By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

Nearly 55,000 students headed off to school without a hitch Monday, filling classrooms all over Osceola County.

While exact enrollment won’t be calculated until the end of the week, pending late arrivals, Osceola County School District staff’s final total for Monday was 54,963 students, up just slightly from last school year, spokeswoman Dana Schafer said.

The district will closely monitor the enrollment rate for the next 10 days to ensure compliance with the class size amendment, Schafer added.

Because enrollment has stayed stagnant, redistricting was unnecessary this year and the district has moved into the new school year holding steady on the majority of details.

“But that’s the good part because we’re being consistent. It’s the same as last year,” new Superintendent Melba Luciano said. “We’re just continuing to do what we did last year, just a little more focused.”

Luciano started the day at 5 a.m., waving the school bus drivers out on their routes from the district’s transportation hub.

She then opened car doors in the drop-off line and greeted students and parents at Cypress Elementary School in Kissimmee Monday, helping children put their backpacks on and directing teary-eyed moms toward the Kindergarten wing.

“I know the first day, this kind of boo hoo breakfast is perfect,” Luciano said to the parents, several of whom were red-eyed after escorting their little one to class. “As long as you’re here to support them, I assure you that your children are in very good hands.”

Principal Matt Phillips encouraged all parents to volunteer at their child’s school, no matter the time commitment a parent is able to offer. Phillips said he realized not all parents can be room mothers or volunteer for every activity but emphasized that even full-time working parents can sign up for field trips occasionally or cut out die cast animals or shapes for projects.

The only significant change to the 2012-13 school year is the additional time added to the school day at three high schools, called schools in need of improvement, due to Florida Comprehension Achievement Test scores.

Gateway. Poinciana and Celebration high school students will see their Wednesdays this year extended by 30 minutes to their overall schedule while teachers at those schools will have an hour added to their day for professional development.

Another change this year for parents is the online-only free-and-reduced-lunch enrollment.

Parents are encouraged to enroll their child in the program as soon as possible to ensure no child goes hungry at school, Schafer said. Computer access is available at Osceola County public libraries, at the child’s school and at the School District’s Campus Grill Department for those individuals who may not have computer access at home.

The online application process is faster and more secure than having parents fill out paper applications. By applying online, the district said there will be no lost applications, confidential personal information will be completely secure, the application is now trackable and only one application per household needs to filled out.

Applications can be completed by logging on to www.osceola.k12.fl.us, and clicking on the free and reduced meal application link under the “Back To School” section.

Computers to complete the application will be available for parent use in the Campus Grille Department, located at 817 Bill Beck Blvd. (Building 2000) in Kissimmee, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For further information or assistance, call the Campus Grille Department at 407-870-4678 or email foodservice@osceola.k12.fl.us.