SYRACUSE -- Schools opened in Syracuse and most of its surrounding communities today.  Usually students get the day after Labor Day off, and don't begin classes till the Wednesday or Thursday after the holiday. but because Labor Day fell so late this year, districts needed to get the school year started as soon as possible to get in all the required days.

Some districts actually started early. Students in Lafayette, Tully, and DeRuyter began classes last week.

The start of school also brings out those annual warnings to motorists, to keep an eye out for kids crossing streets on their way to school, and to keep an eye out for those reduced speed limits in school zones.  Police also say they will be watching for drivers who do not stop for school buses that have activated their flashing red lights.