Students in Geary USD 475 return to school on Tuesday and there will be changes this year around school zones.

School start and dismissal times have changed this year for schools within the district. Elementary schools will start at 8:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:15 p.m., the middle schools will start at 7:50 a.m. and dismiss at 2:50 p.m., and the high school will start at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss at 3:35 p.m..

Captain Chuck Leithoff with the Junction City Police Department explained that with the new start and dismissal times the school zone times are changing as well.

“The elementary school zone times will be 7:30 to 8:30 in the morning, and 2:45 to 3:45 in the afternoon. The middle school will be the same 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., but their afternoon time will be 2:30 to 3:30. The high school and Freshman Success Academy, the morning time will be 8:00 to 9:00 and the afternoon time will be 3:00 to 4:00,” explained Leithoff.

Leithoff also warns motorists to watch out for students crossing the streets, especially the younger kids.

“You know their excited to go to school, and their anxious, and they want to get there. They are excited to see their friends and a new chapter in their life, so they may not pay quite as good as attention as they should. We just ask all motorists this time of year to slow down and keep an extra eye out for the kids.”

Tuesday will be a half day of school for grades 1-12, and Wednesday will be the first full day of school for the students. The first day for kindergarten will be August 15th, and the first day for the Early Childhood Program will be August 19th.