Students in USD 398 will head back to the classroom Monday to begin the 2010-11 school year.

“I want to remind everyone to allow a few extra minutes to get where they are going in the mornings now that school is starting again,” Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke said, “especially the first week when youngsters are excited to get back to school. They probably are not watching out for you so we want you to drive defensively and watch out for the children.”

Parents should remind their children to cross major intersections at marked crosswalks, whether walking or biking to school.

“And it never hurts to remind them again to look both ways before they step into the street,” Burke said.

“Also, parents of high school-age drivers need to encourage their young drivers to be aware of what is going on around them,” he added. “Have them turn down the radio, stay off the phone, and wait until they are parked to text a friend.”

Burke said police officers will be on the streets before and after school each day.