School bus stop sign 1

With school starting in some of Southern Oregon’s largest school districts this week, motorists are advised to mind school zones on their morning commutes — and those who don’t slow down could face fines, as Medford police plan targeted enforcement near schools next month.

A handful of Medford and Ashland classrooms opened for soft starts and orientation Monday, with more in the two districts starting their 2024-25 school year Tuesday. In other Jackson County school districts, school starts next week.

At schools across Medford School District, Monday was the first day and orientation day for elementary grades 1-5, middle school grade 6 and high school grade 9. Tuesday is the first day for grades 7 and 8 in middle school, grades 10-12 in high school. Tuesday, Sept. 3, marks the first official day of school for kindergarteners in Medford, but kindergartener soft start programs run the week of Aug. 26.

With school resuming Monday, the district reminds motorists to slow down to 20 mph from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m in school zones, according to a Facebook post on the Medford School District website. The post also includes a “friendly heads-up” that Medford police will be conducting traffic enforcement operations around schools in September.

At Ashland School District, Monday was a half-day, kicking off the school year for all first through fifth graders at Ashland elementary schools, as well as orientation day for Ashland Middle School sixth graders, Ashland High School ninth graders and other new students.

The first full day is Tuesday for all students at the high school, middle school, Willow Wind and Trails Outdoor School. 

Central Point School District, Phoenix-Talent School District and Eagle Point School District all list Tuesday, Sept. 3, as their first day of school.

St. Mary’s School in Medford started classes Aug. 22. Logos Public Charter School in Medford began its year Monday with a soft start.

All local schools will be closed for the Labor Day holiday Monday, Sept. 2.