Thousands of Natchez students will hit the books again this month, as all local schools prepare to open their doors for the 2000-01 school year.

Dr. Scott&160;Fleming, of Cathedral School, expects to have at least 685 students at the school this year, not much different from last year’s enrollment.

&uot;I think its going to be a great year,&uot; he said.

This fall marks Fleming’s second year as principal at Cathedral with students returning to school August 10.

Fleming said the school has been getting ready for school with activities such as cheerleading camp, readying the football field, and retreat team training. The retreat team is a group of students that offers peer counseling.

Fleming said the school will continue to focus on &uot;virtues of the week&uot; this year.

&uot;Last year our general focus was respect one another and this year our general focus is going to be honesty,&uot; he said.

And Buddy Wade, an assistant administrator at Adams County Christian School said his school’s staff is almost ready for its Aug. 14 start-date and 700 students.

&uot;(We) got our building pretty much the way we have wanted it,&uot; said Wade.

ACCS has also opened a new preschool building to hold 80 students and is building a new weight room and concession stand, said Superintendent Rufus Carlock.

The Natchez-Adams School District expects about 5,200 students to begin school at its seven campuses Thursday August 10.

&uot;I just look for us to have a good year,&uot; said Superintendent Dr. Carl Davis.

The public school district is using a new discipline plan this year to help students learn better behavior and offering more rewards for students who perform well or behave in school.

And students will continue to take exit-skills tests three times a year. The test assess if students are learning skills needed to progress to the next grade.

&uot;We got to have a an objective way of knowing what are kids are actually mastering and what they need help in,&uot; Davis said.

The district is also beginning a new early dismissal policy this year. Students will be dismissed early the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, so teachers have time for staff development. The district has scheduled its first early dismissal date for August 23.

Primary Schools will dismiss at 1 p.m., elementary schools at 1:15 p.m. and secondary schools at 1:45 p.m.

&uot;I’m just excited about the school year starting and I just hope and pray it’s a good year,&uot; Davis said.

Trinity Episcopal Day School will start school August 14 and Holy Family Catholic School will start school August 10.