintendent Dr. Gibbs says Tuesday went "fairly smooth."

Gov. Mike Parson signed HB 402 into law on Aug. 30, 2023, at Parkland Health Center North in Bonne Terre. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Elaine Gannon and Rep. Mike Henderson, aims to expand access to healthcare for rural Missourians, and to preserve rural hospitals.

Farmington High School's Black Knight Invitational was held Sept. 16 and saw hundreds of students compete from schools in the Southeast Missouri area.