Kids across Niagara-on-the-Lake waved goodbye to summer with books in their hands as they made their way into the first day of school on Tuesday morning.
When the final bell rang to send kids home at 3:05, students at St. Davids Public School were eager to get back to their parents.
Nadia Jamal anxiously awaited pickup for her four-year-old daughter Kiana, who just finished her first day of junior kindergarten.
Jamal said she was able to get some errands done, but still missed her little one all day.
“I kept reminding myself that she can do it and I thought of her every second,” she said.
Kiana ran into her mom’s arms before telling The Lake Report her favourite part of school was playing and meeting new friends.
The first day back can be a big deal even for older kids.
Eighth-grader Leah Pfeffer was catching up with family friends Lily and Sadie Shearer at pickup time.
Leah said she was anxious to get back to school and see her friends again.
Lily Shearer, who was starting Grade 4, said she had been looking forward to meeting her new teacher.
“She was good,” she said.
While hordes of kids made their way out of the school and into buses and cars, parents and teachers were assured that everyone was kept safe.
Niagara Regional Police were stationed at different schools in NOTL throughout the day for the 24th anniversary of Road Safety Day.
Following Crossroads Public School in the morning and St. Michael Catholic School at lunchtime, officers patrolled near St. Davids during pickup time.
“It’s important that the community is aware that in our school zones, people take extra steps to drive safely,” Const. Phil Gavin said in an interview.
An officer was on hand with a radar speed gun, ensuring drivers were adhering to limits in front of the school.
Near schools across the region, officers stopped nearly 150 vehicles on the first day of classes. They issued 57 tickets for speeding and 29 for other offences. Three people were arrested on outstanding warrants.
Along with education and enforcement outside of the school, Gavin said officers had a chance to chat with students about road safety.
“Which is a really awesome element of this as well,” he said.
