ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — It’s an exciting day for hundreds of thousands of kids across Minnesota as many of them head back to school for the first time since the beginning of summer.

Tuesday also marks the first day for many students here in the Twin Cities.

Students in Minneapolis returned to the classroom last week.

Chris Stanford went to Riverview West Side School of Excellence in St. Paul Tuesday morning to take a look at what’s expected there for the first day.

This school year new and healthier rules for the National Lunch Program also go into effect, because the childhood obesity rate in the U.S. has tripled over the last 30 years.

Angie Gaszak of St. Paul Public Schools’ nutrition services said schools in her district are working to ensure that both breakfast and lunch options are more nutritious.

Gaszak said that the district serves more than 5 million meals per school year.