Palm Springs Unified School District students head back to class

Students and teachers in the Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) head back to class Wednesday as the district begins its 2017-2018 school year. More than 23,000 students will be going to class district-wide.

The district reminds parents that the first day of school is a minimum day and to check school schedules on its website.

Heavy traffic is anticipated in school zones. The Auto Club of Southern California offered these safety tips to drivers.

1. Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster. A difference between 25 mph and 35 mph can save a life.

2. Eliminate distractions. Children often cross the road unexpectedly and may emerge suddenly between two parked cars. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.

3. Reverse responsibly. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, driveway and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach your children to never play in, under or around vehicles–even those that are parked.

4. Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.

5. Watch for bicycles. Children on bikes are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle.

The district was also anticipating the rush of drivers and asking parents to plan ahead and be patient.

“Come early, and, there are some parents there for the first time. They don’t know how it works so come early, be patient, drive slowly,” Joan Boiko, public information officer for PSUSD, said.

There’s excitement in the air at Katherine Finchy Elementary School in Palm Springs where kids and parents were all waiting to embark on the first day of class. “I’m really excited about the first day of school. It actually seems to have come up really quick. Summer’s over so fast. I know it’s going to be good,” Laura Camacho, a parent, said. For her and her daughter Miranda, it’s a big day. Miranda’s starting first grade and already has the itch to learn…with some parental guidance. “My dad always says do homework….dad,” she said while giving her father a look. Crossing guards were on hand directing traffic, while police officers were out on the lookout for violations writing tickets on illegally parked cars on campus. Camacho says she made sure plan ahead to get to school on time. “The first day of school we try to get here early so we can avoid some of that extra traffic and all the chaos of the first day of school.” Palm Springs Unified School District Superintendent Sandra Lyon said a main goal of the new year is for students to forge bonds with their new teachers. “Linda Darlingham…who’s a famous educator said ‘Students learn as much for a teacher as they do from a teacher’,” Lyons said. When it comes to goals, six year old Miranda is keeping simple. “First, I have to pass first grade….and then second grade third grade….and the fourth grade, then 5th grade, then sixth grade and seventh grade…”