The new school year begins next Wednesday at Whitefish Schools and once again drivers will be dropping off students to attend classes. With that in mind, Whitefish Middle School is reminding drivers to turn off their vehicles while waiting for students.

Last spring the school’s Student Council launched the “Turn the key, be idle free” campaign to educate commuters at all of Whitefish’s schools about the health risks and costs associated with idling. The school has joined the Clean Air Zone Montana project, a statewide program aimed at reducing children’s exposure to the school bus diesel and exhaust coming from idling cars.

The middle school is asking drivers, as well as school bus drivers, turn off their vehicles while waiting for their kids outside of the school and other gathering places.

The student council made a commitment to the project including by posting signs asking drivers to turn off their vehicles, placing posters around the school to let students and teachers know about the damages idling can do to the environment and health.