Full Notification

It’s August and that means it’s the time kids dread and parents rejoice – back to school. By the end of the week, most Hamilton County students will be back in school. Start dates for area schools include:

Noblesville – August 2
Carmel – August 11
Hamilton Heights – August 11
Hamilton Southeastern – August 12
Sheridan – August 12
Westfield – August 13

Sheriff Bowen would like to remind residents of tips to keep this a safe school year. Laws and signs are posted to keep children and motorists safe.

Motorists
~Be prepared for longer morning and evening commutes as school buses and increased vehicular traffic must be dealt with.
~Watch for students waiting in and around bus stops as well as walking to school.
~Be patient with school buses. State law requires vehicles traveling both directions on undivided roadways to stop for a school bus with a stop arm extended.
~Stay alert for school speed zones. Signage may vary between schools so read and obey the posted speed zone for each school.
~Follow the posted signage on school property, including stop signs, speed limits, and directional arrows. The attitude and example you set are noticed and followed by the younger generation.
~Penalties for violating school speed limits and other school laws are often increased and may include a mandatory court appearance.

Parents
~Remind students to stay back from the roadway when waiting for a school bus. The bus stop is not a place for horseplay and games.
~Teach students to wait for the bus to stop completely before approaching it. If an item is dropped, do not try to retrieve it without checking with the bus driver.
~Encourage children to obey the bus driver. Driving a bus is no easy task and the driver does not need added distractions from unruly riders.
~Have children report and suspicious or unusual activity to an adult. Most schools in Hamilton County have a school resource officer that can help your child.
~Young students may need to practice how to cross streets safely, wait patiently for buses, and other basic safety procedures.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will be active assisting motorists, parents, and students adjust back to the school year and school traffic patterns. Let’s have a safe 2015-2016 school year.