Traffic Near Schools Likely Busy This Morning as Pasadena Unified Partially Reopens for In-Person Learning

The Pasadena Unified School District is welcoming students back to in-person learning on April 13, starting with its youngest students. Approximately 1,980 preschool, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, first, and second grade students return to 14 elementary schools this week.

School carline dropoffs begin at 7:30 a.m. Bell rings at 8:15 a.m., Pasadena Unified said in a statement on Monday.

PUSD said that 58% of its 3,400 preschool – 2nd grade students are scheduled to return to elementary schools and five children’s centers this week.

As students and staff return to schools for in-person instruction, Pasadena police are reaching out to remind drivers to remember to be extra careful when driving around buses and schools.

“Please drive carefully in school zones,” Pasadena Police Department Lieutenant Anthony Russo said. “Let’s help keep students safe to ensure as smooth a transition as possible back to in-person learning.”

Buses picking up and dropping off schoolchildren are of particular note, according to Russo. California law requires drivers to stop when a school bus is in front of them and extends its stop sign with flashing red lights. Drivers must remain stopped as long as the red lights are on.

Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or two-lane road with a center turn lane.

Russo also urged drivers to slow down in school zones and anticipate more foot and car traffic around schools for drop-off and pick-ups.