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It’s that time of year again — when the warm lazy days of summer slide into crisp fall mornings. And that, of course, means school is back in session.
Sept. 2 is the start of a brand new academic year. Yep, there are new teachers, new classrooms, new subjects to study and new opportunities to explore.
For some kids, it’s their first time in school — ever. For others, it’s going to a new school, whether it’s moving from elementary to middle school or middle to high school or even leaving Winchester for college.
A new academic year is always an exciting time for Winchester’s families, full of promise and challenges and anticipation.
But a new school year is also a time to take some extra care. A time to be just a bit more careful as you drive around town to various sports and events and concerts and whatnot.
Please build in some extra time as you head off to school or work so you’re not rushing. Slow down when you’re driving around schools or playgrounds or other locations where children are present.
More kids are walking or biking to school, recreational facilities or afterschool programs and they don’t always look both ways when they cross the streets.
And parents, make sure to go over how to look both ways at crosswalks and to make sure to follow the rules of the road when biking. Safe Routes to School has a lot of wonderful information for families, whether you’re walking, biking or rolling.
If we all take a few extra minutes, what a wonderful school year we will all have!
Nell Escobar Coakley has been a journalist for more than 30 years. She is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Gotta Know Medford and editor of Winchester News. She can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
