Breckenridge Texan

The first day of school in Breckenridge Independent School District will be tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Elementary students and their parents will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, find their classrooms, and make sure everything from lunch accounts to bus schedules are ready to go at the Meet the Teacher events today. Both East and South Elementary schools will have their Meet the Teacher events from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Starting Wednesday, the school zones around the local campuses and on Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue will be in effect during the morning and afternoon hours before and after school. In addition to being aware of and observing lowered speed limits, drivers need to remember that it is illegal in Texas to use a cell phone or any other handheld device in a school zone.

Additionally, BISD school buses will be traveling throughout the city and county, picking up and dropping off kids before and after school each weekday. The Texas Department of Transportation reminds drivers that there are several laws for drivers sharing the roads with school buses and that violations can lead to a fine of up to $1,250 for a first offense.

TxDOT offers these tips for drivers:

• If you’re behind a school bus, follow at a safe distance, keeping in mind that school buses make frequent stops.
• Always remain alert for children around buses and remember that they may not always look for vehicles before crossing the street
• Stop for flashing red lights or a stop sign on a school bus regardless of which direction you’re headed. Continue once the bus has moved, the flashing lights stop flashing or the bus driver signals it’s OK to pass

Parents and caregivers can also prepare their children to be safe around school buses by sharing the following TxDOT tips for students:

• Stand as far back from the curb as possible when you are waiting for a bus
• Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop and watch for the driver to signal that it’s safe to board. Hold on to the handrail and find a seat quickly
• Listen to the bus driver and sit still to avoid distracting the driver
• After exiting the bus, cross only in front of the bus, never behind it. Make eye contact with the driver and wait for the driver’s signal that it is OK to cross. Look left-right-left and safely cross when there is no traffic or vehicles that have stopped.