GLENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A new school year began Tuesday for thousands of area students. 

At Nicolet High School in Glendale, it's become a tradition to welcome the returning students with a red carpet on the first day. Students marched in Tuesday morning to the sound of a small brass band. 

One senior tells CBS 58 she thinks this gets the freshmen excited about their new school. Another senior had some words of wisdom for those newcomers. 

"Take a deep breath. It's gonna be okay. It's not that hard. School's not that big. You're gonna be okay. It's fun. You're gonna have the best four years of your life," said Cooper Sheldroup, a senior at Nicolet High School. 

Teachers and school administrators lined the red carpet and applauded the students. The superintendent says it sends the message that the teachers are in their corner on the first day of school and all year long.