Thousands of students across the Hudson Valley were back in school today.

Some students in Rockland County will be attending classes longer than usual this year. School days at the Pomona Middle School have been extended two hours from 3:14 p.m. to 5:21 p.m. Educators say the longer day will better prepare students academically, for high school and college.

News 12 spoke to some kids who say they're excited to start learning new things. "I love reading and I can go anywhere when I read. And I love math and it's hard but I keep doing it," says fourth-grader Abbey Conley.

Meanwhile, local police departments are reminding everyone that school buses are back on the roads. Drivers are warned that flashing lights and stop signs on the side of the buses means they have to stop. Many police forces say they will have patrols out in full force keeping an eye on drivers. Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner says that 23 summonses were issued during the enforcement this morning, including five for passing a stopped school bus.