Fifty-five big yellow buses traveled the roads of Goochland County Monday morning, bringing students to their first day of the 2009-2010 school year.

At Goochland Elementary School Assistant Superintendent Peter Gretz and new principal Stacey Austin and staff waited to greet the arriving students.

Most students came on buses, but some parents brought their children for the first day.

Outside, P.E. teacher Brad Jackson greeted new kindergarten students, putting a piece of tape with their bus number on their clothes to make it easier on the afternoon return trip home.

School Superintendent Linda Underwood met students at Randolph Elementary School.

“Goochland always does a good job,” said Underwood. “Once the initial flurry dies down the students are in the classroom and instruction begins.”

Underwood said about 40 percent of the bus routes had been changed but that any problems should be ironed out by the end of the week.

“It was a good start,” she said.

Below left, Teacher’s Aide Sally Hodges gets a hug from her buddy, returning second-grader Tyler Price as he arrives for the first day of a new year at Goochland Elementary School.