After many Chicago Public Schools families across the city dropped their children off at school, most parents and students had mixed feelings about the first day of school. At Chalmers Elementary Specialty School, there were tears from hesitant younger students and hugs for their teachers from older students. While a group of parents of Chappell School gathered back at Magen Hanrahan’s house for Muffins and Mimosas, parents from Hamilton Elementary met at Bitter Pops after drop-off.
Suzanne Mak speaks to her daughter kindergartner Addie Mak on her first day of school at Hamilton Elementary School in Lake View on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)Two students are given directions on which way to enter on their first day back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomes students back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Suzanne Mak, right, visits with Laura Getting at Bitter Pops after dropping their children off for their first day of school at Hamilton Elementary School in Lake View on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)First graders line up on their first day back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Suzanne Mak speaks to her daughter kindergartner Addie Mak on her first day of school at Hamilton Elementary School in Lake View on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)Students Lyric Taylor, left, and Alexis West, both seventh graders run towards a fellow student as they arrive on their first day back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Magen Hanrahan, center, visits with other parents of students at Chappell Elementary School at her home in Lincoln Square on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, for her 7th Annual Muffins and Mimosas back-to-school party. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)A decoration hangs on the door of the home of Magen Hanrahan in Lincoln Square on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, where she hosts her 7th Annual Muffins and Mimosas back-to-school party for parents of students at Chappell Elementary School. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)Melissa Casey, from left, Xiomara Padamsee, Kathleen Faber, and Megan Hagans, visit at the home of Magen Hanrahan in Lincoln Square on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, for the 7th Annual Muffins and Mimosas back-to-school party for parents of students at Chappell Elementary School. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)A student throws a kiss as she is lead into the school on their first day back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Parents and caregivers peer through the entry doors as they say good-by to their children on their first day back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Ryan Mak, second from left, visits with Michael Antiporta, left, at Bitter Pops after dropping their children off for their first day of school at Hamilton Elementary School in Lake View on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)A few tears on arriving students on their first day back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School in Chicago, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Suzanne Mak speaks to her daughters, third-grader Eisley Mak, left, and kindergartner Addie Mak on their first day of school at Hamilton Elementary School in Lake View on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)School children run to greet teachers and staff as they head back to school at Chalmers Elementary Specialty School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
