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Back-to-school season in full effect

As summer draws to a close, back-to-school season is in full effect. Students begin returning to school today, and residents are asked to remember to safely share the roads with school buses, pedestrians and bicyclists, and provide children with the necessary knowledge to stay safe at school.

Whether children walk, ride their bicycle, take the bus or are dropped off to school, it is extremely important that they - and the motorists around them - take proper safety precautions and follow the rules laid out for safety.

According to the Nebraska Department of Roads, maximum speed limit on residential roads in Nebraska is 25 miles per hour. Residential roads have the most potential for speed-based accidents and collisions, so residential districts tend to have the lowest speed limits with the most strict enforcement policies.

With students heading to and from school be on the lookout for school zones and crossings, these areas often have even lower speed limits. Strict enforcement and heavy fines are applicable for speeding in these areas.

"The speed limit in school zones is fifteen miles per hour when children are present," Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens said.

Also be aware of other motorists taking their children to and from school, there are plenty of intersections between any given home and school.

Aikens said when stop signs are not present at a four-way stop, the vehicle to the right has the "right-of-way."

Akiens asks parents to avoid dropping their children off at the front of their schools, as it cuts down on congestion.

"Avoid stopping in the middle of a roadway as this obstructs the vision of other drivers, also beware of children darting out between cars," Aikens said. "We will be out in full force educating motorists on the laws in the school zones."

School bus safety is also a critical part to beginning a new school year.

When the red flashing lights are on and the stop sign is out, motorists must stop and wait Aikens said. He said often times children getting off the school bus will run in front of it and out into traffic.

Sidney Public Schools (SPS) recently rolled out a reviewed set of school bus safety procedures as well as disciplinary consequences. SPS said it is committed to the safety of it's students and encourages parents to talk to their child about the following procedures, giving them reminders throughout the school year about all procedures to reinforce respectful behavior and safety.

SPS encourages students waiting for the bus to:

• Get to your bus stop 10 minutes early.

• Stay back from the edge of the road and wait until the bus comes to a stop before attempting to get on.

• Stragglers will be left behind as the driver has a schedule to maintain.

For students boarding or leaving the bus:

• Step on and off quickly and quietly.

• No pushing or shoving.

• Cross properly in front of the bus only.

• Beware of passing cars.

While students are on the bus:

• Do not do anything which distracts the driver's attention.

• Remain seated until the bus stops.

• Keep feet and articles out of the aisles.

• Keep head and arms inside the bus.

• Help keep the bus clean.

• Be quiet when crossing railroad tracks.

• Do not shout, whistle or gesture from the bus windows.

• Eating or drinking on the bus is not permitted.

• Students must sit three in an individual seat when necessary and move over to make room for others.

In case of emergency students should:

Remain calm and listen for the driver's instructions.

There are consequence for those who do not follow the procedures listed above and students who fail to comply with the rules may be suspended and or removed indefinitely from his or her bus.

SPS gives examples of poor behavior as, eating or drinking on bus; refusal to stay in seat; yelling and shouting; foul language; failing to obey reasonable requests of driver or monitor; bullying other children; pushing or shoving in line; fighting, possessing sharp objects; placing body parts or other items out the window; throwing objects out of window and littering on bus.

Bus Incident Reports are filled out and infractions are documented with copies forwarded to the parent/ guardian and school principal. The incident is logged and made available in PowerSchool, which is an online tool that helps parents interact and manage school processes.

Brandon Ross Middle School Teacher and Transportation Director for SPS said, parents and guardians are encouraged consistently review the routes for possible route changes that may occur as bus routes will change.

"We just ask that parents are patient with us, especially the first few weeks of school. Constantly check the bus routes as they will change as we adjust," Ross said.

SPS bus routes are posted on http://www.sidneyraiders.org under the Administration Tab.

 

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