SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Summer has come to an end for thousands of students in western Massachusetts who will be returning to school on Monday, including grades 1-12 in Springfield.
The first day of school can be very exciting, but it can also be dangerous.
The National Safety Council says school buses are the safest way to travel, but that doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen. They also say you should stop at all crosswalks near schools, and remember to follow the speed limit in school zones.
They’re asking parents to tell their kids to stay away from traffic when waiting for the bus, and make sure the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching it. Drivers should be on the lookout when sharing the road with students walking or riding their bikes to school.
It is illegal to pass a school bus with their red lights flashing. If you’re caught doing so, you could pay a $200 fine. Many school districts have extra police officers on patrol, who will be keeping an eye out for dangerous drivers.
For students who have to walk in front of the bus, the safety council says you should always make sure you can see the driver, and the driver can see you. You should also wait for the driver to give you a signal before crossing the street, and keep an eye on traffic at all times.
Drivers might want to plan ahead for traffic in Springfield Monday morning, since it is the first day of school for elementary, middle and high schoolers in the public school district.
Each school has a different schedule, but the busiest time on the road will be between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. with several of these students getting on the bus.
Mayor Domenic Sarno and Superintendent Daniel Warwick will be greeting students at some of the schools Monday morning.
They’re expected to be at Roger Putnam Technical-Vocational Academy between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and John Duggan Academy from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Students will also notice some changes at the schools in Springfield. Monday will be the first day of school for eight new principals, five of those are joining the district, and the other three have been reassigned.
Students will notice changes at Van Sickle Academy, Chestnut Accelerated Middle School, UP Academy, Homer Street School, Washington Elementary Schools, Indian Orchard Elementary Schools, and Springfield Conservatory of the Arts.