Hamilton-Wenham Students Head Back to Class This Week

Fall? Is that you in the air?

Regardless the weather, it’s going to look a lot more like fall next week in Hamilton and Wenham when the towns’ schools throw open the doors and welcome students back into the classrooms.

Classes for students grades first through 12th begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8. That’s the day after Labor Day. Kindergarten screening also takes place that day, with classes for kindergartners beginning on Sept. 10.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Mind the crosswalks and crossing guards. Hamilton police reiterated to Patch this summer that crosswalk and bicycle safety are always top-of-mind among officers who watch carefully for drivers who violate the law to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. There’s a $200 fine for drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk.
• Pay attention to school zones. State law mandates that drivers travel 20 mph or under in school zones (lower speed limits can be set locally). Watch your speed!
• School bus stop signs aren’t suggestions or recommendations to slow down. They are STOP signs. Anyone caught passing a school bus with its warning lights on is subject to a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense, according to Massachusetts state law. Wenham police issued a statement in August related to school bus safety for kids and a reminder of the law for drivers.
• In general, kids will be walking and biking to and from school. Be extra cautious on the roads.

Here are the hours for Swampscott schools:

School Hours:

• Elementary Schools: 8:25 a.m.-2:57 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday); 8:25 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Wednesday)
• Middle School and High School: 7:40 a.m.-2:20 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday); 7:40 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Wednesday)