VERNON, N.J. — Local school district officials recently sent out a list of tips to ensure that students stay safe while traveling to and from school in winter conditions.

"With the arrival of winter weather imminently approaching, the Vernon School District would like to remind the community at-large of the importance of winter safety for both student drivers and students who ride the bus," the district said in an announcement.

Officials encouraged parents to discuss the following with their children:

• Dress appropriately for cold, icy weather.

• Allow extra time to get to your bus stop.

• Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room when there is ice and snow on the roadway.

• Use the handrails when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping.

• Do not stand or play on snow piles at the bus stop.

• Do not throw snowballs at the bus or at anyone.

• Never try to retrieve an item that falls around or underneath the bus. Instead, always report such an incident to the bus driver.

• Never chase after the bus or attempt to grab the back bumper.

• Remind student drivers in your house to keep windshields and roofs clear of snow and ice.

• Remind student drivers to allow extra time to get to school in the morning when there is inclement weather.

• Parents, encourage student drivers to take the bus home on days when there is an early dismissal from school. Oftentimes, inexperienced drivers are safer taking the bus. Their cars can be picked up from the school parking lot when it is safe to drive.