Homer Alaska - Schools

From as far north as Tebughna School in Tyonek, a community on the west side of Cook Inlet, to Nanwalek School near the southern tip of the peninsula, pre-kindergarteners through high school seniors found their desks and lockers, met their teachers and began opening books at 44 schools across the district.

"It's funny that after all this rain we got a sunny day. You'd think people would be bummed to have to come to school, but they're excited. I couldn't ask for a better first day," said Ray Marshall, principal at West Homer Elementary School.

Marshall is one of several new principals in the district this year. He comes to Homer from Bellevue, Wash., where he was director of student services and assistant principal with Insight Schools of Washington.

Other new principals on the southern Kenai Peninsula include Dave Larson at Homer Middle School, Andy Rothenberger at Kachemak-Selo School and Timothy Whip at Razdolna School.

At Ninilchik School, Principal Terry Martin said he was happy to report enrollment was higher than anticipated. That school is celebrating a 100th birthday Sept. 24, marking a century since village youngsters began attending classes.

The 2010-2011 school year ends for most peninsula students May 24.