Lee schools welcome students
Lee County School District Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin, pictured in green dress, helps students navigate the line outside of Trafalgar Elementary School Monday, the first day of school for the 2025-26 year. CASEY BRADLEY GENT
Outside Trafalgar Elementary School, crossing guard Joline Valles smiles as she helps students and parents alike navigate traffic on 20th Avenue in South Cape. CASEY BRADLEY GENT
Lee County School District Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin, pictured in green dress, helps students navigate the line outside of Trafalgar Elementary School Monday, the first day of school for the 2025-26 year. CASEY BRADLEY GENT
Outside Trafalgar Elementary School, crossing guard Joline Valles smiles as she helps students and parents alike navigate traffic on 20th Avenue in South Cape. CASEY BRADLEY GENT
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Monday morning, as most Lee County schools kicked off the 2025-26 school year, a line of eager students and parents snaked around Trafalgar Elementary School at 1850 S.W. 20th Ave. Older brothers held the hands of younger sisters, and cousins greeted one another enthusiastically as - one by one - students made their way through a single metal detector and onto campus.
Aliyah Dominguez, who was attending her first day of kindergarten, held hands with her cousin, Mia Aguillar, an incoming first grader. Aliyah's mom, Ana, said she was excited for her daughter; and a little nervous.
"My daughter is so ready for kindergarten," she said. "Just look at her grin."
Aliyah couldn't help but giggle, as she grinned and waited patiently for her turn to enter campus.
Lee County School Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin was on hand at Trafalgar Elementary for the first day of school. She helped usher several students through the entrance line.
"My boys are grown," Carlin said, "finished with college and law school. But I remember this day well. Lots of nerves and excitement for everybody."
As students trickled into their new classrooms, Carlin spotted Trafalgar Elementary School principal Lisa Murphy. The two administrators hugged before Carlin congratulated Murphy by presenting her with a certificate celebrating the reality that Trafalgar Elementary opened this year with zero classroom teacher vacancies. Filling available positions in Lee County schools has been a priority for the district. The employment website, Indeed, showed 292 school jobs available in Lee County as of Aug. 11.
"The greatest asset we have is our teachers," Carlin said.
She said that the first day of school is about getting students a couple of good meals and allowing them to begin building relationships. According to the Lee County School District website, the Community Eligibility Program provides both breakfast and lunch - free of charge – to all students in its 82 traditional schools, four charter schools and four special centers. There is no need for families or students to fill out an application to participate in the free meals program.
Outside of Trafalgar Elementary, Joline Valles began her third year as a school crossing guard. Valles said she continues helping parents and kids cross bustling Southwest 20th Street, because she loves children.
"Society doesn't accommodate kids very much," she said. "I want to protect these little people who will one day be the leaders of our society."
Monday, at 8:15 a.m., the line of traffic along Valles' stretch of road numbered more than 20 cars in each direction. Still, Valles smiled. "Have a wonderful day!" she called, her positivity contagious.
Whether students skipped, tiptoed or galloped onto campus, the overall mood for the first day of school was positive.