Share Your First Day of School PhotosSyracuse (WSYR-TV) - With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, it is now back-to-school time throughout Central New York.
Commuters in the region will notice the extra school bus traffic in their neighborhoods beginning as early as Tuesday. Among the districts starting classes Tuesday morning were Fayetteville-Manlius, Onondaga, Tully, Hannibal, Phoenix, Cazenovia, LaFayette, Marcellus, and East Syracuse-Minoa.
“Every year, the first day of school is an exciting day. I know it’s exciting for our children…all of our students…no matter what grade level they’re at, this is an exciting day for all of our teachers, our bus drivers, our administrators…all of our support staff, both on the instructional and non-instructional areas…we can’t do it alone, this really is an entire team that gets ready for this first day,” said ESM Superintendent Donna DeSiato.
Teachers in ESM are looking forward to presenting new programs to students. The high school is offering a class entitled Introduction to Renewable Energy class in partnership with SUNY-ESF.
“It’s a great class where kids get to learn about traditional energy as well as the new, renewable energies and its impact on our environment, our economy, and possibilities for the future,” said ESM Director of Curriculum Kathy Southwell.
Southwell noted that in a changing world, in some cases teachers and administrators need to reconsider the way they educate.
“As the world is changing around us with the kind of information we have access to, how we access that information, how we communicate, and the problems that are out there with the economy and the environment, we really need to think about changing what’s occurring within our schools by offering new classes and changing the way we teach to help kids really lead and excel in their future,” Southwell said.
The Syracuse City School District starts on Wednesday, along with West Genesee, North Syracuse, and Baldwinsville. Liverpool Central School District classes begin on Thursday.
Bus drivers, school district officials, and other community leaders are asking commuters to be aware of buses and the students that ride them.
The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement reminding commuters to be wary of students:
Drivers in Onondaga County are being reminded that opening of schools begins this week. Sheriff Kevin Walsh wants to remind commuters to be aware of the children walking to school, crossing streets, or awaiting at bus stops. Commuters are also being asked to obey the marked school zones during school hours. These school zones will are designated by flashing lights with a lower posted speed. When buses display red flashing lights, traffic must stop in both directions- even in a four-lane undivided highway.
Sheriff Walsh wants to remind parents that it’s best to accompany children, or guardian to accompany children, when they are traveling to and from bus stops and to report any suspicious persons near bus stops or schools.
