At Homer High, the principal is cautiously optimistic about what looks like nearly 100 more students than the school ended with last year. More students mean more teachers and more teachers mean more programs, including the return of the Spanish program, said Principal Ron Keffer.

"I don't know whether to believe it right now or not," Keffer said, adding he's had staff look at virtually every one of the anticipated 517 students to make sure the figure isn't inflated.

So where did the extra students come from? Some are from the closure of Homer Christian School (see related story, page 11), but others are more likely from home-school programs, Keffer said.

He said he's been telling everyone he can that supporting the local public school is good for everyone. While he applauds parents' right to choose the best education for their son or daughter, the reality is that the school can only offer a comprehensive program if enough people choose to send their child to public school. More people making that choice means a better education for the entire high school.

Keffer said figuring out how to appropriate the resources that the anticipated surge of students may bring is tricky. Hire a teacher for the bulging science program, for example, and students will still face understaffed counseling services.

"We have to figure out how to spread the butter around so the bread gets covered," he said.

For the first couple weeks, students and parents should expect large class sizes until the final nose count comes from the district. After that, it will take the school a little time to figure out how to best appropriate staff and to implement those changes.

Other news at the high school this year includes more programs to work with freshmen, including an advisement system that counsels the new high school students on issues such as plans for college, social skills, study skills, graduation requirements and other features. For the upper grade levels, more advanced placement classes will be offered this year, replacing the Quest program.

The school also has a new assistant principal, Dan Beck, who was most recently the principal and a teacher at Susan B. English in Seldovia. Beck replaces Shari Conley, who took a position as administrator at Nikolaevsk School after one year at Homer High.

"He's got enough experience and he's a very capable guy," said Keffer of the school's new assistant principal. "He just needs to get to know everyone."

Several other staff members are new at Homer High, Keffer said. While he's sorry to see several of his longtime teachers leave, he is excited about the team he has now.

"We've really got a stupendous staff this year," he said. "Students are going to get top-notch instruction."

Elementary schools around the area are gearing up to welcome new students, especially those entering the school system for the first time on Tuesday. Parents are advised that a smooth transition for their students depends a large part on the parents' reaction. A lot of tissue wringing as your little girl steps on the bus may send her the message that there is something to worry about.

Many elementary schools in the area devote the first days of school to parent-teacher meetings that allow teachers to learn more about the students they will be teaching. In addition, students are evaluated so instructors can get a sense of the student's academic and social levels. For more on specific school programs, contact your elementary school. School information can also be found in the Homer News schools guide on pages 16 and 17.

At West Homer Elementary, students will have the opportunity to come in and meet their new teachers with their parents on Monday from 1 to 2 p.m.

The school, along with other schools in the district is starting the Ed-line program this year. Parents will receive information via the mail about the Internet-based program that allows them to see week-to-week updates of their students' grades as well as information about assignments and general school information. While some teachers have been using the program for a while, others are just getting the hang of it, so there may be some hiccups at first, but eventually the district hopes it will add one more link between home and school.

West Homer Elementary is also launching a new program focusing on bullying, an issue schools across the state and nation have been facing in recent years. Charlie Walsworth, school principal, said he will be teaching many of the classes in an effort to get students not only to learn about the impacts of bullying, but also how to stand up for oneself, strategies to avoid bullying and when to seek help.

"I'm hoping it will resonate out into the community," Walsworth said.

West Homer Elementary, like many other schools in the district, saw enrollment drop slightly last year. The district overall has had approximately a 2 percent decline in student enrollment in recent years. But despite losing a teacher last year, the school is looking ahead to opening day.

"We're going to have a great year," he said. "We've got great kids, great teachers and a wonderful learning community."

Carey James can be reached at carey.james@homernews.com.