MIAMI – Students from Palm Beach to Monroe counties return to school Monday morning and that means traffic delays for South Florida drivers.
The law enforcement community is ready to issue speeding tickets. Hollywood Police Department Officer Chris Christianson said he is ready.
"Make sure you maintain those speeds in the school zones," Christianson said. "It's important that you watch the traffic control devices. Those are the signs that say 'No Parking,' 'No Turning Left,' 'No Turning Right' so the traffic flow is really good."
Teachers, administrators and district employees prepared and trained to welcome the crowds of children and teenagers. Aside from the occasional headache and new school anxiety, teachers in Miami-Dade will also have to decide if their students will be observing the solar eclipse.
"It's going to be a great day. We are excited about the first day of school," Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said. "For me, it is the best day of the year."
Students will be showing off new book bags and gadgets. Retail experts estimate the typical family spends about $668 in the U.S. The retail industry expected consumers to spend some $29.5 billion on supplies. This year's new trends include
Backpacks, tablets and water bottles were among the most popular items purchased. Some teachers will be looking to help students in need. Churches and organizations like Community Partnership for the Homeless in Miami were still accepting donations.
Parents will have to worry about making sure their children's vaccination records are in order. School districts require diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTaP), polio series (IPV), measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), hepatitis B series (Hep B) and varicella tetanus/pertussis booster (Tdap) vaccinations.
Also experiencing anxiety and in some cases tears will be the children going to school for the first time. Share your experience, difficulties, photos and videos at Share@Local10.com