Monday morning the yellow Blue Bird school buses hit the road for another academic year as schools in Crenshaw County reopened.

The schools served as mini fashion shows as students arrived in the newest fashions, many taking their new school supplies with them.

Elementary teachers greeted parents and students alike, as children returned from their summer break.

Junior high and high school students quickly found themselves back in the routine of changing classes, finding their lockers and meeting friends they have not seen over the summer.

Yes, the 2004-2005 school year began quietly.

The county's school principals all reported uneventful first days.

In Brantley, Principal Waylon Bush, who is in his third year as principal, said everything went as planned.

"We had a great start this year," he said.

'Everything went very smoothly and I can't say that we've had any major problems."

Brantley School is a K4-12 school and enrolled just over 600 students this week.

At Luverne School, the county's largest school, with just over 1,000 students, Principal Earl Franks reported all went well there as well, with one or two glitches.

"Everything is going fine here," he said. "Things went relatively well during the opening days. We've had a few minor schedule changes and a few minor things we are still working out, but other than that, everything is fine here."

Franks said he was pleased that the school year began with only a few problems, but said those are being worked out.

"The teachers and everyone has worked hard to make sure that we had few problems," he said.

"Of course, it takes a few days to make sure the little ones get on the right buses in the afternoon, but once we accomplish that, we'll be set."

In the north end of the county, Highland Home students returned to classes with no trouble.

There is some renovation work on the campus, but that is not a hindrance to the administration, teachers or students.

Principal Mark Head, in his second year as principal, said it was a smooth opening all around, even with unexpected students arriving for school

"So far, we've had everything running very smoothly," he said.

"We had the children checked in and parents on the way so it's just running smoothly."

He said also this year, there seemed to be more students than normal arriving to register on the first day.

"We've had a surprising number of students moving in from other states," he said.

"But we expect that each year, so it isn't an obstacle."

He said he expects about 850 students in the K4-12 grade school year.

As in past years, the conversations about the school's starting too early have been heard, but all principals agreed that usually comes from the students.

"I've heard some conversations about us starting earlier every year," he said.

"However, that isn't the case."

Bush said he hasn't had any complaints because they have started around this time in past years.

"By starting on Aug. 9th, we are consistent with what we've done in the past," he said.

"Last year we started school on Aug. 11th.

So this is not really that different at all."