The ringing of the bells this morning marked the first day of school for more than 9,000 students in the Vicksburg Warren School District.

“I’m excited. I’ve been excited since 4 o’clock,” said the district’s superintendent, James Price, who was out making rounds. “On the first day of school, we’ll get every detail sorted out and know everyone who’s coming.”

School times

• Vicksburg and Warren Central highs— 7:30 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

• Vicksburg and Warren Central junior highs — 7:30 a.m.-2:20 p.m.

• Vicksburg Intermediate — 8:30 a.m.-2:50 p.m.

• Warren Central Intermediate — 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Elementary schools — 8:30 a.m.-2:50 p.m.

Other School Openings

• Vicksburg Catholic School — Monday

• Porters Chapel Academy — Monday

• Vicksburg Community School — Aug. 3

• Agape Montessori School — Aug. 11

More than 9,000 students will be in classrooms in the 14 schools, he said, but an accurate number won’t be ready until at the least the 10th day of school.

School times vary from school to school, depending on the logistics at each, but elementary and intermediate schools begin at 8:15 and 8:30 and end at 2:50 and 3.

Junior high school classes begin at 7:30 and end at 2:20. High schools begin at 7:30 and end at 2:35.

“We have to be flexible from school to school to accommodate the students,” Price said. “This is something that is tailored to the population and bus and car riders.”

He said four or five people from the transportation department this morning were monitoring the traffic flow at schools. “They will be out every day until they are satisfied with the routes we need,” Price said.

Warren Central Junior High Principal Cedric Magee, who was expecting 830 to 840 seventh- and eighth-graders today, was out early directing traffic.

“We’re moving in rather smoothly and that’s a good thing,” he said. “First day of school is always exciting, no matter how many years you’ve been in education,” said Magee, who is entering his fourth year at the school.

He said the transition from elementary to junior high status is a big change for students.

“Organization is the biggest area for the sixth-graders coming into the seventh grade because they’re changing into seven classes now and they have lockers for the first time. That’s going to be an adjustment to become organized so they can get to class on time,” he said.

Twelve-year-old Cedric Harris, son of Alice Harris and Sylvester Ricks, said he woke up at 6 this morning and was ready and excited.

Seventh-grader Brittney Moore, 13, the daughter of Euna Moore of Vicksburg and Thomas Wade, was eager to get to her homeroom as she wandered the hallway looking for her class.

The first day will be an informative day. Students will be given their schedules and their student handbooks.

“On the first day, we lay down our procedures and policies and make sure the kids are comfortable,” said Jennifer Nelson, WCJH eighth-grade English teacher.

“For the year, I will prepare them for the state test in May as best I can,” she said. “The test monitors the progress of the school and the students. It shows the students’ growth over the year.” Students are required to pass the state test in order to graduate.

Minor traffic backups was reported at Dana Road Elementary, where Price said congestion is not unusual because of the school’s size, one of the largest in the district.

“After the first few days, parents will get into a normal routine,” Price said.

“That’s always been a problem area,” Warren County Chief Deputy Jay McKenzie said, “but there hasn’t been anything unusual.”

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com