Neighborhoods are quieter and the city pool is closed for the early hours of the day.

 

School is in session. Some schools report above-average enrollment numbers and all report that they are busy settling in and scheduling upcoming activities.

 

Bridgeport High School Principal Mark DeFazio said as of Tuesday, enrollment was at 787. That number will change somewhat; likely rising even higher.

 

“I’m still trying to track students down. Some withdraw and don’t come in and tell us. We also wait to see if any information is requested from other high schools for student transcripts, so we really won’t have a good count for another week, but I’d say it will stay close to 800,” DeFazio said.

 

During the 2016-2017 school year, BHS had 752 students. The year prior, the facility registered 715 students.

 

“We’ve picked up close to 70 kids in two years,” DeFazio said.

 

Next year, they will pick up even more.

 

“From information we received at the end of last school year, there are 211 eighth graders (at Bridgeport Middle School),” he said. “So if we graduate 178 and pick up 211, we’re going to increase another 20-25.”

 

Such fluctuations runs in cycles as families move in and out of the school district, DeFazio said. Other factors contribute also.  

 

BHS students, faculty and staff hit the ground running. Preparations are in the works for homecoming, scheduled early this year – the weekend of Sept. – and school photos were taken today.

 

“We do class pictures as early as possible, so kids can get their student ID badges for athletic events, getting them in free to games within the county,” DeFazio said.

 

With a revamped attendance policy in place this year* (SEE BELOW), DeFazio hopes students stay in school and not jeopardize their privileges to take part in school sports and attend school dances.

 

School enrollment is also up at Simpson Elementary. According to Wendy Stein, school secretary, today’s number is 472, well above last year’s 440-445 students. Another classroom has been added to accommodate the growth spurt.

 

“We added another fifth grade, so now every grade has three teachers,” Stein said.

 

First grade is full to the maximum and only two seats remain in second grade classrooms, she said.

 

Kindergarten starts Monday, Aug. 21 with a projected 66 additional students coming on board. Pre-K begins Aug. 28. So far, 54 Pre-K students are registered, Stein said.

 

At Johnson Elementary, enrollment is about average – around 600 students in grades 1 through 5. Kindergarten students, who today visit their classrooms and meet their teachers, start class Monday, said PTA President Belinda Kirby.

 

Bridgeport Middle School reports about 600 students enrolled to date. That’s about average, said Secretary Janet Hathaway.

 

First-year Principal Dave Mazza said school got off to a positive start and he anticipates a smooth year ahead.

 

“The first day of school is one of my favorite days. The students were amazing,” he said. “The new sixth grade came in a little anxious, but quickly felt right at home. The seventh and eighth graders picked up right where they left off.”

 

Teachers and staff did an incredible job, as always, providing new and returning students with a warm BMS welcome, Mazza said.

“Everyone is excited to get this school year started and have a successful and fun year,” he said.

 

Classes also began Tuesday at Heritage Christian School, where between 155 and 160 students are enrolled each year, said Andrea White of the school office. Official numbers are not in, but she anticipates this year enrollment will fall in line with that of recent years. The school accommodates students in Pre-K through high school seniors. Kindergarten students begin class Aug. 22 with Pre-K classes meeting Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.

 

Traffic at Johnson Elementary/Bridgeport High School is running smoothly, said Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker.

 

“It is going better than expected. While there is still some congestion, traffic flow on Johnson Avenue is not as congested as in previous years,” he said. “On City Park Drive – behind both schools – there is no tie-up at all.”

 

Walker said he believes parents, teachers and students are getting an earlier start this year and he hopes that will continue.

 

Five Bridgeport Police officers have been stationed in the area of Johnson Elementary and BHS to keep traffic flowing and an additional two officers are patrolling the school route.

 

“We’ll do that for a few more days and see how things go,” Walker said.

 

*New BHS attendance policy: