Jet lag didn't dampen third-grader Oroma Weli's enthusiasm for the opening day of school Monday.

She and her mom, brother and sister — just back Sunday from a trip to Nigeria — were the first in line waiting for the doors to open before 7:15 a.m. at Cobb County's Eastside Elementary School.

Andy Sharp/asharp@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Five-year-old Kylie Kirk gets some help from dad Robert Kirk in finding her kindergarten classroom at Pickett's Mill Elementary School in north Cobb County.

Renee Hannans Henry/rhannans@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Principal Yvonne Sanders-Butler wipes tears from the eyes of Breanna Turner, 5, on the first day of school at Browns Mill Elementary. At right is mother Roxanne Turner and left, Talia Witherspoon.

Test scores • 2009 CRCT • 2009 High School Graduation Test • 2008 SAT: School-by-school • List: Students promoted despite failing CRCT Related • Get Schooled blog: When should transfers be allowed? [an error occurred while processing this directive] • Teachers santioned in Georgia   • More about schools   • AJC School Guide

Fidgeting with her backpack, Oroma fretted that her good friend won't be in her class.

"You've got to have a positive attitude. It's good to make new friends. That's life," mom Tammy Weli told her.

Other parents pouring into the school with kids delivered similar life lessons along with hugs and encouragement.

Such scenes played out across metro Atlanta as several major systems, including DeKalb, Fayette, Gwinnett, Fulton and Forsyth counties, opened classroom doors. As always, the most poignant moments were at elementary schools where parents dropped off youngsters.

At Eastside Elementary, a mother pointed to the crossing guard while clutching her young son's hand.

"The man holding up the big red stop sign is the one that's in charge," she instructed as they stepped off the curb.

Out front to greet arriving cars, principal Elizabeth Mavity reassured parents.

"Is that tears in your eyes?" she called to one who'd just delivered youngsters to class.

"It's very tender," the mother said.

"I'll check on them for you," the principal reassured.

Inside, new first grade teacher Meghan Bradshaw greeted her first arrival, Gavin Butler, helped him put his backpack away and started him on a work sheet.

Over the intercom, an upbeat tune, "Welcome Back," played as Bradshaw's second student arrived. His dad, Jason Gangelhoff, whispered into Jadon's ear: "Say 'Good morning, Miss Bradshaw,' " and on parting, "Your mom will pick you up at the bus stop."

Mavity said she expected 980 students, with the number likely to exceed 1,000 after Labor Day.

The 56-year-old school, built for 750 students, has 12 portable classrooms. It's due for demolition and replacement with a new school on the same site if voters extend a 1 percent sales tax for school construction in a Sept. 16 referendum.

First-day jitters in Atlanta

At Gideons Elementary in Atlanta, the first-day anxiety belonged to new teacher Terrance Mitchell, who sat on the edge of his desk fidgeting with his hands.

He looked around his fourth-grade classroom searching for any imperfections to correct. The recent Morehouse College graduate was as nervous and eager as any kindergarten student.

"I'm getting the jitters," he said before students arrived. "But I'm excited about everything. I want today to be as special for them as it is for me."

His mom called from Ohio to wish him good luck and asked what he was wearing. He looked professional in his dress pants, matching vest and a yellow button-down shirt.

Mitchell arrived at work around 6 a.m. to hang up signs and write the day's schedule on the board.

He remembered that one teacher told him not to smile for the first two months. But Mitchell, who smiles at the end of almost every sentence, dismissed that suggestion.

When his students entered around 8:45 a.m., he reminded them to behave, work hard and treat each other with respect.

"Trust me," Mitchell told the class. "I won't lead you wrong. I want you guys to really take pride in your work. Take pride in all that you do and we will have a great year."

92,000 in DeKalb

DeKalb County schools opened with more than 92,000 students enrolled, with that number expected to climb after today as some students register for the first time.

Superintendent Crawford Lewis started the day at the McNair Discovery Learning Academy — a new elementary school in southwest DeKalb — and was scheduled to visit several campuses throughout the day.

"There's nothing like being the first," Lewis told parents and students at McNair, where children are coming together from three smaller elementary schools that were closed over the summer.

"There are people waiting to see what kind of school this is going to be," Lewis said, before adding, "We are going to be 'high achievement' at this school."

The building itself — with a faux stacked-stone facade — also won praise.

"I think it's lovely," said Janice Gumbs, who dropped off her daughter, 7-year-old Jasriyah Hendricks, for her first day in second grade.