We want to know: What does the first week of school look like for you?

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others thinking and writing about public education.

Thousands of students in Tennessee’s largest school district will grab their backpacks and newly minted pencils Monday as they head into their first classes of the new school year.

We all remember how exciting and chaotic the first week can be. So, how’s it going?

Send us your first-day photos or pictures of your newly decorated classrooms. We also want to hear your back-to-school stories. How are the bus routes? Do you still need classroom supplies? What about the school year are you most excited for?

Feel free to comment on this story, send us an email or Tweet and Facebook your photos and stories. Just include your name and what school you or your students are at. We’ll include your responses in our Rise & Shine email blasts throughout the week.

Here are some examples from our Tennessee staff when they were starting kindergarten:

Chalkbeat reporter Laura Faith Kebede rocks her new backpack on her first day of kindergarten in  North Carolina.
Chalkbeat community editor Caroline Bauman was more excited for her first day of kindergarten in Arkansas than she looks.