Catholic children have walked to Holy Cross primary school in north Belfast amid the largest security operation mounted since the crisis began.
About 400 riot police were drafted in to keep loyalist residents off the road to allow parents and pupils to use the disputed route in their own time.
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An police officer stands guard over schoolgirls at the height of the protests in September
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The new security tactics have swung into action at a cost of £100,000.
Angry loyalists shouted as the groups made their way past, but there was no serious trouble.
One furious Protestant man screamed at the police: "We live here too." He then traded insults with a Catholic parent at the school gates.
A senior police chief said the operation was costing an average of £50,000 sterling a day, draining the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of finance and manpower.
Asst Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said today's changed methods would cost double that amount, but he said the situation could not go on throughout the winter.
"We can't have young children of four, five and six standing in the freezing cold. It's just not on. It's just not acceptable in any civilised society and it's time to move this on," he said.
Last week after talks with the loyalist residents of Glenbryn, the PSNI reduced in numbers and removed riot shields and helmets.
PA