As students go back to school today, many students will do so by bus. 

 Some Weyburn residents have asked if the bus routes have changed this year.

"There are no changes to the urban routes, so both Weyburn and Estevan have remained static. Those stops are as they were previously," said Lynn Little, Director of Education and CEO of Southeast Cornerstone School Division.

"To the rural routes, there are changes annually because once a student graduates from a family farm or as a family begins to attend school, the routes automatically change each year."

Little also said that it would be unusual for a rural route not to change.

The school division also looks at the efficiency of the bus routes.

"If there's an opportunity to reduce or combine routes without jeopardising the start time of 7:30 am, the earliest pickup, we'll do those pieces," explained Little.

Safety is a primary concern for the school division when it comes to determining where the buses are to pick up students. They look at where students live close together, the distance from the school and the safest location to pick up students in each part of Weyburn, where those students live.

Some Weyburn residents have shared concerns about where the buses pick up their children. Little said that if anyone is concerned about this issue, the first step is to call the Principal of their child's school and then to the school superintendent at the transportation department.

"We will certainly work through any concerns that they have. That doesn't mean that we'd be able to switch the routes but were always open to hearing if there are pieces we can do to make a service," said Little.

Southeast Saskatchewan School Division would also like to remind everyone in Weyburn to take special care when driving especially during school zones.

"Just remember that there are school zones out there and to watch for children not only in the school zones but to and from school as well," said Keith Keating, Superintendent of Schools for the West Service Area of Southeast Cornerstone Division.

"Safety is always paramount. That's the most important thing when we are transporting our students to and from school," he added.

There is normally a higher level of excitement on the first day back to school, this means drivers need to be particularly aware of children on the road.

"There will be many excited children out and about on the streets hopping on to buses with full back packs and resources, bringing them to school, so we really encourage our community members to have an eye out for students of all ages," said Little.

The Weyburn School Bus Schedule can be found here.

The Holy Family School Division Bus Schedule can be found here.