Welcome Back! Fairfax County Students Return to Classrooms for 2017-18 School Year

Happy 1st day of school Armstrong! #firstdayfairfax pic.twitter.com/7Zlz02ctJy

— Armstrong Elementary School FCPS (@ArmstrongFcps) August 28, 2017

School’s back in session for Fairfax County students.

Classes began for the 2017-18 year this morning at all schools in the county. For the first time in decades, the first day of school is the week before Labor Day, meaning students and their families need to get familiar with their new routines during the last week of August this year.

Fairfax County officials are reminding residents that more than 1,700 buses travel around the county each school day to transport students. Drivers must stop in both directions when they encounter a bus with flashing red lights, except when they are separated from the bus by a median.

Kids are back to school tomorrow morning. Please drive safely and cautiously and follow all school zone and school bus laws. pic.twitter.com/kSKbd14DMh

— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) August 27, 2017

Here are some more safety tips to keep in mind when driving during the school year:

1. Be alert. Children are unpredictable. Children walking or biking may show up suddenly and quickly; pay attention at all times.
2. Drivers should not block crosswalks. Allow pedestrians plenty of space to walk safely.
3. Pay attention to school zones, especially where they start and end. Those slower school zone speed limits are there for a reason. Follow the speed limit when the lights are flashing.
4. Always stop when directed by a police officer or crossing guard.

To see more photos from and information about the first day of school, check out #FirstDayFairfax on Twitter.