IUSD urges motorists to be extra cautious on the first day of the new school year

Farewell, summer. We hardly knew ye.

On Wednesday, Sept. 5, thousands of students will flock back to IUSD's elementary, middle and high schools, toting backpacks full of freshly sharpened pencils, unblemished notebooks and three-ring binders, assuming binder technology hasn't quietly advanced to four rings. It should probably be noted that morning routines will be a little less familiar this week, with nearly 25,000 students heading back to campuses on the traditional calendar -- the year-rounders returned in late July -- so families with younger children may want to get an earlier start. Local motorists are also advised to exercise a little extra patience and vigilance to ensure Irvine’s streets are safe for pedestrians. As always, you can learn more about your own school through its website, which can be accessed by clicking here. To check out the district’s calendar for the 2012-13 school year, click here. Good luck!