In some parts of McHenry County, the big yellow buses that take our youngest and most vulnerable to and from school already are making their way slowly through town, one corner at a time.

That means thousands of children, some as young as 5, are emerging from their homes each weekday morning, backpacks in tow, walking to the place where they will meet their ride to school.

This started last week for students in Alden-Hebron District 19, McHenry Districts 15 and 156, Marengo District 154, Woodstock District 200 and Carpentersville District 300.