In case you missed it, summer is winding down (although temperatures outside don’t yet reflect the fact), and the fall school year is about to start. Some of the area private schools are starting the 17th, but most public institutions are kicking off on the 22nd. With this in mind the City of Tyler is reminding its citizens that starting Monday, its school zones will be going back into action. Area commuters would probably be wise to alter their routes if necessary and or possible. The zones can be a source of frustration if you find yourself in a time crunch on the way to work in the morning. They will be in operation from approximately 7:30 to 9:00 am, and 2:30 to 4:45 pm, depending on the school and its hours of operation. Different schools have plans to deal with traffic flow, but the city is reminding drivers to be alert at pedestrian crosswalks, and to look out for crossing guards directing traffic.
It’s also worth mentioning that cell phone use is prohibited in any and school zones. Financial penalties so these offences are much higher for those ticketing in Tyler’s school zones. For more info on the TISD schedules or that of Grace Christian School, (evidently that particular zone can be a headache for those who have to contend with it), go to www.tylerisd.org or www.gracetyler.org .
Historically these traditions have not been a major part of private, religious education, but in recent years, private school parents and students have expressed the desire for a more traditional high school experience in the most positive sense. To meet this demand even smaller institutions have started making them a part of their fall calendars. Case in point, King’s Academy held its Homecoming football game and dance this weekend. While the school is on the small side, the student body forges ahead, determined to uphold the time honored rituals of college- prep schools. One interesting aspect of holding these events in a smaller school is that everyone participates. Attendance is always good thanks to a rather positive function of peer pressure. The football team makes up around half the male population of King’s, which says a lot for the student’s school spirit in my opinion.