This is the first week of school, which means students are sharpening their pencils (or maybe just charging their iPads) and heading to their classrooms. We wish them luck on the 2012-13 school year but wanted to remind the general public to use caution now that so many youngsters are out and about.

A new school year means hundreds of children walking, biking, scootering and using other forms of transportation to get to and from school. It also means lots more cars on the road in the hour before and hour after the school day as parents and guardians drop off and pick up children. Watch carefully for children of all ages who might not know who has the right-of-way.

And let us not forget the many buses that will be traveling on area roads. Watch for children loading onto and off of the buses, and be sure to stop when you see the stop-arm extended. Better yet, just slow down when you see a school bus.

Everyone can help make this a great school year by remembering to practice caution on the roadways.

 — Albert Lea Tribune