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Cool Your Engines: Help Keep Students Safe as School Begins

A red fire truck with a "Cool Your Engines, Back to School!" banner across its front is parked in front of a building.
Cool Your Engines: Help Keep Students Safe as School Begins

As School City of Mishawaka prepares to welcome students back to school on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, SCM and the City of Mishawaka are once again reminding the community to Cool Your Engines and help keep students safe.

Now in its 10th year, the Cool Your Engines campaign brings together School City of Mishawaka, the Mishawaka Police Department, Mishawaka Fire Department, School Resource Officers, crossing guards, and community leaders around one important message: slow down, stay alert, and watch for students as they travel to and from school.

With the first day of school comes increased traffic around our buildings, school buses back on the roads, crossing guards at intersections, and students walking and biking throughout our neighborhoods. Drivers are encouraged to plan for a little extra travel time and use additional caution when traveling near schools.

The Mishawaka Police Department reminds motorists that school-zone speed limits will be enforced. Drivers should watch for flashing school-zone lights, follow the directions of crossing guards, stop for school and city buses loading or unloading children, and eliminate distractions—including cell phone use—while driving.

Families and students can also help make the trip to and from school safer. Students walking to school should use sidewalks and designated crosswalks whenever possible, obey traffic signals and crossing guards, and always look both ways before crossing a street. Students riding bicycles should wear helmets and follow the rules of the road.

For families driving to school, students should always wear their seat belts, families should become familiar with their school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures, and students should exit vehicles on the sidewalk side whenever possible.

Above all, motorists are asked to be patient and alert. Watch carefully for children near schools, sidewalks, intersections, parking lots, and neighborhood streets, and allow extra time when traveling through school zones.

The first day of school is an exciting time across our community. By slowing down and looking out for one another, we can help ensure every SCM student arrives at school—and returns home—safely.

Remember to Cool Your Engines. Our students are counting on you!

Several police cars are parked along a grassy sidewalk in front of houses and trees lining a street.

 
A group of uniformed officers and emergency personnel stand on a grassy area in front of a building, with trees and a street visible in the background.

 
A red fire truck with "Mishawaka" written on its side is parked on a street in front of houses.