With the first day of classes for Rome City Schools approaching on Wednesday, Aug. 1, comes the annual rush of parents and guardians wanting to see their little ones off at school.

That means an influx of more cars than usual.

“It will really exacerbate the traffic patterns around the elementary schools in particular,” said Superintendent Gayland Cooper. 

The crowd of extra vehicles can cause significant delays, so it’s best to think ahead and leave early. The sooner students begin to ride the school buses, the sooner the daily traffic load at schools will decrease, according to Cooper.

For students attending Rome High, there is a new addition to handle the flow of traffic. A road at the west side of campus will direct vehicles out to Wolf Drive and North Avenue.

Cooper cautions drivers to be aware of new students entering the parking lot and take them into consideration.

“Be very patient, because it’s the first time some parents and kids have been to that campus and they’re not aware of the traffic patterns,” said Cooper. “It’s just going to take a while longer.”

Officers from the Rome Police Department will be on hand to assist with traffic, and teachers and principals will help to direct students. As students learn the flow of getting to and from school, Cooper warned drivers to be on the lookout and careful on roadways near the schools.

“People just need to be really, really cautious,” said Cooper.

Other local schools start later this month.

Both Unity Christian School and the Georgia School for the Deaf start on Aug. 6. Floyd County Schools and St. Mary’s Catholic School go back to classes on Aug. 8. Berry College Elementary and Middle School starts Aug. 10. Darlington School returns Aug. 20.