Joe Harris Elementary School welcomed back students for the 2021-2022 school year after holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 5 in Rio Rancho.

The first day of classes for students was Monday. The school was named after the late Joe Harris Sr., a former Rio Rancho police officer and Sandoval County Sheriff’s deputy.

Descriptions for each photo are listed below, starting with the first one on the screen:

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Families gather for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Joe Harris Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Rio Rancho. The school opened earlier this year to students and welcomed them back on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021.

Rio Rancho Public Schools Superintendent Sue Cleveland speaks at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Joe Harris Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Rio Rancho.

RRPS School Board President Amanda Galbraith speaks at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Joe Harris Elementary School.

Trent Heffner, principal of Joe Harris Elementary School, speaks at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull helps the grandchildren of the late Joe Harris Sr. work the giant scissors to cut the ribbon to officially celebrate Joe Harris Elementary School.

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Photos by Rio Rancho Observer staff writer Gary Herron.