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As the family SUV turned down Northwest School Road, Greg Headen went over the bus plan for a third time with his daughter Madison.

Look for the shuttle to the military academy, he said. Your teachers will be there; they’ll tell you where to go.

Madison, a second-grader, tried to put the puzzle together, asking once more how she’ll know which bus to take.

There was relief in Headen’s voice as he pulled into Northwest Middle and pointed out to Madison a parent and a teacher he recognized. Madison and her older sister, fifth-grader Hannah, climbed out of the Chevrolet Suburban and a teacher pointed them to where they needed to go.

Dozens of Oak Ridge Elementary School parents played out similar routines as they filled parking lots at four schools Tuesday morning, dropping off their children on the first day of school.

Most of the children came to Northwest Middle by car or bus. Some students stayed behind because they will have class in mobile units at the middle school. The others took buses from there to Oak Ridge Military Academy or Colfax Elementary.

The school system closed Oak Ridge Elementary in June for environmental testing and remediation. Teachers and parents have complained since 2005 that environmental conditions at the school are causing serious illnesses. School officials do not expect classes to resume there this fall.

The scene at Northwest was busy but not chaotic. Susan Hodnett was one of several teachers at the school hugging kids before directing them to a bus or inside the middle school. Hugs help take tension out of a hectic first day of school, Hodnett said.

“The first day of school is scary enough even without all the worry about getting on a different bus,” she said.

Shelly Headen took Meredith, the family’s youngest daughter, to Colfax Elementary for her first day of kindergarten. Things there went just as smoothly, she said.

“It’s probably the most calm first day I’ve had,” Headen said. “I think they pulled it off.”

But not without one hiccup. Two students who should have boarded a bus for Colfax ended up at the military academy. School officials said the mistake was discovered quickly and the students’ parents notified. A bus was sent to pick up the students and take them to Colfax.

Despite requests not to, dozens of Oak Ridge Elementary School parents filled the parking lot of Oak Ridge Military Academy and surrounding businesses to drop off their children at the school.

A.J. Paul dropped off his son, Austin. The family lives about a mile from the military school, but the bus hub system would make that trip much longer for Austin.

“It’s just practicality,” Paul said. “For him to get the bus at 6:30, he has to be ready by 6:15. For a 7-year-old, it’s a bit much to expect.”

Austin would take a bus from home several miles south to Northwest Middle School, where he would then take another bus back past his house to the military academy.

The numerous parents defying the school system request didn’t appear to cause problems.

Julie Blake said she expected chaos when she walked her second-grader to class this morning, but she applauded the school system and the military academy for making the process smooth.

Blake said she ignored the school system’s request, which was based on concerns lodged by the county fire marshal, because she didn’t know what to expect.

“I wanted to make sure I got my child in,” she said.

The scene at the military academy isn’t likely to change any time soon.

Blake and several other mothers who were with her said they plan to drop off and pick up their children for the entire time they are at the military academy. Many believe that will be through December.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com.