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New school year begins with hugs and anticipation
New Cape superintendent looking forward to big year ahead
Students are greeted with smiles and high fives as they walk into Rehoboth Elementary on their first day of school. Faculty members shown are (l-r) Faith Palmer, Taylor Phillips, Rehoboth Police officer and student resource officer Rob Scisco, Christina Solloway and Amber Rittenhouse. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
September 3, 2025
“I’ve got jitters too,” said Michael Parsons, as she hugged his daughter, Michaela, who was starting her first day of kindergarten at Lewes Elementary School.
Many parents had to hold back emotions as they watched their sons and daughters head inside for the start of another school year Sept. 3.
It was also the inaugural first day of school for Jenny Nauman, who took over as Cape Henlopen School District superintendent.
“It feels just a little more exciting,” she said. “It will be the best year yet.”
Nauman, who was assistant superintendent, succeeds Robert Fulton, who retired after last school year.
Heven Garcia Paz, 7, left, and her sister Brithany, 5, are the first students to arrive at the opening day of the 2025 year at H.O.B. Elementary School. DAN COOK PHOTO
Jose Hernandez grabs a photo of his daughter, Brianna, who was starting her first day of kindergarten, on the steps of Lewes Elementary School Sept. 3. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Mae Meyer has a big smile before she starts first grade. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Lewes Elementary School Principal Kimberly Corbidge escorts students into the building on the first day of school. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Falan Mifflin, left, gets a photo of her students, Alijah Hylton, Mimi Davis and Aidan Hylton, with McGruff the Crime Dog. The popular police mascot was there wish kids a safe and healthy school year. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Jenny Nauman, left, welcomes fourth-grader Tyliah Gibbs. Nauman is starting her first year as Cape superintendent. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Mark Nicholas, school constable, was giving out a lot of hugs, including one to Hope Coulter, who was arriving for her first day of school. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Zaria and Leila Shaikh are ready to start first and second grade at Lewes Elementary School. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Michaela Parsons hugs her dad, Michael, while mom Brittany Shickley looks on. Dad said he had jitters because it was Michaela’s first day of kindergarten. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Lewes Deputy Police Chief Jamie Locklear walks with a student as she heads for the first day of school. BILL SHULL PHOTO
A sunny day greets students at Lewes Elementary School, including first-grader Ellie Schmidt and her younger brother, Donnie. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell, left, with McGruff the Crime Dog and Jenny Nauman, Cape Henlopen School District superintendent, outside Lewes Elementary School Sept. 3. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Lewes Elementary School Principal Kimberly Corbidge directs a student where to go on the first day of school. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Amir Musin, left, and Mikaela Andrew posed with McGruff the Crime Dog, before they headed into class. BILL SHULL PHOTO
Fifth-grader Max Bradshaw, left, helps escort younger students into the building on their first day of school. BILL SHULL PHOTO
The Dunnes get ready to send their three children off to their first day of school at Rehoboth Elementary. In back are (l-r) Preston and parents Kat and Stephen. In the front are sisters Fiona and Alannah. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Rehoboth Elementary paraeducator Gilbert Maull gives second-grader Alvin Woodhouse a hug to start his first day of school. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
David Moskowitz, left, arrives to Rehoboth Elementary with his daughter, Morgan, a first-grader. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Emilie Rhodes holds her daughter Ava’s hand as they walk to the front door of Rehoboth Elementary for Ava’s first day of first grade. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
The Riddick family says their goodbyes ahead of the first day. Shown are (l-r) Thomas, third-grader Iman and Adelina. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Best friends Makenna Lebron, left, and Morgan Moskowitz are excited for their first day of first grade. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Rehoboth Elementary students are greeted at the front door by (l-r) Taylor Phillips, officer Rob Scisco and Christina Solloway. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Ben Wodiska walks his daughter Bella to her first day of fourth grade. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Chris Rausch, left, drops his daughter Caroline off for her first day of fifth grade. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Lynora Street drops off second-grader Kabarri Henry. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Students get ready to enter Rehoboth Elementary with their school supplies. Shown are (l-r) first-grader Mason Dixon, second-grader MJ Ridgeway and Chris Dixon. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTO
Stephanie Camac gets a last-second picture of her son being escorted by H.O.B. staff member Yvette Dennehy. DAN COOK PHOTO
Sophia Knight rides her scooter to the first day of school at H.O.B. DAN COOK PHOTO
Journey Watson, 10, is welcomed back by H.O.B. staff member Ryann Howard. DAN COOK PHOTO
Brynlee Cordrey has her new back pack and is ready for kindergarten at H.O.B. DAN COOK PHOTO
Mason Robinson, 6, gets a high five from district office staff member Lisa Morris while he and his dad Nate wait for school to open at H.O.B. DAN COOK PHOTO
Jrue Paul, 5, left, and her sister Joelle, 7, are met by H.O.B. Principal Yvette Davenport. DAN COOK PHOTO
H.O.B. Assistant Principal Julie Hickman welcomes student Norah Boldizar. DAN COOK PHOTO
Aww, mom. Campbell Gray gets a good-luck second-grade kiss from his mom Sydney. DAN COOK PHOTO
Roman Astanov gets a last-second kiss from his mom before going into school. DAN COOK PHOTO
A student runs to the open arms of HOB music teacher Heather Sadkowski. DAN COOK PHOTO
H.O.B. Principal Yvette Davenport greets students on the first day of school. DAN COOK PHOTO
Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.
