The collective sigh you have heard around our community this past week can only mean one thing, school is back in session in Newton County and Social Circle.

If you have been out to eat or shopping recently, you would have seen moms with big smiles and just a little more giddy-up in their walks, and you probably saw children with the look of doom and despair in their eyes.

But that will soon change because the starting of school means Halloween and Christmas are just around the corner. Those looks of doom and despair will soon be changed to looks of joy and anticipation.

For those of us who have been on a fast paced summer driving schedule, please remember that buses and kids will be on our roads and byways. Give yourself a little more time to get to where you are going.

Please stop for all school buses, stop at all crosswalks and be prepared to stop even if the crosswalks are not being used properly .

Together we can make this a safe accident-free school year.

We owe it to our children to do so.