‘It’s like the Super Bowl’: Everett celebrates first day of school

Published 10:45 am Wednesday, August 27, 2025

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 district, an increase from last year, district spokesperson Harmony Weinberg said. Superintendent Ian Saltzman said he’s excited about the higher enrollment.

“I feel so happy that the kids are happy, that makes my day,” he said. “Staff has done an amazing job, it’s awesome. It’s like the Super Bowl.”

Kennedy, 8, was awaiting her first day at Monroe Elementary after moving from another school. She said she was nervous but liked the decorations, especially the red carpet.

“I’m excited to make new friends,” Kennedy said.

Elliott, 8, said he was feeling good about starting third grade.

“I’m excited to learn about math,” he said.

Mia, 10, was also looking forward to learning about math, her favorite subject.

“I’m happy and excited,” she said.

This year, the district is expanding its dual language program to Silver Lake Elementary School. Two new kindergarten classes will spend their days learning mostly in Spanish. High schools will welcome their first girls flag football teams, the first new varsity sport in more than 20 years. Some subjects, including elementary music and science and pre-calculus, will have new learning materials.

Monroe Elementary is one of two schools hosting new centers for the district’s highly capable program, an accelerated curriculum for students performing above their grade level.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin visited some of the district’s schools Wednesday, including Monroe Elementary. The city had extra police officers and school resource officers around school zones to keep the routes safe, she said.

“I love seeing the grade school energy and all these nervous but happy kids and excited parents,” she said.

Everett was the only school district in the county to start classes Wednesday. Marysville School District starts Thursday. All other districts in the county start in September. Mukilteo and Stanwood-Camano start Tuesday. Snohomish, Edmonds, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Northshore, Sultan, Darrington, Lakewood and Arlington begin Sept. 3.

Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.