Dr. Paul A. Tisdale, undeterred by an opening-day attendance that was off last year’s enrollment by more than 300 students, anticipates enrollment to climb to 5,000 students this school year.

Biloxi enrolled 4,462 students during registration this year, which was 300 off last year's last day of school, and only 4,363 students attended the first day of school. However, by the second day of school 4,567 students – an increase of 200 – were in class.

“About a hundred registered students did not attend the first day of school,” said Tisdale, superintendent of Biloxi Public Schools. “Unfortunately, this is the pattern we see each year at the beginning of the year. We’re also frustrated each year with families who have been in the area but not registered their child or children during the two-and-a-half week registration period before school begins.

“We're reminding parents with school-age children to register and enroll them as soon as possible. These children are losing valuable instruction time and parents will soon be in violation of the compulsory school attednance law.”

Overall, Tisdale said, he has been encouraged by the steady growth in enrollment, which had been 6,100 before Katrina.

“Considering the steady rollout of military housing, I believe we’ll hit 5,000 students this year,” Tisdale said. “It’s been a slow-but-steady increase, and it starts out slow each new school year.”

To see enrollment figures from Katrina to date, click here.

All-stars: The state champion Biloxi Little League All-Star team defeated Oklahoma today 3-2 in the Southwest Regional Tournament in Waco. The team will play Louisiana Monday at 1 p.m. in a game that will be carried live on News Radio 104.9 FM. The winner of this tournament will advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn. The Biloxi team, with a 1-1 in Waco, must beat Louisiana to advance to the regional semi-finals. For background on the team, click here.

Tweaks: The Biloxi Public School District will be making a few customary adjustments after the first three days of school. Students at Biloxi High School will find more cashiers working in the cafeteria as staff takes steps to reach its goal of feeding almost 1,400 students in an hour. Students traveling on school buses have been informed of minimal adjustments in the timing of bus routes.

Board meeting: The school board will have a called meeting Tuesday to approve the annual budget.

August athletics: Athletic Director Tom Gladney has released the athletics schedule for August. To see it, click here.

Drivers oritentation: To see photos from the schoolbus drivers orientation on Monday, when retiring driver Dudley Strickland was also recognized, click here.