HOUSTON -- Thousands of students hung up their swimsuits and grabbed their backpacks as they headed back to school on Monday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

More than 6,000 Houston Independent School District students began the year at one of eight brand new schools. The district has never opened so many schools in one year.

---

Back To School Section

---

The eight new schools replaced several schools that were old and had low attendance.

"It is simply inefficient to continue to operate large, older schools," Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra said.

Some people were not happy with the changes. State Rep. Harold Dutton said more than 40 percent of elementary students in his district now have to be bused to other parts of town.

"We'd rather have a school building that is not good than to have no school building," Dutton said.

The new elementary schools include Mamie Sue Bastian, Briargrove, Blanche Bruce, Dora Lantrip, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ruby Thompson, Walnut Bend and Thomas J. Pilgrim Academy.

"Everything is brand new so we have to think about everything," Pilgrim Academy Principal Diana Castillo said. "New fire drill plans, everything is new."

Parents said they were happy that their children were attending classes at the new campuses.

"It's really big. Everything's new," mother Kimberly Humphrey said. "It's really good. I like it."

Students were very excited to start at a nice, clean school.

"Our old school is kind of like, old and moldy and stuff," Briargrove Elementary student Max Levay said. "We're glad that we're going to be in a new school."

---

HISD Starts Year With 8 New Schools
Students Have Smooth Ride To School

---

Many students will ride to school on new buses. The district spent nearly $9 million on 130 buses.

Drivers got up early and went to the bus barns to inspect their buses before rolling out to pick up students.

Barbara Lotts has been driving for about 10 years. She said she is prepared for nervous parents with children riding the bus for the first time.

"I just tell them your baby's going to be OK, we're going to take care of them," Lotts said. "Safety is our first priority."

About 35,000 HISD students ride the bus each day.

Drivers said things went smoothly during the morning rush.

"They stayed in their seats and talked to each other, but they were very excited," driver Gyuler Green said.

Bus behavior rules have changed this year. Bad behavior on the bus and at the bus stop now carries the same consequences.

"Students don't get a freebie anymore just because they’re at the bus stop and the bus isn't there," said Aaron Hobbs with the district's transportation department.

Houston police were out in force in school zones. Several drivers received tickets for exceeding the 20 mph limit in school zones.

"Citations can go up to $300 plus court costs," Sgt. A.J. Washington said. "It's not about the citation, it's the safety of the kids and the parents that are walking the kids to school."

Parents with questions about anything that involves HISD were encouraged to call the district's hotline at 713-556-8900. The line is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fort Bend ISD Students Return To School

The Fort Bend County Independent School District opened four new elementary schools and a middle school. Included in the list of new school were Rosa Parks Elementary, Cornerstone Elementary, Mary Austin Holley Elementary and David Crockett Middle School.

---

Some Students Get New Classrooms, Supplies

---

The district is preparing students to enter a global society. Classrooms at the new E.A. Jones Elementary were equipped with data projectors and computers.

The new schools opened just in time, as an additional 2,000 students enrolled in classes.

Students at Edgar Glover Jr. Elementary were welcomed back with a backpack filled with new supplies to start the year off right.

"Our students are ready from the very first day of school," Glover Elementary Principal Vanda Washington said. "They have the supplies they need to start the year. That means a lot."

Fort Bend ISD elementary students were reminded to pack their sneakers as part of the district's physical education requirement. Students were required to bring rubber-soled shoes with them daily if they do not wear them to school.

Motorists were reminded to slow down in school zones and stop when students are getting on and off buses.

Some Schools Delay Start

Some students got a little extension to their summer vacation. Some districts decided to stagger the first days depending on grade while other campuses were not ready for students.

Kingwood High School students were supposed to begin classes Monday, but the first day was pushed back to Wednesday to allow teachers to get their classrooms ready after construction at the school. All other Humble Independent School District campuses opened on Monday.

---

Slideshow: Kingwood High School Renovations
Parents Concerned About School's Conditions

---

Freshman students in the Pasadena School District were the only ones required to start school Monday. All other students were scheduled to report on Tuesday.

Most Galveston Independent High School students lucked out and got an extra day off. Students in kindergarten through ninth grade started on Monday, but high school sophomores, juniors and seniors did not have to return until Tuesday. Construction delays prevented Austin Middle School from opening until Sept. 10. Students will attend the former San Jacinto Elementary school until Austin opens.