Students in Visalia are back in school

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Thousands of students in Visalia headed out to their first day back to school Thursday.

Drivers and children jammed Linwood Street near Caldwell Avenue Thursday morning -- ready to start the first day of a new school year at Linwood Elementary School.

With Common Core in full swing, Visalia Unified administrators have special assignment teachers on hand for each grade to help implement the new curriculum.

For some of the 28,000 Visalia Unified students, new technology will be there to guide them and their parents and teachers, through the year's assignments. The district purchased 6,000 brand new Google Chrome laptops.

Officials hope the Chrome Books will not just insprise students to get more involved with their homework -- but also create an online community to rally around their success.

Visalia Unified School District is growing rapidly with 300 new students this year. Plans are already underway for a brand new middle school and elementary school.

With the growth comes new security measures. Administrators are vowing to keep a closer watch on campuses, by eliminating multiple entrances. Once the first bell rings, the front gate will be closed and locked. Visitors will have to register with the main office.

Visalia Unified is also on its way to going green. Some people might notice brand new solar panel shade structures at several schools this year.