MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The school year is almost here, and while students in Meridian Township and surrounding areas may be excited to go back, the Michigan Association of School Boards released information on a few new laws now in place that students and parents should be aware of.

One law is the Public Act 478 of 2014. This law requires schools to include cyberbullying as a form of bullying in their policies. The law also requires schools to report annually to the Department of Education any instances of bullying.

Previously, all school buses had to stop completely at railroad crossings. The Public Acts 128-129 states that a school bus does not have to stop at an inactive railroad crossing. An inactive crossing consists of one that has been covered or removed and all of the signs, and other warning devices are removed.

Another law going into effect is the Public Act 56. This law states that if a child under the age of 16 is truant from school, the family would be prohibited from receiving Family Independence Program assistance. If the child is over 16 and is truant, only the child would lose his/her assistance.

Christine Sermak, Principal of Okemos High School, commented on the subject saying, "we will continue to be vigilant and work as a school community to ensure all of our students are provided a safe environment to learn and grow."