Flashing yellow lights around town will usher in the new school year. They also signal drivers to be aware children could be crossing the streets in those school zones. 

The lighted school zone warning signals will be turned on Thursday for the 2020-2021 school year. Unified School District 428 schools start classes on Thursday and Holy Family School on Monday. Central Kansas Christian Academy started school this past Wednesday.

“The lights are programmed right now to come on those mornings,” said James Giles, Great Bend street superintendent.

The flashing school zone times are:

• Washington Early Education Center  

7:30 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.

10:55 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

11:50 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

3 p.m. –  3:30 p.m.

• Riley Elementary School

7 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.

3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Rest of USD 428 district

7:30 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.

3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Central Kansas Christian Academy

7:40 a.m. –  8:25 a.m.

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

• Holy Family School

7:30 a.m. – 8:05 a.m.

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

“We here at the Great Bend Police Department are preparing for another school year,” Police Chief David Bailey said. The yellow caution lights for school zones will be activated on Thursday and the enforcement of these caution school zone lights will begin that morning. 

“The 20 mile per hour speed limit will be enforced whenever the caution lights are flashing,” Bailey said. He also reminded motorists that there are some school zones in Great Bend that are only marked by signs and there are no caution lights in the areas. 

“These school zone areas will also be strictly enforced,” he said. “A traffic infraction committed in a school zone area is double the fine.”

The GBPD will have extra patrol in the school zone areas beginning then as well, Bailey said. 

At 10th and Grant, although the speed is not reduced to 20 miles per hour, drivers need to stay alert for students crossing, he said.