CLAY COUNTY — For most of the public school districts in Clay County, school for the 2024-25 school year begins next week. For Smithville and Kearney school districts, the first day of school is Tuesday, Aug. 20.
For Liberty, the first day of school for most schools is Wednesday, Aug. 21. EPiC Elementary School in Liberty began Aug.
7. As the start of the school year brings more traffic, area police departments are sharing tips to help keep students safe. For those walking to a new school, police suggest parents walk with them the first week to make sure children know the route and can do it safely.
If kids are biking, police say loved ones should encourage them to wear a bike helmet and respect traffic lights and stop signs. For those riding a bus, students should always board and exit the bus at designated locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building. For motorists, police say to be alert for school zones that have a reduced speed limit at designated times of the day and keep an eye out for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks.
.