Hundreds of students from the Southern Kenai Peninsula boarded buses on a foggy Tuesday morning, heading in droves back to their teachers, desks and classmates for another school year.

Schools in the southern part of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, roughly from Ninilchik south, are now in their second year of using a two-tiered busing system through Apple Bus. This reduces the number of buses by having fewer vehicles make two runs in the morning and two in the afternoon.

They get younger students to school first, then go back for middle and high schoolers. Reduced buses saves the school district money.

While some lower peninsula schools opened their doors earlier this month, the first day of school for most institutions in the Homer area was Tuesday.

Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.

Children run and play in the field behind West Homer Elementary on the first day of school Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Emily Boyle and Hailey Van Sandt swing during recess on the first day of school at West Homer Elementary, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Daniel Kulikov, left, and Addie Moore, center, swing while Aiden Clark, right, stands near the swings during recess Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2018 on the first day of school at West Homer Elementary in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Jaxon Bourne, Sydney Phipps, Steel Seaton and Aiden Clark play a ball game in courtyard during recess on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2018, the first day of school, at West Homer Elementary in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)