Schools throughout New York state are opening their doors this week – some Tuesday, some today.

It’s our annual return to the structure that the school year begins. Children aren’t the only ones who find themselves shaking off the rust as morning routines begin again after two months of sleeping a little later, staying up a little later and the general freedom that comes with long, warm summer days. For hundreds of children this is the first of many first days of school. For hundreds more this year marks the last first day of school and the next step toward adulthood.

So, of course, we need to make sure people are paying attention to students and parents walking to and from school in the Jamestown Public Schools District and, for areas outside of the city, to the ubiquitous yellow school buses on the roads in the mornings and afternoons. Pay attention to school zones, crossing guards and flashing yellow lights during the morning and afternoon commute.

There is one more change worth noting this year as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s long-discussed ban on internet-enabled cell phones takes effect for this school year. Readers of a certain age remember what it was like having to go to the school office for a phone message from parents. What was once old is new again. Hochul and the state Legislature are mandating distraction-free schools. For some parents who have held off on buying their children smart phones nothing will change. For children who have become dependent on their smart device throughout the day this will mark a different sort of first day of school with no push alerts, sneaking a quick glance at social media in the hallways or messaging friends throughout the day. Many parents – and, we’re sure, plenty of students – are upset with the change. But it’s the law, and there is logic behind the change. Too many students are distracted by their phones during the school day, and supporters of cell phone bans say cell phones negatively impact student engagement in the classroom and the preparation for life that the classroom is supposed to support. Of course, what are school districts giving students as early as kindergarten? That’s right – tablet computers and, as students get older, laptops.

We’ll all learn to adapt to the state’s new rules. It is, after all, the first day of school.