Appleton — Appleton Village School students and their families were invited to a back-to-school breakfast before the start of classes Monday, Aug. 27, the first day of school.

The cafeteria was packed as teachers and students reacquainted themselves and geared up for the new school year. They were served pancakes, bacon, muffins and fruit before being led by teachers to their classrooms.

This is the second year the school has organized the back-to-school breakfast.

Principal Gary Bosk welcomed students back and made a few announcements. The school parking lot is undergoing upgrades and will not be complete until mid-October. Two lanes have been added to the parking lot, one for bus drop off, the other for vehicles. The parking area closest the school has been increased by seven spaces and the staff parking lot will eventually be doubled in size to allow for more parking during school events, the principal said.

Bosk introduced Linda Thompson, new seventh- and eighth-grade language arts and history teacher. Thompson replaced Mary Hyland, who retired earlier this year. The school also is in need of a soccer coach, Bosk said.

Hope Elementary School also held its first day Aug. 27. Camden elementary and middle schools as well as Camden Hills Regional High School freshmen begin Aug. 29 and the high school begins Aug. 30.

The Camden Herald reporter Kim Lincoln can be reached at 236-8511 or by email at klincoln@courierpublicationsllc.com.

Kindergartner Bella Anderson makes her way off the school bus for her first day at Appleton Village School Aug. 27. (Photo by: Kim Lincoln)

Appleton Village School first-grader Autumn Porter enjoys breakfast with her grandfather Scott Davis. (Photo by: Kim Lincoln)

Students and their families pack the Appleton Village School gymnasium for breakfast on the first day of school Aug. 27. (Photo by: Kim Lincoln)

Ethan Butler, first-grader at Appleton Village School, enjoys breakfast with his mother Katie Butler on the first day of school Aug. 27. (Photo by: Kim Lincoln)

A group of Appleton Village School eighth-graders enjoy each others company during the back-to-school breakfast Aug. 27. (Photo by: Kim Lincoln)

Appleton Village School kindergartner Adriana Gibson and her mother have some breakfast shortly before the students head off to the first day of classes. (Photo by: Kim Lincoln)