As San Francisco students headed back to school Wednesday, there was hope among parents, teachers and education officials that, for the first time in three years, the district would be laser-focused on student learning and free of scandals.

Teachers, parents, elected officials, police officers and many others stood outside the gates ringing cowbells and clappers while wishing students a great first day as they entered the campus on a red carpet.

Health teacher Ben Borelli said, despite recent controversies and struggles facing the district, none of that mattered when the students showed up.

“Certainly during the school day when the kids are here, the focus is on the learning and the kids,” he said.

The first day of classes for the district’s 49,000 students appeared to offer a greater sense of pandemic-era normalcy this year, with no mask mandate, limited coronavirus testing and more lenient exposure recommendations, although many students and staff continued to wear masks.

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