Crossroads Mall was packed Sunday as parents and their children rushed to make last-minute preparations and purchases for today’s first day of the new school year.

Shannon Brown, a native of Beckley, was at Master Cuts with her two children, second-  and seventh-graders. The children, she said, were getting trims before school.

Brown is also heading back to school at Mountain State University and working part-time. She is studying ultrasound technology and added that while both she and her children are ready to go back to school, they are not ready for the homework.

Brown’s son attends Independence Middle, is on the wrestling team and was one of the students placed in gender-based classes last year. The seventh-grader said the separation may have helped him focus more on his studies “a little.” Brown has not yet heard if the school plans to do gender-based classes again, and said the first day may hold a surprise.

Also getting his hair cut for school was Ty Dickerson. Ty said he is going into fifth grade at Stratton Elementary, his favorite subject is science and he can’t wait to start basketball and soccer practice.

Ty’s mom, Carly Dickerson, said she and her family moved to Beckley two years ago.

“Ty has been really happy in the school system here, though right now he is stressing more about his school clothes than his schoolwork,” she said.

Cindy Hinkle, cosmetologist at Master Cuts in Crossroads Mall, noted, “Everybody seems to have waited to get their hair cut until today. We have been busy with kids and teenagers nonstop since we opened.”

Christine and Jeremiah Taylor were in JC Penney with their daughters doing some final back-to-school clothes shopping. Cayla is heading into eighth grade, and Ashlee is starting first.

Cayla said “I’m excited about school starting, but I also want summer to last longer.”

Christine Taylor said this summer went faster and felt shorter than others.

The Taylor family went to Myrtle Beach this summer and Christine pointed out it was the girls’ first time at the beach. Ashlee said she had a great time, but was worried about sharks and jellyfish.

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As children make their way to their buses and into school this morning, motorists are reminded to be extra cautious. Sometimes in the excitement of reuniting with friends and anticipation, the children might not be as careful as they should.

The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department and Beckley Police Department will run extra patrols in and around school zones today to aid in encouraging drivers to take it slow.

The patrols will focus on school zones in the morning and afternoon as students are arriving and leaving school.

Police recommend motorists slow down as they approach school zones and pay attention to school buses picking up and unloading students.

Motorists should also make sure they give school buses plenty of room to safely do their job.

State law requires that when a bus stops and extends its stop sign, all motorists in both lanes must stop.

Funding for the extra patrols is being supplied by the Southern Regional Highway Safety Program.

— E-mail: splummer@register-herald.com