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As we move into the first couple weeks of school, I would like to emphasize the importance of student safety. Student safety is a community-wide responsibility and therefore takes a community effort to keep our students safe.

An increased focus on traffic safety is warranted as our days become shorter, traffic increases with school drop-offs/pickups, and as students walk or ride bikes to and from school. Areas of particular concern are near schools, in school parking lots, during drop-off and pick-up times, and at bus stops.

Community members often wonder how they can help increase safety. So, what can you do to increase student safety? Parents, you can help keep our students safe by talking to your own children about the importance of being aware of their surroundings, staying off their cell phones when crossing streets, using crosswalks and helping them choose the safest ways to school.

Community members, you help increase student safety when you slow down in areas where children are present as they aren’t always paying attention to their surroundings. When you see students near roadways slow down and use caution.

Safety around school buses is also very important. ÍáÍáÂþ»­ bus drivers are doing their best not to impede traffic, however, to safely pick up / drop off students there are areas where we must stop traffic at times. I want to remind you of the different types of flashing lights on a bus and what they mean for you as a driver.

Hazard lights are the typical yellow lights located below the windows and are near the headlights and tail lights. These are to catch your attention and are used when a bus is about to make the required stop for all railroad crossings or are used when a bus is pulled off the road to alert other drivers of its presence. You should use caution when moving past a bus with its hazard lights on, however, you are not required to stop.

Yellow flashing lights above the driver's window and above the rear exit door signal to you that a bus is about to make a student pick up / drop off, be prepared to stop, students are near.

Red flashing lights above the driver's window and above the rear exit door signal to you that the bus is actively making a stop. You should also notice a stop arm with red flashing lights extended on the driver's side of the bus. This means that all traffic in both directions needs to come to a complete stop. A student is being picked up/dropped off.

Failure to stop or driving around a stoparm is against the law and carries legal consequences. It is never OK to drive around a bus that has a stop arm extended. Bus drivers do not want to hold up traffic and will get you on your way as soon as the student is safely seated or dropped off.

If you have any questions on school bus safety, and as always, if you would like to get more information or have questions about Bemidji Area ÍáÍáÂþ»­s please feel free to contact me. Thank you for keeping our students safe!

Jeremy Olson is the superintendent of Bemidji Area ÍáÍáÂþ»­s. He can be reached at (218) 407-9645 or dr_jeremy_olson@isd31.net.