Wednesday, Aug. 12, is the first day of school for Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Red Oak, Ferris and Avalon ISDs. Palmer, Italy and Milford started Tuesday, while Maypearl begins Thursday. That also means school zones, bus stops and busy drop-off lines are back. Drivers should slow down around campuses, watch for children walking or biking and give themselves extra time during the morning and afternoon commute. A reminder: when a school bus has flashing red lights or an extended stop sign, drivers generally must stop in both directions unless the roadway is divided by a physical barrier or separate median. A center turn lane does not count. First-day traffic can be a little messy as families and bus routes settle into new routines, so patience goes a long way.