Area Catholic schools begin the fall semester today. For Hyattsville residents, that can mean additional traffic considerations along the Route 1 corridor as the city's two parochial schools return to session. 

Both St. Jerome Academy and DeMatha Catholic High School will be welcoming students back for the new school year today. 

The St. Jerome school day kicks off with an 8 a.m. assembly at the cafeteria lot featuring the morning prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The school will have a 1 p.m. dismissal on Monday.

Full school day schedule begins on Tuesday for St. Jerome students, with a 3:10 p.m. dismissal. 

DeMatha Catholic High School students will also return to class on Monday. Classes for DeMatha students begin at 7:45 a.m. Freshmen in the class of 2016 have been back at DeMatha since Aug. 22. DeMatha's school day ends at 2:45 p.m. 

Parents, students, staff and others commuting to and from DeMatha should note that it is now illegal to park on the 5800 block of 44th Avenue and the 4300 block of Madison Street between the hours of 7 a.m. through 9 a.m and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

DeMatha has updated its parent alert system, designed to communicate important information about emergencies, cancellations and delays. DeMatha parents can subscribe to the alert system following these instructions. 

Those traveling to the schools from the north should also note that students have returned to the University of Maryland for the fall semester. Expect heavier rush hour traffic in and around College Park, especially along the Route 1 corridor. 

With the return of the parochial students on top of last week's return of public school students, area motorists should take extra caution driving in and around Hyattville in the morning and afternoon.