MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- As the new school year begins, students across Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB) are gearing up to start classes at Maxwell Elementary Middle School (MEMS) and other schools throughout Montgomery and the River Region. With this exciting time comes the responsibility of ensuring the safety of all students, parents and staff.
As the traffic in and around the communities we live in increases, it's essential to take extra precautions and plan ahead. To start with, please allow additional time for your commute and be patient and vigilant, especially in school zones where children may be walking or biking. There may be delays getting on and off-base.
Drivers should adhere to posted speed limits, follow traffic signals, and always stop for school buses when the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing. Remember, whether you live on or off-base, safety should be the first lesson of every new school year.
If you are dropping off or picking up your children at MEMS, please use designated areas and follow the school's traffic patterns. The speed limit in school zones is 15 mph, and it’s a double fine zone, so please slow down and pay close attention while driving in these areas.
Keep in mind that children and other pedestrians may be crossing the streets. Encourage your children to use crosswalks and stay aware of their surroundings. Students who walk or bike to school should use safe routes, wear helmets if biking, and stay alert to traffic. Bikers should always get off their bike at crosswalks and walk it across the street.
If walking to school, please use sidewalks where available and only cross streets at designated crosswalks. Before crossing the street at any time, always stop and look left, right, and left again to make sure it’s clear of traffic. For additional resources on back-to-school safety, please visit: Back-to-School Safety Checklist Keeping Children Safe School Safety Homepage ALEA: Safety Rules for Back-to-School
By working together and prioritizing safety, we can ensure a smooth and secure start to the school year for everyone. Feel free to print out the attached “Back-to-School Safety Checklist” and infographic to share with the entire family!