The Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s annual back-to-school countdown is underway.
Look for lighted marquee message boards around Collier County, reminding the community that the first day of school is Aug. 19.
The message boards read, “Give Kids A Brake – School Starts Aug. 19.”
Message boards will be up at the following intersections:
- Airport-Pulling Road, north of Vanderbilt Beach Road
- Immokalee Road, east of Collier Boulevard
- Golden Gate Boulevard, east of Big Cypress Elementary School
- Livingston Road, near Vanderbilt Beach Road
- Airport-Pulling Road, near Poinciana Elementary School
- Oil Well Road, near Corkscrew Elementary School
- Golden Gate Parkway, near 44th Street Southwest
The seven-day countdown is a way to remind motorists that our roads will soon be filled with cars and buses filled with schoolchildren, and that school speed zones will be back in operation.
It’s also a way to remind schoolchildren that they need to think about their own safety, whether they’re on the bus, on the sidewalk, at school, or with friends.
During the first week of school deputies will be at the elementary school student drop-off lines to greet parents and arriving students. Elementary school deputies will also be at the student pick-up lines during dismissal, when parents pick up their child.
Also during the first week of school deputies in marked patrol vehicles and in unmarked vehicles with their emergency lights flashing will be parked at the following school speed zones:
- Oil Well Road at Corkscrew Elementary School
- Airport-Pulling Road at Pelican Marsh Elementary School
- Airport-Pulling Road @at Poinciana Elementary School
- Golden Gate Parkway and 44th Street Southwest intersection
- Golden Gate Boulevard at Big Cypress Elementary School
Deputies will also be at crossing guard intersections and other areas where large groups of students walk to and from school.
