Back to school at Cinnabar
Cinnabar Elementary School welcomed students back on the first day of the new school year. Also new at Cinnabar is Principal Amelia Circo. The native Petaluman who played softball at Casa Grande High School brings 30 years of experience in education with her. "I'm so excited. This is such a special place," she said as she walked around the campus, greeting students, parents, and teachers at drop-off. The day was off to a good start with many students reuniting with friends and teachers excited to welcome them back.
(Left photo) Joy Powell, a special education teacher, says hello to second grader Ean Rieger as his dad, Emmeran (right), drops him off. (Right photo) Kindergarten teacher Anne VonderKuhlen (right) gets to know her new student, Leilani Hernandez, who was dropped off by her mom and dad, Cinthia and Gustavo Lopez.(Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. Photos by CRISSY PASCUAL/PETALUMA VOICE ©2026)
It was a mix of excitement and nerves in the transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classes as parents dropped off kids who got to meet their teachers and new classmates on the first day of school.
Saying hello and goodbye to parents and teachers on the first day of school brings a mix of emotions for students entering transitional kindergarten and kindergarten. (Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. Photos by CRISSY PASCUAL/PETALUMA VOICE ©2026)
(Left photo) Principal Circo welcomes second grader Isaias Resendiz back to school. (Center photo) Joy Powell, a special education teacher, writes every student's name in chalk on the sidewalk to welcome them back to school. Circo learned this tradition from her sister who was also a teacher and wanted to bring it to Cinnabar. (Right photo) Principal Circo hangs out with Axel Cardenas Avila in the transitional kindergarten class. (Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. Photos by CRISSY PASCUAL/PETALUMA VOICE ©2026)
