Floyd County’s five schools — four elementary and one — open Thursday for the 2016-17 year.

Teachers and staff went to work last Thursday and school bus drivers will meet today.

School started Monday in Franklin County, opening the doors to 16 schools and 7,500 students.

At one time, the first day after Labor Day marked the beginning of the school year in most areas.

No more.  Weather delays, increased testing schedules and other requirements imposed by state and federal regulations require school systems to start early and hope they have enough “snow days” banked to allow the school year to end around the first Friday of June.

Drivers should be aware of school buses on the road starting Thursday and the weekday afternoon traffic glut in Floyd when the schools let out.

The start of school also means the start of sports.  The Buffaloes open the varsity football season at against Carroll County on August 26 and has a benefit game against Bassett at home on the 19th.  High school golf is already underway and Floyd faces Galax and George Wythe Thursday at Great Oaks Country Club at 4 p.m.

Varsity Volleyball opens against Carroll County at home on Tuesday, Aug. 23.  Cross Country begins on August 27 in Blacksburg and but won’t have a home match until Oct. 12 at Chantilly Farms.

As Chuck Berry sang:

Up in the mornin’ and out to school
The teacher is teachin’ the Golden Rule
American history and practical math
You studyin’ hard and hopin’ to pass
Workin’ your fingers right down to the bone
And the guy behind you won’t leave you alone