Slow down: St. Lucie schools reopen Aug. 10 | St. Lucie County

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – Public school for all students in St. Lucie County begins on Monday, Aug. 10.

The seven high schools will be open for students as early as 7:33 a.m., and the daily start of school for eleven K-8 grade schools is 7:35 a.m.

Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce begins its days at 7:23 a.m.

Dan McCarty & Forest Grove middle schools start sessions at 9:30 a.m.; while the start of school for Southern Oaks & Southport middle schools is at 9:40 a.m.

With the high schools and elementary schools, that means many students would be walking to bus stops sometimes in the dark on a on a daily basis as the days grow shorter.

The St. Lucie County School District and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office urge all parents/students/motorists to be extra cautious and to observe rules and laws pertaining to school bus safety throughout the 2026-27 school year.

“Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school,” said Lydia Martin, chief communications officer for St. Lucie Public Schools. “By practicing safe habits, following traffic laws, and utilizing tools like the ‘Here Comes the Bus’ app, families and motorists can help us create a safer environment for all students as we begin the new school year. Safety is a shared responsibility, and a little extra patience and awareness can make a big difference in protecting our students.”

The Here Comes The Bus app can be downloaded by going to www.herecomesthebus.com. For more information on the school district’s bus system, go to www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/departments/transportation.

During the first few weeks of school, families should allow extra travel time as traffic patterns increase and students adjust to their routines, Martin said.

“My message is simple: slow down, stay alert, and eliminate distractions,” Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in a statement. “Motorists must obey school zone speed limits and always stop when a school bus displays its flashing red lights and extended stop arm. Parents should take a few moments to review bus stop safety with their children, and students should remain attentive, follow the bus driver’s instructions, and never cross the street until they are signaled to do so safely.

School district officials offer these tips that parents are encouraged to review with their children regarding bus safety:

• Have the child arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early.

• Supervise younger children while they wait for the bus.

• Teach children to stay well off the roadway until the bus comes to a complete stop.

• Remind children to wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the street.

• Ensure that backpacks, clothing, and drawstrings cannot get caught in bus handrails or doors.

When walking to a bus stop, children should:

• Make eye contact with the driver before crossing the street

• Cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.

• Never cross behind a school bus.

At bus stops, students should:

• Stand at least 10 feet away from the roadway while waiting.

• Never play or run near traffic.

• Stay out of the bus’s ‘danger zone’—the area around the front sides, and rear where the driver may not see anyone.

• If something is dropped near the bus, tell the driver instead of reaching under the bus.

When on the bus, students should:

• Stay seated in assigned seats and wear seat belts (when equipped) while the bus is moving.

• Keep hands, arms, and head inside the bus.

• Keep aisles clear of backpacks and personal items.

• Speak quietly so the driver can focus on driving safely.

• Do not eat, drink or throw objects on the bus.

• Follow the driver’s instructions at all times.

Drivers are required by Florida law to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, according to the state Department of Transportation’s web site.

Drivers also must stop on two-lane roads and on multi-lane roads without a raised median or physical barrier, according to the web site.

As of May 1, Florida began issuing citations for illegal passing of a stopped school bus with stop arm extended and red lights flashing, with a $225 fine for the offense. For a second or subsequent offense within five years, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may suspend a driver’s license for 90 days up to 6 months

A driver does not have to stop when traveling in the opposite direction only if the roadway is divided by a raised median, a physical barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, according to the DOT web site.

In addition, the driver’s cell phone must be “hands-free” in a school zone. Using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner while driving in a designated school crossing, school zone, or active work zone area is against the law, according to the DOT web site.

Anyone who sees unsafe driving around school buses, dangerous conditions at bus stops, or suspicious activity near bus stops, is asked to report it to local law enforcement or the St. Lucie Public Schools Transportation Department at 772-204-RIDE.

“School safety is a shared responsibility,” Del Toro said. “Our deputies will have an increased presence around schools and along bus routes to promote compliance and protect our students, but the greatest difference comes from the choices each of us makes behind the wheel and at the bus stop. Together, we can ensure every child has a safe start to a successful school year.”

By Jeff Alexander

HTN Correspondent

ST. LUCIE COUNTY – Public school for all students in St. Lucie County begins on Monday, Aug. 10.

The seven high schools will be open for students as early as 7:33 a.m., and the daily start of school for eleven K-8 grade schools is 7:35 a.m.

Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce begins its days at 7:23 a.m.

Dan McCarty & Forest Grove middle schools start sessions at 9:30 a.m.; while the start of school for Southern Oaks & Southport middle schools is at 9:40 a.m.

With the high schools and elementary schools, that means many students would be walking to bus stops sometimes in the dark on a on a daily basis as the days grow shorter.

The St. Lucie County School District and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office urge all parents/students/motorists to be extra cautious and to observe rules and laws pertaining to school bus safety throughout the 2026-27 school year.

“Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school,” said Lydia Martin, chief communications officer for St. Lucie Public Schools. “By practicing safe habits, following traffic laws, and utilizing tools like the ‘Here Comes the Bus’ app, families and motorists can help us create a safer environment for all students as we begin the new school year. Safety is a shared responsibility, and a little extra patience and awareness can make a big difference in protecting our students.”

The Here Comes The Bus app can be downloaded by going to www.herecomesthebus.com. For more information on the school district’s bus system, go to www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/departments/transportation.

During the first few weeks of school, families should allow extra travel time as traffic patterns increase and students adjust to their routines, Martin said.

“My message is simple: slow down, stay alert, and eliminate distractions,” Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in a statement. “Motorists must obey school zone speed limits and always stop when a school bus displays its flashing red lights and extended stop arm. Parents should take a few moments to review bus stop safety with their children, and students should remain attentive, follow the bus driver’s instructions, and never cross the street until they are signaled to do so safely.

School district officials offer these tips that parents are encouraged to review with their children regarding bus safety:

• Have the child arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early.

• Supervise younger children while they wait for the bus.

• Teach children to stay well off the roadway until the bus comes to a complete stop.

• Remind children to wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the street.

• Ensure that backpacks, clothing, and drawstrings cannot get caught in bus handrails or doors.

When walking to a bus stop, children should:

• Make eye contact with the driver before crossing the street

• Cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.

• Never cross behind a school bus.

At bus stops, students should:

• Stand at least 10 feet away from the roadway while waiting.

• Never play or run near traffic.

• Stay out of the bus’s ‘danger zone’—the area around the front sides, and rear where the driver may not see anyone.

• If something is dropped near the bus, tell the driver instead of reaching under the bus.

When on the bus, students should:

• Stay seated in assigned seats and wear seat belts (when equipped) while the bus is moving.

• Keep hands, arms, and head inside the bus.

• Keep aisles clear of backpacks and personal items.

• Speak quietly so the driver can focus on driving safely.

• Do not eat, drink or throw objects on the bus.

• Follow the driver’s instructions at all times.

Drivers are required by Florida law to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, according to the state Department of Transportation’s web site.

Drivers also must stop on two-lane roads and on multi-lane roads without a raised median or physical barrier, according to the web site.

As of May 1, Florida began issuing citations for illegal passing of a stopped school bus with stop arm extended and red lights flashing, with a $225 fine for the offense. For a second or subsequent offense within five years, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may suspend a driver’s license for 90 days up to 6 months

A driver does not have to stop when traveling in the opposite direction only if the roadway is divided by a raised median, a physical barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, according to the DOT web site.

In addition, the driver’s cell phone must be “hands-free” in a school zone. Using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner while driving in a designated school crossing, school zone, or active work zone area is against the law, according to the DOT web site.

Anyone who sees unsafe driving around school buses, dangerous conditions at bus stops, or suspicious activity near bus stops, is asked to report it to local law enforcement or the St. Lucie Public Schools Transportation Department at 772-204-RIDE.

“School safety is a shared responsibility,” Del Toro said. “Our deputies will have an increased presence around schools and along bus routes to promote compliance and protect our students, but the greatest difference comes from the choices each of us makes behind the wheel and at the bus stop. Together, we can ensure every child has a safe start to a successful school year.”