Today is the start of a new school year in Newton. One big change is the use of three elementary buildings instead of four. Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess says that will mean extra traffic for the areas around Emerson Hough, Thomas Jefferson, and Woodrow Wilson schools. He encourages community members to avoid those areas if possible during student pick-up and drop off times.

“There’s pedestrian concerns and bicycle safety concerns. Some of the kids and their parents may not be as familiar with the neighbors as much as they were with their previous school. There’s some transition period there too. I think patience is the thing we are really going to push. Keep it under the speed limit, have your eyes and ears wide open, give all your hugs and kisses at home and not in front of the school so traffic keeps moving and the lines don’t get backed up.”

Since this is the students first day back, they get out an hour and a half early. You can hear more about school safety from Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess on today’s Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Let’s Talk Newton