Watch for children, SGI reminds drivers as students head back to school

Regina students returned to the classroomTuesday morning, some with a combination of emotions.

"Kind of excited, kind of sad, kind of mixed up because I'm kind of upset that summer's over, but I'm also kind of excited to see some of my other friends," said student Samantha Phoenix.

She was also anxious to meet her teacher.

"I'm not a big fan of strict. I'm hoping that she's nice."

KealeePlayford, Samantha's mom, said she was looking forward to getting back into routineas she dropped her daughtersoff at school.

"My kids probably think differently," shesaid.

Chloe Phoenix, Playford's younger daughter, is starting Grade 1.

"I'm excited about learning more and making new friends," Chloe said.

She was almost as excited about learning as she was about the light-up sneakers she had in her backpack.

"I'm looking forward to go out at recess," she added.

Mom Shan Shan Wu was nervousbecause it was her daughterVivienneYao'sfirst day of kindergarten at Massey school.

"But it's still exciting," she said, adding Vivienne had been attending daycare and has become comfortable in a group setting.

Wu was worried about potential challenges posed by language.

"I'm not sure whether she can adapt to the new environment, and, you know, the language barrier, because she speaks Chinese at home," she said. "But I'm pretty confident with her."

Vivienne also speaks English and will start to learn French.

Christina Attard'sdaughter is about to begin Grade 3and her son was going into playschool.

"It's nice that we got them a spot in the same school for the first time and they're really excited to have recesstogether," she said.

Her daughter Bridget was excited to be back in art class, hang out on the swings and to see her friends again. Meanwhile, Gus was excited to play with trucks.

"'Cause I like trucks," he said.

SGIpromotes school zone safety

Regina Public Schools reminded parents and students who are walking to school to usecrosswalks.

"September is an exciting and somewhat distracting time for students,parents and school staff. Their focus is on the newschool year," said GregEnion, Regina Public Schools, Director of Education, in a news release.

"If you're walking to school, please remember not to jaywalk, and when possible, cross only at intersections with crosswalks."

SGI is also reminding drivers to slow down in school zones.

"As a parent, I can't imagine a worse feeling than getting a phone call telling me that my child has been hit by a car crossing the street going to school," SGI spokesperson Tyler McMurchy said.

"As a motorist, I can't imagine a worse feeling than knowing I was responsible for hitting a child."

• SGI cautions motorists to be alert in school zones

Speeding fines in school zones begin at $140 and increase for every km/hmore than the posted speed limit. Drivers also receive three demerit pointsif they're caught speeding.

SGI is reminding drivers to:

• Obey posted speeds and be prepared to stop.
• Don't park in no parking zones.
• Don't stop in or block a crosswalk.
• Be careful around school buses.

SGI also shared tips for pedestrians:

• Put down the cellphone
• Don't jaywalk across the road
• Look both ways before crossing the street

No pedestrians were injured in a school zone last year.