PHOTO GALLERY: Columbia Independent School's annual balloon release

August 24, 2012 | 6:39 p.m. CDT

Columbia Independent School celebrated the start of school by releasing balloons. The tradition, which dates back to the school's opening in 1998, gives each student a balloon to release.

Tyra Wilson, 10, and Jordan Burghard, 9, prepare for the annual balloon launch at Columbia Independent School on Friday. Parents, teachers and students gather in the school parking lot to release the balloons. | Connie McCollom

Columbia Independent School student Andries Ferreira, 6, waits for the balloon launch on Friday. The annual balloon launch is held by CISD since the the school opened in 1998. | Connie McCollom

Columbia Independent School celebrates the beginning of a new school year with a balloon launch on Friday. CISD launched 346 balloons, one balloon for every student. | Connie McCollom