School bells rang on Thursday, August 21st, for more than 20,000 students in Dorchester School District Two. Opening day went smoothly at all twenty-one school sites with many principals reporting that it was the smoothest opening they have ever experienced. School buses delivered children a little behind schedule at several schools but this is typical on the first day.

The 2008-2009 school year brings some challenges with student growth projected to push the student population over 22,000 this year. First day student counts showed numbers increased by 826 students over the first day last year with an unofficial total of 20,856 students in attendance today. Student numbers will be monitored each day and Superintendent Joe Pye expects the numbers to increase.

A major highlight of the new school year is the opening of the district's third high school Ashley Ridge High School. A projected enrollment of 850 ninth and tenth graders will attend the new high school this year. The much-anticipated third high school will help with some overcrowding at the other two high schools.

District staff members were at all school sites to assist schools on the first day and also to observe how smoothly the openings were running. All staff reported very few problem areas. There was nothing identified that could not be taken care of with minor adjustments.

Superintendent Joe Pye commended principals and their staffs for effective planning and their hard work to be prepared for the arrival of students on the first day. Mr. Pye said, "When you visited schools the first morning, one would have thought it was the third or fourth week of school. Everyone was focused on getting children settled in their classes as quickly and smoothly as possible so learning could begin."