(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Today marked the third year of a unique welcome for West Seattle Elementary students on their first day back to school – community members greeting them with a “Be There Rally.”

It’s a tradition in many places around the U.S., where the call goes out for community members to “be there” for the students as they start a new year of studying.

The students get high-fives and cheers as they enter the school on a red carpet.

West Seattle Elementary continues to grow, with a projected enrollment of more than 450 this year. And principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers says its students’ successes continue growing too:

That’s Mayor Jenny Durkan standing next to her – also there in support of the students, School Board president Leslie Harris:

But this was an event where the real VIPs were the students and everyone there to show them the community cares:

Side note: While Wednesdays are usually early-release days at Seattle Public Schools, today is a full day around the district.