The big story: School’s back in session.

Today’s the first day allowed in state law for public school classes to resume, and most districts in Florida are taking advantage, as USA Today Florida Network reports.

Be sure to plan your drives accordingly. The buses will be on their routes, as will many more teen drivers, and cameras are monitoring many school zones for speeders. Some districts are in need of more crossing guards at busy intersections, Bay News 9 reports. So don’t forget these key rules of the road, as WTXL reports.

There are plenty of changes taking place this year, including new schools, plenty of principal shifts, updated rules on student cellphone use and more. Read more here.

Hot topics

Acceleration: A North Port teen is the University of South Florida’s youngest summer graduate at 17.

Charter schools: Two Hernando County charter school groups are merging their operations, Hernando Sun reports.

Enrollment: Miami-Dade County schools continue to recruit and retain students even as the district posts strong academic results, WTVJ reports. • Orange County schools are projected to decrease enrollment by 3,000 students in the new school year, WFTV reports. • School districts across the state are seeing declines as the number of homeschoolers has grown by 46% over five years, WPLG reports.

Faculty hiring: The University of Central Florida’s faculty hiring hasn’t kept up with enrollment increases, leading some students to label the school “U Can’t Finish,” the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Immigration enforcement: Some South Florida parents are worried about sending their children to school with the threat of immigration enforcement on campus looming, the Miami Herald reports. • Orange County’s superintendent reassures families nervous about ICE raids that students will be safe in school, Central Florida Public Media reports.

Job cuts: Sarasota County schools have cut dozens of positions and frozen hiring as officials review budgets in light of funding reductions and enrollment declines, the Herald-Tribune reports.

Language lessons: Educators worry they won’t be able to continue offering English language lessons to Osceola County prekindergarten children because of federal funding cuts, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Library books: Florida’s ongoing battle over which books belong in schools has found two Central Florida parents fighting opposite sides of the issue, WKMG reports.

Legal counsel: The Duval County school board’s decision to pursue hiring its own lawyer rather than using the city’s general counsel is gaining criticism, WJXT reports.

Security: The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new unit to investigate and prevent school threats, WOFL reports.

University research: Florida’s universities face the loss of millions in federal research support, and Gov. Ron DeSantis is OK with it, Politico Florida reports.

Vouchers: The Florida Department of Education is working on a rule to refine when voucher recipients can receive their payments, Florida Phoenix reports.

From the police blotter ... A Clay County teen was arrested on accusations of threatening to shoot a schoolmate on the first day of classes at school, WJXT reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.

Before you go ... Are you as enthusiastic for classes to get started as these Hillsborough teachers and staff?