It's too early to say what the first-day enrollment figures will be when Biloxi public schools begin classes on Thursday, Aug. 4, but one thing is for certain: If parents do not register their children by the end of this week, they'll miss the first day of school.

Biloxi schools have registered 4,024 students since registration began last week. The figure is about 18 percent below the 4,913 students that were enrolled in Biloxi schools at the end of last school year, but it's only 10 percent off the enrollment for the first day of school last year.

"From everything I have heard this is typical of the registration trends for Biloxi Public Schools," said Superintendent Arthur McMillan, who is beginning his first year with the district. "You have a transient population with our military families, which is the biggest factor, and we're starting school a week earlier this year. The numbers show that we're traditionally 14 to 16 percent off at this point in time, and we're usually only 3 or 4 percent off the first few days of school.

"The most important message that we have for parents right now," McMillan said, "is that if you haven't registered your child for school yet, please do so by the end of this week, or you'll miss the first day of school."

That's because parents who missed the registration days last week and don't make it to a school by the end of this week will have to wait until Monday or Tuesday to pick up registration packets, which they must return completed on Wednesday, Aug. 3. In order to allow school staff to add the late registrants to classroom rosters and make other arrangements, the first day of school for late registrants will be Monday, Aug. 8.

Initial registration figures: Gorenflo, 378; Jeff Davis, 578; North Bay, 577; Popp's Ferry, 393; Biloxi Junior High School, 840; and Biloxi High School, 1,205.

Registration information: To see what you'll need for registration, click here.

Enrollment figures: To see enrollment figures for all of Biloxi Public Schools, from before and since Katrina, click here.

Cross country: The high school and junior high cross country teams will hold a one-hour practice session on Monday, Aug. 1, beginning at 6 p.m. at Hiller Park. For more information about this first session, and to look at the upcoming season, click here.

Cheer clinic: The Biloxi High School Cheerleaders 2011 Mini Cheer Clinic will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Biloxi High School Sports Arena. To see who can attend and how to register, click here.

Meet and greet: You'll have a chance to meet teachers and tour schools during a meet and greet planned for Aug. 3 at all Biloxi public schools. It's also a good time to drop off your child's supplies. To find out more about the event, click here.

Football: Friday is the deadline for current season ticketholders to renew their seats for the upcoming season. Beginning Monday, all seats will be available for the general public. For details on prices and scheduling information, click here.

Tag: Have you ordered your Indian car tag yet? Find out how you can do it by clicking here.