Police To Expand Traffic Enforcement As Students Return To School

ARLINGTON, VA — Starting Tuesday, PreK and second grade students in Arlington Public Schools will be returning to their classrooms for hybrid, in-person learning. Since this is the first time students will be walking, riding buses, and bicycling back to class in almost a year, the Arlington Police Department will be stepping up it traffic enforcement around school zones and bus stops, according to a police release.

Police are asking the public to reacquaint themselves with the location of school zones and applicable traffic laws, especially those involving school buses. In addition, students will have to walk and bicycle further than in the past, as many "walk zones" around schools have been expanded. The public should also expect increased traffic around schools beginning Tuesday.

Arlington County will be installing variable message boards along roadways reminding motorists to slow down and be mindful of students heading to school. The Department of Environmental Services will also be installing temporary parking restrictions near schools to establish safe park and walk zones. Motorists should be aware of the temporary parking restriction signage shown here:

In February, Dr. Francisco Durán, the APS superintendent of Arlington Public Schools, announced the dates when APS students will be returning to school for hybrid/in-person learning, after being stuck at home for months studying virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following is the timeline for students' return to in-school learning:

• Week of Tuesday, March 2:
  • PreK-2nd grade students
  • All students enrolled in Countywide Elementary Special Education Programs (PreK-5th grade – mini MIPA, MIPA, Life Skills, Communications and Deaf and Hard of Hearing – in person four days a week, Tuesday-Friday)
  • Elementary students enrolled in Interlude
• Week of Tuesday, March 9:
  • 3rd – 5th grade students
  • 6th and 9th grade students
  • All students enrolled in Countywide Secondary Special Education Programs (6th-12th grade – MIPA, Life Skills, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Shriver Program – in person four days a week, Tuesday-Friday)
  • Secondary students enrolled in Interlude and PEP program
• Week of Tuesday, March 16:
• 7th – 8th grade students
• 10th – 12th grade students