NATCHEZ &045; Bus drivers’ &uot;dry run&uot; of revamped routes Monday and Tuesday was done with hardly a hitch, said Ron Idom, director for Durham Bus Services in Natchez.

Starting this school year &045; which starts Friday &045; pre-K and kindergarten students will attend West Primary, first- and second-graders will attend Frazier Primary, third- and fourth-graders will attend McLaurin Elementary and fifth-and sixth-graders will attend Morgantown Elementary.

Because schools have been reorganized, buses that visited two schools last year will stop at four this year, and some students will have to travel further to get to their schools. Some elementary students will transfer buses at McLaurin or Morgantown, and students will arrive at home in the afternoon up to 30 minutes later than last year.

But despite the changes, Idom said, &uot;most (bus drivers doing the dry run) were already familiar with the routes from previous years.&uot;

There are bound to be kinks to work out during the first days of any school year, said Superintendent Dr. Anthony Morris &045; but preparations are going well.

Teachers attended their annual convocation Monday and attend staff development Tuesday and today.

Meanwhile, back at Durham, Idom said the public can help make sure children get to their destinations safely.

&uot;Our routes will start as early as 6:15 in the morning in the rural areas and 6:30 to 6:45 in the city, early enough to miss most of the morning rush hour,&uot; Idom said. &uot;Still, we need to remind the public to be cautious. Drivers need to stop when they see the school buses stop.&uot;