As new school year begins, officials stress importance of safe driving and commuting

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - As Anchorage children prepare to return to the classrooms, district officials are reminding people to drive slowly and alert through school zones, especially during the start and end times of the school day.

The 2024-25 school year kicks off Thursday for most grade levels. Grades 8, 10, 11 and 12 start on Friday, while the school year for preschoolers and kindergarteners starts on Thursday, Aug. 22.

“We’ll see heavy traffic for most of the morning, parents coming in, picking up, dropping off, busses coming and going,” said Joel Akers, the principal of Chugach Optional School.

With new school hours going into effect this year, commuters should be aware of the possibility of increased foot traffic between 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Middle school now lets out Tuesday to Friday at 4 p.m.

Akers said parents who permit their children to get to school on their own should discuss where the child will be walking and how long it will take them to arrive.

Akers also said that he recommends that families dress their students accordingly for walking to school. And if a situation appears unsafe, drive them to school instead.

“Don’t have them dressed darkly, you know, you can buy reflective strips that students can wear on their jackets,” he said.

Copyright 2024 KTUU. All rights reserved.