Hagerstown, MD (August 22, 2018) - Students and staff of Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) are preparing for the September 4 start of the 2018-2019 school year. WCPS wants to remind the community, and especially the driving public, of laws and common sense practices that will ensure safety for students who travel to and from school, whether walking or riding school buses. State, county and municipal law enforcement agencies are strong partners with WCPS and will provide a visible presence in school zones and key locations where buses travel and students walk to school. Motorists are reminded that passing a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign displayed, in either direction, is against the law. WCPS also requests motorists to respect the signals given by school crossing guards allowing children to cross streets and road.