As new school year begins, officials stress importance of safe driving and commuting [Video]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – As Anchorage children prepare to return to the classrooms, district officials are reminding people to drive slowly and alert through school zones, especially during the start and end times of the school day.

The 2024-25 school year kicks off Thursday for most grade levels. Grades 8, 10, 11 and 12 start on Friday, while the school year for preschoolers and kindergarteners starts on Thursday, Aug. 22.

“We’ll see heavy traffic for most of the morning, parents coming in, picking up, dropping off, busses coming and going,” said Joel Akers, the principal of Chugach Optional School.

With new school hours going into effect this year, commuters should be aware of the possibility of increased foot traffic between 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Middle school now lets out Tuesday to Friday at 4 p.m.

Akers said parents who permit their children to get to school on …