The Enquirer

Thousands of Tristate students returned to school Monday, with more to follow throughout the week. Norwood, Northwest, Sycamore and Winton Woods were among districts that started the 2004-05 school year Monday.

Students in Vicki Westfall's kindergarten class at Blue Ash Elementary School say the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time Monday morning. (Enquirer photo/JIM CALLAWAY)

For Winton Woods High School students, it was the first day without yellow school buses. Because of levy losses in March and August, the district cut busing for more than 500 public, private and parochial school students.

Despite a busier parking lot, school start and dismissal times went smoothly, said Winton Woods Superintendent Camille Nasbe. The school has about 1,140 students on campus. Monday's attendance was about 1,000, but she said it's too soon to tell whether the lack of buses will affect attendance.

"We didn't have a full house today, but I don't know how that compares to this time last year," Nasbe said, adding that some students might not have re-enrolled, and some might think school starts after Labor Day.

Other Greater Cincinnati schools start today, including Oak Hills and Mason. On Wednesday, Cincinnati Public, Fairfield, Forest Hills, Lakota and Milford students will return, followed by West Clermont students on Thursday.

In Kentucky, most public and parochial schools started last week or the week before. This week, classes resume for two public school systems: Kenton County, starting today, and Fort Thomas, starting Wednesday.