CENTRE– Back-to-school dates are set for 16 public school systems across the WEIS listening area as summer break comes to an end.

Classes will begin on several different dates in Cherokee, Etowah, Calhoun, DeKalb, and Marshall counties. The first students return Wednesday, August 5. The final large group begins Wednesday, August 12.

Thursday, August 6, will bring the largest increase in school traffic. Students from at least eight systems will return that morning. Several additional systems will use staggered openings.

Parents should check messages from their individual schools before the first morning. Start times, orientation schedules, bus assignments, and, and staggered attendance plans can vary by campus.

Cherokee County

Students in Cherokee County Schools return Thursday, August 6.

The system includes Cedar Bluff, Centre, Cherokee County High School, Gaylesville, Sand Rock, and Spring Garden campuses.

Etowah County

All three public systems serving Etowah County list Wednesday, August 12, as the opening date.

Students return that day in Etowah County Schools and Gadsden City Schools.

The Attalla City Schools planning calendar also lists August 12 as its first student day. However, the system has announced that it will use a staggered opening schedule. Families should follow the reporting-day instructions provided by their child’s school.

Calhoun County

Several Calhoun County systems return Thursday, August 6.

Students begin that day in Anniston City Schools, Calhoun County Schools, and Oxford City Schools.

Jacksonville City Schools will use a staggered opening. Students with last names beginning with A through K report Thursday, August 6. Students with last names beginning with L through Z report Friday, August 7.

Piedmont City Schools begins classes Wednesday, August 12.

DeKalb County

DeKalb County Schools will provide the region’s earliest public-school opening. Students return Wednesday, August 5.

Fort Payne City Schools begins classes Thursday, August 6.

Fort Payne has also asked families needing bus transportation to complete the system’s bus-enrollment process. Parents should confirm that their children have received route and stop assignments before the first morning.

Marshall County

Three Marshall County systems begin Thursday, August 6.

Those systems are Arab City Schools, Guntersville City Schools, and Marshall County Schools.

Albertville City Schools and Boaz City Schools begin Wednesday, August 12.

Boaz Elementary School will use a staggered opening from August 12 through August 14. Families with elementary students should verify their assigned day directly with the school.

School Buses Return to Area Roads

The staggered calendar means school buses will begin appearing on area roads August 5. Bus activity will increase considerably the following morning.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency advises drivers to expect frequent stops and slower traffic near schools and bus routes. Motorists should also allow additional travel time during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.

Flashing amber lights warn that a bus is preparing to stop. Red lights and an extended stop arm mean children are boarding or leaving the bus.

On undivided two-, four-, and six-lane roads, traffic traveling in both directions must stop at least 20 feet from the bus. Drivers must remain stopped until the signals end and the bus resumes traveling.

The rule changes on a divided highway with four or more lanes. In that situation, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop, according to ALEA.

Passing a stopped school bus places five points on an Alabama driver’s record. More importantly, it puts children entering or crossing the roadway in immediate danger.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies riding a school bus as the safest way for children to travel to school. However, the greatest danger often occurs while students board or leave the bus.

NHTSA recommends that students arrive at their stop at least five minutes early. Children should remain at least 10 feet from the curb and wait for the driver’s signal before approaching.

After leaving the bus, students should look left, right, and left again before crossing. They should also make certain the driver can see them.

Final Preparations for Families

Families should begin adjusting sleep and morning routines before the first day. Preparing clothing, backpacks, and transportation plans the night before can also reduce delays.

Parents should review dismissal instructions with younger children. Students need to know whether they will ride a bus, enter a pickup line, attend an after-school program, or leave with another approved adult.

Children attending Alabama schools must have a current Alabama Certificate of Immunization on file. The Alabama Department of Public Health recommends contacting a physician or county health department if a student’s record needs updating.

Finally, parents should monitor their school system’s website, ParentSquare account, social media page, or other official notification service. Calendar changes, bus updates, and campus-specific instructions may be issued before opening day.