Cape Henlopen schools ring in 2019-20 school year

When school bells ring Tuesday, Sept. 3, over 5,600 Cape Henlopen students will hang up backpacks and take seats at one of the district’s nine schools.

Cape school buses will join more than 1,800 other buses statewide transporting children to and from school, sporting events and field trips.

While Cape schools start after the summer’s busiest traffic ends, Delaware State Police Sgt. Richard Bratz said parents, students and motorists should take easy steps to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads.

While waiting for the bus, students should avoid horseplay that may cause them to fall into the street. When the bus arrives, children should wait until it stops, then cross in front of the bus so the driver can see them.

When exiting the bus, children should consider the danger zone, Bratz said, and never run behind the bus or bend down to pick up an object.

“There is a 10-foot wide area on all sides of the bus where the driver cannot see you,” he said. “When you get off the bus, step outside of the danger zone until you can see the driver’s face.”

Motorists must be aware of school buses on their routes. Drivers traveling in either direction on a two-lane road must stop when the bus’s flashing red lights and stop sign are activated. 

Drivers traveling in the same direction as a school bus on a four-lane, divided road must stop for a stopped school bus. Drivers travelling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.

“Anyone convicted of passing a stopped school bus can be fined as much as $230 for the first offense, and as much as $575 for the second offense,” Bratz said, adding the individual will also have their license suspended for one to 12 months.

School start times

Cape High, Mariner Middle and and Beacon Middle - 7:40 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Milton Elementary - 8:35 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.

Shields, H.O. Brittingham and Rehoboth Elementary - 8:55 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.

Love Creek Elementary - 8:55 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sussex Consortium - 8:40 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.