School days begin

Christopher Tuinnereim gives his former kindergarten teacher Andrea Feenstra a hug before he starts his first day as a first grade student Tuesday morning at West Elementary School. Students across the Mountain Home School District returned to classes this week as part of the district's plan to start the school year two weeks ahead of its previous schedule.

School district officials said the pre-registration count indicated enrollment was "flat" from the end of last year. Due to the early start, not all students were registered and some continued to register Tuesday morning, while a few more are expected to "trickle in" during the rest of the week. Photo by Brian S. Orban