Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Canyon School District's David Shirley gives a "high five" to Butler Elementary School students as they walk down a red carpet to enter the front doors of the school Monday. Students passed by cheering teachers, staff members and the school’s Bobcat mascot in a lively welcome back to school.

At schools throughout the Canyons District, students got a red carpet welcome back to school as classes for the 2011-2012 school year began Monday.

At Butler Elementary School, students walking the red carpet to the front doors were cheered by teachers, staff members and administrators, collected a new pencil and slapped “high-five” greetings with the school’s Bobcat mascot.

The celebratory start is a welcome for students and the community, the district said, and underscores the importance of school — a child’s ticket to success and an entryway to preparing for college and careers.