Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez greets students as they walk to the entrance at Francis Walsh Intermediate School. This is Hernandez’s final year as he is set to retire at the end of the school year. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez speaks to students at Francis Walsh Intermediate School at the start of the day. This is Hernandez’s final year as he is set to retire at the end of the school year. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez speaks to students at Francis Walsh Intermediate School as their teacher Mrs. Dell looks on. This is Hernandez’s final year as he is set to retire at the end of the school year. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Pre-K student Leo Lenzi stands with his parents Amanda and Joe as he is greeted by a staff member of Mary Tisko School. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Marlo and Bree Griffeth get hugs and kisses from mom Melissa as they are dropped off at Mary Tisko School with a staff member. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Students of Mrs. Fitzgibbons class gather outside of Mary Tisko School. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Mary Tisko School Principal James O’Connor stands next to Library Media Specialist Lydia Kroeber as they greet students being dropped off by bus. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Mary Tisko School Library Media Specialist Lydia Kroeber greets students being dropped off by bus. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell

Branford welcomed back its students to the first day of school on Sept. 1. Mary Tisko School Principal James O’Connor greets students being dropped off by bus. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell