FIRST DAY SMILES-Kindergarten student Natalie Richardson, 5, grins for her mother, Heather Gruendyke, on her initial day of school at Campus Canyon. The back-to-school bell rang in a promising new school year for about 7,600 Moorpark students on Wednesday.

The younger students at Flory Academy got an early start Monday during an introductory event that included a brief tour of the school campus and a picnic at Arroyo Vista Park.

Janet Brasler, who teaches fourth grade at the science and technology magnet school, said she looks forward to working with a brand new bunch of kindergartners.

"It's a year of growth and development that's phenomenal and they're great little souls," she said.

The start of school is a milestone for parents too, said Genevieve Davis, whose son started school for the first time

his week. "I can sense the dread and uncertainty in him, but at the same time, the world is opening up to him," she said.

Older students in middle and

high school have also been busy preparing for the new academic year and registering at local campuses.

Preliminary test scores show higher academic performances at all levels, officials said. The recent release of the high school exit exam results indicate 80 percent of students passed in the 10th grade and only four failed the test when they left high school in June. Administrators were still awaiting the final Academic Performance Index results.

Unlike the test scores, enrollment numbers are on the decline, especially in the elementary schools. The bubble of students is now moving out of elementary school and through middle and high school.

The decline is occurring statewide, with about half the school districts facing enrollment losses due to a slowdown in birthrates, high home prices and other economic factors, Smith said.

The Moorpark School District had 7,829 students in 2001. That number declined slowly until 2004, when the decrease began to accelerate. Last year there were 7,712 students registered, and an enrollment of 7,616 is projected for the 2006-07 school year.

The decline translates into less money for the district since schools depend primarily on an Average Daily Attendance funding formula provided by the state.

A consultant who advises the school district on demographics anticipates more new students next year due to a slightly increased birthrate.

Facilities Projects

A number of capital improvements were completed this summer using bond money from the 2002 Measure R. Student restrooms were renovated at Arroyo West Elementary School. Community High School was re-roofed and the playground at Campus Canyon Elementary School was renovated. A new 10-classroom wing is also under construction at Campus Canyon.

Several resurfacing projects were completed on parking lots and blacktop areas throughout the district and every school received an annual summer deep cleaning, Smith said.

Other Major Changes

With the addition of fifth grade at both Campus Canyon and Peach Hill Academy, the two schools will now serve the full grade span. Small-scale boundary modifications were implemented to balance enrollment among all the elementary schools and the two middle schools, Smith said.

Those changes were the result of planning and recommendations of the Vision 2010 Implementation Committee and the approval of the board of education last winter.

Two new software programs will be implemented this year at all schools in the district. A new student demographics database, "Zangle," is being launched this fall, facilitating the enrollment process and the overall tracking of student information.

"Edusoft," a student-achievement tracking system, will assist teachers in refining their instruction based on student progress. A full year of staff training has been planned to support the implementation, Smith said.

A new state-funded supplemental counseling program will also support three new counseling positions to serve students in grades seven through 12. One of the primary goals of the program will be to ensure that the graduation rate continues to increase, Smith said.

Consultation with students and families, attendance monitoring, academic support interventions, relationship development and school-to-career experiences also are components of the program being developed by the district. The additional staff members will increase student access to counseling and school support systems, Smith said.

Increased Funding

One-time moneys from the state and from a legal settlement with Microsoft will allow for the enhancement of various programs,

including art, music, physical education and technology hardware, software and training.

School site councils will be involved in developing expenditure plans for other one-time funding that hasn't been specifically targeted by the state and can be used to support implementation of district and School Strategic Plan priorities.

To kick off the new school year and to celebrate the test scores and other accomplishments, school officials organized an employee appreciation picnic on Tuesday. Employees who've worked in the district for 20, 25, 30 and 40 years were honored at the event.

New Employees

The district hired 16 new teachers for elementary, secondary and special education positions.

Counselors were hired for the new Supplemental Counseling Program at Moorpark High School, Community High, and Mesa Verde and Chaparral middle schools, and a new program coordinator will assist the principal with special programs at Mountain Meadows School. Many classified employees

were also hired to serve as campus supervisors, instructional assistants, food service staff, health techs, bus drivers and other support staff during the 2006-07 school year.