Teachers back at work preparing for students next week

Teachers at Orange County public schools are back to work for the 2024-25 school year with students to begin classes next week.

West Orange-Cove students will start on Monday, August 12, with the other districts, Bridge City, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Orangefield, and Vidor getting students on Wednesday, August 14.

On Tuesday for the first time, teachers and administrators from all five school districts gathered for a convocation at West Orange-Stark High School's new event center, G&G Enterprises Arena. Usually, each district has its own convocation to start the new year.

The featured speaker was Dr. Adolph 'Doc' Brown, an inspirational speaker who got the crowd enthusiastic about working with children and preparing them for the future.

State law requires drivers in both directions to stop for a school bus with caution lights or stop lights on. That includes drivers on busy thoroughfares that have several lanes of traffic, including Texas Avenue in Bridge City and 16th Street in Orange, both of which are part of Texas Highway 87.

However, if there is a grassy or concrete median between the opposite lanes, the rule is different. If a school bus stops on a boulevard with the median, the traffic going in the same direction of the bus must stop. However, the vehicles in the opposite direction across from the median may continue driving.

Texas law makes it illegal for drivers to pass a stopped school bus. A driver with a first conviction will face a fine of $500 to $1,250 for the offense. A second conviction has a fine of $1,000 to $2,000 with possible suspension of driver's license.

If a driver passing a school bus causes serious bodily harm to a child, they could have a maximum $4,000 fine plus up to a year in jail.

Drivers are also asked to slow down and watch speeds in school zones. Fines can range up to $400 for going faster than the posted speed limit for school hours. Some cities add more based on miles per hour over the limit.

But facing fines isn't the most pressing issue for drivers to be careful around school children, buses, and school zones. No one wants to see a student hurt or killed.