Patrick County School officials urge parents and guardians to arrive at the bus stop a few minutes early and motorists to exercise caution on the roads every day, but especially as students return to classes on Thursday, Aug. 9.

Dean Gilbert, director of operations, said school bus safety on the road is always of paramount concern.

When a school bus is stopped to load or unload youngsters, all motorists must stop, Gilbert said.

At intersections, drivers approaching from any direction must stop and remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway or highway and the bus is back in motion, Gilbert said.

Those traveling on undivided highways, roads or streets – even in the center lane – also must stop and remain stopped until the roadway is clear and the bus begins to move, he said.

Motorists encountering a stopped school bus while traveling in any direction on divided highways, streets or roads also must stop “if there is no physical barrier,” Gilbert said. For example, “if the bus is going east and you’re traveling west, you’ve got to stop.”

If there is a physical barrier separating a divided highway, motorists traveling in the opposite direction of a stopped bus do not have to stop, he added.

Additionally, Gilbert said he is asking parents/guardians to have their bus riders at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is supposed to pick up students. He also advised buses could be 10 minutes late in the afternoons.

“We’re asking parents to do this for the first couple of weeks,” Gilbert said, adding buses may be delayed, on schedule or early for many different reasons.

Andrea Cassell, assistant superintendent of instruction, said a free breakfast will be offered to all students in all schools, just as in years past.

Students in the Patrick County High School participated in the Chromebooks 1:1 initiative last year, and this year, it will be extended to students in grades 5 to 7, Cassell said.

Students in primary and elementary schools also will have iPads and laptops they can use in the classroom, she said, adding educators “have been preparing all summer and in sessions since August 1 to learn new techniques and help students embrace technology in the classroom.

New staff members have attended orientation, and also a meeting Monday which provided for breakout sessions in all departments and the opportunity for both new and returning staff members to share resources, Cassell said.

Members of the Patrick County School Board, school officials and students also pulled together Monday to hold a cookout for new staff members.

“We’re always excited when our students return to class,” Cassell said. “We have wonderful students and great staff members who are excited to be here.”

Cassell said the division also has picked up a few new students this year, with some families moving into the county because of the school division.

“That shows how strong our school division is,” Cassell said, adding she believes that is because the division is supportive of families and individuals students.

“We truly look out for individual student needs,” Cassell said. “We and our teachers look out for what is best for every child.”