Alma Elementary first graders practice "Acting Right" on Friday afternoon in one of the meditation sessions the school has started this year to encourage good behavior by students. Alma is one of three schools which started year-round classes. (Ledger photos / SCOTT POWELL) There was little evidence 640 children spent the past month on vacation Thursday when three county year-round schools returned to school.

Alma and Mary Bramlett elementary students were instantly in tune with their surroundings when they left their seats for a quiet meditation session called "Acting Right." The students closed their eyes, drew a deep breath and concentrated before gently stretching and wrapping arms in a tight circle designed to build a classroom community.

The "Acting Right" program was introduced by Mary Bramlett Elementary Principal Dr. Tom Abbott based on recent college academic studies on the importance attention and concentration have on learning. Mary Bramlett and Alma Elementary are doing the meditation program together while sharing fine arts teachers this year.

"Acting Right is based on the principles of body, voice, imagination, concentration and cooperation," Alma Elementary Principal Kim Camp said. "We want our students to stay focused, balanced and concentrate on learning in the classroom. This is an effort to build a community among our students in class."

The character education program will not cost the schools any money this year.

The district has moved around teachers and consolidated some staff duties to deal with the continued impact of $7 million in state funding cuts over the past year.

Despite the school funding issues, the school district was able to continue the yearround school concept it has used in three highpoverty schools since 2003.

Alma, Mary Bramlett and Luther Vaughan students started classes on Thursday and will attend classes all year. Schools have 3-week intersession breaks where teachers can work individually with students to address academic problems.

District figures showed 641 students Friday in the year-round schools.

Luther Vaughan Elementary had 250 students while Mary Bramlett Elementary had 207 students.

There were 194 students at Alma Elementary.

School enrollments are expected to increase through Labor Day with the start of 4-year-old kindergarten classes, students enrolling from out of state, and families returning from summer school.

Mary Bramlett Elementary Assistant Principal Virginia Burrows said the yearround school program has created a learning climate where there is little time in the year when students are not exposed to instruction.

"We've had a great two days," Burrows said. "It's like we never left."