Minnesota Students Back Today - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

New Start/End Times

Labor day has come and gone, and that means students in Minnesota are headed back to the classrooms. Along with the excitement of a new school year, students in Moorhead have some big changes to get used to.

Teachers and kids in Moorhead have new start times this fall, and Superintendent Lynn Kovash says it gives students a longer school day and saves money.

• Elementary schools are starting at 7:55 a.m. and finish up at 2:40 p.m.
• Horizon Middle School starts at 9:05 a.m. and the final bell rings at 3:50 p.m.
• Moorhead High School starts at 8:25 a.m. and are done at 3:30 p.m.

Back to School Traffic Safety

Also, remember there will be a lot more car and pedestrian traffic and it's important to look out for students in school zones and along routes to school.

The Moorhead Police Department asks to consider morning and mid-afternoon commute delays associated with increased bicycle/pedestrian traffic and more cars on the roads.  Moorhead Officers will be actively enforcing school speed zones and helping ensure that the crossing guards are complied with. Distracted driving laws and seat belt violations will also be enforced.  Fines in Minnesota start at $125, so please drive safely. 

Fees for passing a school bus can be hefty, not to mention, dangerous. It is illegal to pass a school bus that has flashing lights and their stop arm out. Failure to comply with this driving law will continue to be strictly enforced due to the high level of danger that these violations present to the children.

Another significant annual school safety concern is with dropping off children at the schools.  The Moorhead Police Department ask that you respect the school bus loading and unloading zones. Private vehicle drop offs are not to be conducted in these bus zones.