Breckenridge Texan

Bright and early this morning, kids in Breckenridge were at the local campuses for the first day of school. Breckenridge Independent School District’s 2024-25 academic year started today, Aug. 7, for all students.

Special Ed teacher Trixie Armstrong enthusiastically greeting children at East Elementary this morning for the first day of the 2024-25 school year. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

At East Elementary, parents, grandparents, siblings and others escorted the students in pre-kindergarten through second grade to school this morning.

This year, BISD will have a four-day week again with the students taking Fridays off. This Friday is the only one this school year that students are scheduled to attend class; if the “bad weather days” are needed to make up missed days later in the year, there may be school on a couple of Fridays in May. Likewise, teachers and staff members are off most Fridays, but one day each month is scheduled as a teacher workday or teacher development day.

The schools have slightly staggered start and end times, allowing parents a little extra time to pick up kids at more than one campus. The campus operational times are:

• East – 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• South – 7:55 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.
• BJHS – 7:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
• BHS – 7:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

While the kids and parents are adjusting to the new school year, a few things about back-to-school will affect more people in town. For example, the school zones on Walker Street, Breckenridge Avenue and around the schools will be in effect during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Drivers need to remember that speeding in a school zone carries a higher fine, and using a handheld device, such as a cell phone, in a school zone is illegal. Texting while driving is illegal in Texas, whether you’re in a school zone or not.

Additionally, there are laws regarding when you can and cannot pass a school bus. According to Texas law, if a bus has alternating flashing red signals visible from the front or rear, drivers must stop before reaching the bus. Drivers can only proceed if the flashing lights are no longer activated, the driver signals you to proceed or the bus has resumed driving. Approaching drivers do not have to stop for a school bus that is operating a visual signal if the road is separated by a physical barrier or an intervening space. If a highway is only divided by a left-turn lane, it is not considered divided, and drivers must stop for school buses.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, drivers who illegally pass a school bus face fines up to $1,250 for the first offense. For people convicted of the offense more than once, the law allows for the person’s driver license to be suspended for up to six months. Criminal charges are possible if a driver causes someone serious bodily injury.

Students and parents were loaded down with school supplies, backpacks, lunches and more as they arrived for the first day of school at East Elementary this morning, Aug. 7. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Many families stopped at the East Elementary sign on the corner of the campus for a first day of school photo op. After this week, BISD will have a four-day school week with every Friday off for the students and most Fridays off for staff. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Keith Fuller, an instructional aide at East Elementary helped with traffic control this morning, assisting students and their families across the street for the first day of school. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)