Officials at several school districts in Chautauqua County reported a smooth first day back — especially when compared to the last couple of years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re going like a well-oiled machine,” said Clymer Central School Superintendent Beth Olson. “All of the kids are in and getting situated. We’ve had the normal first day bugs, but besides that it has gone relatively smoothly.”

Other districts reported the same. “It went great this morning,” Falconer Central School Superintendent Stephen Penhollow said Tuesday. “Our kids and our drivers were ready to go. We met all of our timelines on time. We’re excited for the kids to be back, and overall excited to be here. We’re glad to be back and happy with the start of our school year so far.”

For some schools, there remains a worry that came up over the summer due to the lack of bus drivers. Even with this causing a slight delay at Bemus Point, Superintendent Joseph Reyda said they were happy to be back. “One of the biggest concerns we had over the summer was the lack of bus drivers,” Reyda said. “We have just enough to get the school year going today. It was a little slow but all of the students arrived safely and they seem happy to be back.”

Students gather outside the front door of Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 301 Front St., on the first day of school, Tuesday.

At Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 301 Front St., Jamestown, Nick Emley was with his son Wade before the school doors opened. “We’re here for our first day of kindergarten,” Nick Emley said. “Wade is pretty excited. He has Mrs. Forster this year.”

Nick Emley added that Wade’s mother, Britany, is also a reading teacher at Lincoln Elementary.

“He’s a little nervous … but he is looking forward to making some new friends,” Nick Emley said.

Roxanne Soldano, the crossing guard, was busy asking students if they were ready for the first day. She also asked them to smile in which they usually replied with a big ear-to-ear grin.

In Randolph, the smoothness that started the beginning of the new school year was even more noticeable after everything that occurred during the last few school years. “This year started smoother than it has in years,” Superintendent Kaine Kelly said.

Aimee and Matthew Swanson stand with their daughter Isabella, on the way to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 301 Front St., Tuesday.

“The last few years, of course, we had all sorts of things happening because of the pandemic. I went down to both of our buildings and they were both filled with smiling, happy faces. Students and staff are very happy to be back, and there is a bigger sense of excitement than there has been these last few years.”

Outgoing Panama Superintendent Bert Lictus had similar things to say. “Here in Panama it went very smoothly,” Lictus said. “The buses arrived on time. The kids are happy to be here. The administration did a great job getting everything ready. It’s nice to have the kids back and we’re hoping to have a normal school year.”

Michael Zabrodsky contributed to this story.