Alarms are set, school buses are on roads as kids head back to school

It’s the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ for many children — and parents — in the region this morning as students head back to school.

That means it’s a return to early morning alarms, homework and routines for students enrolled in the Hamilton, Niagara and Grand Erie school boards.

Students in Halton have one more day to sleep in — except for students in the French and French-Catholic school boards who are back in classrooms today.

With any new educational year comes back-to-school nerves mixed with excitement before the routines set in.

Many kids and families spent the final days of summer vacation doing school shopping, getting a haircut or buying the newest shoes, while also trying to soak up the last moments of August.

With school buses back on the roads police across the region are reminding drivers to be alert, never pass a stopped school bus if the stop arm is out and always obey speed limits in school zones.

Constable Adam Kimber with Hamilton police says that drivers need to “exercise some patience today.”

“Put your phone down, focus on what’s going on,” says Const. Kimber, adding that drivers not adhering to school bus stoppage road rules will face a $490 fine and lose six demerit points.

READ MORE: GO Transit boosts bus service for back-to-school season starting Aug. 30