Back To School Billings - with News Talk 730, KYYA

It's back to school time in Billings! But we wanted to make it easier for you this year, so we've put together this page jam-packed with tips and resources to make this back to school the easiest ever!

Special thanks to all of our sponsors who stepped forward to make this page possible.

School Safety Tips

If You're Dropping Off

  • Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
  • Don't load or unload children across the street from the school
  • Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

  • Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
  • In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
  • Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
  • Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
  • Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
  • Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
  • Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with School Buses

  • Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
  • If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
  • The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
  • Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

  • When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
  • When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
  • If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
  • Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
  • Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
  • Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
  • Check side mirrors before opening your door

Back To School Safety Tips from National Safety Council. Visit NSC.org for more.

Answers from the Principals of Billings School District 2


Extra Curricular Activities
David Cobb - Principal, Billings West High School

Attendance
Kevin Kirkman - Principal, Riverside Middle School

Safety When Bussing, Walking, and Bike Riding
Kim Beatty - Principal, Big Sky Elementary

Homework Balance
Travis Niemeyer - Principal, Beartooth Elementary

 

Back to School Links

Billings Public Schools
http://www.billingsschools.org/elementary-schools.html
http://www.billingsschools.org/middle-schools.html
http://www.billingsschools.org/high-schools.html

Billings Catholic Schools
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/saint-francis-primary/
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/saint-francis-intermediate/
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/saint-francis-upper/
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/billings-central-catholic-high-school/