Normal Police reminding drivers to be on the lookout as students return to the classroom

Posted on January 15, 2021
Students in District 87 could choose in-person learning or online learning. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Students are slowly returning to the classroom in McLean County amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which means increased traffic around school zones.

Normal Police Public Information Officer Brad Park told WJBC’s Marc Strauss while it’s nice to see students return to in-person learning, he’s reminding families to use caution when driving around school zones.

“The most important thing in my mind is all of our kid’s safety, are our kids going back to school…It kind of brings life back to the community when you see, (and) you know parents lined up to get their kids back to school… It’s one of those things that we just want to make sure all the kids are safe. The buses are going to be out there driving slowly and very cautiously through school zones.”

Park said as the weather warms up, more students would be riding their bikes and walking to school, and drivers should always be on the lookout.

“We can always pray for warmer weather that maybe some kids be riding their bikes or walking to and from school, so just definitely be aware of that. We don’t want any kid anybody getting hurt going to and from school, obviously.”

Students in Unit 5 are in the classroom twice a week with the other days online, while students in District 87 had an option of in-person or online learning.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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